Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes

Published by Knopf, 2010, hardcover, illustrated, index, 444 pages, condition: as new.

The winner of seven Tonys, an Academy Award, seven Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize and more, Stephen Sondheim.s career has spanned more than half a century; his lyrics have become synonymous with musical theater and popular culture. In Finishing the Hat titled after perhaps his most autobiographical song, from Sunday in the Park with George Sondheim has not only collected his lyrics for the first time, he is giving readers a rare personal look into his life as well as his remarkable productions.

Along with the lyrics for all of his musicals from 1954 to 1981including West Side Story, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music and Sweeney ToddSondheim treats us to never-before-published songs from each show, songs that were cut or discarded before seeing the light of day. He discusses his relationship with his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II, and his collaborations with extraordinary talents such as Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Ethel Merman, Richard Rodgers, Angela Lansbury, Harold Prince and a panoply of others. The anecdotesfilled with history, pointed observations and intimate detailstransport us back to a time when theater was a major pillar of American culture. Best of all, Sondheim appraises his work and dissects his lyrics, as well as those of others, offering unparalleled insights into songwriting that will be studied by fans and aspiring songwriters for years to come.

Accompanying Sondheims sparkling writing are behind-the-scenes photographs from each production, along with handwritten music and lyrics from the songwriters personal collection.

Stephen Sondheim has written award-winning music and lyrics for theater, film and television. He is also the coauthor of the film The Last of Sheila and the play Getting Away with Murder. Sondheim is on the council of the Dramatists Guild of America, having served as its president from 1973 to 1981.

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