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Defying Gravity News and Events

Stephen SchwartzMeet Stephen Schwartz and/or Carol de Giere

September 29, 2010, Madison, Wisconsin

Carol de Giere"Creativity in Wicked’s Oz: Songwriter Stephen Schwartz’s Story" a presentation by Author Carol de Giere

6:30 pm for 45 minutes before the evening performance of Wicked.

Carol de Giere, a Madison native and biographer of Wicked’s composer Stephen Schwartz, will talk about her book, the Stephen Schwartz biography “Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked.” She’ll explain how Stephen Schwartz’s intentions for the show compared with those of novelist Gregory Maguire (who write Wicked the novel) and discuss how Schwartz and his collaborator Winnie Holzman developed the score and script, with the support of producer Marc Platt. She’ll cover the feedback process and what it was like to attend a reading for the work-in-progress and see the pre-Broadway tryout production in San Francisco. Using audio clips, she’ll take the audience “Somewhere Over the Keyboard,” and explore some of the composer’s influences for the score, his nods to the Harold Arlen The Wizard of Oz score, and his work on musical themes. Overture Center in Madison The Overture Center is located at 201 State Street in downtown Madison, Wisconsin.

Sept 13 - The Magical Music of Stephen Schwartz - Westport CT

The Westport Country Playhouse will honor Academy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated composer Stephen Schwartz Sept. 13 as part of its 2010 gala. The Magical Music of Stephen Schwartz, presented at 6 PM, will celebrate the composer-lyricist's writing for theatre and film. Stephen Schwartz will be present at this event that includes cocktails, dinner, a champagne reception and silent auction. Joe Calarco will direct the performances.

Among those peroforming at "The Magical Music of Stephen Schwartz" are

  • Kate Baldwin, Laura Benati, Darius de Haas, Andrew Lippa, Julia Murney, Christiane Noll, Carole Shelley, Max Von Essen and Ben Vereen. In addition, Schwartz himself will perform.

Westport artistic director Mark Lamos has said, "We're so happy to crown our long association with Stephen Schwartz with this celebration of his distinguished and productive career. Many people don't know that his big break was the original song he wrote for the Playhouse's 1969 production of Butterflies are Free, which was only the beginning of his historic contributions to the American stage. From Godspell to Wicked, Stephen has given literally millions of musical theater lovers so much pleasure over the years. And his shows have lit up the Playhouse stage on many occasions. He's a consummate artist and a true gentleman, and we're glad to welcome him home."

For tickets, phone (203) 227-5137 ext. 122. Visit WestportPlayhouse.

Note from biographer Carol de Giere: I will also be present at this event. If you plan to attend, let me know so I can say hi. carol@defyinggravitythebook.com

Opera Preview - September 19, 2010, 3:00 pm, Mt. Kisco, NY in Westchester County. An Afternoon with Stephen Schwartz

The composer previews his new opera Seance on a Wet Afternoon prior to its New York Premiere. Songs from the opera will be performed, followed by an audience Q&A with the composer.

Tickets $25, $20 (for Friends of Copland House), $10 (students with ID)
455 Byram Lake Road, Mount Kisco, NY
Info: (914) 788-4659 or office@coplandhouse.org

Coplandhouse.org news page

Note from biographer Carol de Giere: If you plan to attend, let me know so I can say hi. I'm planning to be there. carol@defyinggravitythebook.com

Montreal Workshop - October 30 (Samedi 30 octobre 2010)

Stephen Schwartz will offer a workshop for performers in Montreal, offering feedback. Since 1971, Stephen Schwartz has been involved with professional theatre auditions and hiring decisions as a member of creative teams for musicals. This is an opportunity to work closely with one of the leading musical theatre creators of our time. Masterclass - Montreal

January 4, 2011 - San Bernadino, CA Stephen Schwartz in Concert

Stephen Schwartz and Friends concert is scheduled for 8:00 at the California Theatre for the Performing Arts Stephen Schwartz in concert

Sunday, April 10, 2010 - Is It a Musical or Opera panel

A panel of distinguished composers and playwrights join Stephen Schwartz for an in-depth look at what defines the opera and musical theater genres. The roundtable will take place on the set of Schwartz's hit Broadway musical Wicked.

