Stephen Sondheim Endorses Trey Parker’s Team America as Best Picture – The Hollywood Reporter
From one famous music creator to another famous music creator, Stephen Sondheim thinks Book of Mormon Directed by Trey Parker Team America: Word Police is its best movie of the year.
The late Broadway legend shared his Oscar vote vote for the 2004 action comedy written and directed by South Park co-creator in a personal letter to Parker published on Book of MormonSocial media after Sondheim’s passing on November 26 at 91.
In the letter, Sondheim began by noting that it was difficult for him to find Parker’s address, otherwise “I would have written earlier.” The reason for his communication was to show support, with the famous lyricist encouraging Parker to ignore critics who treated Team USA “Rotten” when released in theaters. Included in it was the revelation that he voted for the film in the best picture category at the 2005 Academy Awards.
“I saw Team USA and voted it best film of the year (you did a great job), ”Sondheim wrote in a letter dated February 17, 2005.“ I gathered from friends with whom I have been open to it that it has been treated badly by the critics and you are very discouraged. I can’t blame you, but then again this is a time of depression. In any case, congratulations to you and your partner [Matt Stone]. ”
Closing at the end is a no-frills request from one of professional theater’s oldest and most influential artists. “Have you ever wanted to write a theatrical musical with a long-standing traditional artist, specifically me?” he asked Parker.
Get inspired by the greatest. pic.twitter.com/vNLymFJwXz
– BOOK OF MORMON (@BookofMormon) December 3, 2021
The Paramount Pictures film uses a combination of puppetry and miniature effects in a satirical look at Hollywood’s big-budget action films and their global political implications for the United States. . The film has a 77 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and has been nominated for People’s Choice and MTV Movie Awards.
South Park famously parodied Sondheim in its 15th episode, “Broadway Bro Down,” which featured Randy and the famous lyricist facing off in a parking lot, with the Sondheim cartoon listing a number of iconic Broadway titles his symbols, such as West story and Sweeney Todd.
Parker NS Book of Mormon marks its 10th anniversary this year, with the co-creator and his creative partners welcoming fans back live to the Broadway musical ahead of the show’s Broadway re-opening on Thursday. November.
