You Could Drive A Person Crazy | Sondheim: Intimidating & Prickly?

The world views Steve as an icon – and to many an icon is 'intimidating'. Steve’s presence and reputation seemed to bring theatrical giants to their knees ... but was this label as a scary intellectual really warranted? Join Sondheim’s chum Martin Milnes and Steve’s first love Peter E. Jones for a unique investigation. With the aid of a glittering cast – including Patti LuPone, Mia Farrow, Christine Baranski, Maria Friedman, Adam Guettel, Ronan Farrow and Dame Judi Dench – can Martin and PJ solve the Sondheim mysteries which for decades have baffled and been misunderstood?

“His being socially uncomfortable would read to people as if he was mean, or off-putting. It was never that. He just wasn’t a mean guy. The most talented people are the least mean.” – Adam Guettel

Why did Steve object to Mia’s striped socks? How did Christine overcome her fear of singing in front of Steve? And what answers can PJ provide Patti about her bumpy moments with Sondheim ‘The Genius’?

“But can I just tell you one thing, now that Steve has passed, that has people laughing their ass off?” – Patti LuPone

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Christine Baranski: ‘That’s what it meant to me’

05:06 ‘Intimidating’ & ‘Prickly’: Debating The Myth

11:25 Andre, Maria & Frank: Understanding Steve

17:31 The Cocktail Party & Adam’s Callers

22:53 Steve & Mary and Mia’s Socks

26:22 Rivalries: Menotti, Lenny and Gilbert

30:43 Introducing Laurence Guittard