mentored. he responded it is an a aspect of my life i am proud of. i feel like i repaid what i owe oscar. quite a tribute to mentor and friend and stephanie elam looks back on the huge amazing body of work. stephen sondheim was one of musical theater s most prolific, successful writers, winning eight tony awards, eight grammys, academy award, pulitzer prize for drama. in 2015, presidential medal of freedom. sondheim was born march 22nd, 1930 in new york city. his parents divorced in 1942. and he moved to pence with his mother. in pennsylvania, he became friends with james hammer stein, son of lear cyst oscar hammerstein. throughout teen years, his relationship with his mother deteriorated, and eventually the two became estranged.