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This may be my favorite Stephen Sondheim musical. Even though it’s not a stage musical, but rather an hour long made for TV musical with only four songs. Somehow though, within these limits, Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman (screenplay) have written one of the most charming, romantic, and thrilling musicals. It is based on a short story by John Collier, written in 1971, and is included in a group of stories called Fancies and Goodnights
When Charles (Anthony Perkins), a poet, wants to escape the pressures of the real world, he decides to hideaway in a department store until after hours, where he can live in freedom and write however and whenever he wants. However, after he does so, he discovers an entire society of people who have been living in the store in secret for years. He learns that they rarely let newcomers join them (though they decide to let him stay), and when someone discovers them, the call ‘the Dark Men.

Director: Paul Bogart Libreto / Book: James Goldman, John Collier Música / Music: Stephen Sondheim Letras / Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Cast: Anthony Perkins.