Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked | 
 enlarge | Author: Carol De Giere
Publisher: Applause Books
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $15.37
You Save: $9.58 (38%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 19139
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 544
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.4
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 7.4 x 1.3
ISBN: 1557837457
Dewey Decimal Number: 792
EAN: 9781557837455
ASIN: 1557837457
Publication Date: September 1, 2008
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Shipping: International shipping available
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Product Description
Defying Gravity takes readers into the creative world of Broadway and film composer Stephen Schwartz, from writing Godspell's score at age 23 through the making of the megahit Wicked. For this first authorized biography, de Giere draws from 80 hours of interviews with Schwartz and over 100 interviews with his colleagues, friends, and family. Her sympathetic yet frank narrative reveals never-before-told stories and explores both Schwartz's phenomenal hits and expensive flops.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Informative book codifying lots of theatre lore. November 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Strong book that closely examines Stephen Schwartz's career and creative process. It purposefully avoids his personal life, which is unfortunate, because it might lead to some revealing truths in his songs.
The book has a heavy thrust on the creation of Wicked and in general, the book is written for someone who might be new to theatre and Schwartz. A solid first book about an important theatrical voice.
Definitely worth the read October 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A welcome behind the scenes look at the creator of the music & lyrics for Pippin, Godspell, and especially Wicked. I've been fond of these three musicals for some time, and now I figured out why. It's all "For Good".
A must... October 26, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
For anyone who has ever seen a Stephen Schwartz musical or heard a Schwartz film song or soundtrack, this book is a must! Brilliantly executed, it proceeds with all the impact of a much-loved novel.
Sometimes, going behind the scenes to see the nuts and bolts of the creative process examined and revealed, takes away from the effect of the final work itself. Not in this case...Carol de Giere's engrossing biography is a page-turner which only adds to the magic.
Almost impossible to put down, this book must be one of the best ever written about working in theater and film. A fascinating subject, profoundly portrayed.
Astounding Creativity October 19, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I read this book in one weekend. I was astounded by the creativity, both on Mr. Schwartz's part and on the author's. Quite a complicated task to present the creative process, and I think Ms. deGiere gives us a clear and interesting view. For people with talent, this book can provide inspiration. For people who admire and enjoy such talent, this book is a real treat. Buy it and be in awe of Stephen Schwartz's great gifts.
Bettie S. Laven, Oakland, CA
A marvelous book October 13, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
For decades, I have been fascinated by Broadway musicals and Broadway music, even though my occupation has nothing to do with the field of entertainment. However, it does deal with creativity. I think this is part of the reason I was drawn to the work of such composers and lyricists as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Gershwin, Kern, Porter, Lerner and Loewe, and Sondheim. I have read everything I could get my hands on about this individuals and others. What in their background led them to this occupation? What led them to become so successful?
Stephen Schwartz is a member of the current generation of Broadway composers and lyricists. Probably because there are so few opportunities for individuals with this talent and desire, each generation produces a very small number of successful composers and lyricists. In his case, Schwartz is both a composer and lyricist. Anyone with an interest in show music will have his or her favorite shows and favorite songs. Schwartz is the composer-lyricist of WICKED, my favorite of his shows and an amazing accomplishment. He wrote the lyrics to the songs from Disney's HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (and the German stage production of it) and to the song "If I Never You" from POCAHONTAS, also bordering on masterpieces in my opinion.
The author of this marvelous book is Carol de Giere. This book is not only extremely interesting to read, the author has capured the story of the steps along the path that led Schwartz from childhood to where he is today. This includes such great successes for someone so very young to great diappointments and how he handled them. We are left with an extraordinarily talented artist who received encouragement when he needed it and possessing an abundance of self-confidence.
There have been many movies in the past about composers (including Rodgers and Hart, Kern, Gershwin, and Porter). As I read this book, I thought: This book would make a good basis for a very interesting movie. For those individuals interested in Broadway, Broadway musicals and the people who create them (and creative people in general), I highly recommend this book and compliment the author.
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