Birth Place: New York, NY, USA
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Authorized Biography: Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked (Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, by Carol de Giere) www.DefyingGravityTheBook.com
Stephen Schwartz was born in New York City on March 6, 1948. He studied piano and composition at the Juilliard School of Music while in high school and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1968 with a B.F.A. in Drama. Upon coming back to live in New York City, he went to work as a producer for RCA Records, but shortly thereafter began to work in the Broadway theatre.
His first major credit was the title song for the play BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE; the song was eventually used in the movie version as well.
In 1971, he wrote the music and new lyrics for GODSPELL, for which he won several awards including two Grammys. This was followed by the English texts, in collaboration with Leonard Bernstein, for Bernstein's MASS, which opened the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The following year, he wrote the music and lyrics for PIPPIN and two years later, THE MAGIC SHOW. At one point, GODSPELL, PIPPIN, and THE MAGIC SHOW were all running on Broadway simultaneously.
He next wrote the music and lyrics for THE BAKER'S WIFE, followed by a musical version of Studs Terkel's WORKING, to which he contributed four songs, and which he also adapted and directed, winning the Drama Desk Award as best director. He also co-directed the television production, which was presented as part of the PBS "American Playhouse" series.
Next came songs for a one-act musical for children, CAPTAIN LOUIE, and a children's book, THE PERFECT PEACH. He then wrote music for three of the songs in the Off-Broadway revue, PERSONALS, lyrics to Charles Strouse's music for RAGS, and music and lyrics for CHILDREN OF EDEN.
He then began working in film, collaborating with composer Alan Menken on the scores for the Disney animated features POCAHONTAS, for which he received two Academy Awards and another Grammy, and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. He also provided songs for DreamWorks' first animated feature, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, for which he won another Academy Award for the song "When You Believe".
Mr. Schwartz provided music and lyrics for the original television musical, GEPPETTO, seen on The Wonderful World of Disney. Recently, he released two CDs on which he sings new songs, entitled RELUCTANT PILGRIM and UNCHARTED TERRITORY.
Mr. Schwartz's most recent musical, WICKED, opened in the fall of 2003 and is currently running on Broadway.
Under the auspices of the ASCAP Foundation, he runs musical theatre workshops in New York and Los Angeles, and serves on the ASCAP board; he is also a member of the Council of the Dramatists' Guild.
From: Photo Flash: Stephen Schwartz, Elaine Paige, and More at Opening Night of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT
From: Photo Flash: Stephen Schwartz Honored at ASCAP Awards; Megan Hilty Performs 'Corner of the Sky'
From: Photo Flash: Stephen Schwartz Honored at ASCAP Awards; Megan Hilty Performs 'Corner of the Sky'
From: Photo Flash: Stephen Schwartz Honored at ASCAP Awards; Megan Hilty Performs 'Corner of the Sky'
From: Photo Flash: Stephen Schwartz Honored at ASCAP Awards; Megan Hilty Performs 'Corner of the Sky'
From: Photo Flash: Stars Come Out for WHEN YOU BELIEVE Stephen Schwartz Tribute
[1995]Pocahontas songs
[1996]The Hunchback of Notre Dame songs
[1998]The Prince of Egypt original songs
[2007]Enchanted songs
[2021]tick, tick... BOOM! Aspiring Composer and Lyricist #17
[2022]Disenchanted lyricist
[2024]Wicked music and lyrics by
Stephen Schwartz
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, The Baker's Wife
Stephen Schwartz, Rags
Stephen Schwartz, Working
Stephen Schwartz, Working
Stephen Schwartz, Working
Stephen Schwartz, Godspell
Stephen Schwartz, Pippin
Stephen Schwartz, Pippin
Stephen Schwartz, Godspell
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WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, will welcome Michael Fenton Stevens (The Wizard), Graham Kent (Doctor Dillamond), and welcome back former cast member Laura Harrison (Standby for Elphaba) to London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre from Tuesday 12 March 2024.
