can be seen both on and off broadway today. >> he really bridged the gap from the golden age to the modern musical. and, i mean, the classic golden age musical, and then he did company which was beginning really of modern musical. >> reporter: in fact, company's director dedicating this evening's performance to him. >> he was truly the greatest artist that we in our lifetime possibly will ever know in this art form. [applause] ♪ ♪ >> reporter: bernadette peters, often called the foremost interpreter of sondheim's work, thanking the man she called a friend. he gave me so much to sing about, she wrote. i loved him dearly and will miss him so much.