OMG, I HAD HEARD ABOUT IT BUT I HAD NO IDEA SONDHEIMS LOOK OF APPROVAL WAS ACTUALLY THAT POWERFUL.

The way Sondheim is looking at "Amy" here is amaaaaaaaaazing. Like, just so proud and moved and delighted. I looooove it

Honestly I just want someone to look at me the way Stephen looks at the girl playing Amy when she sings.

When he smiles approvingly at her it feels so warm like all the love I never received from my father

He looks like such a proud dad. Like "those are my people. my children they did so good"

She probably didn't even have to act nervous. If Sondheim was standing right there listening to me perform his songs I'd probably feel like Amy.

I just love the way her voice gets more and more desperate in those last phrases. I'm not getting married...I'm NOT getting married...I'm NOT GETTING MARRIED. In a sane world she would be dusting her Tony awards by now.

he's such a splendid teacher; warm, direct, succinct, gentle but not evasive. he's giving them a masterclass in taking direction

No one: “you can’t write a musical theatre song that feels like you’re singing ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’ and still fits into a story” Stephen Sondheim: “hold my beer”

Is it weird I feel attracted to Sondheim here? He just looks so... brilliant.

Though he didn't compliment her... This was Sondheim falling in love with a performer and a performance.

This 'Amy' crushes it! IMHO, better than many of the professional performances featured here.

I love how proud Sondheim looks of Amy. also, Sondheim looks so young. He's amazing

I love the expression on Sondheim's face when she misses half a beat to breathe and then fixes it up by condensing the next two syllables. Wonder what Amy's actor's name is.

I have had the honor of meeting Mr. Sondheim back in 1985 when he allowed me to come to his house for 3 days to work on my thesis paper about him for college. I can say that this man is the real deal. *ALL* heart. Genuinely a most gracious host. All that while he was busy at the time working on Into the Woods. The most charming thing was that he had his doorbell set up to chime the opening measures of the Into the Woods song. Anyway, he didn't have to be nice to me at all. I needed to interview him, but he simply didn't have the time, so I left the questions at his house by mistake. Imagine my delighted surprise when about a month later he sent me a cassette tape responding to all my questions!!! That's what I mean by the real deal. He will always be an icon to me, and to this very day I still keep in communication with him by letter. He always responds and has sent me numerous gifts throughout the years. I love and adore this man. I hope to get the opportunity to see him again soon.

His warm proud smiles for the girl singing the rapid-fire "not getting married" segment perfectly without flubbing a word is just so sweet. RIP to this wonderful man.

I love how in the end, he just sits back and smiles at his creation. So adorable

the woman playing Amy is WONDERFUL!!! That's a difficult part to sing.

I love how he's mouthing the words!

Get someone the way Stephen looks at the girl playing the role of Amy.

Anybody else think that, if he were so inclined, Sondheim would make a pretty damn good director? Look at the way he gives motivation. I've seen some world-class directors who couldn't accomplish in two weeks what he does in seven minutes.

I just learned of Sondheim’s passing and this the first video I thought of. What a monumental loss, as a composer, lyricist, and as a human.

My favorite part of this Amy’s performance is how she’s having her panic attack through “you’ve been swell…thank you all…etc.” but each time she gets to “don’t tell Paul” her voice softens a little because she loves him and doesn’t actually want to hurt him. She does a great job.

I have to say that considering they are students, their performances were amazing!

urgh the first verse Amy sings is the hardest "I mean you must have lots of better things to do" and "because I wouldn't ruin anyone as wonderful as he is"

You can tell from the look on Sondheim’s face that he’s absolutely in love with Jane’s rendition of Amy.

Sondheim has a very genuine smile on his face during "Amy's" performance- I think he was very impressed and very pleased.

Sondheim's grin of approval has such a boyish energy to it, it's so alive and warm. He's such a legend, we are so so lucky to have existed at the same time as him.

Sondheim's smile as he watches the girl who plays Amy just warms my heart. Must be incredible as a composer to see a student NAIL that difficult song.

Wow!! The musical actress portraying Amy is beyond superb. You can see by Sondheim's smile he's almost reliving the Beth Howland version which he considers numero uno! Where in the world is this woman??? I want her singing "Not Getting Married Today" at my funeral!!

