Stephen Schwartz

Also Credited As: Steve Schwartz

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Stephen Schwartz BIO

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.

Stephen Schwartz Photos

Stephen Schwartz STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1976
Performer

Stephen Schwartz Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2022]
Writer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Original Music
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2014]
Lyrics
 
[US Tour, 2014]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Additional Material
 
[Broadway, 1978]
Director
 
[West End, 1972]
Musical Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1971]
Musical Director
Musical Director
 
[Regional (US), 1970]
Musical Director

Writing

Music and Lyrics
Lyricist
Composer
Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Adaptation

Stephen Schwartz Movies

[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 Videos

Stephen Schwartz News


Video: Tony Yazbeck Talks Directing and Choreographing Manhattan Concert Productions' CHILDREN OF EDEN

Watch as BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge discusses Manhattan Concert Productions' Children of Eden with director and choreographer Tony Yazbeck!

WICKED Will Welcome New Cast Members in March 2024

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.

Video: Watch Liz Callaway Sing 'Grateful' by John Bucchino For Thanksgiving

In honor of Thanksgiving, watch Liz Callaway sing John Bucchino's 'Grateful'! 

Video: Stephen Schwartz Can't Wait to Deliver Us THE PRINCE OF EGYPT on the Big Screen

Many nights we've prayed... and on December 5, the miracle will happen! The West End sensation, The Prince of Egypt: The Musical, is set to be released on leading digital platforms from Monday, December 5.

Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus to Present TOGETHER: A Queer Concert Extravaganza

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.

Review: PIPPIN at BW Musical Theatre Program

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!

Review: PATTI LUPONE IN CONCERT at Ordway Center For The Performing Arts

What did our critic think of PATTI LUPONE IN CONCERT at Ordway Center For The Performing Arts?

City Theatre Presents MOMENTS A Musical Celebration, November 19

Final three performances! City Theatre begins the 2023 holiday season with the musical celebration MOMENTS, November 17 - 19 at Genesis Creative Collective.

Listen: Julie Garnyé & Stephen Schwartz's 'Forgiveness' Embrace' Out Now

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 Joins AMERICAN SPORTS STORY With Lindsay Mendez & Josh Andrés Rivera

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.

Photos: First Look at the New UK Tour Cast of WICKED

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!

Full Cast Set For DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES, Starring Kelli O'Hara and Brian d'Arcy James

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!

Artists Urge Support as TheatreWorks Reaches 95% Of Goal

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 Returns to Austin in March 2024

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. 

Michael Imperioli Will Make Broadway Debut Opposite Jeremy Strong in AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

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!

Review: BROADWAY LEGENDS at The Music Center at Strathmore

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: Joaquina Kalukango Sings 'What I'm Here to Find' From WILD ABOUT YOU World Premiere Recording

Listen to Joaquina Kalukango sing 'What I'm Here to Find' from the world premiere recording of Wild About You!

Cast Set for Bilingual Musical EL OTRO OZ at Atlantic for Kids

Atlantic for Kids has revealed the cast for the new bi-lingual musical El Otro Oz, with a book by Mando Alvarado and Tommy Newman, music & lyrics by Jaime Lozano and Tommy Newman. Learn how to purchase tickets!

TheatreWorks Closes in on $3 Million Goal For Critical Fundraising Campaign

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.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 9th, 2023

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 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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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