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The Baker's Wife Logo The Baker's Wife features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz;

Book by Joseph Stein

Biography and Memoir chronicle The Baker's Wife's behind-the-scenes story

Musical theatre enthusists who hear the show's cast album frequently ask themslves: "Why did The Baker's Wife flop when it was headed to Broadway?" Two books cover the show's rather dramatic history:

1) Defying Gravity

In the chapter on The Baker's Wife in Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked, you'll find out not only what the creative team of Stephen Schwartz and Josphen Stein have concluded, but read for yourself the ins and outs of the difficult pre-Broadway try out experience. The chapter takes readers inside the creative and collaborative issues. It also explores the creative triumphs for the development of such pieces as "Meadowlark" and "Proud Lady."

To write the chapter, author Carol de Giere interviewed Stephen Schwartz and Joseph Stein; cast members Carole Demas, Kurt Peterson, and Teri Ralston; the final music director Bob Billig; and publicist Josh Ellis. They are all quoted in the book.

In an "Extras" section at the end, she also provides an update of the show's progress toward success, including Trevor Nunn's notes about the London production.

Photographs in the chapter on The Baker's Wife include original cast members Topol, Patti Lupone, Kurt Peterson, and others, as well as Stephen Schwartz and Joseph Stein.

Buy it at Amazon Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked OR find out more at www.defyinggravitythebook.com

Patti LuPone memoir2) Patti LuPone: A Memoir

Patti LuPone poignantly tells the personal story of her experiences in The Baker's Wife in chapter 5. Patti LuPone: A Memoir (Amazon.com)  

She provides an actor's perspective of being in a show in trouble on the road. She doesn't hold back in her revelations about her co-star Topol.

Recordings Compact Disk icon

Music CDs

The Baker's Wife

  • [Original 1990 London Cast], Jay Records UK, 1999 Buy The Baker's Wife [new browser window]

    Baker's Wife cover with cat
  • Includes: Chanson, If It Wasn't For You, Merci Madame, Scene, Bread, Gifts of Love, Plain and Simple, Proud Lady, Look for the Woman, Serenade, Meadowlark, Buzz-a-Buzz, Opening, Any-Day-Now-Day, Endless Delights, The Luckiest Man in the World, Feminine Companionship, If I have to Live Alone, Romance, Where is the Warmth?, Scene Pompom's Return, Finale

The Baker's Wife

The Baker's Wife Songs on Albums by Various Artists

"Meadowlark"

"Chanson"

"Proud Lady"

Cover for Matt Bogart albumBroadway star Matt Bogart sings Schwartz's piece "Proud Lady" and the beautiful Bernstein/Schwartz number from Mass "Simple Song" on his new album Simple Song

"Gifts of Love"

  • Alix Korey - Gifts of Love - (1997 - AD CD020)

"Where is the Warmth"

"With You (Pippin)/Gifts of Love (The Baker's Wife)"

The Baker's Wife Sheet Music

1. Selections Selections from The Baker's Wife: A...(Opens new browser window to Amazon.com [new browser window]. Includes "Meadowlark" (Scored For: Piano/Vocal), "If I Have to Live Alone," and "Where is the Warmth"

2. The 292-page Stephen Schwartz Songbook includes The Baker's Wife sheet music and others as Stephen plays them. "Chanson," Gifts of Love," "Meadowlark," "Proud Lady," "Where is the Warmth." Want it now? Stephen Schwartz Songbook -Order the printed book OR Individual songs available by instant digital download - Once you are there on the MusicNotes site, click on the image of the songbook for instant access.

The Stephen Schwartz Songbook

For Europe: Please see the Schwartz shop section of our UK site Wickedwestend.co.uk

Articles

Joseph Stein and Stephen Schwartz Joseph Stein and Stephen Schwartz collaboration

The professional production at Paper Mill Playhouse April 13- May 15, 2005, directed by Gordon Greenberg, now serves as the model for an ideal version of the show, according the show's creative team. It included changes made to the show for a 2002 version in Connecticut, and further revisions. The superbly staged production helped renew interest in this charming musical.

See The Baker's Wife Synopsis with photos from The Paper Mill Playhouse production.

Stephen wrote about the production: I am extremely happy with the beautiful production at Paper Mill, and I'm glad you were enthusiastic about it as well. Joe Stein and I are, I think understandably, very pleased that after so many years and so much effort, the show is finally done! We both feel this is the final version, and are delighted it has been so well received.

Read about the stars: Alice Ripley - Interview exclusive to this site.

A brief history of the show's development.

The Gifts of Carole Demas - Carole Demas was the first "Genevieve" in the Broadway-bound production of 1976.

"Meadowlark" lyrics and reviews

"Chanson" lyrics & history A full page about Chanson.

"Proud Lady" lyrics and history - A full page about Proud Lady.

Director's notes and photos from a production of The Baker's Wife. (These notes make it clear that, contrary to the viewpoint of some critics, there are subplots in this musical.)
The Baker's Wife--Kansas City

Read about original cast member Kurt Peterson

BroadwayWorld.com - includes photos from Paper Mill. | Production photos - (BroadwayWorld.com)

The Baker's Wife black and white film version (non musical)

The Baker's Wife - black and white movie (not a musical) (The musical was adapated from this 1940 Marcel Pagnol film. In French with English subtitles.)

Forum and Show Schedule for The Baker's Wife

Show Schedule for The Baker's Wife

Want to see a production of The Baker's Wife Try this list: Go to the licensing agency site MTIShows.com The Baker's Wife page and look for the blue tab that says "Upcoming." Click there to find dozens of productions.

Forum

Stephen Schwartz has answered questions from fans, performers, directors, and musicians involved with The Baker's Wife. See the Baker's Wife section StephenSchwartz.com - Forum Archive

Online Community

Join the online community at www.mtishowspace.com/ - look for photos, discussion, etc.

Licensing The Baker's Wife for performance

Music Theatre International provides a detailed description and ordering information for the production.
MTIShows.com