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

I always try to keep in mind that while the characters in a farce may find themselves in outrageous dilemmas, and may behave in a way that the audience finds amusing, the characters themselves don't have the consolation of knowing they're in a comedy.

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.

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

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'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.

I didn't want much. I wanted much more. In fact, I wanted everything.