Stephen Sondheim to receive PEN ‘literary service’ award

Stephen Sondheim’s latest honour comes from literary and human rights organisation PEN America.

The group announced on Wednesday that the composer is this year’s recipient of the PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award. Meryl Streep will present Sondheim with the award at the group’s annual literary gala on April 25 at the American Museum of Natural History.

Sondheim has written music or lyrics or both for West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods and more.

PEN will also honour Macmillan CEO John Sargent for his advocacy of publishers’ and authors’ rights.