What People Are Saying

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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, piecing together the magic and mystery that Sondheim conjured in every puzzle, every clue, and every note he composed. A fascinating read that guides you through the wonderland of one of the world’s most brilliant minds.”

“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!”

“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.”

“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.”

“Matching Minds shows how Sondheim was exactly the type of player that makes the escape room community so vibrant.”

“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.”

“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.”