On November 26, the world lost one of the most influential figures in American musical theater of the last century: Stephen Sondheim. The musical and lyrical genius passed away at age 91 at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut.

Stephen Sondhein took the musical theater world by storm with an incredible range of songs and lyrics that were unprecedented in the mid-1900s. He experimented with music styles and sophisticated content to explore ideas about the human experience that were radical in comparison to the status quo of the time. 

Sondheim started his theater career by writing the lyrics for West Side Story (1957), which has just recently been adapted into a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Some of Sondheim’s most well known works also include: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), and Into the Woods (1987). 

In addition to his own masterpieces, Sondheim’s mentorship of countless artists inspired many of the shows now on Broadway.

One mentee, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the actor, singer, composer, playwright, producer, and film director most well known for creating the highly successful shows In the Heights and Hamilton, tweeted about his mentor, saying, “his ears must be burning from the countless Sondheim kindnesses being shared from the generations of writers he mentored . . .”

Sondheim’s work touched countless lives of people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

 “I’m heartbroken that we have lost such a musical inspiration,” says Hills senior Rebecca Cohen. “May his memory be a blessing.”

In the last few weeks, communities of people have come together to celebrate his life and his contributions to musical theater. 

On Wednesday evening, Broadway dimmed its lights in tribute to the renowned composer. Members of the theater community and fans gathered on 45th Street, where a revival of Sondheim’s Company is in previews. 

There have been innumerable more tributes, both in person, in the media and on social platforms that show the scale of Sondheim’s legacy.

There is no doubt that the impact Sondheim had on the world of musical theater is immeasurable. Not only did he leave behind numerous revered works that are enjoyed and recreated everyday, he pioneered a way of storytelling with music that continues to affect what musical theater looks like today.