Musical theatre legend dies

Stephen Sondheim, whose intricate and powerful lyrics, venturesome melodies and sweeping stage visions made him a central figure in contemporary American musical theatre, has died. He was 91. In a career spanning more than five decades, Sondheim won his initial fame as the lyricist for West Side Story (1957), then created both music and lyrics for several hit musicals, including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd (1979) and Into the Woods (1987). He won a 2008 Tony Award for lifetime achievement, on top of eight Tonys for his music and several others for his lyrics. In 2015, then-US President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.