Anything You Do, Let It Come From You | Sondheim: The Mentor

About this episode

This episode explores the profound impact of Stephen Sondheim's mentorship on young composer-lyricists during his Oxford University Masterclass in 1990.

Presenting the exclusive story of Stephen Sondheim’s Oxford University Masterclass. For six months in 1990, Steve personally mentored 13 hand-picked young composer-lyricists in a classroom setting. In this episode, for the first time ever, Steve’s protegees’ reunite to share their never-before-heard testimony about how Steve shaped not just their careers – but their entire lives. “To a musical theatre writer, studying with Stephen Sondheim is like a Christian meeting Jesus. And I measure my life in before and after.” Leslie Arden Steve always said ‘Teaching is the sacred profession’ – but how did it feel to receive Sondheim’s committed mentorship? For his students, what was the long-term personal impact of Steve’s dedicated teaching? And discover how Steve’s six months in Oxford became just as important to him as it did to his protegees. “This is not just about musicals. He changed our lives. He changed the direction and scent of our lives.” Ed Hardy Join Sondheim’s chum Martin Milnes – and first love Peter E. Jones – for a unique tribute to Steve The Mentor. With guest appearances from Sondheim protegee Lin-Manuel Miranda, Steve’s contemporaries Maltby & Shire, and Olivier…

People in this episode

Hosts: Martin Milnes, Peter E. Jones

Guests: Leslie Arden, Ed Hardy, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bill Deamer

Topics covered

• mentorship
• musical theatre
• Stephen Sondheim
• Oxford Masterclass
• composer-lyricists
• personal impact
• career development

Keywords

• Sondheim
• mentorship
• musical theatre
• Oxford Masterclass
• composer-lyricists
• career
• personal growth
• testimony

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Oxford University, Maltby & Shire

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