Defying Gravity is the first book-length career biography of Stephen Schwartz.
Songwriter Stephen Schwartz started his career in 1971 by writing music and new lyrics for Godspell. Next he wrote music and lyrics for Pippin and The Magic Show. When Godspell moved from off-Broadway to Broadway in 1976, Schwartz then had three successful shows running on Broadway at the same time.
His songs on the cast albums for The Baker's Wife helped keep the show in motion after it failed to reach Broadway in 1976. Children of Eden is his second most popular show for regional theatres. He co-adapted Working and wrote lyrics for Rags before transferring some of his creative energy to Hollywood. Schwartz's musical Wicked is a hit on Broadway, on tour, and in Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Germany, and Japan.
Schwartz wrote lyrics for the film scores for Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and songs for The Prince of Egypt. He wrote songs for a Disney television movie Geppetto. In 2006, Schwartz collaborated with Alan Menken on Disney's Enchanted.
He is now writing an opera, Séance on a Wet Afternoon to be performed in 2009.
Stephen Schwartz lives in Connecticut and has an office/studio apartment in Midtown Manhattan. He spends much of his time traveling for theatre activities, composing, conducting ASCAP workshops, giving concerts, and playing tennis.
Mr. Schwartz is married to Carole Schwartz. They have two children, director Scott Schwartz and art teacher Jessica Schwartz.
Stephen Schwartz's official bio may be found at StephenSchwartz.com
Official website for Defying Gravity: the Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked (musical theatre biography)
(United States)
