The Sondheim Review

The Sondheim Review was a specialist quarterly magazine devoted to Stephen Sondheim, the American composer and lyricist whose work includes such influential musical-theatre productions as Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and Passion. The publication began in Chicago in the summer of 1994 under the direction of founder and publisher Ray Birks. Its stated editorial purpose was to be dedicated to the work of musical theatre’s foremost composer and lyricist, giving readers a focused periodical about Sondheim’s writing, productions, collaborators, and continuing influence. The magazine was originally edited by Paul Salsini. From 2004, Cincinnati theatre critic Rick Pender served as managing editor. Its editorial contributors and advisers included Chicago theatre columnist John Olson, drama critic and university professor Eric Grode, university professor Paul M. Puccio, and theatre journalist Russell M. Dembin. Stephen Sondheim himself was not formally connected with the publication, although he occasionally contributed short items. This distinction allowed the magazine to operate as an independent critical and fan-oriented publication rather than as an official organ of the composer. The Review covered the development and performance of Sondheim’s stage works, productions in different cities, commentary, criticism, and related theatre activity. Its associated website operated on a limited basis, publishing one free article from each issue and maintaining a schedule of forthcoming Sondheim productions, particularly in the United States and Canada. The print publication nevertheless reached beyond North America: subscribers were reported in more than 25 countries, reflecting the international reputation of Sondheim’s work and the interest of English-speaking and non-English-speaking theatre communities in specialist analysis and production news. The magazine’s run ended with the Spring 2016 issue, identified as Volume 22, Issue 2. Its associated website subsequently became defunct. The publication’s end was also followed by complaints that many subscribers did not receive refunds for the 2016–2017 subscription season. The former website later displayed an invalid security certificate, reported as having expired on December 19, 2016. These circumstances marked the end of The Sondheim Review as an active magazine brand. The publication’s editorial legacy continued indirectly through Everything Sondheim, a website established in 2016 by former managing editor Rick Pender. That project was conceived as a broad source of news, information, commentary, analysis, production listings, and other material for admirers of Sondheim’s career. Its original operating model did not succeed financially, and operation ceased on December 31, 2017. In January 2018, Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, announced that it had acquired EverythingSondheim.org and intended to continue publishing original content. Although this later project was distinct from The Sondheim Review, it represented an effort to preserve and extend the Review’s specialist editorial mission in digital form.

The Sondheim Review was founded in Chicago in the summer of 1994 by Ray Birks as a quarterly magazine devoted exclusively to Stephen Sondheim and his contribution to musical theatre. Its editorial identity was summarized by a tagline describing the publication as dedicated to the work of musical theatre’s foremost composer and lyricist. The magazine emerged as a specialist publication for readers who wanted sustained coverage of Sondheim’s scores, lyrics, stage works, productions, collaborators, and influence rather than only occasional newspaper or general theatre-magazine coverage. Paul Salsini served as the original editor. Over time, the publication developed an editorial network that included Chicago theatre columnist John Olson, drama critic and academic Eric Grode, university professor Paul M. Puccio, and theatre journalist Russell M. Dembin. In 2004, Cincinnati theatre critic Rick Pender became managing editor. Sondheim was not formally affiliated with the magazine, but he occasionally supplied short items, giving the publication limited direct contributions from its subject while preserving its independent editorial character. The Review combined print publishing with a modest online presence. Its website offered one free article from each issue and listed forthcoming Sondheim productions, with particular emphasis on events in the United States and Canada. The magazine’s readership was not confined to its home country: subscribers were reported in more than 25 countries. That international reach reflected the broad performance history and reputation of Sondheim’s work, which attracted readers and theatre audiences well beyond English-speaking North America. The publication continued for more than two decades and ended with the Spring 2016 issue, Volume 22, Issue 2. The end of the magazine was followed by a breakdown in subscriber service: many subscribers reportedly did not receive refunds for the 2016–2017 subscription season. The associated website also became defunct, and its domain was later associated with an invalid security certificate reported to have expired on December 19, 2016. No continuing print operation is identified after the Spring 2016 issue. A related digital successor effort was created by former managing editor Rick Pender in 2016. Called Everything Sondheim, it was intended to become a central online source of news, information, commentary, analysis, production listings, puzzles, quizzes, and video for people interested in Sondheim’s work and career. The project’s anticipated financial model did not succeed, and its operation ended on December 31, 2017. On January 4, 2018, Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, announced that it had acquired EverythingSondheim.org and planned to resume publishing original material. This later website was a separate undertaking, but its stated purpose continued the subject-focused information and commentary tradition associated with The Sondheim Review.

