Watch: Sondheim Tearjerker TikTok Tribute
As the world continues to mourn and pay tribute to legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, one young fan took to the keyboard to commemorate his admiration.
Max Pinson is a sophomore at Otterbein University, a small, private university in Westerville, Ohio, known for preparing students as "triple threats" in its interdisciplinary musical theater degree program.
Pinson's haunting rendition of many Sondheim lyrics and melodies — beautifully arranged into a 59-second clip — captures the magnitude and impact of the composer's work. From "West Side Story" to "Passion," Sondheim's career spanned decades and continues to impact the next generation of musical theater artists.
Pinson's captivating vocal timbre and musicality remind fans that Sondheim's influence is timeless. His simple caption says it all:
"I don't think I realized how much the news affected me until I started singing through some of his catalog. Rest in power. #sondheim #sondheimforever"
@max_pinson I don't think I realized how much the news affected me until I started singing through some of his catalog. Rest in power. #sondheim #sondheimforever ? original sound - Max