Overview

By near-universal consensus, Stephen Sondheim was the greatest musical theater composer of his generation—celebrated, among other things, for the wit, sophistication, and intricacy of shows from West Side Story to Sunday in the Park with George. But a less well-known avenue for his brilliance was his lifelong fascination with designing and constructing intricate puzzles and games, from treasure hunts to crosswords to parlor and board games. Matching Minds with Sondheim is a journey into this rich but largely unmapped aspect of the composer’s creative life, illuminating how Sondheim’s playful designs delivered moments of clarity and connection for friends, colleagues, and anyone who’s ever been captivated by his genius. This book opens, for the first time, the door into what Sondheim called his “puzzler’s mind,” helping readers to better understand the man, his work, and—if they accept the challenge—themselves. Gaming expert Barry Joseph draws from over eighty years of Sondheim’s activities, including extremely rare and never-publicly-seen puzzles and game designs, scores of original interviews with the celebrity friends who played them, archival deep dives, and illuminating analysis from both puzzle designers and theater professionals from around the world. Packed with illustrations and insights, this book does more than describe Sondheim’s life in puzzles: It allows readers to match minds with the maestro by attempting to solve his puzzles and bring Sondheimian games into their own homes.

Full Product Details

Author:   Barry Joseph
Publisher:   Globe Pequot Press
Imprint:   Applause
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.80cm , Length: 23.20cm
Weight:   0.700kg
ISBN:  

9781493085835

ISBN 10:   1493085832
Pages:   368
Publication Date:   11 December 2025
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Contents Foreword by Will Shortz Foreword by Ted Chapin Introduction: The Time It All Began to Click How Sondheim Explored Connection and Clarity All That It Took to Research the Maestro Notes on How to Select from This Book’s Menu Group One: Stephen Sondheim: A Ludological Biography 1. Sondheim, At Play Sondheim, the Playmate The Parlor Games of Sondheim’s Creation Exploring The Murder Game and Its Descendants Puzzling Through the Last of Sheila Scenario How Stephen Sondheim Became a Game Show Champion 2. Sondheim, Treasure Hunt Designer Dakota Treasure Hunt’s Puzzling Milieu How Maria Came to Meet Sondheim, Treasure Hunt Designer Eleanor Clark French, in Memoriam Inside the City Center Treasure Hunt Design Studio Memories of Hunts from a Night on Broadway to a Night at the Museum Yes! It’s Game Time Observing Treasure Hunt Re-enactors to Learn the City Center Solution 3. Sondheim, Board Game Designer The Road Not Taken (One Not in Music) Sondheim’s Board Game Juvenilia, in Detail On Gamifying the Economics of Broadway and the Campiness of Cinema For Lenny, a Board Game Trilogy, with Love and Humor 4. Sondheim, Word Puzzle Designer Introducing Cryptic Crosswords and How They Are Solved The Ximenes Puzzle Dinner at the Cafe Royale, a Night Electric Years Ago, Sondheim Wrote Cryptics with Gusto A Passion for Cryptics Passed to the Next Generation Noted For Its Impact, Sondheim's Cryptic Legacy Lives On 5. Physical Puzzles Exploring Jigsaws and Their Puzzling Appeal Company’s Cancellation, Opening Night Gifts, and the Surprise of Etai The Devious Jigsaw Designs of Stave, Sondheim’s Fav Invoking “Order Out of Chaos” to Argue that God Is in the Game Opening Puzzle Boxes, a Tricky Scenario Navigating Sondheim’s Immersion in Escape Room Fun Epilogue: The Great Dispersal Group A: How to Play the Sondheim Way A. Sondheim’s Three Principles of Play B. Advice for Game Designers C. Twelve Tips for Clue Crafters D. Designing a Sondheimian Treasure Hunt E. Throwing a Sondheimian Games Night F. Tackling Sondheimian Cryptics Appendix Alpha: Sondheim Ludological Timeline Appendix Beta: Puzzles and Games in Sondheim Musicals Acknowledgements Permissions

Reviews

""Matching Minds reveals how before Stephen Sondheim was a musical theater god he was the puzzle editor at New York Magazine, making ""order out of chaos"" on a weekly basis. Discover how puzzles weren't just a hobby for Steve, but a window into his brilliant mind, and his ever-illuminating music."" --Melissa Errico, Tony-nominated Broadway actress/writer; recording artist of two Sondheim albums; star of ""Sunday in The Park With George"" at The Kennedy Center & more. ""Matching Minds accomplishes a truly remarkable feat: reintroducing us to someone we thought we already knew. It's not just a biography of Stephen Sondheim but a sourcebook and design guide to his creative work. An absolute must-read for any puzzle or game designer."" --Eric Zimmerman, Arts Professor, New York University Game Center, and co-author of Rules of Play ""As someone who spends most of her time trying to discover what makes Sondheim great, the book gave me another lens through ?which to understand his genius. Now, whenever I approach a show, a song, or a set of lyrics, I ask myself: Is it a puzzle? Is it a game? Is it playful? And that's been eye-opening and invigorating."" --Gail Leondar-Wright, independent Sondheim scholar (TalkingSondheim.com)

