Orphaned Songs Concert with Stephen Schwartz Remembered

Among the many highlights of a November 19th benefit concert in Manhattan was watching Stephen Schwartz at the piano singing “For Good” from Wicked with the amazing group of actors who contributed their talents to this fundraiser. In fact, as the song lyric says, “I have been changed for good” expressed the feeling of exhilaration in the room after hearing so many powerful performances. Held at The Cutting Room, the “Orphaned Songs for Orphaned Starfish” concert featured legendary Broadway stars, two American Idol finalists, an Elphaba and a Glinda from Wicked, Godspell cast members from the original Off-Broadway production, and many more. At the emotional center was a collection of Stephen Schwartz songs that entertained and moved us, along with the importance of the fundraising cause. (osf.org)

Here are a few stories about the celebration. More photos can be found at BroadwayWorld.com Photo Coverage by Stephen Sorokoff 

A Tennis Match as the Initial Spark

Years earlier, Schwartz happened to play tennis in a tournament with Andy Stein, founder and executive chairman of the Orphaned Starfish Foundation. The two became friends and the Foundation’s efforts for orphans and other disadvantaged children around the world became one of the causes Schwartz supported. Then in 2018, while making plans for the release of Defying Gravity’s updated second edition, I asked if Stephen would agree to participate in a concert that did double duty: support the foundation, and serve as a launch for the book. Both he and Andy Stein agreed to the concept and the project expanded from there.

For concert efforts in the fall, music director Michael Lavine served as the hub of the wheel, making connections and rehearsing performers in his studio. Paul Kreppel provided direction.

While Stephen was busy working on his own projects, I met with Michael and Paul to decide on the songs and consider performers.

Once Ben Vereen came on board, it was obvious that the evening should begin with Vereen reprising the opening number “Magic to Do” from the Leading Player role he originated in Broadway’s Pippin.

On November 19th, about 200 people filled the tables and balconies of The Cutting Room for the celebration of song. Scott Coulter as emcee kept the pace lively and helped integrate the many pieces of the evening.

Justin Guarini started the party with “Which Way’s the Party” from Wicked, one of a series of “orphaned songs” cut from their original musicals. Adam Jacobs sang “Marking Time” cut from Pippin and its replacement, “Extraordinary” and Robbie Berson performed the perky “Neat to be a Newsboy” piece cut from the revised version of Working. Along a similar line, Jenn Gambatese sang the original ballad introduction to “Spark of Creation” that Schwartz cut from the London version of Children of Eden, and then she sang the up-tempo version of the song known to all fans of the show.

Stephen Schwartz himself explored the orphaned song concept by describing and playing his work on “Making Good” for Wicked, and then accompanying Laurel Harris as she belted the replacement song,  “The Wizard and I.”

Tony Award winners Alice Ripley and Daisy Eagan sang the “Two’s Company” duet from the less familiar musical The Magic Show that played on Broadway in the 1970s. Later Ripley, who has performed the title role in The Baker’s Wife, returned to the stage to sing a Schwartz standard, “Meadowlark.”

The evening’s most visually dazzling moment came while Constantine Maroulis sang “Wings of a Swan” from the rarely heard My Fairy Tale, while Georgina Pazcoguin, a soloist with the New York City Ballet, offered a swan-like dance.

Lilly ‘Ogichidaa Ikwenzens’ Linden, whom the Orphaned Starfish Foundation brought to NYC for the concert, captivated the audience with her rendition of “Colors of the Wind.” She provided a direct connection to children served by the Foundation, as they had recently added a computer center at the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota.

Margot Bingham performed “Lucky” from Schwartz’s opera Séance on a Wet Afternoon. Jacob Dickey as “Moses” and Blaine Krauss as “Ramses” introduced the duet “I Will Make it Right/No Power on Earth” from the new stage musical The Prince of Egypt.

Those with nostalgia for the early Schwartz musicals Pippin and Godspell were treated to Christine Pedi’s rendition of “No Time at All,” followed by a gaggle of Godspellers singing a medley of songs from the show. Paul Shaffer took over the piano and led the Godspell tribute performed by Lucia Giannetta, Peggy Gordon, Paul Kreppel, Patti Mariano, Nancy McGraw, Mark Planner, Alice Ripley, and Don Scardino, along with the Godspell all-star band: Steve Manes, bass; Mark Zeray, guitar; Rick Shutter, drums.

Later the cast enjoyed moments on the red carpet.

Afterward, Dilia Stein praised everyone involved in the “magnificent and heartfelt evening.” Andy Stein stated: “There are not enough words to say how thankful we are to the legendary Stephen Schwartz for his incredible support of the children of the Orphaned Starfish Foundation; to Michael Lavine, Paul Kreppel and Carol de Giere who made this a reality; and to all the wonderful Broadway stars who donated their performances that made tonight so very special. This night exceeded our expectations in all ways and raised much needed funding for the programs of the Orphaned Starfish Foundation. The funds raised at the event will support computer teachers across the world to make a difference in the future of more than 13,000 lives of orphans, survivors of abuse and trafficking, indigenous peoples and at-risk youth. Tonight made more of a difference than we ever could have imagined to support our initiative in developing computer training centers in Native American Reservations.”

My personal thanks to everyone involved in making this evening such a memorable success. Read about the shows and songs of Stephen Schwartz in the 2nd edition of Defying Gravity. Visit CaroldeGiere.com – Defying Gravity page.

Related concerts can be arranged in your local area through Scott Coulter’s company Spot-onentertainment.com, including “Stephen Schwartz and Friends,” “Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz,” and other themed events.

Photos in this article are by Dan Marino danmarinophoto.com and Stephen Sorokoff.