Chatting with David Leopold: Creative director of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation and author of 'Hirschfeld's Sondheim'\” />
David Leopold, the creative director of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation, spoke about his new book “Hirschfeld’s Sondheim,” which will be out in September.
The book will be released via Harry Abrams Comic Arts on September 9, 2025.
How did the new book come about?
When Stephen Sondheim died, I quickly put together a Spotlight feature for the Al Hirschfeld Foundation that included every image of any show or film that Sondheim had written or contributed to.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were more than 50 drawings covering almost the first half century of Sondheim, a remarkable overview of his career. The idea for this book was born that night.
What inspires you each day as an author?
I love to share the amazing things I find in my research, whether it be an image or a phrase or a text that I find.
I also love providing context to objects that people love but may not know much about. Creating a beautiful book gets me out of bed in the morning
What was your favorite part of the writing process?
My favorite part of the writing process is when I have been at it long enough that the words simply flow out of me.
Sometimes this happens early in the process, and other times, it can take weeks into a book before the spigot is fully on. But when it happens, it is amazing.
What did this book teach you about yourself?
The book taught me that I have been lucky to be alive while geniuses are among us. To immerse oneself in the works of Sondheim and Hirschfeld, is to get a sense of what the theater, music, composition, and drawing can do in the hands of very talented individuals.
That they were admirers of each other’s work is also remarkable. Game recognizes game.
How does it feel to serve as creative director and curator of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation?
If you pinch me and I wake up, I am going to be very unhappy. I started by visiting Hirschfeld in his studio at least once a week for 13 years while I organized the archive of his work.
When we broke for lunch or tea later in the afternoon, we talked art and theatre. It was heaven. He wanted me to take things on when he passed so I did.
What a pleasure it is to share his work with the world through books and exhibitions, and of course every day through our social media.
What do your plans for the future include?
We have just finished working on our next book in the series, Hirschfeld’s Icons, that will come out in April.
In the interim, we have three exhibitions in three cites and two time zones planned, a series of live events all over the country that will celebrate Hirschfeld and Sondheim, and support theaters at the same time.
The end of next year will mark the start of an 18 month celebration of the centennial of Hischfeld’s first theater drawing and his 100th anniversary with the NY Times in 2028.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Success means many things to me. In terms of books, the wide acceptance by an audience is success, but so is creating a great book like Hirschfeld’s Sondheim.
In my personal life, success is a happy family and friends. So by these measures, I am delighted to be considered successful.
What would you like to tell our readers about your new book? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
This Hirschfeld book is unlike any other, both in terms of size and subject matter. This a deluxe oversized book that measures 11 x 14 inches and the reproductions are amazing.
Every line is there is al their glory. And that you can remove the pages and put them on your walls is also a first.
Also, there has never been a book of Hirschfeld art focused on one person’s accomplishments (besides Hirschfeld’s), and who better than Sondheim?
