Stephen Sondheim to provide a night of musical theater for Salt Lake City

Still working at 80 years old, composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim is, arguably, the most important person to work in American musical theater in the past 50 years.

Actually, few would dispute that claim.

With more awards than could fit on any mantel — an Oscar, eight Tonys, multiple Grammys and a Pulitzer Prize — Sondheim's contribution to the genre has changed the way theatergoers consume musical theater.

In a rare and wonderful treat, Kingsbury Hall will play host to the artist in "An Evening With Stephen Sondheim."

"I don't think it can be calculated what an exceptional opportunity this is for the students of the University of Utah, and the general public, to meet a man who has contributed so much to the musical theater world," said Nancy Melich, the literary seminar director for the Utah Shakespeare Festival and longtime theater critic who will conduct the onstage conversation. "We'll never see his likes again.

"When you consider he's been writing over 55 years, if you count college, and the fact that he's continued to do this (he'll be 81 in March of this year), it's really a missed opportunity if people don't go hear him.

"Rodgers and Hammerstein changed the way we look at musical theater. Prior to that, it was pretty girls singing and dancing. That duo gave us characters that advanced the story.

"Then, Sondheim came along and gave us even more insight into the characters. His songs are integrated into the whole story."

Those who may not recognize his name — which will, no doubt, make your theater-loving pals roll their eyes — may be surprised by the number of Sondheim songs that are familiar. There are "Everything's Coming up Roses," "Send in the Clowns," "Let Me Entertain You," "A Comedy Tonight" and countless others.

Melich contends that even if the audience doesn't know his music, it's still worth seeing a legend. "This is someone who changed the way we look at musical theater; why wouldn't you go?"

Sondheim will discuss his career, his creative process and the state of musical theater.

"He's done quite a few of these evenings, and he really enjoys them," Melich said. "He's been interested in young people and has helped young artists along the way."

In preparation, Melich has been "revisiting my CD collection of Sondheim shows and listening in a slightly different way, reading liner notes — there is so much written about him."

The Show

What: An Evening with Stephen Sondheim

When: Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, University of Utah campus

Tickets: From $20.50 to $75; call 801-581-7100, visit KingsburyHall.org or purchase at the Kingsbury Hall ticket office