American composer Stephen Sondheim was born on March 22, 1930, in New York City. After early practice at songwriting, his knowledge of musical theater was influenced by master lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, whom served as a mentor. Sondheim's contributions to West Side Story and Gypsyin the 1950s brought him recognition as a rising star of Broadway. Known for the startling complexity of his lyricism and music, his major works for the theater also include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park With George and Into the Woods.