Clearly written for true Sondheim fans or puzzle aficionados, the book is an absolute treat. * Library Journal * This stands apart from other Sondheim biographies in celebrating his sense of fun and how it informed his creative process, and readers will delight in the amusing anecdotes supplied by friends and collaborators. It’s a fresh peek into the mind of a celebrated American artist. * Publishers Weekly * A smart, eye-opening look into a lighter side of Sondheim. * Kirkus Reviews * If you’re bedazzled by Stephen Sondheim and want to get inside his mind, you need this book. If you’re equally entranced by puzzles and games, you must read this book immediately and repeatedly. Matching Minds is a real accomplishment, and no one but Barry Joseph could have written it. His intelligence and commitment to this complex subject can be found on every page. * Daniel Okrent, author of the forthcoming Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn’t Easy * Matching Minds reveals how before Stephen Sondheim was a musical theater god he was the puzzle editor at New York Magazine, making ""order out of chaos” on a weekly basis. Discover how puzzles weren't just a hobby for Steve, but a window into his brilliant mind, and his ever-illuminating music. * Melissa Errico, Tony-nominated Broadway actress/writer; recording artist of two Sondheim albums; star of “Sunday in The Park With George” at The Kennedy Center & more. * Matching Minds accomplishes a truly remarkable feat: reintroducing us to someone we thought we already knew. It’s not just a biography of Stephen Sondheim but a sourcebook and design guide to his creative work. An absolute must-read for any puzzle or game designer. * Eric Zimmerman, Arts Professor, New York University Game Center, and co-author of Rules of Play * Matching Minds with Sondheim is a mind-boggling study, providing more than 400 pages of background and insight that sheds new light on an incredible creative mind. Joseph offers solid evidence about how Sondheim’s pursuit of puzzle solutions and elaborate game playing were part and parcel with his mastery of words. If you desire a deeper understanding of this modern genius, this is a book for you. * Rick Pender, author of The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia * Reliving my extraordinary night participating in Stephen’s 1968 Halloween Treasure Hunt was like stepping back into the genius’s boundless imagination. This book is a treasure hunt in its own right. A fascinating read that guides you through the wonderland of one of the world’s most brilliant minds. * Grover Dale, original cast member of West Side Story, Tony- and Emmy-nominated Dancer, Choreographer, and Director * Riddle me this: Who loves Sondheim? Who wants to have incredible insight into how Sondheim's love for puzzles shaped his brilliant writing? Who needs to read Matching Minds With Sondheim? ANSWER: Everyone who loves musical theater! * Seth Rudetsky, musician, actor, writer and radio host. * Just as Sondheim treated his audiences as though they were at a level playing field, so too does Barry Joseph with this fascinating series of insights into Sondheim’s genius that even non-gamers will gobble up. * Julie Klausner, creator, Difficult People, and Sondheim enthusiast * Barry Joseph’s Matching Minds with Sondheim reveals an untold dimension of the Broadway legend’s life: his passion for puzzles and games. From designing murder mystery party games to crafting immersive and puzzling treasure hunts, Joseph paints a vivid picture of how Sondheim channeled his wit and precision into the art of making play. * Michael Mitnick, playwright, songwriter, and Sondheim aficionado * Matching Minds shows how Sondheim was exactly the type of player that makes the escape room community so vibrant. * Lisa and David Spira, co-creators of RoomEscapeArtist.com * Setting and solving puzzles lies at the heart of creativity, whether the output be lyrics, music, or crosswords. In Joseph’s Matching Minds with Sondheim we finally learn how this puzzling spirit pervades the works of a master of all three. * Paul Henderson, cryptic crossword setter and APEX custodian * As someone who spends most of her time trying to discover what makes Sondheim great, the book gave me another lens through ?which to understand his genius. Now, whenever I approach a show, a song, or a set of lyrics, I ask myself: Is it a puzzle? Is it a game? Is it playful? And that's been eye-opening and invigorating. * Gail Leondar-Wright, independent Sondheim scholar (TalkingSondheim.com) * A treasure trove of insight into Sondheim’s deep engagement with games, the people with whom he played them, and what they reveal about his ‘puzzler’s mind.’ * The Sondheim Hub * Barry Joseph’s erudite and edifying new book is poised to expand the appreciation of The Master’s many fans by demonstrating that his skills as a puzzlemaster were, in their own way, just as breathtaking as his facility with music and lyrics. * The Broadway Maven *

