Music Theatre International Acquires Rights to Stephen Schwartz's SNAPSHOTS: A MUSICAL SCRAPBOOK

Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) has secured worldwide licensing rights to Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook, an original new musical featuring the beloved songs of Academy and Grammy award winning composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell).

Conceived by Michael Scheman and David Stern (who also wrote the book), Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook is a touching and authentic look into how couples fall in love and the poignant power of trusting their hearts and memories. Including memorable hits like "Popular" (Wicked), "Morning Glow" (Pippin), "All Good Gifts" (Godspell), "Meadowlark" (The Baker's Wife) and "The Spark of Creation" (Children of Eden),Snapshots uses the songs of acclaimed composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz to take the audience on a journey through the highs and lows of commitment. The musical also features additional music and lyrics by David Crane, Seth Friedman, Marta Kaufman, Alan Menken and Charles Strouse, with arrangements and orchestrations by Steve Orich.

A hybrid - part revue and part book musical - Snapshots is billed as a "musical scrapbook." It takes place in the attic of Sue and Dan, a couple whose marriage has fallen apart after 30 years together. Sue, who is about to leave her husband, has gone to the attic to retrieve a hidden suitcase when Dan unexpectedly comes home early. During this encounter, a box of photographs falls to the floor and leads them to relive the memories of their past captured in the snapshots which come alive in front of them. The circumstances and emotions associated with each picture play out as the couple watch two sets of their younger selves, school-aged Danny and Susie, and young adults Daniel and Susan.

Book writer Stern approached Schwartz with the idea of using a compilations of his songs to create a musical scrapbook of a couple's life. Schwartz was intrigued by the notion, and gave permission for the concept to be developed further. Early versions were produced in the mid 90s, and over time, it evolved in terms of the story and the lyrics.

"And so I entered into an exercise that proved to be both challenging and a lot of fun, especially to a 'puzzle mind' like mine: taking existing songs, retaining their titles and the music and for the most part their original structure, but starting from scratch with the lyrics," says Stephen Schwartz. "Now, literally decades later, we have arrived at Snapshots. To my knowledge, it is a unique form. Is it a book musical? Kind of. Is it a revue? Well, that too. There's no genre it fits into neatly, so we call it a 'musical scrapbook'."

The musical first debuted as a Village Originals Developmental Production in 2005. Developmental productions were later staged at Dayton, Ohio's The Human Race theatre, Goodspeed's Norma Terris in Connecticut, and elsewhere. Village Theatre's Mainstage production of fall 2015 marked the final stages of evolution for Snapshots.

"Few musicals could boast a stronger score than Snapshots," writes Scott Cain of TalkinBroadway.com. "Many of the best tunes from Stephen Schwartz's vast musical theater catalogue are presented, to much delight. Part of what makes these songs effective here, out of their original context, is the fact that Mr. Schwartz has provided many new lyrics to make the songs much more specific to the characters and plot ofSnapshots."

In a review of the Village Theatre's production, the Issaquahpress.com writes "...The twist here is the tale unfolds through the greatest hits of composer Stephen Schwartz. However, even if you've heard such modern-day standards as "Popular" from "Wicked" or "Extraordinary" from "Pippin," you've never heard them like this new, refreshing presentation...."

Drew Cohen, President and CEO of MTI, states "We are thrilled that some of the finest songs from the Stephen Schwartz songbook have been woven together brilliantly by David Stern and Stephen Schwartz to create a fresh, new musical that conveys the emotion, brilliance and joy of each Stephen's songs while delivering a completely new and exciting experience to the audience. Whether audience members know the songs be heart or are new to Stephen's work, the response to Snapshots has been the same: pure delight."

The show is currently available for licensing. For more information about MTI and licensing, please call (212) 541-4684 or emaillicensing@mtishows.com

About Music Theatre International

Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting schools as well as amateur and professional theatres from around the world the rights to perform the largest selection of great musicals from Broadway and beyond. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these shows to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 70,000 theatrical organizations in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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