Stephen Sondheim, the legendary American composer and lyricist, is often hailed for reinventing the American musical. But to reduce him to a glittering shelf of awards and accolades is to miss the essence of the man entirely. Sondheim was, above all, a musical risk taker whose work boldly ventured into weird but wonderful territory. Where the genre of musical theatre once depended on the comedy of clichés, his celebrated corpus of work brims with emotional truth and nuance, a distinct collage of harmonies mirroring the conflicts of being alive. His vibrant musical spirit finds a home in Cambridge theatre this upcoming Lent term, as it excitingly shapes our winter theatre season.

As he once said: “The whole idea of getting across to an audience and making them laugh, making them cry – just making them feel – is paramount to me.” Sondheim’s insightful prioritisation of emotional impact reveals his craft as an exercise in human connection, urging us to see how no one is alone on stage or off it. His philosophy has reshaped the cultural impact of musical theatre, as he has produced musicals renowned for their challenging scores and demanding emotional intensity. Infamous musical numbers from the haunting ‘Send in the Clowns’ to the lyrical labyrinth that is ‘Your Fault’, Sondheim’s musical imprint continues to influence the cultural conversation to this day.

“His celebrated corpus of work brims with emotional truth and nuance”

Beginning his career as a hired lyricist for West Side Story, Sondheim now has more than 20 of his own musicals under his composer belt. Best known for his lyrical ingenuity and sharp wordplay, the extraordinary range of his work stands out as both intellectually demanding and musically adventurous. From the operatic brutality of Sweeney Todd, to the twists on familiar fairytales of Into the Woods and the cutting modernity of Company, Sondheim’s work speaks for his unique sensitivity to the rhythms of life and human imagination. Though he died in 2021 at the age of 91, his work continues to be celebrated. Revivals consistently dominate both West End and Broadway stages, drawing roaring applause. Beyond the stage, his music has featured in Hollywood blockbusters like Knives Out and Marriage Story, underscoring Sondheim’s universal influence. Whether you’re a seasoned theatre kid or not, you certainly will have stumbled upon a Sondheim gem. In addition to his own compositions, his influence as a mentor and inspiration endure. Numerous contemporary musical theatre composers and lyricists, namely Lin Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), Jonathan Larson (RENT), Michael Bennett (A Chorus Line) and Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years), have allowed elements of Sondheim’s distinct musical style to echo through the generations.

“For his musical legacy, there will indeed be plenty of tomorrows”

And as we merrily roll along into Lent 2026, Cambridge theatre prepares to pay tribute to Sondheim with a variety of unmissable productions. First up is Downing Dramatic Society’s Send in the Clowns, 95th Anniversary concert, on the 7th and 8th of February at the Howard Theatre (Downing College). This two-night-only concert promises to be a lush evening of celebrating Sondheim’s classics, a certainly unique event to kick off Lent term. Next up is Trinity Hall Music Society’s bold choice: Assassins, running from 13th-15th February at Trinity Hall Lecture Theatre. And of course, rounding up the term in true Sondheim fashion is the CUMTS Lent Term musical: Into the Woods. Playing from the 18th-28th of March at the ADC, this promises to be an enchanting and highly anticipated musical journey.

So join me as I propose a toast to Mr Stephen Sondheim and his timeless repertoire of truth.

In one of his final interviews he said: “I’m used to feeling like there’s plenty of tomorrows.” And so up until his final moments, he kept writing – still curious, still questioning. He was working on a musical that was to be called Here We Are, which will, quite ironically, remain an ‘unfinished hat’. Even so, after his last midnight, Stephen Sondheim’s melodies keep pumping through the veins of contemporary musical theatre, proving that for his musical legacy, there will indeed be plenty of tomorrows.