Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Commentary, Explanations, Arguments, Discourses, Diversions, Stories and Miscellaneous Content

J. Fowler: I waited for this second part of Sondheim's musical biography to come out and got it on Amazon at half price. Terrific for anyone who loves lyrics and how they're invented!

United States on Dec 27, 2023

Maria: Great info on how Sondheim creates his masterpieces written in his own voice.

United States on Jul 05, 2023

Desiree Michelle Campos: Awesome book. Arrived on time and great condition! The content of the book is fun too!

United States on Feb 06, 2022

StevenSteven: One of a few left and it arrived within 2 days. Excellent condition

United Kingdom on Dec 23, 2021

Rosa: Debido a su precio, y a la poca disponibilidad de la primera parte, me decidí por esta edición, de Virgin, impecable. Es completo en cuánto a lo que cuénta, se agraceden las reproducciones de los manuscritos de un genio como Sondheim, pero tocará esperar para comprar Finishing The Hat. Esta parte de su obra es de largo mucho menos interesante.

Spain on Jul 08, 2020

sara: If you want in-depth insight into Sondheim's writing process, you need this book. If you enjoy Sondheim's shows, you need this book. If you enjoy musical theater and want to know more about it, you need this book. Buy this book. Sondheim details the writing process for his later shows and it is a thrill to read. There are not only pictures of him and the cast, but of his own manuscripts! If only every great artist would put together a book describing their process. But they don't, so take the wonderful opportunity here to learn!

United States on Jul 24, 2016

sonnensternchen: Das ist mit Sicherheit ein unverzichtbares Werk für Sondheim-Fans! Viele wunderbare Notizen von ihm selbst, dazu Anekdoten, Anmerlungen, viel Hintergrund übers Schreiben, Dichten, Komponieren, Produzieren seiner Musicals.
Und - das Wichtigste: Alle Texte!! 2 Bände

Germany on Nov 12, 2013

One singular sensation...: Most of the work of Stephen Sondheim that I love and deeply admire, is covered in the first splendid volume, "Finishing the Hat". "Follies", "A Little Night Music", "Company", "Sweeney Todd" are all treasures from the theatre that should be revived whenever the times change or something new is seen in them that audiences, not the creators, missed before. Even "Anyone Can Whistle", with major rewriting to create a character, not caricature, for the mayor and remove the last scene from Act One, would stand the test of time. So we come to volume two, which I feared would be a falling off. It is not. There is no fantastic great show to anchor the book, though "Merrily We Roll Along" finally makes complete sense and has harmony, something not even the best production I have seen has been able to bring to life. And "Road Show"? I still don't like it though I have listened to the CD five times now. But at last I understand what different forces were at work here. And though I don't like it, Sondheim has led me to appreciate it.
So the book is a learning experience, and a very necessary one if the theatre-goer wants to truly understand Sondheim and his phenomenal body of work....

Canada on Jan 02, 2012

Dr. C. Donald: Stephen Sondheim is a treasure and his book (the second of two in a series) is golden. The book is a sharing of himself - his thoughts, his emotions and his actions. After reading this book one can feel empowered to write a great musical. But, after trying to write music and lyrics, reality sets in. Stephen Sondheim is truly unique and in this book he shares of himself in ways I have never before experienced. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves musicals or music. Along with Sondheim himself, it is a real treasure.

United States on Dec 21, 2011

M. E. Gosano: It started when I found a serious factual error in Sondheim's first volume of lyrics, Finishing The Hat. When I pointed it out to Sondheim he was very grateful and I took the opportunity to ask him why he had left out one of my favourite lyrics, All I Need Is The Boy. He told me he had completely forgotten about it and would include it in his next book, Look, I Made A Hat. And he has indeed done so.

He also invited me to send him further suggestions of obscure songs to be included. Naturally I was happy to oblige and I sent him quite a list. I am pleased to say many of my suggestions are in this book including The Natives Are Restless, cut from Anyone Can Whistle, and the first version of Now which Sondheim told me years ago he had written for A Little Night Music. Sondheim had forgotten about both these songs, and others included in this book, until I reminded him. It makes me wonder what else he has forgotten and I have just read that he has already found a lyric he forgot to include. Maybe there will be a third volume of omissions entitled Where There Never Was A Hat!

In my review of Finishing The Hat, I lamented the lyrics that were missing including the four...

United Kingdom on Nov 23, 2011