Defying Gravity is more than a Stephen Schwartz biography. One of its best features is the account of Godspell's history: nearly 50 pages covering the fascinating development of Godspell from early 1970 through 1971.
Have you ever wondered how Godspell got started?
In Chaper 4 of Defying Gravity you will read how John-Michael Tebelak conceived the show and how the first college cast (1970) responded to the idea of clowning around with parables. (Yes, at first they thought he was crazy until they experienced how much joy the show created for audiences.)
In Chapter 5 you will find the story behind Stephen Schwartz's new Godspell score for the Cherry Lane Theatre production in 1971.
While researching Defying Gravity, author Carol de Giere collected stories from Stephen Schwartz, music director Stephen Reinhardt, and all of the original Godspell cast members who are still living. Some of these stories are included within Chapters 4 and 5. Others are included in the Extras section, "Godspell Song Stories" towards the end of the book.
Official website for Defying Gravity: the Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked (musical theatre biography)
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