| re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer | |
| Posted by: DistantDrumming 06:48 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
| In reply to: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer - Bwayguy 12:19 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
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| Of course the premise of that article is meant to provoke discussion (aka "engagement".) I'll leave it to other to discuss whether musical theatre writing should be weighed against other types of writing and if one is more important or valuable than the other. But, I will say this, one thing that I think makes Sondheim especially unique is that I think he holds a position of acclaim and esteem so above any of his contemporaries (those still with us and those no longer with us) that I don't think any other writer/artist in another artform holds. There are acclaimed and beloved filmmakers, novelists, poets, visual artists, dancers, directors, choreographers, designers, screenwriters, actors, singers, musicians. There are even those whom a large portion of the population might feel comfortable referring to as the "greatest living XXX" in their artform/genre. Bob Dylan is one such artist who often gets called that for (let's, broadly call it) rock music. But, I can't think of another artist in another artform for whom their acclaim and esteem towers over any of their contemporaries the way Sondheim's does. Although I believe that acclaim is earned, I'm not really arguing for or against it. Just that, in this particular sense, I DO think Sondheim has no equal in another artform. No equivalent. You might think Martin Scorsese is a great director or even the greatest living director, but I doubt you also think that no other filmmakers come close to his level of talent. Perhaps it's that musical theatre writing is also a very specialized, specific type of creation. But, it's still mightily impressive. |
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