Talk to the Frackville Library

     Sondheim and Lloyd-Webber: The New Musical by Stephen Citron. I happened to be watching a concert celebrating the 80th birthday of Stephen Sondheim, one of America's most accomplished composer/lyricists, when I was reminded of this book. I had come across it several times as we were weeding(removing books no longer in demand) or rearranging shelves. The concert was a real treat if you are any kind of Broadway musical fan. Elaine Stritch doing a number from Follies, Patti LuPone singing 'The Ladies Who Lunch' from Company, Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters reprising their roles from Sunday in the Park with George.  This biography tells the story of not only Sondheim, but also of his rival of sorts from the UK, Andrew Lloyd-Webber. By chronologically alternating between these two musical icons, he follows their careers, the great musicals they created, and the ways in which their music has changed over the years. Fans of A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd. The Phantom of the Opera, or Jesus Christ Superstar-read this book!