No one comes close to Sondheim in terms of lyrical inventiveness and musical density. The man is truly a genius. I've had the good fortune to see "Sweeny Tood", "Into the Woods" and "A Little Night Music" on Broadway (the first two with the original casts.)

My favorite Sondheim music is "Merrily We Roll Along" although it's never had a decent staging. I am looking forward to seeing "Sweeny Todd" at the movies.

I leave you with the final chorus of one of his more ribald songs:

Once, yes, once can be nice
Love requires some spice
If you've something in view
Or something to do, totally new
I'll be there in a trice
But I never do anything twice

Except . . . No
I never do anything twice