Molly Ephraim Instagram – When I was 15, I made my Broadway debut in the 2002 revival of Into The Woods. I’d interacted with Steve Sondheim a few times, during auditions or rehearsals [I remember each of his notes still, like they were gospel] but my most indelible memory was upstairs at Sardi’s, at a party. I think I must’ve been idly standing around with my Shirley Temple when he started a conversation— where did I grow up, what were my hobbies, what my “normal” life was like when I wasn’t working. He talked to me for a long while about the time he spent in my hometown of Bucks County, raising rabbits with the Hammersteins, and catching every movie at the Doylestown County Theater— he said it was the only place that provided reliable air conditioning and besides, he liked watching movies and didn’t mind catching the same flick over and over. We talked about his love of poodles, how smart they are. We talked about puzzles. We talked about what I was reading in school. And all the while he continued to fix me crackers topped with cheese, much like my grandfather used to do. Not asking if I wanted any, just kind of providing it automatically, offering it in his palm. I remember distinctly that it was bright orange with nuts and I found it absolutely nauseating but knew well enough in that moment to just be gracious and appreciative and keep eating and eating and eating it as long as he kept being Stephen Sondheim, in that moment, in my very young presence, happy to talk to me about favorite movies and pets and homework.
I will always be grateful for this perfectly mundane little memory during the most formative period of my life and the gentle genius who treated me with so much kindness.
Rest In Peace, and thank you for the gifts of your heart and incredible mind. And for the cheese crackers. | Posted on 27/Nov/2021 12:48:51
