Stephen Schwartz Videos

Today in 2003, Wicked opened at the Gershwin Theatre, where it is still running. Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. Wicked tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch of the North), who struggle through opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace. Its original stars included Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, and Joel Grey as the Wizard. The original Broadway production won 3 Tony Awards and 6 Drama Desk Awards whilst its cast album received a Grammy Award.

Today in 1972, Pippin opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1944 performances. Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. The original cast included: Eric Berry, Jill Clayburgh, Leland Palmer, Irene Ryan, Ben Vereen, and John Rubinstein.

Tony winner Alice Ripley just stopped by Therapy for Marti Gould Cummings' STAGE FRIGHT, which takes place every Monday night at 9 p.m. While she was there she belted out what else, but 'Rose's Turn' from Gypsy. Check out her killer rendition below!

Happy Birthday Alan Menken! For Disney, Menken has scored The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Pocahontas, each of which won him two Academy Awards. He also composed the scores for The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Enchanted, and Tangled. Menken has collaborated on several occasions with lyricists including Howard Ashman,Tim Rice and Stephen Schwartz. On Broadway, Menken has composed for The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors, King David, Beauty and the Beast, Sister Act, Leap of Faith, and Newsies. His most recent Broadway project, Aladdin, is currently playing at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Kaleidoscope Theater for Youth at The Summit Playhouse will present the world premiere of 'Children of Eden, Junior!' beginning with preview performances July 17 at The Summit Playhouse. This production will be the first ever of a junior version of 'Children of Eden'. Click below to watch adapter/director/choreographer Lindsay Maron and company talk about the show!

In honor of Throwback Thursday, BroadwayWorld is celebrating the past with a new series that will take you back in time with some of our favorite vintage video features. That's right- we are opening up the BroadwayWorld Vaults to reminisce on shows are long gone from the Broadway-scene, but have left an indelible mark on the world of theatre as a whole. Today, we bring you a vintage video from 2011. Relive the magic of GODSPELL below!

Today in 1977, Pippin closed at the Minskoff Theatre, after having played 1944 performances. Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. The original cast included: Eric Berry, Jill Clayburgh, Leland Palmer, Irene Ryan, Ben Vereen, and John Rubinstein.

Fox Detroit talks to Adrienne Barbeau of PIPPIN, which plays the Fisher Theatre June 9-21.  

Wicked's dance supervisor talks eating green and staying healthy!

Stephen Schwartz accepting a Isabelle Stevenson Award during the Creative Arts Awards portion of the 2015 Tony ceremony, presented by City National Bank.

It's just days until the 69th Annual Tony Awards, and just last night the nominees gathered at The Diamond Horseshoe at the Paramount Hotel to celebrate the 2015 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre and 2015 Special Award Recipients, including Tommy Tune, Stephen Schwartz, and John Cameron Mitchell (all of whom will accept their awards on Sunday night), as well as honorees Gene O'Donovan, Adrian Bryan-Brown, and Arnold Abramson.  Check out their speeches below!

It's just days until the 69th Annual Tony Awards, and just last night the nominees gathered at The Diamond Horseshoe at the Paramount Hotel to celebrate the 2015 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre and 2015 Special Award Recipients, including Tommy Tune, Stephen Schwartz, John Cameron Mitchell, Gene O'Donovan, Adrian Bryan-Brown, and Arnold Abramson. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there to chat with the nominees for one last time before the big night. Check out what they have going on this week below!

STARS IN THE ALLEY, presented by United Airlines, was held earlier today, May 27th in Shubert Alley, between Broadway and 8th Avenue and 44th and 45th Streets. Hosted by HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH's Darren Criss, Broadway's best turned out for the annual performance - including Wicked's Lilli Cooper, who performed 'The Wizard and I'- check it out below!

Welcome to BWW's exclusive talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH Richard Ridge. Follow Richard as he visits the theater's best and brightest in their dressing rooms, on their stages and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know. In the special interview below, Richard welcomes 2015 Isabelle Stevenson recipient Stephen Schwartz!

Happy Birthday, Judy Kuhn! Kuhn made her Broadway debut was in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. She then played Cosette in the 1987 multiple award winning Broadway production of Les Miserables brought her the first Tony Award nomination. The following year, Kuhn took on a transfer from London's West End, playing one of the main roles (Florence Vassy) in the Trevor Nunn-directed Chess, with music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (formerly of ABBA) and lyrics by Tim Rice. Later in 1993, Kuhn played the role of Betty Schaefer in the U.S premier production of Sunset Boulevard at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles. Kuhn sang the title role in the 1995 Disney animated film, Pocahontas, the film included her rendition of the song Colors of the Wind, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for its composers Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. On October 23, 2007, Kuhn returned to the Broadway Production of Les Miserables after 20 years, but this time assuming the role of Fantine.

By permission of Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wicked and Pippin, Russell Scott and Mark Pettitt for Godspell in Concert UK Ltd will produce the 12 week UK tour, which features the Broadway revival score. Kenneth Avery-Clark directs the production which was critically lauded at its London performance and Russell Scott, Musical Director is at the helm of the show's spectacular new orchestration. Check out the brand new trailer below!

This spring Godspell In Concert, the legendary rock musical from Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy® and Academy Award®- winning composer of WICKED, returns to the UK's stages and opens at Hackney's Empire Theatre on Easter Saturday, April 4th, ahead of a 28 venue national tour.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame (which first played to rave reviews in La Jolla), which opened last night, March 15. Inspired by the classic Victor Hugo novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame has a book by Peter Parnell, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is directed by Scott Schwartz and choreographed by Chase Brock. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night, and below, you can check out interviews with the full gang after the curtain went down!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, featuring a book by Peter Parnell, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, has officially begun its spring run at Paper Mill Playhouse. Local choir members from the Continuo Arts Foundation are providing a lush backdrop for the musical, which Menken told NJTV News provides the show an 'emotional depth'. Watch a behind-the-scenes report about the singers below!

GLEE goes out with a bang and a big WICKED tribute!