Another Father’s Day brings a reminder of the touching song “Fathers and Sons” from the musical Working, which explores the complex emotions in father-son relationships. In the podcast that I’ll be linking to below, Schwartz comments on what he believes may be common patterns. “…When you’re young you idealize your father and he’s your hero; and then as you come into your teenage years and you become more realistic about who your father is, the fact that he has flaws is devastating in some way.”
To write the song, Stephen called to mind some of his feelings about his father, Stan, and also about his own son, Scott Schwartz.
The photo shows Stephen and Scott, a portrait taken at the time of a workshop production of Stephen’s first opera. Scott directed the workshop and will direct the final production in Sept/Oct 2009.
Here are links to relevant pages on the Internet:
Fathers and Sons Blog post/Podcast including an interview with songwriter Stephen Schwartz.
http://www.theschwartzscene.com/blog/2007/11/07/working-the-musical/
Defying Gravity - Stephen Schwartz biography that includes the whole behind-the-scenes story of the making of Working, not to mention some cute photos of his kids. http://www.defyinggravitythebook.com/
Detailed website page about the musical Working that includes the song, “Fathers and Sons”
http://www.musicalschwartz.com/working.htm –>
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