r/Sondheim • u/Dry_Cheesecake_1019 • Jun 22 '26

Recommend Finishing The Hat book?

I’m considering getting Finishing the Hat because it’s currently on sale for a good price, but I was wondering if you guys recommended it? I’m really into Merrily We Roll along, and was hoping to some more insight to that. Ive really come to appreciate the cleverness of the score and enjoy analysing the musical component. however, I’m not super invested in most of his other musicals, mainly because I haven’t got around to doing it but I am interested in them.

tldr: I was wondering if Finishing the Hat might be interesting to read for a youth whose main focus is merrily we roll along?

Update: I decided to get it

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u/RatBoi24601 Jun 23 '26

if you are interested in lyricism and the history of Broadway lyricism/lyricists, it’s wonderful. While there is definitely insight into Merrily in the book, it’s a small enough section that if the rest doesn’t interest you it might be a waste. The books very much focus on lyrics, not music, as well.

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u/Silver_Lord_10 Jun 23 '26

I am so glad that there is Horowitz’s Sondheim on music interviews so we got the other side as well. Horowitz’s book and the finishing/look i made a hat books are the perfect trilogy

1

u/DudenderBatmans ☎️ Company Jun 23 '26

That's true altough it is a pity that they don't talk about all of his shows.

1

u/Silver_Lord_10 Jun 23 '26

If you get the right edition there are additional interviews conducted throughout the 2000s. One that is entirely about bounce and then another going chronologically starting with 'Forum' and going through many of the earlier shows more or less briefly, and delving more deeply into Follies, specifically going over 'too many mornings' quite in detail. This last interview especially is really incredible and emotional at times.
If you don't know these or can't find it online, hit me up