This guest blog post includes a special 2022 interview by Todd Sussman.
Introduction by Todd Sussman
When I learned Stephen Schwartz was going to be receiving the American Songbook Association (ASA) Lifetime Achievement Award, I immediately called Frank Dain, the amazing editor of Cabaret Scenes (sponsored by the ASA) and asked if I could interview Stephen. The answer was “yes,” if Stephen agreed to participate, which he did. (This was quite a gift for me, given Stephen’s work, at that time, on pre-production for Wicked filming, and his preparation of Disenchanted.)
I have been a lifetime fan of Stephen’s work. I own his cast albums and soundtracks and have seen many of his shows. And I still remember the lasting impact the artistry of just the teaser trailer from Pocahontas had on me, which was devoted entirely to the song “Colors of the Wind.”
I was fresh off helping to edit the liner notes for a then forthcoming Kristin Chenoweth album called Happiness Is…Christmas. The album included a rare and brilliant song he composed called “We Are Lights (The Chanukah Song),” so I included that in my questions.
I am especially glad The Schwartz Scene is able to post this piece, because the print issue with Stephen’s interview, a true collector’s item, is no longer available.
SEE LINK BELOW for a PDF of “Stephen Schwartz With Honors” interview by Todd Sussman. It includes many photos and Stephen’s answers on his songs, his songwriting process, the Wicked movie, and his approach to the future.
https://www.theschwartzscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/schwartz-interview-cabaret-scenes-1.pdf
Interview reprinted with permission by Cabaret Scenes Magazine ©2022
For complete coverage of Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway and film career as well as his creative process, read Defying Gravity: the Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked. caroldegiere.com/defying-gravity/
To read more about Cabaret Scenes Magazine, visit cabaretscenes.org/
