Stephen Sondheim Collaborating with Venus in Fur Writer David Ives on New Musical

Eight-time Tony winner Stephen Sondheim is at work on a brand new musical, according to the London Evening Standard. The legendary composer and lyricist revealed he had written “20 or 30 minutes” of a new musical in collaboration with playwright David Ives (Venus in Fur). No title or storyline for the forthcoming musical has been announced.

"Having spent the better part of four years writing two books [Finishing the Hat and Look I Made a Hat], I'm really rusty," Sondheim humbly said of his process. "I sit at the piano and think, 'Where's middle C?' Any muscles, as you know, atrophy when you don't use them, and I haven't been using my musical muscles."

Meanwhile, Sondheim’s classic musical Into the Woods will receive new life on screen, with a film adaptation directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago). Three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep has been named as a possibility to play the Witch in the musical's upcoming Central Park revival, and Sondheim neither confirms nor denies the rumors. “We will see,” the composer said. “I think she’d be great.”

In addition to Into the Woods Sondheim has written music and lyrics for dozens of Broadway musicals, including Follies, A Little Night Music, Company, Sunday in the Park With George, Assassins, Merrily We Roll Along and Pacific Overtures. The Chichester Festival Theatre production of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd will transfer to the West End’s Adelphi Theatre, opening officially March 10.