By David Leopold
Illustrator Al Hirschfeld
Introduction by Bernadette Peters
Foreword by Ben Brantley

This handsome volume presents 25 favorite Al Hirschfeld portraits drawn from Stephen Sondheims musicals. The art prints in this oversize poster book can be easily removed and framed, making it an ideal gift for Sondheim fans.

This first volume in a series of deluxe Hirschfeld poster books contains art drawn from life before the opening night of each of Sondheims productions. On the reverse side are rare, ancillary images from the archives, as well as an introduction by Bernadette Peters, an essay by Ben Brantley, and text by David Leopold, Hirschfelds archivist and creative director of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation.

Hirschfelds images capture the essence of the performances even better than the photographs of the shows. All of Sondheims best-known plays are includedWest Side Story,Follies,A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,Sweeney Todd,Merrily We RollAlong, andSunday in the Park with George.

Al Hirschfeld drew his first Sondheim show in 1957West Side Story. In his iconic, illustrative style, Hirschfeld captured almost all of Sondheims Broadway shows and several films featuring the composers songs and scripts.