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

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 Award-winning choreographer Bill Deamer.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Lin-Manuel: Larson & Sondheim

02:01 - The Sacred Profession: Maltby & Shire and Bill Deamer

09:24 - Introducing The 1990 Oxford Masterclass

13:56 - ‘He changed our lives’: Ed Hardy and Leslie Arden

19:43 - January 1990: The Masterclass Begins

25:41 - Sondheim: The Teacher