Wicked Composer Stephen Schwartz Inducted to American Theater Hall of Fame
While Wicked’s one year anniversary is being celebrated in it’s current San Francisco incarnation at the Orpheum, tonight Stephen Schwartz is being recognized in New York at Gershwin Theatre. Both celebrations are very timely and well deserved.
The American Theatre Hall of Fame, established in 1971- the same year Schwartz wrote Godspell- inducts various theatrical artists, including producers, directors, designers, playwrights and actors whose Broadway work covers a quarter century at least.
Stephen Schwartz definitely qualifies. He wrote Godspell, his hit musical, when he was 23 years old.
The credits for Schwartz include scores for Children of Eden, The Baker’s Wife, the Magic Show, Pippin, Godspell and Wicked as well as lyrics for Rags. In addition Schwartz has written several movie musicals, including the Prince of Egypt, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Pocahontas, along with a television musical, Geppetto. He also has two solo CDs, Uncharted Territory and Reluctant Pilgrim. Schwartz has won three Academy Awards, Grammy Awards and Drama Desk Awards. Currently Wicked is playing in the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco and the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway in New York.
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