I was never much of a reader. I'm a slow reader, which is unusual, because I'm so into language and I love words so much. But it's hard for me to read.

I took piano lessons when I was 6. I didn't want to go on with it. I don't remember being moved by a piece of music.

One of the hardest things about writing lyrics is to make the lyrics sit on the music in such a way that you're not aware there was a writer there.

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

They all deserve to die. Even you, Mrs. Lovett Even I. Because the lives of the wicked should be made brief For the rest of us death would be relief.

If I cannot fly, let me sing.

I'm a lazy writer. My idea of heaven is not writing. On the other hand, I'm obviously compulsive about it.