As Barry Joseph documents in Matching Minds with Sondheim, Sondheim simply loved clever play. * Wall Street Journal * Clearly written for true Sondheim fans or puzzle aficionados, the book is an absolute treat. * Library Journal * This stands apart from other Sondheim biographies in celebrating his sense of fun and how it informed his creative process, and readers will delight in the amusing anecdotes supplied by friends and collaborators. It’s a fresh peek into the mind of a celebrated American artist. * Publishers Weekly * A smart, eye-opening look into a lighter side of Sondheim. * Kirkus Reviews * If you’re bedazzled by Stephen Sondheim and want to get inside his mind, you need this book. If you’re equally entranced by puzzles and games, you must read this book immediately and repeatedly. Matching Minds is a real accomplishment, and no one but Barry Joseph could have written it. His intelligence and commitment to this complex subject can be found on every page. * Daniel Okrent, author of the forthcoming Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn’t Easy * Matching Minds reveals how before Stephen Sondheim was a musical theater god he was the puzzle editor at New York Magazine, making ""order out of chaos” on a weekly basis. Discover how puzzles weren't just a hobby for Steve, but a window into his brilliant mind, and his ever-illuminating music. * Melissa Errico, Tony-nominated Broadway actress/writer; recording artist of two Sondheim albums; star of “Sunday in The Park With George” at The Kennedy Center & more. * Matching Minds accomplishes a truly remarkable feat: reintroducing us to someone we thought we already knew. It’s not just a biography of Stephen Sondheim but a sourcebook and design guide to his creative work. An absolute must-read for any puzzle or game designer. * Eric Zimmerman, Arts Professor, New York University Game Center, and co-author of Rules of Play * Matching Minds with Sondheim is a mind-boggling study, providing more than 400 pages of background and insight that sheds new light on an incredible creative mind. Joseph offers solid evidence about how Sondheim’s pursuit of puzzle solutions and elaborate game playing were part and parcel with his mastery of words. If you desire a deeper understanding of this modern genius, this is a book for you. * Rick Pender, author of The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia * Reliving my extraordinary night participating in Stephen’s 1968 Halloween Treasure Hunt was like stepping back into the genius’s boundless imagination. This book is a treasure hunt in its own right. A fascinating read that guides you through the wonderland of one of the world’s most brilliant minds. * Grover Dale, original cast member of West Side Story, Tony- and Emmy-nominated Dancer, Choreographer, and Director * Riddle me this: Who loves Sondheim? Who wants to have incredible insight into how Sondheim's love for puzzles shaped his brilliant writing? Who needs to read Matching Minds With Sondheim? ANSWER: Everyone who loves musical theater! * Seth Rudetsky, musician, actor, writer and radio host. * Just as Sondheim treated his audiences as though they were at a level playing field, so too does Barry Joseph with this fascinating series of insights into Sondheim’s genius that even non-gamers will gobble up. * Julie Klausner, creator, Difficult People, and Sondheim enthusiast * Barry Joseph’s Matching Minds with Sondheim reveals an untold dimension of the Broadway legend’s life: his passion for puzzles and games. From designing murder mystery party games to crafting immersive and puzzling treasure hunts, Joseph paints a vivid picture of how Sondheim channeled his wit and precision into the art of making play. * Michael Mitnick, playwright, songwriter, and Sondheim aficionado * Matching Minds shows how Sondheim was exactly the type of player that makes the escape room community so vibrant. * Lisa and David Spira, co-creators of RoomEscapeArtist.com * Setting and solving puzzles lies at the heart of creativity, whether the output be lyrics, music, or crosswords. In Joseph’s Matching Minds with Sondheim we finally learn how this puzzling spirit pervades the works of a master of all three. * Paul Henderson, cryptic crossword setter and APEX custodian * As someone who spends most of her time trying to discover what makes Sondheim great, the book gave me another lens through ?which to understand his genius. Now, whenever I approach a show, a song, or a set of lyrics, I ask myself: Is it a puzzle? Is it a game? Is it playful? And that's been eye-opening and invigorating. * Gail Leondar-Wright, independent Sondheim scholar (TalkingSondheim.com) * A treasure trove of insight into Sondheim’s deep engagement with games, the people with whom he played them, and what they reveal about his ‘puzzler’s mind.’ * The Sondheim Hub * Barry Joseph’s erudite and edifying new book is poised to expand the appreciation of The Master’s many fans by demonstrating that his skills as a puzzlemaster were, in their own way, just as breathtaking as his facility with music and lyrics. * The Broadway Maven *

Author Information

Barry Joseph is the Principal of Barry Joseph Consulting, a leader in innovating solutions for learning in a digital age, and the co-founder of the Games for Change Festival. As an early developer of after-school game design for youths and an adjunct instructor at New York University, Barry has been a national leader in games-based learning and games for social impact, producing dozens of curriculums, games, and exhibits. Collaborators and clients have included the American Museum of Natural History, Girl Scouts of the USA, the RAND Corporation, the MacArthur Foundation, and City College of New York. Barry has been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, CBS Morning News, All Things Considered, and many more. He authored Seltzertopia and co-founded and directs the Brooklyn Seltzer Museum. Learn more at his website MatchingMindsWithSondheim.com.

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