1. 2018Signature Theatre acquires the related website

   Signature Theatre announces the acquisition of EverythingSondheim.org and plans for renewed original content.

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2. 2017Everything Sondheim closes

   The related website stops operating on December 31 after its anticipated financial model fails to succeed.

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3. 2016Final print issue

   Publication ends with the Spring 2016 issue, Volume 22, Issue 2.

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4. 2016Everything Sondheim is established

   Former managing editor Rick Pender launches a related digital project intended to provide continuing Sondheim news and analysis.

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5. 2004Rick Pender becomes managing editor

   Cincinnati theatre critic Rick Pender takes on the role of managing editor.

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6. 1994The magazine is founded in Chicago

   Ray Birks begins publishing The Sondheim Review as a quarterly magazine devoted to Stephen Sondheim’s work.

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A specialist theatre publication centered on the works, career, productions, and cultural influence of Stephen Sondheim.

• The Sondheim ReviewQuarterly print magazine1994

  The core product was a quarterly specialist magazine about Stephen Sondheim’s musical-theatre work and career. It provided criticism, commentary, production-related coverage, and other material for readers seeking sustained engagement with Sondheim’s compositions, lyrics, stage productions, and artistic influence. The print run concluded with the Spring 2016 issue, Volume 22, Issue 2.

• The Sondheim Review websiteEditorial website

  The associated website provided a limited digital extension of the magazine. It published one free article from each issue and maintained listings of upcoming Sondheim productions, particularly in the United States and Canada. The website is now defunct.

• Everything SondheimDigital editorial platform2016

  Everything Sondheim was a separate website founded in 2016 by former managing editor Rick Pender. It aimed to offer news, information, commentary, analysis, production listings, videos, puzzles, and quizzes for enthusiasts of Sondheim’s work. Its original operation ended in 2017, after which Signature Theatre announced its acquisition of the domain and plans for new content.

• 2016End publication after the Spring 2016 issueOther

  The magazine reached Volume 22, Issue 2, published as the Spring 2016 issue.

  What changed. The quarterly print publication ceased operation.

  Aftermath. The associated website became defunct, and many subscribers reportedly did not receive refunds for the 2016–2017 subscription season.

  Source
• 2016Create a digital successor focused on Sondheim coverageStrategy

  After the magazine’s final issue, former managing editor Rick Pender established Everything Sondheim as a broader online source for Sondheim-related information and commentary.

  What changed. The new website was launched with plans for articles, analysis, production listings, and other editorial and interactive features.

  Aftermath. The anticipated financial model did not succeed, and the project ceased operating at the end of 2017 before its domain was acquired by Signature Theatre.

  Source

• 2018Signature Theatre acquires EverythingSondheim.org

  Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, announced that it had acquired EverythingSondheim.org and planned to continue publishing original digital content.

  M&AProduct launch
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• 2017Everything Sondheim operation ends

  The Everything Sondheim project ceased operating on December 31 after its anticipated financial model failed to succeed.

  Other
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• 2016The Sondheim Review ceases publication with Spring 2016 issue

  The quarterly magazine ended its print run with Volume 22, Issue 2, the Spring 2016 issue.

  Other
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• 2016Subscribers report missing refunds after publication ends

  Following the end of publication, many subscribers reportedly did not receive refunds for the 2016–2017 subscription season.

  Other
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• 2016Former managing editor launches Everything Sondheim

  Rick Pender established Everything Sondheim as a digital source for news, commentary, analysis, production listings, and other material related to Stephen Sondheim.

  Product launch
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1. The Sondheim Review
2. The Sondheim Review website archive