Birth Place: New York, NY, USA
Authorized Biography: Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked (Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, by Carol de Giere) www.DefyingGravityTheBook.com
Stephen Schwartz was born in New York City on March 6, 1948. He studied piano and composition at the Juilliard School of Music while in high school and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1968 with a B.F.A. in Drama. Upon coming back to live in New York City, he went to work as a producer for RCA Records, but shortly thereafter began to work in the Broadway theatre.
His first major credit was the title song for the play BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE; the song was eventually used in the movie version as well.
In 1971, he wrote the music and new lyrics for GODSPELL, for which he won several awards including two Grammys. This was followed by the English texts, in collaboration with Leonard Bernstein, for Bernstein's MASS, which opened the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The following year, he wrote the music and lyrics for PIPPIN and two years later, THE MAGIC SHOW. At one point, GODSPELL, PIPPIN, and THE MAGIC SHOW were all running on Broadway simultaneously.
He next wrote the music and lyrics for THE BAKER'S WIFE, followed by a musical version of Studs Terkel's WORKING, to which he contributed four songs, and which he also adapted and directed, winning the Drama Desk Award as best director. He also co-directed the television production, which was presented as part of the PBS "American Playhouse" series.
Next came songs for a one-act musical for children, CAPTAIN LOUIE, and a children's book, THE PERFECT PEACH. He then wrote music for three of the songs in the Off-Broadway revue, PERSONALS, lyrics to Charles Strouse's music for RAGS, and music and lyrics for CHILDREN OF EDEN.
He then began working in film, collaborating with composer Alan Menken on the scores for the Disney animated features POCAHONTAS, for which he received two Academy Awards and another Grammy, and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. He also provided songs for DreamWorks' first animated feature, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, for which he won another Academy Award for the song "When You Believe".
Mr. Schwartz provided music and lyrics for the original television musical, GEPPETTO, seen on The Wonderful World of Disney. Recently, he released two CDs on which he sings new songs, entitled RELUCTANT PILGRIM and UNCHARTED TERRITORY.
Mr. Schwartz's most recent musical, WICKED, opened in the fall of 2003 and is currently running on Broadway.
Under the auspices of the ASCAP Foundation, he runs musical theatre workshops in New York and Los Angeles, and serves on the ASCAP board; he is also a member of the Council of the Dramatists' Guild.
From: Photo Flash: Stephen Schwartz, Elaine Paige, and More at Opening Night of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT
From: Photo Flash: Stephen Schwartz Honored at ASCAP Awards; Megan Hilty Performs 'Corner of the Sky'
From: Photo Flash: Stephen Schwartz Honored at ASCAP Awards; Megan Hilty Performs 'Corner of the Sky'
From: Photo Flash: Stephen Schwartz Honored at ASCAP Awards; Megan Hilty Performs 'Corner of the Sky'
From: Photo Flash: Stephen Schwartz Honored at ASCAP Awards; Megan Hilty Performs 'Corner of the Sky'
From: Photo Flash: Stars Come Out for WHEN YOU BELIEVE Stephen Schwartz Tribute
Stephen Schwartz
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, The Baker's Wife
Stephen Schwartz, Rags
Stephen Schwartz, Working
Stephen Schwartz, Working
Stephen Schwartz, Working
Stephen Schwartz, Godspell
Stephen Schwartz, Pippin
Stephen Schwartz, Pippin
Stephen Schwartz, Godspell
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Stephen Schwartz has written 23 shows including An Evening with Stephen Schwartz (Composer/Lyricist), Personals (Composer), Butterflies Are Free (Composer/Lyricist), Godspell (Composer), Mass (Bookwriter), Pippin (Composer), The Magic Show (Composer/Lyricist), The Baker's Wife (Composer/Lyricist), Working (Adaptation), Endless Delights (Composer/Lyricist), Magic to Do (Composer/Lyricist), A...My Name Is Alice (Material), Rags (Lyricist), Children of Eden (Composer/Lyricist), Rags:Children of the Wind (Lyricist), Fosse (Lyricist), Wicked (Composer), Captain Louie (Composer/Lyricist), Reluctant Pilgrim (Composer/Lyricist), Snapshots (Composer/Lyricist), Disney's Geppetto and Son (Composer/Lyricist), Having It Almost (Composer/Lyricist), Prince of Egypt (Music and Lyrics).
Stephen Schwartz has been nominated for several awards, including the Isabelle Stevenson Award at the Tony Awards, The Audience Award for Most Popular Show at the Olivier Awards for Wicked, Best Original Score at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Wicked, Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for Wicked, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for Wicked, Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Wicked, Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for The Baker's Wife, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for Rags, Outstanding Director - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Working, Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Working, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for Working, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for Godspell, Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Pippin, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for Pippin, and Most Promising Composer at the Drama Desk Awards for Godspell.
Stephen Schwartz has won the Isabelle Stevenson Award at the Tony Awards. He also received The Audience Award for Most Popular Show at the Olivier Awards for "Wicked." Schwartz won the Best Original Score at the BroadwayWorld Awards and the Outstanding Music, Outstanding Lyrics, and Most Promising Composer awards at the Drama Desk Awards for "Wicked" and "Godspell."
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