“The Kennedy Center's Sondheim Festival was the highlight of my professional life. It was like being in the Olympics and living in the Olympic Village. You were surrounded by artists at the top of their game who were all there for the joy of the work and nothing more. I remember Stephen Sondheim coming into my dressing room for our first preview and giving me a note. Then as he left, he said ‘don't worry, it's just a musical.’ ”