Stephen Sondheim is arguably the greatest lyricist of our generation. He has created two lyrical masterpieces: West Side Story (1957), and Gypsy (1959).

But he was never happy as a lyricist (why is no one happy at what they're best at? Barbra Streisand a Director? Really?!? Sing Barbra, sing!).

Stephen has gone on to create some of the best critically reviewed musicals in the history of Broadway. They've been mixed with audiences, which the elite write off as "too challenging for the masses" and others say "people like happy musicals..."

Anyway, one of Sondheim's master strokes is that he taped most of his shows while they were in preview. So, one of the only archives of live theater from the last 20 years are Sondheim shows...brilliant!

My favorites are Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd -- The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.