Marking year two of our discussion series, Darren Cohen graced a group of about 35 with his intimate knowledge of both Stephen Sondheim the man and Stephen Sondheim the writer. (If they really are two separate entities) This discussion was entitled “Murderous Machinations and Other Fun Things in the Words & Music of Sweeney Todd” and was the first of four such events being offered, for free, by BSC.

Cohen is currently the musical director for the BSC production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This is Cohen’s 11th show with BSC, and the 9th Sondheim piece that he has worked on. Cohen spent the 45 minute discussion explaining his early relationship with Mr. Sondheim and the understanding that he gleaned of Sondheim’s work.

Sondheim, as Cohen explained, never held any sort of long term relationship in his life and spent more time writing about life than living it. In Cohen’s first interaction with Sondheim he asked him how he could write about all of these human experiences and emotions without every really living them. Sondheim responded that he is like an actor in that he uses his imagination to create what he thinks it would be like to fall in love or lose one that you love so dearly, as in the case of Sweeney Todd. He actually claimed to have looked at writing this way after discussing acting with Robert Di Nero. (Watch a snippet below)

The audience, most of whom had already attended the production, were extremely vocal about how surprised they were at the depth and humanity they saw in the evil Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett – a tribute to the brilliance of Sondheim.

The afternoon was topped off with warm scones and tea from Dottie’s Coffee Lounge.

Be sure to join for part two in our “Conversations with…” series on July 22, 2010. We will be sitting down with Pool Boy writers, Nikos Tsakalakos and Janet Allard. The event will take place at our Stage 2 venue on 36 Linden in Pittsfield, MA. The conversation will be moderated by the Artistic Producer of the Musical Theatre Lab, William Finn. The event is free. To reserve your place call the box office at 413-236-8888.