What would youy say is the most popular Sondheim show?

[lupone76]

I'm thinking it might be a tie between Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods.Of course this is not including Gypsy and West Side Story in which he only penned the lyrics and are both enormously popular.

[Wynbish]

I'd say Into The Woods. It is done more widely than Sweeney Todd.

[ClapYo'Hands]

I can only speak for the UK, but here it is definitely Sweeney Todd.

[EponineAmneris]

I agree with INTO THE WOODS and/or SWEENEY TODD. Maybe, *POSSIBLY* SWEENEY TODD because of the Tim Burton movie... good or bad.

[tazber]

What standards are we using to measure "popular" by?

[Wynbish]

^ Yeah. Does popular, for you, mean "most done" or "most liked"?

[ggersten]

Why exclude West Side Story and Gypsy? Sondheim was a vital part of both shows.
The question is what constitutes a "Sondheim" show? Doesn't Sondheim himself disagree that a show is a "Sondheim" show, otherwise shouldn't Into the Woods be a "James Lapine" show?

But, if you're asking about a show where Sondheim wrote music/lyrics, my gut says the most produced shows are Forum and Into The Woods. I'm sure someone could find the highest selling OBC.

[JoeKv99]

A few years ago, Forum was the most frequently done Sondheim show. I'd guess Into the Woods has passed it by now, especially if you count the "junior" version, too.

[Wynbish]

I have a sneaking suspicion that many people who are novice theatre fans/attendees may forget that Forum is a Sondheim show.

[Nettik]

West Side Story by far. Many of my friends were introduced to the show through the movie version in their English classes. (It's often paired with reading Romeo and Juliet.)

[once a month]

What?!?

No Getting Away with Murder?

[DEClarke]

I would say that SWEENEY TODD has all his other shows beat if for nothing less than name reocgnition. People may like other works of his better or other works may be produced more, but I feel that more people have heard of/known the name of SWEENEY TODD more than hus other works. A lot of that is thanks to ANgela Lansbury and the Tim Burton film adaptation.

[MusicalBoy]

If you're including his work as a lyricist, then WEST SIDE STORY without a shadow of a doubt.

In the UK, probably SWEENEY TODD, and within broadway fandom circles (performers included), INTO THE WOODS seems to be one of the most beloved.

[broadway guy]

When the Johnny Depp Sweeney todd movie came out everyone in my school was talking how amazing it was and that they had never seen anything like it.When I told People it originated on broadway in the 70's they didnt believe me. They said "nothing that cool could come out in the 70's" I told them:

Me: "uh Angela Lansbury was the original Lovett on broadway"

Other person: who?

Me: the teapot in beauty and the beast.

other person: yeah I can't see it,to old.

You should have seen the anger on my face I thought I was going to throw a book at him LOL

SO..I feel like Sweeney Todd is very popular among teenagers.It was done almost every year at the annual theatre festival in illinois.

I think over all the Most popular is West Side story.It has recieved critical Aclaim and won Best Movie at the oscars.

I would define popular as "The american public knows the show" If my highshcool put on INTO THE WOODS more than half the people would have know idea what it was about.

[qolbinau]

Because of the movie SWEENEY TODD is at least somewhat known in Australia, Into the Woods is basically unknown. It is rarely performed here professionally. I think it is pretty safe to say SWEENEY TODD is his most popular show in terms of name recognition.

[EricMontreal22]

I agree with most of htese choices. Although I had no idea that Angela Lansbury played Chip the teacup in BatB--what a range!

[Mister Matt]

Historically speaking, I'd probably say A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. It's become a staple with Regional and Community theatres alike.

[booth0882]

Well, I am going to say that West Side Story, and Gypsy do count, and would cite West Side Story as the most "popular" in that it is the most produced, most well known, etc. I would put Gypsy in second. With Into the woods and sweeney todd in 3rd or 4th (no particular order with these two). I would also say number 5 is Company, and 6 is Sunday.

Saying that West Side and Gypsy don't count because he only did the lyrics, would be like saying Sweeney Todd doesn't count because he wasn't performing, or didn't direct it, or didn't write the book.

[ljay889]

Definitely FORUM, SWEENEY, and WOODS, if you ask me.

[qolbinau]

GYPSY is completely unknown in Australia. I really don't think GYPSY would be second if we look across the USA, the UK and Australia. West Side Story would certainly be first, but that discussion is much less interesting..

[booth0882]

Well Number of broadway productions:
ST: 3
G: 5
WSS: 3

West End:
ST: 4
G: 2 (second in the works for 2013 apparently)
WSS: 3

Original Run (broadway):
ST: 557
G: 702
WSS:985

Original Run (West End):
ST: 157
G: 300
WSS: 1,039

Total Revival performance count (Broadway):
ST: 573
G: 1,379
WSS: 1,081

Again, this depends on how exactly you look at it. But I stand my my ranking. I will admit that ST isn't a distant 3rd by any means however.

[qolbinau]

New York is the center of New York. I am happy to admit that GYPSY is produced more on Broadway, but I don't think that makes it a more popular show.

[broadway guy]

Forum?? what! I love that show but there is NO WAY Forum is the most popular Sondheim show lol

[JoeKv99]

Go to MTI 's website. They list upcoming productions of all his shows. Looks to me that if you include the "school" versions, Into the Woods is champ with.....what the?? "Forum" in second.

AND, Forum has been steadily produced for almost 50 years. There's a reason Sondheim;'s license plates read "4M".

[broadway guy]

I never said "Forum" wasn't Popular.Its Very Popular,but the thread is "what is the MOST popular show".Im sticking to my statement. "Forum" would probally be top 5 but not Number 1.

[henrikegerman]

If My Fair Lady is an Alan Jay Lerner show then Gypsy is a Stephen Sondheim show.