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Join Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus for their queer concert extravaganza, TOGETHER, featuring a diverse repertoire of holiday songs, including Broadway hits and world premieres.
What did our critic think of PIPPIN at BW Musical Theatre Program? In the Fall of 1971, while chaperoning a group of college students to New York, I saw PIPPIN, the Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics), Roger Hirson (book), Bob Fosse (director/choreographer) musical. I had an instant love affair with the show!
What did our critic think of PATTI LUPONE IN CONCERT at Ordway Center For The Performing Arts?
Final three performances! City Theatre begins the 2023 holiday season with the musical celebration MOMENTS, November 17 - 19 at Genesis Creative Collective.
The new single from vocalist Julie Garnyé and the Grammy, Tony, and Academy Award-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz has been released. Listen here!
Tony Yazbeck has joined Ryan Murphy’s latest FX anthology American Sports Story. Yazbeck will play a key recurring role opposite the previously reported Tony winner Lindsay Mendez, West Side story and Hamilton alum Josh Andrés Rivera, and Patrick Schwarzenegger.
All new photos have been released of the 2023/5 UK tour cast of Wicked, led by Laura Pick (Elphaba) and Sarah O’Connor (Glinda). Check out the photos here!
Complete casting has been announced for the Broadway premiere of Days of Wine and Roses, starring Kelli O'Hara and Brian d'Arcy James. Learn more about who else is in the cast here!
As the clock ticks down on its “Save TheatreWorks Now” campaign, famed theatre makers are joining the push to put TheatreWorks Silicon Valley over the top.
Wicked, Austin’s most popular musical, will return to Bass Concert Hall March 13 – 31, 2024, as part of Texas Performing Arts Broadway in Austin series. Single tickets will go on sale Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at 10 am.
Emmy & SAG Award winner Michael Imperioli will make his Broadway debut opposite Jeremy Strong in AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. We have all the details on when the play will arrive, which theatre it will play, and more!
What better way to ease into fall and the holiday season than with an evening of show tunes with a symphony orchestra, three great singers, and a superb maestro.
Listen to Joaquina Kalukango sing 'What I'm Here to Find' from the world premiere recording of Wild About You!
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TheatreWorks Silicon Valley reports it has now received 90% of the $3 million needed by the end of November 2023 in order to complete its current season.
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 9, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Stephen Schwartz has written 23 shows including An Evening with Stephen Schwartz (Composer/Lyricist), Personals (Composer), Butterflies Are Free (Composer/Lyricist), Godspell (Composer), Mass (Bookwriter), Pippin (Composer), The Magic Show (Composer/Lyricist), The Baker's Wife (Composer/Lyricist), Working (Adaptation), Endless Delights (Composer/Lyricist), Magic to Do (Composer/Lyricist), A...My Name Is Alice (Material), Rags (Lyricist), Children of Eden (Composer/Lyricist), Rags:Children of the Wind (Lyricist), Fosse (Lyricist), Wicked (Composer), Captain Louie (Composer/Lyricist), Reluctant Pilgrim (Composer/Lyricist), Snapshots (Composer/Lyricist), Disney's Geppetto and Son (Composer/Lyricist), Having It Almost (Composer/Lyricist), Prince of Egypt (Music and Lyrics).
Stephen Schwartz has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of the notable nominations include the Isabelle Stevenson Award at the Tony Awards, the Audience Award for Most Popular Show at the Olivier Awards for "Wicked," Best Original Score at the BroadwayWorld Awards for "Wicked," Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for "Wicked," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Wicked," Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "Wicked," Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "The Baker's Wife," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Rags," Outstanding Director - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Working," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Working," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Working," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Godspell," Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Pippin," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Pippin," and Most Promising Composer at the Drama Desk Awards for "Godspell."
Stephen Schwartz has won several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable wins include the Isabelle Stevenson Award at the Tony Awards, the Audience Award for Most Popular Show at the Olivier Awards for Wicked, the Best Original Score at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Wicked, the Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for Wicked, the Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Wicked, and the Most Promising Composer at the Drama Desk Awards for Godspell.
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