How well do you know Sondheim?

Blog: How well do you know Sondheim?

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So you think you know all there is to know about Stephen Sondheim's life and work? Test your knowledge of Signature's favorite composer, from West Side Story to Sunday in the Park with George to Road Show with our new quiz.

Can't get enough Sondheim? Don't forget to buy tickets to A Little Night Music, running now through October 8 at Signature.



1. We'll start off with an easy one - which photo is an image from the set of Sunday in the Park with George?

You're right, that's the answer!

Nope, sorry.


The iconic set of Sunday in the Park with George features Georges Seurat's painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. This image shows the set of Signature's stunning production in 2014.

2. Finish this famous Sondheim lyric: "Everything's coming up..."

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Nope, sorry.


Everything's coming up roses! Arguably the best-known song from Gypsy and definitely one of Sondheim's most covered songs, the closer of Act 1 is a showstopper for the actor who plays Mama Rose.

3. What pop star sings Sondheim's song "What Can You Lose?" in the 1990 film Dick Tracy?

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Nope, sorry.


Madonna co-starred opposite Warren Beatty in the comic book noir film, and Sondheim won an Academy Award® for Best Original Song for "Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)."

4. Finish the lyric – "Nothing's gonna harm you..."

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Nope, sorry.


Poor Young Toby thought he could protect Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney (and from herself). And what did he get for this sweet moment? Prematurely white hair and lots of practice working a meat grinder.

5. Which musical did Stephen Sondheim write lyrics, but not music for?

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The great Leonard Bernstein wrote the music to West Side Story, and he and book writer Arthur Laurents brought a young Sondheim in to write the lyrics.

6. Finish the lyric – "There won't be..." from the musical Anyone Can Whistle.

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Nope, sorry.


Fay Apple, the heroine in the show, sings this song hoping for a hero to come help her save her town.

7. What Sondheim musical includes the characters Hero and Pseudolus?

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Nope, sorry.


Hero and Pseudolus are two of the main characters in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

8. Which character pictured is not from a Sondheim musical?

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Sally Bowles is the English performer in East Berlin's Kit Kat Klub in Kander & Ebb's Cabaret.

9. Robert and April sing about what European city in the musical Company?

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Nope, sorry.


Robert and April sing about her flight to Barcelona the morning after they have sex, and he discovers his own lukewarm feelings for her through the course of the song.

10. What is Stephen Sondheim’s middle name?

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Nope, sorry.


Signature's signature composer's full name is Stephen Joshua Sondheim.

Go back to those cast albums and take a glance through Finishing the Hat - or come to Signature to see A Little Night Music and get more Sondheim in your life!
Nice job! You did pretty well on the quiz. You'll love A Little Night Music at Signature - get your tickets today!
Wow, we are impressed. Was this quiz too easy for you? Try our Sondheim Superfan Quiz for the real test!

And don't forget to get your tickets to A Little Night Music at Signature if you don't have them already.
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