News and Events - Stephen Schwartz Musicals

Stephen Schwartz musical events, news, & Wicked star appearances

Updated regularly - Keep checking here.

• Schwartz and Wicked Events in the New York/CT/NJ area
• Schwartz and Wicked Events Elsewhere - Around the US & world
• Other news new projects, updates

New York City Area Stephen Schwartz-Related Events 2010 and 2011

Ongoing: Schwartz's hit Broadway musical Wicked - see WICKED index page.

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.

"We're so happy to crown our long association with Stephen Schwartz with this celebration of his distinguished and productive career," said Westport artistic director Mark Lamos in a statement. "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. Note - this is a major fundraising event and so the tickets are priced high.

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, Séance 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

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. Stephen Schwartz opera 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

To keep up with future Schwartz-related events in the NYC area: Subscribe to free email newsletter: Newsletter: The Schwartz Scene

ASCAP Workshops for Musicals in Development

Stephen Schwartz normally directs the annual ASCAP/DISNEY Foundation Musical Theatre Workshops in NYC each spring. ASCAP workshops

Stephen Schwartz and Friends concerts

Stephen Schwartz performed or attended several concerts in the first half of 2010. As soon as more are announced we will post them.

PHOTO: The concert photo by Maryann Lopinto is from Stephen Schwartz and Friends concerts, for which Liz Callaway and Stephen Schwartz are joined by Debbie Gravitte and Scott Coulter. To book Stephen Schwartz and Friends, go to www.spot-onentertainment.com

Godspell on Broadway

Producer Ken Davenport aims to bring Godspell to Broadway in the 2010-2011 season. Godspell on Broadway

Schwartz and Wicked Events Elsewhere - 2010

Wicked Tour see Tour info for 2010 Wicked Tour

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 superstars of our time. Masterclass - Montreal

Boston - Blue Flower - December 8 to January 8

Stephen Schwartz got excited about Blue Flower when he saw it at the ASCAP workshop. Here's the website. http://www.theblueflower.org/

Check back later for a video clip by Schwartz and a possible public event.

"The Blue Flower is the most original and fascinating new piece of musical theater I have come across in years—funny, moving, incredibly theatrical....I love it."--Stephen Schwartz

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

Working in Chicago

Stephen Schwartz is involved in the revival of Working at the Broadway Playhouse. Check back later to see if there will be any public events with Schwartz. The show runs February 15 - May 8th, 2011. Broadway in Chicago - Working. For background info about the musical see Working

ASCAP Workshops for Musicals in Development

Stephen Schwartz normally directs the annual ASCAP/DISNEY Foundation Musical Theatre Workshops in Los Angeles each winter. ASCAP workshops

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

MORE

Best Way to Keep Up with Stephen Schwartz: Subscribe to free email newsletter: Newsletter: The Schwartz Scene

Other News on songwriter Stephen Schwartz

New York City - Theatre Hall of Fame induction - January 2010

The 2009 Theatre Hall of Fame inductees included Stephen Schwartz. The 39th Annual Theatre Hall of Fame ceremony was held Jan. 25, 2010, in the Gershwin Theatre's North Rotunda. The nominees, voted on by the American Theater Critics Association and the members of the Theater Hall of Fame, are required to have a minimum of five major credits and 25 years in the Broadway theater to qualify for consideration.

Stephen Schwartz is subject of Biography "Defying Gravity

In September of 2008, Applause Theatre and Cinema Books published the first biography of Stephen Schwartz, "Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked," by Carol de Giere. See DefyingGravityTheBook.com.

This 544-page authorized book features the behind-the-scenes stories on the making of musicals to which Stephen Schwartz contributed music and/or lyrics, including Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, The Baker's Wife, Working, Rags, Children of Eden, and Wicked for stage as well as movies Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Prince of Egypt, and Enchanted films.

Schwartz now president of Dramatists Guild

Composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz was elected to succeed John Weidman as president of The Dramatists Guild of America — the national association of playwrights, composers and lyricists. Guild president John Weidman, vice-president Marsha Norman, secretary David Ives and treasurer Jonathan Reynolds are stepping down from their respective offices.

In a statement Weidman said, "It's been an honor to serve as president of this unique and essential organization and a pleasure to have collaborated for the last ten years with my vice-president, Marsha Norman. I look forward to continuing to serve the Guild under the able and exciting leadership of the new administration."

Schwartz added, "I'm extremely honored my fellow dramatists have chosen me to be the president of their Guild. On behalf of all of my fellow Guild members, I would like to thank John Weidman and Marsha Norman and the other officers for their amazingly productive work and the dedication that they've shown over the last ten years. I hope to continue to move the Guild forward in the direction they have led and to try to live up to their very high standards."

The Guild also named Peter Parnell as vice-president, Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright as secretary and Theresa Rebeck as treasurer.

Tony Awards Stephen Schwartz's Statement on behalf of Dramatist Guild, June, 2009

"The Guild objects in the strongest possible terms to the exclusion of this award from the live broadcast. We have received assurances in the past that the Tony producers recognize that this is an important award and that they would reinstate it in the show that everybody sees.

"As writers we understand that the television show needs to be entertaining in order to attract and hold its audience. And the Guild recognizes that many of its members' brother and sister artists, from designers to choreographers to orchestrators, will be similarly disadvantaged on Sunday night.

"Nevertheless, the theatre is always spoken of as 'The Writer's Medium,' as was even said in last year's broadcast. So it seems especially ironic that the awards show that purports to represent the theatre gives less recognition to writers than the motion picture industry's Academy Awards.

"We strongly urge that the Best Book Award be put back where it belongs. Live, on the air."

Stephen Schwartz contributed lyrics for the songs for Disney's Enchanted

Stephen Schwartz completed an opera: Stephen Schwartz's Opera Project

Wicked Cast Album goes Platinum. See photo of Stephen's platinum plaque and read more about the album: Wicked Music Page

Kennedy Center Video clips of Stephen Schwartz The Kennedy Center site has clips from a May 1st interview to adults. http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/plus/plusonline/2006_schwartz.html

Other News

Showbusiness Documentary featuring Wicked available on DVD

The SHOWBUSINESS DVD includes Wicked and Stephen Schwartz. Read about it at Showbusiness DVD - Details about the Documentary

Strouse, Schwartz, and Schwartz is now available:

Schwartz songs include: Magic To Do, Corner of the Sky, Lion Tamer, Blame it On A Summer Night, No Time At All, Morning Glow, Charmin's Lament, Meadowlark, and Day by Day medley. [Note Amazon.com doesn't list all songs for both CDs but there are two]

Wicked music - With Stephen Schwartz's approval, Hal Leonard Corp. has been developing Wicked publications for choral, orchestras, and bands. See Wicked score page - Orchestra and band and Choral Music page

The cast album has been released for Forbidden Broadway's humorous spoof of Wicked and other shows. Forbidden Broadway, Vol. 8 - Special Victims Unit (It pokes fun with renditions of "Defying Gravity" and "Popular")

About past Wicked days: Wicked Day celebration for fans

Stephen Schwartz & Friends In Concert

Spot-On Entertainment is now booking "Stephen Schwartz & Friends" with Stephen Schwartz, Debbie Gravitte, Liz Callaway and Scott Coulter. www.spot-onentertainment.com

Related Info:

• Liz Callaway (includes interview)| Debbie Gravitte| Scott Coulter (includes interview) | Stephen Schwartz

Reviews of concerts by Stephen Schwartz and Friends

Visit the Concert Reviews page

Organizing a Schwartz Concert

Vist the Concert Reviews page

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