Premium Content:

On This Gay Day | Composer Stephen Sondheim was born

Stephen Sondheim was born on this day in 1930

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim was born in New York on this day in 1930.

Sondheim’s Broadway career kicked off in 1957 when he provided the lyrics for West Side Story, while Leonard Bernstein composed the musical score.

- Advertisement -

Sondheim would go on to write many successful Broadway shows where he was responsible for both the music and lyrics, these include A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Company, Gypsy, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Into the Woods, Assassins, Sunday in the Park With George and Passion. 

Described as a ‘giant of musical theatre’, many of Sondheim’s works have been made into feature films. He also contributed several songs to the 1990 Warren Beatty film Dick Tracy which were performed by Madonna and Mandy Patinkin.

His music has been recorded by a diverse range of artists including Pet Shop Boys, Liza Minnelli, Phil Collins, The Supremes,  Gloria Estefan, Gloria Gaynor, Shirley Bassey and Frank Sinatra. While The Ladies Who Lunch has been a popular number for countless drag performers over the years.

On New Year’s Eve 2017 Sondheim married his partner Jeffrey Scott Romley. Sondheim passed away in November 2021, aged 91.

To celebrate Sondheim’s 91st birthday in 2021, Broadway World highlighted 91 great tunes he wrote.

Somewhere from West Side Story performed by Pet Shop Boys.

OIP Staff, This post was originally published in 2020, and subsequently updated.  

Latest

Dolly Parton’s message to fans: “I ain’t dead yet”

The singer has posted a video to reassure fans reports of her imminent demise are far from accurate.

On This Gay Day | Nona Hendryx was born in 1944

The singer was part of LaBelle before launching her successful solo career.

Freo Dockers reveal 2025 Pride round jumper

AFLW star Kiara Bowers has highlighted the importance of inclusion in the game.

Alice Topp returns to West Australian Ballet for ‘Macbeth’ in 2026

The production will have its world premiere in New Zealand before heading to Perth.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Dolly Parton’s message to fans: “I ain’t dead yet”

The singer has posted a video to reassure fans reports of her imminent demise are far from accurate.

On This Gay Day | Nona Hendryx was born in 1944

The singer was part of LaBelle before launching her successful solo career.

Freo Dockers reveal 2025 Pride round jumper

AFLW star Kiara Bowers has highlighted the importance of inclusion in the game.

Alice Topp returns to West Australian Ballet for ‘Macbeth’ in 2026

The production will have its world premiere in New Zealand before heading to Perth.

Couch Potato | ‘Blue Lights’ returns for a gripping third season

The peelers from Belfast return for a tense new season.

Dolly Parton’s message to fans: “I ain’t dead yet”

The singer has posted a video to reassure fans reports of her imminent demise are far from accurate.

On This Gay Day | Nona Hendryx was born in 1944

The singer was part of LaBelle before launching her successful solo career.

Freo Dockers reveal 2025 Pride round jumper

AFLW star Kiara Bowers has highlighted the importance of inclusion in the game.