Sadly, there is now a giant in the sky,” producer Cameron Mackintosh wrote in tribute. “The theater has lost one of its greatest geniuses and the world has lost one of its greatest and most original writers. Aaron Tveit wrote: “We are so lucky to have what you’ve given the world.” “We shall be singing your songs forever,” wrote Lea Salonga. Tributes quickly flooded social media as performers and writers alike saluted a giant of the theater. The artist refused to repeat himself, finding inspiration for his shows in such diverse subjects as an Ingmar Bergman movie (“A Little Night Music”), the opening of Japan to the West (“Pacific Overtures”), French painter Georges Seurat (“Sunday in the Park With George”), Grimm’s fairy tales (“Into the Woods”) and even the killers of American presidents (“Assassins”), among others. His most famous ballad, “Send in the Clowns,” has been recorded hundreds of times, including by Frank Sinatra and Judy Collins. Sondheim influenced several generations of theater songwriters, particularly with such landmark musicals as “Company,” “Follies” and “Sweeney Todd,” which are considered among his best work.

Sondheim’s Texas-based attorney, Rick Pappas, told The New York Times the composer died Friday at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut.

Sondheim’s death was announced by Rick Miramontez, president of DKC/O&M. It won the Tony Award for Best Musical and Olivier Award for Best New Musical.NEW YORK - Stephen Sondheim, the songwriter who reshaped the American musical theater in the second half of the 20th century with his intelligent, intricately rhymed lyrics, his use of evocative melodies and his willingness to tackle unusual subjects, has died. In addition to several revivals the musical has been presented by opera companies. Sweeney Todd opened on Broadway in 1979 and in the West End in 1980. Lovett, who is in desperate need of fresh meat for her pies. Set in 19th century England, the musical details the return of barber Sweeney Todd to London after 15 years of exile, in order to take revenge on the corrupt judge who banished him, by conspiring with a local baker, Mrs. The musical is based on the 1973 play Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Christopher Bond. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a 1979 musical thriller with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler.

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