[STEPHEN SONDHEIM, spoken]
I've often been asked why don't I write my own librettos
Because often the songs seem to be libretto-like songs
And there are two reasons
The first, and more important one, is that
I think playwriting is too difficult and I don't think I could ever write a play

Second, however, is I love collaborations
And it may be because I'm an only child
And I miss the family that you get—
I would miss the family that you get when you're working with someone
Even if it's just one other person, it's like having a brother
Or if it's two or three other people, it's like having a small family
And the putting on of a musical, you get that family feeling
And that gives me a great deal of courage to go on
And it also gives me a feeling of warmth and, and, you know
To put it as a cliché, the show is like having a baby
And it's something you make and you nurture and you give life to
So that's why I love collaborations