The Schwartz Scene Blog

SCHWARTZ-RELATED EVENTS AND HONORS APRIL to AUGUST 2009

Posted April 19, 2009 by Carol de Giere, author of Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz from Godspell to Wicked

This will be a LONG blog post because there are so many events for and about Broadway songwriter Stephen Schwartz. He will be honored in New York and Pittsburgh, and will appear in events in Kentucky, New York, California, and Connecticut.

Also, I’m speaking at several Schwartz-related events during which I’ll be sharing stories from my book. Some of the original cast members I interviewed will be sharing Schwartz songs at my events. See details below.

By the way, if you haven’t seen Schwartz’s biggest hit musical, Wicked, the tour schedule has been expanding - soon Wicked will be everywhere. So click around the Wicked home page at http://www.musicalschwartz.com/wicked.htm

2009-2010 North American Tour Cities announced in the press so far: Austin, Charlotte, Dayton, Denver, Des Moines, Durham, Greenville, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Memphis, Nashville, Norfolk, Omaha, Providence, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, Schenectady, Seattle, Tempe, Tulsa, Wichita

SCHWARTZ HONORS - SPRING 2009

OPERA MAY 1st

Stephen Schwartz was honored to have his opera selected for partial performance by the New York City Opera as part of a 10th anniversary celebration.

Schedule Friday, May 1

All events are free, but reservations are highly recommended. http://vox-nyco.com/html/current.html

To read more about the opera, see our previous blog post http://www.theschwartzscene.com/blog/2007/04/23/schwartz-opera-and-wicked/

RICHARD RODGERS AWARD May 9, 2009 Pittsburgh, PA

Award-winning composer and lyricist and Carnegie Mellon University graduate Stephen Schwartz will be the 12th recipient of the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theater.

Established in 1988, the award recognizes the lifetime contributions of outstanding talents in musical theater. Awardees have included Mary Martin (1988), Dame Julie Andrews (1989), Harold Prince (1991), Cameron Mackintosh (1992), Stephen Sondheim (1993), Andrew Lloyd Webber (1996), Gwen Verdon (2000), Bernadette Peters (2002), Shirley Jones (2007), Kathleen Marshall (2008) and Rob Marshall (2008).

The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, along with the families of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, will present the award to Schwartz at Civic Light Opera Guild’s Pink Frolic Ball on May 9 at the Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown. The evening includes a gala dinner with performances honoring Schwartz’s career. Composer, author, and screenwriter Mary Rodgers Guettel, who composed a song for Schwartz’s 1978 Broadway musical “Working” and is the daughter of the late Richard Rodgers, will present the award. For information on tickets for the presentation, contact Stephanie Snyder at 412-281-3973, ext. 234.

Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction June 18, 2009

Tony Award nominees Stephen Schwartz, best known for smash stage hits including Wicked, and Galt MacDermot, James Rado and the late Gerome Ragni, all of the soon-to-be-revived Hair, will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 18, 2009. The ceremony for the honorees will take place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, marking the 40th anniversary of the Hall of Fame. The tunesmiths will join such famed inductees as Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Cy Coleman and Hal David, among many others.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 by Johnny Mercer, Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The organization works to educate the public about the work of great songwriters, producing a spectrum of professional programs devoted to the development of new talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships.

Schwartz Becomes President of Dramatists Guild

On March 19, 2009, it was announced that Stephen Schwartz has become the president of the Dramatists Guild of America, the national association of playwrights, composers and lyricists. Schwartz commented: “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 [former president] and Marsha Norman [former vice president] 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.”

EVENTS

April 20th, at 7:00 p.m. “May the Schwartz Be With You” concert at Don’t Tell Mama

Here’s our press release for a very special NYC event. Stephen won’t be there but many great singers will be:

Broadway originals Carole Demas, Teri Ralston and Dale Soules will be joined by Carol de Giere, author of Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz from Godspell to Wicked in a truly memorable evening of song and stories.

This show presents three true Broadway luminaries with unrivaled pedigree. Carole Demas is known to all as Sandy in the original production of Grease, as well as Genevieve in the original production of The Baker’s Wife. Teri Ralston comes to us from the original companies of Company, A Little Night Music, as well as The Baker’s Wife. Dale Soules starred opposite Doug Henning in the original cast of The Magic Show, and played Big Edie in Grey Gardens on Broadway.

This all-star line up is joined by Shorey Walker, Kathleen Hennesy, Lara Janine, James Reimer, Natalie Ryder, and a performance by The Treats featuring Brooke Lyn Hetrick, Katie Danielowski & Emily Zempel. Musical direction is by BJ Gandolfo. Morgan LaVere is directing.

Project Open, the outreach program for Lincoln Towers’ elder residents and their families, provides a range of social, educational and assistance programs regardless of income. From counseling, social activities and referral services to assistance with grocery shopping, home delivery of meals or aid in securing home and long term care, Project Open provides essential services to help older residents live with comfort and dignity in their own homes.

