HBO will present the new documentary Six By Sondheim, a retrospective of the legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim’s career, on December 9, according to IndieWire.com. Directed by Sondheim’s frequent collaborator, Tony winner James Lapine, the film will feature performances by five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald, Broadway vets Darren Criss and Jeremy Jordan, screen star America Ferrera, musician Jarvis Cocker and Sondheim himself.
The film details Sondheim’s experiences writing six of his iconic songs: “Opening Doors,” “Something’s Coming,” “Send in the Clowns,” “Being Alive,” “I’m Still Here” and “Sunday.” The documentary will feature archival footage and interviews from Sondheim’s personal collection, and will be told primarily by the songwriter himself. Musical portions of the documentary will be directed by Lapine, Todd Haynes and Autumn de Wilde.
Sondheim is the composer and lyricist of Passion, Assassins, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, Merrily We Roll Along, Sweeney Todd, Pacific Overtures, The Frogs, A Little Night Music, Follies, Company, Anyone Can Whistle and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He wrote the lyrics for West Side Story, Gypsy, Do I Hear a Waltz? and additional lyrics for Candide. He is an eight-time Tony winner.