I do not understand why we have these uncharitable comments. This video is almost 8 years old and all of the singers were students then. This was a master class and they were there to learn. Perhaps the voices or acting was not perfect but I would imagine all of the performers are much better now. My interest in this video was what Sondheim had to say, and even if the singers were not able to immediately pick up on what he wanted, they had this video to review and digest after the fact. I am sure that singing for Sondheim is a nerve-wracking experience. Anyway, I say do not criticize the performers, but take what you can learn from the master in this amazing video that has been shared on for all to enjoy......... free of charge.

How could you stand in front of Stephen Sondheim and sing like that Paul??!

They all took the criticism so well! Especially the blonde opera woman! Total professionals

The girl playing Amy is great, I'd watch her.

Sondheim is soooooo impressive. The man was born to do this. I love him here in this setting. He is a consumate teacher. Oh shit he is a consumate EVERYTHING. He actually has an engaging voice too. May he live to 100!

I love the way he leans foward to see 'Amy', that's doing, obviously, the most demanding part. It's funny how he smiles at 5:08, when she loses her breath completely. He's very kind and gentle in his corrections and suggestions, unlike many so called conductors and teachers.

I love that he's not a harsh person. He's very nice and easy going to work with.

I found a site that had the student's names in this video. They are, Jane Shaw, David Adair, and Elizabeth Rodger.

Sondheim should be cloned!!! We need hem for 100 years more!!!

The Amy character is at performance level. The other 2 are student level. I like Sondheim's mix of practical advice and emotional advice. And I love his enjoyment of the Amy.

1:18 poor guy wants to die for getting out of tune in front of Sondheim. They all did terrific, I can't imagine functioning with that level of anxiety

Sondheim not even talk to the guy to correct his pitch... On the other hand, he doesn't talk to "Amy" to correct her, at all!! Amazing!

what a loss, 91 years, still not enough, rest in peace Stephen

WOW! the women singing Amy is Brilliant. did she go on to have a serious broadway career?

RIP Jane Whittenshaw 😥 think this video really shows her incredible talent

His smile says: "I've just heard one of the best performances of this song ever". At 00:02 his face is "well, another newbies, we'll see" but at 6:45 his face is "OMG, we have future stars in here".

The “bride” is amazing! You can tell how much S. Sondheim likes her performance.

Find a man who loves you as much as Sondheim loves listening to his own song being perfectly performed 1:46

Amy is really good. The soprano is fantastic!!! She has a few annoying tendencies, but the rolling of R's, to me, seems as if someone has told her to do it

i just had to come back and rewatch this today

god he's such a dad i love him

Amy was great. I remember reading somewhere that Sondheim said Beth Howland was the only one who nailed it perfectly. The tough part was the whole cast was so good that she couldn't get a Tony nomination (Elaine Stritch and Susan Browning were nominated for Best Leading Actress, Barbara Barrie and Pamela Meyers for Best Featured Actress). Interestingly. Company won Best Musical but none of the actors or actresses nominated won

Amy- WOW who is she?? She did superb. Honestly Beth Howland reincarnated, same delivery and channels the fear in her face with a touch of anger in her voice when her "congregation" doesnt move. I wish she reacted a little more to the soprano to really sell the "totally insane" bit, but really...amazing Paul- clearly has a nice voice, but through nerves of being in the writers presence or it just not being his song he cracked on a few of the notes. There wasn't the feeling of true love or power. He could have learned it though he had the basics Soprano- the rolling of the R's wasn't horrible, to me it added to the over the top tone of her roll as the wedding singer. She's supposed to be overdone. However I do wish she had the subtle gestures in her face to match the song...but she sung it brilliantly. But once you get to "totally insane" I think she missed. Soundheim though, his face said it all, 3 kids singing arguably his most difficult song in front of him and doing it some decent justice. I wouldn't want to sing ANY of his stuff in front of him I'd be scared to death

I wouldn't be able to do that. I would probably faint if I knew he was right there.

It's so much fun to watch Sondheim himself-- the little smile and the twinkle in the eyes when someone gets a moment or note exactly how he wants it.

Even the seventies, Sondheim was already a legend.

look hang on. the soprano is obviously from the singing course, and paul is an actor..as is the amy...thats why shes so damn good. if ur going to pick paul apart pick away at his acting.

everyone’s talking about the amy but the other girl is INCREDIBLE

Rest in peace Mr. Sondheim. Not only a fantastic composer, but an inspiring teacher.

