The Schwartz Scene Newsletter

A free quarterly email newsletter e-zine with updates by Stephen Schwartz

The Schwartz Scene takes you inside the world of Broadway and film composer Stephen Schwartz (known for Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, and more). It is brought to you by www.MusicalSchwartz.com, the official fan site for Stephen Schwartz.

How to subscribe to The Schwartz Scene:

You may unsubscribe anytime. Your Email address will be kept private and never given to anyone else.

What you receive

  1. An Email reply with a link to the current issue.
  2. By Email each quarter you will receive an announcement with a link to the current issue published online.
  3. A link to the back issue archive stored online.

Why subscribe to this free newsletter E-zine?

  • Keep up with Wicked and Stephen Schwartz's latest projects. In most issues this includes an update written by Stephen.
  • Read fascinating feature articles and interviews related to Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, and other Schwartz shows.
  • Stay posted about concerts, shows, events you might want to attend.
  • Take advantage of this window on musical history in the making.

Columns in Each Issue:

  1. Intro and news from Carol de Giere, Editor
  2. Stephen Schwartz's quarterly update, usually written by him
  3. Scott Schwartz's update (Stephen's stage director son)
  4. One or more feature articles
  5. Wicked global news
  6. Update on a Schwartz-related book project
  7. Schwartz Musical News and events around the USA and beyond.

Current Issue

CURRENT ISSUE Scene 34 - Spring 2009 This issue announces Stephen Schwartz's many recent awards and honors (becoming president of Dramatists Guild of America, and more). It lists several opportunities to meet him this spring. Readers will find Wicked news from around the world, news of special productions of Pippin and Working, and more.

Back Issues List:

Subscribers - See back issue link at top right when you are on the web page for the current issue)

Back issues will give insights on Wicked's Development and the history of other Schwartz musicals, Godspell, Pippin, and more.

  • Scene 33 - Winter 2009. In addition to the usual news of Wicked productions around the world, the issue provides articles about special revivals of Pippin and Working. The issue listed Stephen Schwartz's travel schedule in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Washington, DC, or Florida.
  • Scene 32 - Fall 2008 - This issue includes dozens of events in different parts of the world in October and November as well as very special new products. It reports on the Behind the Emerald Curtain Tour, Wicked news including the new 5th Anniversary CD, and more.
  • Scene 31 Scene 31 - Summer 2008. We skipped a spring issue this year so I could finish my book Defying Gravity: the Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked. In his longer-than-usual update, Stephen Schwartz describes his recent experiences with cast members and musicals. He also writes about my book. The issue includes important schedule details for Stephen Schwartz and Friends concerts.
  • Scene 30 Winter 2008. Stephen Schwartz wrote his update on the plane when returning home from the Oscars. He described what it was like to be an awards nominee this year. As always, the issue provides Wicked news. It features a podcast interview with Schwartz about his lyrics for Enchanted, a listing of about a dozen events around the USA with Stephen Schwartz, including concerts, opening night events, etc.
  • Scene 29 Fall 2007: The Fall issue will be out this week and include Stephen Schwartz's update about his work on Disney's Enchanted, his trip to Wicked in Germany, articles about SHOWBUSINESS documentary and a podcast on "Fathers and Sons"
  • Scene 28, Summer 2007 featured Stephen Schwartz's update written July 7th, 2007. The schedule of events includes upcoming opportunities to meet Stephen in Chicago, NY, LA, Pittsburgh, or Daytona. It included Wicked news and links, and a couple of articles.
  • Scene 27, Spring 2007 featured our first podcast/audio clip interview with Stephen Schwartz. He discusses his opera, Wicked, and the musical writing process. In the schedule of events you'll note opportunities to meet Stephen. Read news for Schwartz musicals from around the world.
  • Scene 26 - Winter 2007: In this issue Stephen shares his progress on his first opera, the work he's doing with the orchestra for opening Wicked in Los Angeles, Disney's Enchanted, a revue of his songs called Snapshots, and more. Plus you'll see Wicked news from New York/Broadway, London, USA/Canada tour, Chicago, and Los Angeles. There's a feature article on Disney's Enchanted and schedule of upcoming events.
  • Scene 25 - Fall 2006: Stephen Schwartz wrote a detailed update about the types of changes for WICKED in London, Los Angeles WICKED comments, his love of the Paper Mill version of GODSPELL, upcoming opera, and more. There's also a feature article about how he deals with deadlines and doubts, news and schedules for musical events around the US, Canada, and UK.
  • Scene 24 - Summer 2006: Stephen Schwartz wrote an update for this issue describing his experiences with Disney's Enchanted (currently being filmed), Geppetto and Son new stage show, his plans for seeing Wicked in Japan, and more. There's updated info on Pippin and Godspell productions, features, etc. etc.
  • Scene 23 - SPRING 2006: A huge E-zine issue, with photos of the 1000th Broadway performance of Wicked, feature articles on Fiyero! and Godspell 1970, links to Pippin-related interviews, Geppetto and Son news, concert and ASCAP announcements, and much more.
  • Scene 22 - WINTER 2006: Wicked UK, Chicago, Tour, Broadway updates, Schwartz appearances around the USA. Feature with photos on Schwartz's career. Schwartz's advice for writers.
  • Scene 21 - FALL 2005: Schwartz on My Fairy Tale, Tons of Wicked and other Schwartz news, feature on Schwartz's cut songs, and feature on Animals in Wicked's Oz.
  • Scene 20 - SUMMER 2005: Schwartz on Wicked's LA and Chicago openings, etc.; Feature article on Godspell; Wicked news and links.
  • Scene 19: Schwartz Q and A, Wicked news, Captain Louie recording session story, Alice Ripley interview for The Baker's Wife
  • Scene 18: Schwartz writing on the Wicked tour, Denmark for My Fairy Tale, etc; articles on: Idina Menzel, Wicked's Groundbreak Score, and more.
  • Scene 17: Wicked's Musical Themes, etc.
  • Scene 16: The writing of Wicked's "What is This Feeling" and more.
  • Scene 15: Schwartz inspiration, Stephen Oremus, etc.
  • Scene 14 included Stephen's notes from his recent Broadway experience plus comments on the Wicked CD by Gregory Maguire and more.
  • Scene 13 included notes on Schwartz's writing of "The Wizard and I" from a talk he gave July 10th 2003.
  • Scenes 1-12 Schwartz Updates as Wicked moved towards Broadway. Previous issues include Q and A with Stephen Schwartz, Peggy Gordan (Godspell), and others.

So if you are an aspiring composer, songwriter, student, musical theatre enthusiasts, or fan of Broadway, this newsletter is special for the musical theatre development insights. Stay current and learn from a Legend: Stephen Schwartz.

For a quick update visit The Schwartz Scene Blog and Podcast

Check for news on songwriter Stephen Schwartz's latest projects.

Stephen Schwartz
Colorized Photo - Stephen Schwartz

Carol de Gere
Photo - Carol de Giere, founder and editor of The Schwartz Scene, and author of Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked

 

The Schwartz Scene is an independent newsletter and does not officially represent Mr. Schwartz, but is offered with his cooperation. He usually provides updates, which are included in the quarterly issues.