Stephen Sondheim might be the Musical Theater's most brilliant lyricist. My fave has always
been "A Little Night Music" Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. I loved the Bergman film too.

He didn't care for Brecht, too didactic for Sondheim's tastes but he wrote the most Brechtian
line in Sweeney.

"Those down below serving those up above". (Pure Brecht!)

I disagreed that "I Feel Pretty" was too drawing-room for Maria. Puerto Rican girls
are sheltered in their own country and could very well have these feelings about being
an elite woman.

Also, he got in trouble for "Island of tropic diseases". PR has a good health system.

West Side is Bernstein's triumph INMHO and his symphony and coral work just wasn't as
valuable. I'm sorry that Berstein didn't write more musicals but maybe WSS and Candide
were enough.

Sondheim's brilliance will be remembered in musical history.