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WATCH: What It Was Like To Film Stephen Sondheim

By KJ Relth


Synopsis: Directed by Tony Award-winner and frequent Sondheim collaborator James Lapine, Six By Sondheim is a highly personal profile of a great American artist as revealed through the creation and performance of six of his iconic songs. Told primarily in Sondheim’s own words, this feature documentary weaves together dozens of interviews with the composer, rarely seen archival material spanning more than half a century (including newly discovered footage of Ethel Merman performing "Gypsy") and re-stagings of three songs produced especially for the film.

Six By Sondheim screened as part of the IDA Documentary Screening Series in December at the Landmark Theater in West Los Angeles. KCRW's Matt Holzman spoke with director James Lapine about how confident the famous composer in an interview, a direct contrast to his vulnerability in front of the piano.

Watch below:

You can watch more moments from this Q&A at our IDA Screening Series playlist on our YouTube channel

Learn more about the other docs set to play in the IDA Documentary Screening Series