Fall 2019 updates from composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and biographer Carol de Giere — a fan newsletter.
PHOTO: Wicked “Show Globe” in Times Square. The Show Globe is on display through December 26 (photo by Bettie Laven). The Stephen Schwartz-Winnie Holzman musical Wicked is now the fifth longest-running production in Broadway history!
1) Welcome from Carol
Stephen Schwartz’s Fall Update below features his first comments about the new Disney movie musical project Marley: Another Christmas Carol. Among other topics, he also shares details about The Prince of Egypt new musical and reveals the possibility of a cast album. Below that, you will find bookwriter Philip LaZebnik’s reflections about a recent The Prince of Egypt, workshop, links to concerts involving Stephen Schwartz, links to two recent podcasts, and more.
PHOTO: Stephen Schwartz and biographer Carol de Giere discuss Defying Gravity and new topics over lunch, summer 2019. Buy the book here: Defying Gravity
For the future: LIKE our Facebook – Schwartz Scene page where I regularly post news. For those on Twitter but not Facebook, the issue links are posted on Stephen Schwartz’s feed @composerstephen and on @caroldegiere
2. Stephen Schwartz’s Update
Fall 2019, sent by email November 2nd.
Another plane ride, another chance to write an update. This trip is taking me out to Mountain View, California, and an event saluting TheatreWorks and Robert Kelley’s fifty years as artistic director. I’m happy to make the trek out to participate, since I have had several occasions to work at this theatre over the years, as has my son, Scott, most recently the first developmental production of The Prince Of Egypt two years ago.
Now Prince of Egypt is poised for the beginning of rehearsals for its premiere first-class production, with a planned opening at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End on February 25th, 2020 (previews are set to begin on February 5th). By now, the script and score are fairly well set, but of course we are still making some adjustments (which we hope are improvements) and will continue to do so through the rehearsal process and preview period.
I had a highly enjoyable experience last week, when I and musical supervisor Dominic Amendum and orchestrator August Eriksmoen got together in New York with four musicians who are experts in ethnic instruments of the Middle East: woodwinds such as Turkish clarinet and various wood flutes and panpipes, guitar-like instruments such as the oud and dombra, and several drums and percussion instruments. We’re looking for further ways to incorporate these instruments into the orchestration of the songs, plus the underscoring and dance music, and it was immensely valuable to have a crash course in more of what they can do. The hope is that we will be recording a cast album, perhaps even before we open if we can work out the logistics, and that those who can’t make it to London to see the show will be able to hear the new songs and these new arrangements that way.
Through a serendipitous bit of scheduling, while I am in London for Prince of Egypt, the excellent production of the new version of Rags which was so well-received in Manchester last spring will be playing a limited run at the intimate Park Theatre in North London’s Finsbury Park. The production will again be directed by the talented and creative Bronagh Lagan, and I’m looking forward to working with her again.
So those are my two “front burner” projects on the live theatre front. As for movies, I was delighted that Disney recently announced the Christmas movie I have been working on with Bill Condon, Marley: Another Christmas Carol. As you can glean from the title, it is basically the Dickens story from the point-of-view of Jacob Marley, the former partner of Ebenezer Scrooge who appears in the novel as a ghost wearing clanking chains. (The very first sentence of A Christmas Carol, and at least currently, of our movie as well, is “Jacob Marley was dead, of that there could be no doubt.”) Yes, this is another example of one of my favorite things to do–to spin a familiar or classic story and look at it from a new angle. Just as Wicked eventually catches up to the events of The Wizard of Oz, so Marley catches up to A Christmas Carol, and as in Wicked, there are many surprises, which needless to say I will not begin to spoil here. But I have been having a wonderful time working with Bill, who will direct as well as write the screenplay. As some of you know, one of my great remaining ambitions has been to write the score for a live-action original movie musical, and I’ve written seven songs (and of course several reprises) for Marley. The movie is not yet officially “green lit,” but I have to think that Disney’s announcing it is a hopeful sign, right?
And just to keep me off the streets, I have a few fun concert appearances coming up in New York in the next couple of months, where I will be horning in on other people’s gigs (I promise I was invited). Of course, sometimes these things fall through due to last-minute scheduling conflicts etc., but for now I’m planning on singing with and/or playing piano for:
Kristin Chenoweth, Nov. 10th and 17th
Anthony Nunziata, Nov. 12th
Michael McCorry Rose, Dec. 3rd
Jackie Evancho, Dec. 6th
So those are the projects currently occupying my attention. My winter update should bring more definitive news about Marley (I hope), perhaps upcoming productions-of-interest of Children of Eden and The Baker’s Wife, and maybe even a progress report on the Wicked movie, though as of this writing there’s nothing new to impart.
Thanks as always for your interest and support and all best to you and yours for the upcoming holiday season, Stephen
3. ALL GOOD GIFTS – Articles and Events
PHOTO: Philip LaZebnik and Stephen Schwartz and the Dominion Theatre in London, August 2019.
Comments on The Prince of Egypt from Philip LaZebnik
Editor’s note: I asked bookwriter (and movie screenwriter) Philip LaZebnik if he could contribute something for this issue about the summer workshop for The Prince of Egypt. Here’s what he wrote: The workshop was a wonderful opportunity for us to test out new material and for the cast to get a head start on learning the show and become comfortable working with each other. We’re enormously impressed by the talent of our cast; it’s truly going to be a first-class production in every sense of the word. As an example of how the workshop has helped us hone the material, we had reworked the first big scene in the royal court and though it’s working even better than before, this “sneak preview” gave us an insight which I think will help to humanize our characters more early on – we’re going to emphasize the difference between the public and private facets of the royal family. These two weeks we were given so early in the process to explore and play is going to strengthen the show immeasurably.
