Inside the Actors Studio Season 1 Episode 2 Stephen Sondheim

In season 1, episode 2 of Inside the Actors Studio, host James Lipton sits down with legendary Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim is known for his iconic works such as West Side Story, Company, Sweeney Todd, and Into the Woods.

Throughout the hour-long episode, Lipton delves deep into Sondheim's creative process and his inspirations behind some of his most beloved works. Sondheim opens up about his childhood and how it influenced his decision to pursue a career in theater. He also speaks about his relationship with his mentor, the legendary composer Oscar Hammerstein II, and how he learned the craft of musical theater from him.

As the episode continues, Sondheim discusses his writing process and how he approaches crafting a musical. He shares the story behind the creation of West Side Story and how it evolved from a concept for a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. He also speaks about the challenges he faced while writing Company, one of his most unconventional musicals, and how he pushed the boundaries of the genre.

Throughout the interview, Sondheim reflects on his collaborations with some of the most prominent figures in theater, including director Hal Prince and choreographer Jerome Robbins. He also speaks about his close working relationship with actress Angela Lansbury, who starred in several of his productions.

Lipton also asks Sondheim about some of his more controversial works, such as Assassins, a musical that explores the lives and motivations of famous American assassins. Sondheim defends his choice to explore such dark subject matter and discusses how he approached the sensitive topic with care and sensitivity.

The episode concludes with Sondheim performing a song from his musicals for an enraptured audience. Overall, season 1, episode 2 of Inside the Actors Studio provides a fascinating insight into the mind of one of the most influential figures in the world of musical theater.