Winter 2021 updates from the world of composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and biographer Carol de Giere — a fan newsletter.
PHOTO: Stephen Schwartz (Photo by Nathan Johnson)
1) Welcome from Carol
While live shows are mostly shut down due to the pandemic, composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz has been as busy as ever with the film and streaming worlds. Exclusive to this issue of The Schwartz Scene, Stephen has provided his movie news for both Wicked and Disenchanted. You’ll also find a chance to stream Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook, and more.
For future updates please LIKE our Facebook – Schwartz Scene page where I post news periodically. For those on Twitter but not Facebook, the issue link will get posted on Stephen Schwartz’s feed @composerstephen and on @caroldegiere. You can also check Stephen’s official site StephenSchwartz.com news section for updates.
2. Stephen Schwartz Updates
The Wicked Movie Has a New Director
Stephen Schwartz told The Schwartz Scene: “As many people know, the director originally planned for the Wicked movie, the wonderful Stephen Daldry, had to leave the project when the pandemic caused a total change of schedule. Over the past month or so, we had been in discussions with a director to replace him, and I’m so happy that he has agreed to do the movie and has now been announced: Jon M. Chu. Jon is the terrific young director of Crazy Rich Asians and the upcoming film version of In the Heights, both of which I’ve seen and loved. Winnie Holzman, Marc Platt and I have been very excited by Jon’s ideas for Wicked, and we’re really looking forward now to getting down to work with him and having the production move forward again.”
Note that my Schwartz biography Defying Gravity 2nd edition includes the full Wicked development story, from its inception to its Broadway opening, and its rise to become a global phenomenon. caroldegiere.com/defying-gravity/
Update on Disney’s Disenchanted
Stephen Schwartz revealed to The Schwartz Scene: “For the past few months, Alan Menken and I have been collaborating on songs for the sequel to Enchanted, which will again star Amy Adams as Giselle, the animated heroine who comes to make a life in our world. The clever screenplay is by Brigitte Hales, who has written for the TV series Once Upon a Time, so a very appropriate choice. The director and choreographer is Adam Shankman, who among many other movies directed the delightful screen adaptation of Hairspray. I am really liking collaborating with this terrific team. Of course, I can’t say anything about the plot, since that would involve a lot of spoilers, but I can say that the movie is planned to be a full-out musical, with more songs than the original (so far Alan and I have written seven songs, not counting reprises.) I think the current plan is to begin shooting the movie later this spring in Dublin, which I hope turns out to be true, since I love Ireland and would be delighted to spend some time there again, COVID-permitting. But wherever and whenever it actually goes into production, it has been a really enjoyable experience for me so far, and I have been very happy to have deadlines for an actual new project once more after the long fallow period brought on by the pandemic.”
When the movie is complete, Disney plans to release Disenchanted on Disney+. (The movie logo is posted on IMDB.com)
3. ALL GOOD GIFTS – More News and Online Shows
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook Streams February 13 to March 7
ACT of CT, a professional theatre company in Ridgefield, Connecticut, has filmed their fresh take on Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook for streaming from Feb. 13 to 28 – UPDATE: The popular show has been extended! Now through March 7th! Performed by a cast of six, including two former Wicked stars, it touchingly shows off the wide emotional range of Stephen Schwartz’s songs. PHOTO (above) shows Stephen Schwartz (right) with the cast and other creative team members.
GET YOUR STREAMING TICKETS HERE https://www.actofct.org/snapshots
Snapshots is an original musical that incorporates over two dozen of Schwartz’s previously written tunes, including ones from Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Children of Eden, and Enchanted, among others. In many cases, Stephen adapted lyrics for the new setting in this musical that features a book by David Stern. Daniel C. Levine, ACT of CT’s Artistic Director, and director of the musical, says: “I’m so very excited to share our streaming production of Snapshots: a Musical Scrapbook with our audiences. I’ve fallen in love with this heartwarming musical, and our production is truly magical. As always, it has been wonderful collaborating with Stephen. Having Stephen in the room during rehearsals is priceless and he continues to amaze me with his generosity, artistry, and brilliance. I am thrilled that Stephen is so very pleased with this production. It was an honor to direct it!”
When asked about his experience with Dan and his approach to Snapshots, Stephen said, “I always like working with Dan Levine, who is both always creative and imaginative, as well as fearless and enormously efficient. That’s a pretty rare combination for a director, and one that any writer welcomes.”
GET YOUR STREAMING TICKETS HERE https://www.actofct.org/snapshots
Theatre directors take note: This musical can be licensed through Music Theatre International. Read more about the musical at http://musicalschwartz.com/snapshots.htm
STREAMING TIPS
Have you been streaming shows and movies during the pandemic? If you have Amazon Prime, you can now view an early filmed version of Pippin. It is also available through Broadway HD. For streaming Snapshots and other online shows you may find, you don’t have to watch on a computer. You may be able to use an Amazon Firestick, Roku, or Chromecast to watch them on your TV. For Snapshots, see Stream an Event tips from Stellar Tickets. Theatre fans can discover some other shows to stream at https://www.tdf.org/stages/home
The Prince of Egypt Grammy Nomination
March 14, 2021 is the new date for this year’s Grammy Awards. The Prince of Egypt is among those nominated for “Best Musical Theater Album” released in 2020. The album features the original London cast: Christine Allado, Luke Brady, Alexia Khadime & Liam Tamne, principal soloists; Dominick Amendum & Stephen Schwartz, producers; Stephen Schwartz, composer & lyricist.
Godspell Turns 50
Godspell will be 50-years-old as of May 17, 2021. If you have yet to read the colorful story of the show’s development, enjoy The Godspell Experience, available as a paperback and in ebook form. Read about The Godspell Experience. Copies signed by Stephen Schwartz are available.
Children of Eden Concert
The starry Children of Eden concert featuring over 50 alumni of Broadway and Chicago stages is currently still scheduled for August 7, 2021 in the Chicago area. https://www.arcadalive.com/event/children-of-eden-the-musical/
Previous Issues of The Schwartz Scene
If you missed previous issues, our back issue index is at Back issue archive. You’ll find news and online interviews with Stephen Schwartz.
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About this online fan newsletter: 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 the CaroldeGiere.com contact page.
Copyright 2021 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.