May The Schwartz Be With You, plays Don’t Tell Mama on Monday, April 20th, at 7:00 p.m. Don’t Tell Mama is located at 343 West 46th Street. There is a $25 cover charge, and a two drink minimum. All proceeds will go to benefit Project Open. Reservations required. Phone 212-757-0788 (after 4:00 PM daily).

Louisville, Kentucky May 2

“Wicked” composer Stephen Schwartz will attend the Kentucky Derby and perform a concert after the race for the Louisville-based charity Operation Open Arms. Schwartz will be joined in the concert by his wife and other singers who will come with him to Kentucky (including Liz Callaway).

For information on this event see Kentucky article

May 9, The Creativity of Stephen Schwartz: Tarrytown, NY

Photo: Author Carol de Giere speaking about her book.

MAY 9 EVENT: Carol de Giere, Carole Demas, and Lara Janine are appearing from 3:30 to 4:30 pm as part of the “Third Annual Meet The Authors @ Warner Library, Readings, Signings & Discussions.”

Carol de Giere, author of Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz from Godspell to Wicked, will share behind the scenes stories. Carole Demas, known for her role as “Sandy” in the original production of Grease, as well as Genevieve in the original production of The Baker’s Wife, will perform the original “Meadowlark” and also “With You” from Pippin. Lara Janine, who performed the role of Elphaba in production of Wicked in Japan, will sing “The Wizard and I” and “Defying Gravity” at this event.

Photo: Lara Janine

It will be a full day of readings, signings, Q&A and Broadway musical numbers on May 9th at Warner Library in Tarrytown as 13 local authors and poets come together to share their stories and broaden your horizons. Check later on the Warner Library site for details: Warner Library Tarrytown

May 16, 2009 Schwartz at Andrea Marcovicci’s 60th Birthday Concert - Town Hall.

Join three-time Academy Award winner, Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and Grammy award-winner Julie Gold, along with other noted ASCAP composers Francesca Blumenthal, John Bucchino, Craig Carnelia, Babbie Green, and Christine Lavin and as they celebrate Andrea’s dedication to the Great American Songbook. The evening not only includes contemporary songs from these guest artists but Andrea performs classic standards from Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, and more. The Town Hall is located in Manhattan at 123 West 43rd Street. TICKETS: Ticketmaster for Town Hall concert or call (212) 307-4100

May 29 - Schwartz appears in Danbury CT

“Musicals at Richter”, Connecticut’s longest running outdoor summer theatre located in Danbury, Connecticut, will be celebrating its 25th season of Broadway musicals “under the stars” with a pre-season gala featuring award winning composer, Stephen Schwartz, as their very special musical guest. One of “Musicals at Richter’s” 25th season productions will be Mr. Schwartz’s own Children of Eden

The gala event, “25 Summers Under the Stars” will be held at The Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury, CT on May 29, 2009. There will be a performance by Stephen Schwartz (including a selection from Children of Eden), as well as music and entertainment provided by “Musicals at Richter” performers and alumni. A very special evening, indeed! Please visit M.A.R.’s website for more information on the 25th anniversary season and to buy your tickets now (either online or by check) to this very special event. Visit: www.musicalsatrichter.org

August 2009 in Los Angeles
Upright Cabaret’s Wicked Summer Nights includes Espinosa, Bean, and Stephen Schwartz

Beyond the Yellow Brick Road at the Ford Amphitheater.

A trio of shows directed by Billy Porter that celebrate life beyond the Wicked stage, starring pivotal figures who have created and defined this musical phenomenon. Former Elphabas Shoshana Bean and Eden Espinosa will be performing their own shows followed by a special cabaret with Stephen Schwartz.

• –Shoshana Bean: A Happening at the Ford. Thu. June 11 at 8:30 p.m
• –Eden Espinosa: ME. Fri. July 24 at 8:30 p.m.
• –Stephen Schwartz: Making Good. On Sun. August 23 at 7:30 p.m, Oscar and Grammy award-winner Stephen Schwartz presents a sneak peak of his new opera while Upright Cabaret All-Stars interpret some of his hits from productions such as Pippin and Wicked.

Wicked cabarets in LA - Ford Amphitheter Presented by Chris Isaacson and Shane Schee

RECENT PAST EVENTS

Photo: Godspell movie star Katie Hanley made plans with me to surprise Stephen when he came to Chicago for a January book signing. She and Stephen went to college together at Carnegie Mellon University in the 1960s. She’s holding my book.

In January, Stephen and I also spoke in San Francisco at the Museum of Performance and design where we also signed autographs for Defying Gravity.

KEEP UP WITH SCHWARTZ AND WICKED

The Schwartz Scene quarterly newsletter provides more detailed information about Schwartz’s schedule and also the latest news from Wicked and other shows. If you have not yet signed up for this free newsletter/ezine, or if you didn’t get a recent issue, please fill in the form at http://www.musicalschwartz.com/newsletter.htm