Concerts and Galas with Stephen Schwartz
CHENOWETH: Kristin Chenoweth, the original Broadway Glinda of Wicked, will celebrate her new solo album with a series of concerts. Each performance will have a different celebrity guest. Stephen Schwartz noted above which nights he is expecting to be there (subject to change) out of the whole run of the concert series. But all nights should be wicked fun. Chenoweth has also invited a “gaggle” of Glindas and a few Elphabas from past Wickeds to give a “master’s class” on the roles. Playbill.com re Kristin’s concert.
NUNZIATA: In case you didn’t know, The Green Room 42nd is one of the hottest venues for Broadway-related singing gigs. Singer Anthony Nunziata returns to The Green Room 42 after two previous sold-out engagements for a one-night-only birthday bash concert, with special guests, including Stephen. Green Room 42 concert Nov 12
ROSE: Stephen mentions also joining Michael McCorry Rose in concert. Michael has a wonderful voice. His Broadway credits include A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder and Wicked. The Green Room 42 Dec 3
NYMF: November 18th, Stephen Schwartz is one of the honorees and performers at the NYMF gala in NYC. For details see New York Musical Festival Gala news.
EVANCHO: Stephen Schwartz is part of Jackie Evancho’s December 6th concert, 7:30, NY Society For Ethical Culture concert hall, New York. Christmas with Jackie Evancho and Friends. Note that Jackie, an America’s Got Talent star, includes “I’m Not That Girl,” from Wicked on her album Debut.
LONDON, UK: See the newest version of Rags January 9 to February 8, enjoy an gala celebrating Stephen Schwartz on January 19th, and get tickets for The Prince of Egypt musical on The Prince of Egypt official site. Don’t forget the ongoing production of Wicked Wickedthemusical.co.uk.
LYRICS AND LYRICISTS: This is just a heads up for the spring: The 92nd Street Y has revealed the 2020 lineup for its Lyrics & Lyricists series, honoring contributors to the American Songbook. For their April 18–20 offerings, it’s Stephen Schwartz and Broadway’s Next Generation. Special guests in addition to Schwartz include Khiyon Hursey, John Bucchino, and Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich. Playbill.com – Lyrics and Lyricists news.
Godspell in CT with Stephen
ACT of CT, a theatre for which Stephen Schwartz is an artistic advisor, is staging Godspell in February and early March 2020. Stephen is consulting with the Artistic Director Daniel Levine. Perhaps there will be a special event. Stay tuned to their website, The Schwartz Scene on Facebook or my Twitter feed (if you’re not on Facebook) @caroldegiere
Podcasts with Stephen Schwartz
BROADWAY DIRECT: In an interview by Elysa Gardner, Stephen Schwartz covers points about Wicked, new musicals, and other topics. Posted August 20th, 2019. BroadwayDirect – Podcast interview with Schwartz
BROKEN RECORDS: Ben Rimalower and co-host Daniel Nolen offer a “Broken Records” podcast series about cast albums, etc. – Stephen Schwartz was a special guest recently. I requested a slightly edited version of this episode suited to a general audience, and received the link below. Topics include Judy Collins and her 1967 album ‘Wildflowers,’ Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Leonard Cohen and other artists, as well as the making of many of Schwartz musicals. Dropbox file from Broken Records – Schwartz interview
Defying Gravity news
The Stephen Schwartz biography updated second edition has recently sold over 500 paperback copies in the USA. It is also available as an ebook. This summer Lin-Manuel Miranda posted a summer reading tweet. He wrote “… I devoured Defying Gravity, the Stephen Schwartz bio.” The paperback is now also available at the Wicked store USA, Wicked store in UK, Amazon UK, Adlibris in Sweden, Amazon Australia, Amazon Canada, Amazon Germany, and elsewere.
I have autographed copies of Defying Gravity and The Godspell Experience, signed by me and by Stephen Schwartz. Stephen Schwartz signed copies. Defying Gravity is the only book covering development details on the new musical The Prince of Egypt. It features the “making of” story for all of Schwartz’s musicals and a wonderful 10-page Foreword by Alan Menken.
New Writer Wanted / “Semi-Retirement” Message from Carol
I’m looking for a website-savvy writer (or a entertainment company) to begin taking over my Stephen Schwartz beat, so to speak, as I slip into semi-retirement in my 68th year. This includes The Schwartz Scene newsletter, MusicalSchwartz.com fan site, and other projects. A few years ago, writer/designer Holly Reed took over my MusicalWriters.com site and expanded it with her own amazing skills and interests. I’d love for something to happen with Schwartz fan-related material so that I can spend more time with family and writing projects. To find out more contact me at carol@caroldegiere.com
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About The Schwartz Scene
The Schwartz Scene is an independent publication written for musical theater enthusiasts who appreciate the work of American composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz. It does not formally represent composer Stephen Schwartz, although the editor, Carol de Giere, is in regular contact with the Schwartz office for updates. Send questions or comments to Carol through CaroldeGiere.com contact page.
Copyright 2019 by Carol de Giere. Carol de Giere has exclusive rights, unless otherwise specified, for all materials included in the newsletter. Permission must be secured in writing before any part of it may be reprinted, except for the printing of one copy for the subscriber’s private use. Editor: Carol de Giere, 10 Library Place #909, Bethel CT 06801-0909.
