The PRESSBOOK for the 1973 film The Last of Sheila featured a drawing of the cast of the film by Al Hirschfeld and a special puzzle: two hidden NINAs and one hidden SHEILA.
Excerpt from the book Matching Minds with Sondheim:
Labeled with GAME #1, its accompanying copy explained: “The inimitable Hirschfeld cartooning technique caricatures the seven stars of ‘The Last of Sheila’… In keeping with the murder-game theme of the picture, Hirschfeld has concealed the name ‘Sheila’ within the drawing, as well as his customary sketch reference to ‘Nina.’”
Hirschfeld’s account books indicate that Sondheim over his life bought at least four drawings by the caricaturist based on his work. One was for Company (1970), which Sondheim gave to Hal Prince. Another was for Follies (1971), which became an opening night gift to its book writer James Goldman. One for A Little Night Music (1973) he gave to Hugh Wheeler after having everyone in the production sign the piece.
Finally, the fourth Hirschfeld was the original drawing for The Last of Sheila, purchased by Sondheim for his personal collection.
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