As part of a Festival Weekend July 29 - Aug 1 created by Glimmerglass Opera - a summer opera company in Cooperstown, NY, Stephen Schwartz will participate in a special event: 10:50 am Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland: Their Words and Music. Read more or sign up - festival weekend section of their website: www.glimmerglass.org/season/specialevents.html
Stephen Schwartz will be in Kalamazoo, Michigan by arrangement with the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. Schwartz will participate in a question-and- answer session that is free and open to the public. He also is expected to have an informal meeting with the company of “Godspell,” which the Civic is producing in September, and to talk to youth participants of the Civic Musical Theatre Camp. Copies of Defying Gravity will be on sale there.
When: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 6; Where: Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, 329 S. Park St.; Cost: Free, but tickets are required.; Contact: 269-343-1313, http://kazoocivic.com/
THE JOHNNY MERCER SONGWRITERS PROJECT:
A CELEBRATION OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
Saturday, August 7, 8 p.m.
Pick Staiger Concert Hall
A perfect end to a perfect summer, this star-studded evening honors the legacy of Johnny Mercer by celebrating Tony Award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippen, Godspell) for his mentorship of young songwriters. The evening will feature performances from Mr. Schwartz's landmark shows by Broadway star Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Tony-nominated composer/lyricist Craig Carnelia, Grammy Award-nominated composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa, Grammy Award-winning Nashville singer/songwriter Lari White and talented young songwriters from the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project. Mr. Schwartz will be on hand to share a few songs himself, and to honor the legacy of Johnny Mercer and the Great American Songbook – past, present and future! Stephen Schwartz concert
An Afternoon with Stephen Schwartz
The composer previews his new opera Seance on a Wet Afternoon prior to its New York Premiere. Songs from the opera will be performed, followed by an audience Q&A with the composer.
Tickets $25, $20 (for Friends of Copland House), $10 (students with ID)
455 Byram Lake Road, Mount Kisco, NY
Info: (914) 788-4659 or office@coplandhouse.org
Stephen Schwartz will offer a workshop for performers in Montreal, offering feedback. Since 1971, Stephen Schwartz has been involved with professional theatre auditions and hiring decisions as a member of creative teams for musicals. This is an opportunity to work closely with one of the leading musical theatre creators of our time. Masterclass - Montreal
Stephen Schwartz and Friends concert is scheduled for 8:00 at the California Theatre for the Performing Arts Stephen Schwartz in concert
Lauren Flanigan will star in the New York premiere of Stephen Schwartz's Séance on a Wet Afternoon as part of the New York City Opera's 2010 - 2011 season. The opera focuses on Myra Foster (Flanigan), a trance medium who involves her passive husband (to be played by Kim Josephson) in a plot to kidnap the daughter of a neighboring family. The composer's son, Scott Schwartz, will direct, while George Mahanan conducts, sets are by Heidi Ettinger, costumes by Alejo Vietti and lighting by David Lander. Seance on a Wet Afternoon
The NYC opera is hosting a special concert featuring Kristin Chenoweth and Raúl Esparza. NY Opera concert
Stephen Schwartz has spent several weeks in Australia offering workshops and concerts. For stories about the trip and video clips, see Schwartz Australia
Stephen Schwartz will be involved in a production of Working in Chicago. Details forthcoming.
My Fairytale, Danish Musical About Hans Andersen, With Songs by Schwartz, will have its American premiere in 2011 in California, created by The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) of Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, CA. To help launch this American premiere, Stephen Schwartz will be in brief residence at PCPA, assisting with the development of PCPA’s production. See My Fairy Tale
If you didn't get to see Schwartz's opera in Santa Barbara when it premiered, you have another chance in New York. The New York premiere of Stephen Schwartz's Séance on a Wet Afternoon features Lauren Flanigan as Myra Foster, and other stars. The composer's son, Scott Schwartz, will direct, while George Mahanan conducts, sets are by Heidi Ettinger, costumes by Alejo Vietti and lighting by David Lander. Stephen Schwartz opera Seance on a Wet Afternoon
Over the past year, I've posted various concerts and workshops that Stephen Schwartz has lead around the USA and world. Keep checking back here for future updates, or subscribe to the Schwartz Scene newsletter
News posted by Carol de Giere, author of Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked
I'm pleased to report that the 6-page Epilogue chapter from the Stephen Schwartz biography, Defying Gravity, is now out-of-date. The epilogue includes highlights from my 2004 interview with Stephen, and a photograph of him under the list of names of Broadway greats honored as members of the "Theatre Hall of Fame." At that time, his name was not included. 
Six years later, at a ceremony at the Gershwin Theatre on January 25, 2010, Stephen Schwartz was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.
Established in 1971, the Theatre Hall of Fame inducts artists from all facets of the theater, including actors, playwrights, designers, directors and producers whose work on Broadway encompasses at least a quarter of a century.
The inductees must also have five Broadway credits to their name. Schwartz's include Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, the Magic Show, Working, Rags, Butterflies are Free, Fosse. Michael Cole took this photo of Stephen at the January 25 event at the Gershwin Theatre.
Now that Stephen has received his due honor, that chapter in the biography provides historical context. The other 500-plus pages of Defying Gravity are still relevant and full of creative stories. Read more about the book here. Defying Gravity: the Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked
When Stephen Schwartz was interviewed on NY1, the Defying Gravity book is on display and is discussed during the interview. Stephen Schwartz on NY1 - career reflections
Playbillradio.com Podcast interview: Robert Viagas interview with Carol de Giere October 2008.
Playbill Podcast with Carol de Giere
Playbill Radio special guest is Carol de Giere, author of "Defying Gravity," a new biography of "Godspell" and "Wicked" composer Stephen Schwartz. She traces Schwartz' life from his childhood on Long Island through his amazing early successes, his mid-career challenges that almost made him leave the business, and his triumphant return to Broadway in recent years. She also tells how the book transformed her own life.
See Evan Schwartz's blog post about our wonderful Ozian event in Orange CT: From the author of Finding Oz
See the reviews about the book Defying Gravity - published reviews
please contact the author at carol@defyinggravitythebook.com
These events are also posted on http://www.booktour.com/author/carol_de_giere
Official website for Defying Gravity: the Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked (musical theatre biography)
OR BUY IT LOCALLY
Your local bookseller will be able to order the book from their usual wholesaler. ISBN: 978-1557837455. Retail $24.95 US price.
(United States)