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| author | Samara Lisa Grossman |
| title | Children and Art: Stephen Sondheim's Influence On the Current Prolific Generation of Broadway Composer/Lyricists |
| abstract | The work produced by American musical theatre composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim over his six-decade career is praised for its
emotional nuance and probing universal questions. These characteristics can be traced through specific features shared by all of his works: the choosing of specific,
usually obscure content, and then approaching the content from both an emotional and intellectual lens molding the form to the content, making each show unique to
that particular subject. These same traits are present in the work of certain contemporary composer/lyricists, and analysis of their work demonstrates the extent
of Sondheim's influence on musical theatre as an evolving art form. While there are others who could be included in this list, the work of Andrew Lippa, Jason
Robert Brown, and Lin-Manuel Miranda demonstrate most powerfully the extent of Sondheim's influence. Each has publicly identified Sondheim as an artistic influence,
but that influence goes beyond friendship and support to the deeper foundations of their work, including a meticulous and intellectual approach to lyrics that not
only advance the plot through song, but also develop the characters, bringing a deeper level to the emotional arc of the musical. Through the work of this next
generation of composer/lyricists, we see how Sondheim has created a lasting contribution to American Musical Theatre.
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| school | The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, Drew University |
| degree | D.Litt. (2018) |
| advisor | Sandra Jamieson |
| committee | Lisa Brenner |
| full text | SLGrossman.pdf |
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