Library of Congress Honors Broadway Icon

What’s the best thing that can happen to a Broadway song writer?

Winning a Tony Award is a major milestone. Having people sing your songs like regular pop songs is a big deal. But there’s one bit of recognition that not many receive that has a huge lasting impact.

And Stephen Sondheim just reached it.

The Songwriter of Fleet Street

You may not know Stephen Sondheim by name – which is a shame – but you most definitely know some of the work he’s done. 

“Company,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Into The Woods.” Those are just a small percentage. Now, the musical theater mainstay is set to have his works entered into the Library of Congress.

The collection has exactly 5,000 items covering Sondheim’s work.

According to the Library of Congress, there are collectibles like music and lyric drafts of popular songs and even many that were cut from their shows. Character notes like on pages of material, showing how they would evolve over time.

There are even manuscripts for many of the shows from his popular works to the ones that aren’t as known. Opening night telegrams, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings and more encapsulate Sondheim’s work.

It’s His Fault!

The revered songwriter passed away in 2021 at the age of 91. 

This is not his first go around with the Library of Congress. In 1995, Sondheim donated his 13,000 album record collection to the organization.

Additionally, the Library held a celebration concert for the songwriter’s 70th birthday in 2000. Those who performed included Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, Marin Mazzie, Debra Monk and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

“Stephen Sondheim has been credited with reinventing American musical theater, and his papers support that claim,” said Music Division Chief Susan Vita in a statement. 

“The wit, intelligence and theatrical daring of his work has succeeded in the way most great art does – it illuminates our shared human condition. This incredible collection now enjoys a permanent home at the nation’s library, which celebrates creativity in all its forms. As a treasured addition to our performing arts collection, it serves to honor and preserve Sondheim’s legacy.”