Anyone else here after hearing the news of his passing? This video shows how incredible he was and also how he nurtured talent and made people better. RIP Stephen Sondheim

Did she ever go on to do this part professionally? If not, it is definitely a shame.

may his memory be a blessing.

My friend was one of the ONLY MEN given permission from the Sondheim estate to perform as Mrs. Lovett in drag but had to use his drag name.

who else is watching this the day after his passing and reminiscing on his genuine deep love towards these performers and his work

He looks so proud. It’s adorable.

Thought I’d comment on this video following the sad news of Sondheim’s death. I’ve watched it many times. His facial expressions to them singing is something very special to see. I can’t imagine the pressure they felt having him watch over them when they performed his words. What a genius. Also loved Jonathan Bailey’s epic version from Company in London’s West End, as well as the show itself.

The way he was mouthing the lyrics along with the Amy 🥺

Amy was absolutely wonderful.

Coming back to this clip after I heard the news. RIP Steven Sondheim

I wish the nasty comments on this would just go away. Do they realize how fortunate the singers are to have this little master class with the maestro himself? What a generous thing for Sondheim to do. The woman singing Amy is genius, especially with the composer of one of his signature pieces sitting ten feet away. To all the haters, this is an amazing piece of musical coaching.

What a fabulous opportunity for some very talented performers. Everyone focuses on the bride, but the soprano role is often unrecognized as important , yet it requires a strong voice to stitch the song along.

That look on his face when they're hitting that last note. Like; "Who was the sadistic bastard who wrote this? ...Or right, me!" *insert evil laughter here*

I laughed so hard watching the way he looked at Amy with such joy! (Who was GREAT!) ... Great job all!

His smile here is how I'll remember him while listening to the music he made

The way he leans forward to the point where he almost falls off the chair to stare fixedly at Jane is just amazing! I wish all my teachers would've looked at me like that when I did something well

To do a song by Sondheim (or by anyone who wrote the song your singing) in front of them would have me hyperventilating.

Still one of the most beautiful things on KZfaq

So this is what Luke Skywalker has been up to since Return of the Jedi...

I love how Stephen is mouthing along at 4:50

i would die for the sondheim look of approval

Had to come back to this after his passing… such a legend we are blessed to be able to watch him at work

He's so invested in them performing and listening to them sing. You can tell he loved teaching them. He was a wonderful composer.

rip Stephen Sondheim

sondheim's 3 feet away from you critiquing you and your'e doing one of his most iconic songs - no pressure, no pressure at all.

I wish my father had demonstrated the same simultaneous love, attention, enthusiasm, belief in, and advice for me, that Soundheim provided to these students.

Sondheim looked star struck by the synchronicity of these actors I was too their all amazing

This video is criminally underviewed

Awww the way he's always smiling so proudly at the Amy (like at 3:23) is so wholesome. I just finished learning and performing this song for what I hoped was going to be a workshop but I never go to do it so I'm kinda living vicariously through this video. I guess at least I can imagine I'm at least a fraction as good as this woman and that Sondheim is still alive.

I remember seeing this when it was first televised in the UK. Watching Sondheim watching the students was so thrilling. What a memory for them. Jane Shaw is incredible in this. Even Sondheim couldn't find many notes for her.

Came back to this video after hearing the news that he passed. What a legend

Fascinating rhythms in Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics. Great rhythms in the words

i'm just here for some spare serotonin before my ap language test tomorrow

Just looking at his face as he listens to these kids, he's just so fucking stoked. It's the cutest thing

How is it possible to memorize something like that? And then say it without getting tongue-tied? I couldn't do it if my life depended on it. I love this song because it reminds me of how I felt walking down the aisle. Is that why others like it?

Coming back after finding out about his passing. He lived a long life. Rip

Man...how much i love Broadway

The girl playing the soprano lady is the next Carlotta in POTO.

we’re going to miss you

And then, they all go backstage to PASS OUT!!

i'm guessing the guy is an acting student and they desperately needed a male singer! and he's nitpicking at the soprano cause she's good, the better u are the more nitpicking you get and youre told to work on tiny little details! im guessing thats why he leaves the trainwreck alone lol!