Stephen Sondheim finding a real synthesis. A good deal of pop music has interesting lyrics, but they are not theater lyrics". A musical-theatre composer "must have a sense of what is theatrical, of how you use music to tell a story, as opposed to writing a song. Jonathan understood that instinctively." Around 2008, Sondheim approached Lin-Manuel Miranda to work with him translating "West Side Story" lyrics into Spanish for an upcoming Broadway revival. Miranda then approached Sondheim with his new project "Hamilton", then called "The Hamilton Mixtape", which Sondheim gave notes on. Sondheim was originally wary of the project saying he was
Written in the Stars (Elton John and LeAnn Rimes song) one with Rimes performing the first verse, the other with John. The song was later featured on Rimes' 2002 album "I Need You" and the concept album for the musical. The song was performed live at VH1 Divas Live 1999. According to an episode of VH1's "Pop-Up Video", the music video for this song was meant to evoke forbidden loves, as well as the separation between the two singers. Rimes was shown in colder, more heavenly backdrops; John was given warmer backgrounds, as in a milder depiction of hell. Written in the Stars (Elton John and LeAnn Rimes song) "Written