But some of his great works were flops when they opened, including one of my favorites, "Merrily We Roll Along."
Sondheim won Tonys, an Oscar, Grammys and a Pulitzer and was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama. If the groundbreaking nature of his work sounds familiar now, it's in part because so many composers have emulated him. Some of his musicals, like "Sweeney Todd," were sung through like operas, although Sondheim was adamantly opposed to calling them operas. Some of his songs had inventive structures that didn't adhere to familiar song forms and were built on harmonies resembling the classical avant-garde. But Sondheim opened the door to something new on Broadway. His mentor and father figure was lyricist Oscar Hammerstein. He started his Broadway career writing lyrics for "West Side Story" and "Gypsy" and went on to write music and lyrics for such shows as "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum," "Company," "Follies," "A Little Night Music," "Sweeney Todd," "Sunday In The Park With George," "Into The Woods" and "Passion." It's hard to overestimate his influence on American musical theater. An era ended last Friday with the death of the brilliant composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim.
It’s like I’m pushing to run up the stairs! No time for walking….Copyright 2021 Fresh Air. Just then……I hadn’t heard it all day……Dah da dah da dada dum dum dum….the Rocky theme song comes on! Just as I see the iconic museum up ahead. Little by little I make my way through the first 25 miles and just then….beaten down and tired. I Push on….I run….I walk….I run….and walk again. There is a bit of a breeze which ultimately chills me to the bone. A big part of the race takes place along the river and back again. The running warms me up until we get near the river. Maybe for the first hour….not! Plugging away once the start begins and it is a bit chilly. I had joked about putting my music playlist on repeat for all of the ROCKY music. I wait in line for the porta potties and literally get back to the corral with maybe only a dozen people behind me……lol. I know that I’m going to need to pace myself to finish properly. The race is packed with 30,000 marathon competitors and I’m in the back of the pack. The city is epic in the dark early morning hours. I make haste and begin more brisk morning walk in the dark two miles to the start line. That always means no change of clothes and no shower. Also having to pack everything myself and put it in the car because there won’t be time when I return. Race day morning! I get up and get dressed. Visiting on these trips alone certainly isn’t much fun. Another place close by fit my needs and I enjoyed my meal by myself. Appeared to be more of a Tavern than a dining establishment. The hotel clerk gave me a recommendation of the “oldest tavern” in the city……I tried it….it was slammed packed. I got my dog together and went to find a place to eat. Walking past the Freemasons building made me think about National Treasure and if the stories were really true….maybe? I walked around admiring the architecture and history in this old city.
I walked around and saw the city after checking in. The hotel was a cool place and the area was really neat. However….I don’t think I want to eat here.
DA DA DA DUM DUM SONG FULL
The Reading Terminal is an awesome place that is packed full of people. I head across the street looking for a place to eat.
DA DA DA DUM DUM SONG FREE
It a big one and I spend a little time walking around and getting free stuff. I crawl my way to a parking garage across from the convention center and head to the registration. Once I get to city center exit……traffic jam! I love Philly! I leave early and expect to arrive at the expo almost the same time it opens Saturday morning. I do the long drive up to Philly but stop just out of town about 5 hours from home. I’m doing this one……and getting my 16th different state! Unfortunately it is so close to Thanksgiving that I get talked out of it all the time. That along with the fact that I’ve wanted to do this for several years.
DA DA DA DUM DUM SONG MOVIE
It’s the 25th anniversary of the run and it’s the same weekend as the new Creed II movie comes out. Mostly due to the added weight from the insulin. I’m sure that my diabetes and the meds are preventing me from performing at my top level. So after my performance in Richmond and OBX it’s doubtful that I can finish a race strong.