I first had the thought about making a musical of 'Edwin Drood' as far back as 1971.

A lot of my early career, I wrote story songs that had narratives, that had plots.

As much as the mystery element is all a lot of fun, when you do go to 'Edwin Drood,' you're going to a theatre to see a show about going to a theatre and what that relationship between actors and audiences has been for years.

I don't want to own her, but I can't let her have it both ways. There is one too many of us.

I think writing for a world one has invented can be infinitely more interesting than writing for the world we've all inherited.

The truth is, I initially became a singer-songwriter while still in my teens because it was the only way to guarantee that somebody on earth would sing the songs I was writing. Since then, I've performed just about everywhere: rock clubs, concerts halls, arenas, TV.

I've tried in my career to do most everything, because it all intrigues me. And I've found the first time I work in a new form, I discover all the things that make that an exciting medium. I've been very busy most of my career. I've had very few vacations.