sjsondheim.com(Bruce Memblatt):I believe you're aware of The Quotable Stephen Sondheim Page, or at least had a look at it the last time I spoke with you…. I was wondering if I could ask you a short group of questions that I could publish at my site along with your responses….
Stephen Sondheim:
No need to remind me—I remember you and your site well.
sjsondheim.com:
I wonder if you could chime in on a running debate some friends and I have engaged in from time to time. Are Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett lovers? In the line "Me rumpled bedding legitimized" is" rumpled bedding" Lovett's present state of affairs which could be legitimized by wedding Sweeney in the future, or is the entire line a wish or hope for the future?
Stephen Sondheim:
Yes indeed, I think that Todd and Mrs. Lovett have been lovers, though not by his choice,
I suspect.
sjsondheim.com:
Does Sweeney Todd believe in god? The line that goes "he served a dark and a vengeful god" is that literal, or it is a way of saying he served a dark master allegorically? Does god enter Sweeney's thinking in a religious sense?I ask partly because of your adaptation of Dies Irae in Sweeney's score.
Stephen Sondheim:
“Dark Master” is correct. It has nothing to do with God. I used the “Dies Irae” simply because it connotes death.
Sjsondheim.com:
Do you prefer adapting material from films, or books like, for example, Passion and a Little Night Music to working on original ideas like Follies , Sunday or Bounce etc.
Stephen Sondheim:
I have no preference between adaptations and originals. Originals are scarier to write and therefore, I suspect, more fun. The librettist has a much better, if harder, time writing an original.
sjsondheim.com:
Do you have a favorite key to work in? Like say when you sit down at the piano is there a note, or group of notes you sort of naturally head towards?
Stephen Sondheim:
I try to work in keys that I haven’t worked in recently, in order to prevent my fingers from falling into familiar physical patterns. Sometimes, I’ll adjust the key to suit my rapidly diminishing vocal range.
sjsondheim.com:
And, finally, something a bit casual if you don't mind? I know you aren't a cook really, but is there a dish you like to whip up say if you're kind of hanging about in the kitchen? Or if not do you have a favorite meal?
Stephen Sondheim:
Finally, I can hardly boil water. And I don’t really have a favorite meal, though I’m extremely fond of a South American dish called Pastel de Choclo.
sjsondheim.com:
Thank you for your time Mr. Sondheim....