Sunday, April 10 at 7:30 pm
Gershwin Theatre
222 West 51st Street

NYC opera event info

April 19 - May 1, 2011, Seance on a Wet Afternoon opera NYC premiere

Lauren Flanigan will star in the New York premiere of Stephen Schwartz's Séance on a Wet Afternoon as part of the New York City Opera's 2010 - 2011 season. The opera focuses on Myra Foster (Flanigan), a trance medium who involves her passive husband (to be played by Kim Josephson) in a plot to kidnap the daughter of a neighboring family. The composer's son, Scott Schwartz, will direct, while George Mahanan conducts, sets are by Heidi Ettinger, costumes by Alejo Vietti and lighting by David Lander. Seance on a Wet Afternoon

April 21, 2011, New York City, Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz

The NYC opera is hosting a special concert featuring Kristin Chenoweth and Raúl Esparza. NY Opera concert

 

Stephen Schwartz to Australia - Summer 2010

Stephen Schwartz has spent several weeks in Australia offering workshops and concerts. For stories about the trip and video clips, see Schwartz Australia

Stephen Schwartz in Chicago 2011

Stephen Schwartz will be involved in a production of Working in Chicago. Details forthcoming.

My Fairytale

My Fairytale, Danish Musical About Hans Andersen, With Songs by Schwartz, will have its American premiere in 2011 in California, created by The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) of Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, CA. To help launch this American premiere, Stephen Schwartz will be in brief residence at PCPA, assisting with the development of PCPA’s production. See My Fairy Tale

April 19 - May 1, 2011, Seance on a Wet Afternoon opera NYC premiere

If you didn't get to see Schwartz's opera in Santa Barbara when it premiered, you have another chance in New York. The New York premiere of Stephen Schwartz's Séance on a Wet Afternoon features Lauren Flanigan as Myra Foster, and other stars. The composer's son, Scott Schwartz, will direct, while George Mahanan conducts, sets are by Heidi Ettinger, costumes by Alejo Vietti and lighting by David Lander. Stephen Schwartz opera Seance on a Wet Afternoon

To Stay Informed about Events - Subscribe to The Schwartz Scene

Over the past year, I've posted various concerts and workshops that Stephen Schwartz has lead around the USA and world. Keep checking back here for future updates, or subscribe to the Schwartz Scene newsletter

News posted by Carol de Giere, author of Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked

I'm pleased to report that the 6-page Epilogue chapter from the Stephen Schwartz biography, Defying Gravity, is now out-of-date. The epilogue includes highlights from my 2004 interview with Stephen, and a photograph of him under the list of names of Broadway greats honored as members of the "Theatre Hall of Fame." At that time, his name was not included. Stephen Schwartz at Theatre Hall of Fame induction: Photo by Michael Cole

Six years later, at a ceremony at the Gershwin Theatre on January 25, 2010, Stephen Schwartz was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Established in 1971, the Theatre Hall of Fame inducts artists from all facets of the theater, including actors, playwrights, designers, directors and producers whose work on Broadway encompasses at least a quarter of a century.

The inductees must also have five Broadway credits to their name. Schwartz's include Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, the Magic Show, Working, Rags, Butterflies are Free, Fosse. Michael Cole took this photo of Stephen at the January 25 event at the Gershwin Theatre.

Stephen Schwartz biography Defying Gravity by Carol de GiereNow that Stephen has received his due honor, that chapter in the biography provides historical context. The other 500-plus pages of Defying Gravity are still relevant and full of creative stories. Read more about the book here. Defying Gravity: the Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked

Podcasts and Web Videos

Stephen Schwartz video interview includes Defying Gravity

When Stephen Schwartz was interviewed on NY1, the Defying Gravity book is on display and is discussed during the interview. Stephen Schwartz on NY1 - career reflections

Playbillradio.com Podcast interview: Robert Viagas interview with Carol de Giere October 2008.
Playbill Podcast with Carol de Giere
Playbill Radio special guest is Carol de Giere, author of "Defying Gravity," a new biography of "Godspell" and "Wicked" composer Stephen Schwartz. She traces Schwartz' life from his childhood on Long Island through his amazing early successes, his mid-career challenges that almost made him leave the business, and his triumphant return to Broadway in recent years. She also tells how the book transformed her own life.

Related Ozian event

See Evan Schwartz's blog post about our wonderful Ozian event in Orange CT: From the author of Finding Oz

Articles mentioning Defying Gravity

See the reviews about the book Defying Gravity - published reviews

For questions or further information

please contact the author at carol@defyinggravitythebook.com

These events are also posted on http://www.booktour.com/author/carol_de_giere

Official website for Defying Gravity: the Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked (musical theatre biography)

Buy it online:

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Defying Gravity at Amazon.com - Best price $16.47
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Amazon.com.ca
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OR BUY IT LOCALLY

Your local bookseller will be able to order the book from their usual wholesaler. ISBN: 978-1557837455. Retail $24.95 US price.


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