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Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz from Godspell to Wicked
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Sep 29, 2008 - 1:58 PM

Available in October, just in time for the fifth anniversary of Wicked’s debut on Broadway comes the first career biography of Broadway and film composer Stephen Schwartz.

With the aid of Schwartz as well as the thoughts and memories of his family, friends, and colleagues, Carol de Giere has constructed a truly unique account. Defying Gravity is an important addition to musical theatre history and also serves as a creative journal, an artist’s guide, and a memorable album of photos, quotations, and lyrics.

The book opens with the blossoming creativity of Schwartz in his childhood years and carries through to the present-day and the ongoing international success of Wicked, including his experiences composing for film, and the creation of Broadway shows such as Pippin, Working, and The Baker’s Wife. By incorporating so many different elements of his life and career, de Giere reveals Schwartz’s artistic journey. She includes many examples of Schwartz’s composition written in his own hand. Also sprinkled throughout is a series of “Creativity Notes.” In these sections, Schwartz touches on his personal experiences and shares his creative methods, tackling issues that range from coming up with ideas to what happens after a show succeeds. Defying Gravity is a creative biography that can inform, entertain, and educate fans of Schwartz and his musicals or anyone who has an appreciation for the creative process.

www.defyinggravitythebook.com

Carol de Giere lives in Georgetown, CT. She met Stephen Schwartz while working on a freelance writing assignment. Intrigued by Schwartz’s comments about his creative process, she launched her book project and website www.musicalschwartz.com.

Available October 2008
$24.95 Paperback Original
544 pages 197 B&W photos
ISBN: 9781-55783-75-5
Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
An Imprint of Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publisher

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