Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked [Paperback]

Carol de Giere (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 1, 2008

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. The book also includes a series of “Creativity Notes” with insights about artistic life, and more than 200 photographs and illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“In Defying Gravity, Carol de Giere pulls back the curtain and gives us a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of one of the musical theater's greatest wizards.” — Stephen Flaherty, Tony-Award winning composer of Ragtime, Seussical, and Once On This Island

“This is a fantastic book, scrapbook, story and photo collection.” — Broadwayworld.com

“Defying Gravity, which takes its name from the Act 1 closer in Wicked, is not just a he-did-this-then-he-did-this biography: de Giere reconstructs the collaborative process that brought Schwartz's works to the Great White Way.” — The Journal News

“A wonderful read. And the Wicked section provides a comprehensive account of a thoroughly recondite and even mysterious event: the gestation and birth of a phenomenon.” — Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked (the novel), Son of a Witch, and A Lion Among Men

“Trying to reconstruct the writing process of a musical is nearly impossible. Carol de Giere has captured it.” — Winnie Holzman, book writer for Wicked (the musical)

“This is a loving, in-depth look at the career and process of one of our most important musical theater writers. I am happy to have it on my shelf.” — Lynn Ahrens, Tony Award-winning lyricist of Ragtime

“A must-have for any of the composer's many fans.” — Theatermania.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Applause Books (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557837457
• ISBN-13: 978-1557837455
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #483,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carol de Giere, M.A., M.S., is the author of "Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked"--a career biography that involved over 80 hours of interviews with Schwartz as well as with his colleagues, friends, and family members. Carol is also the editor of "The Schwartz Scene" ezine/newsletter. She is currently working on books about Godspell and Pippin. www.caroldegiere.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous book October 13, 2008

By Gary Chartrand

Format:Paperback

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. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos to de Giere and Schwartz November 5, 2009

By C. H. Horrigan

Format:Paperback

It is rare to find a biography written so well that you don't want to put it down, with characters so vivid they live in your head when you do manage to briefly walk away. For anyone interested in the crafting of words and music, there is much to learn here. Carol de Giere describes in depth, not only Stephen Schwartz's work, but how he works. You need not come to this book a Schwartz fan, but you will probably be one when you finish it. I can not recommend Defying Gravity highly enough, particularly for anyone interested in music, writing, and theatre.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful journey with an amazing artist February 28, 2009

By Joni L. Rodgers

Format:Paperback

While I was working with Kristin Chenoweth on her memoir, A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages, I read "Defying Gravity" as part of my research, and I absolutely loved it. The creative genius of Stephen Schwartz is a force of nature and helped make Kristin a Broadway icon.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Analysis... October 4, 2008

By Morgan L. Thornburgh

Format:Paperback

Carol de Giere delivers an Amazing analysis of Stephen Schwartz. No one has done this, and de Giere's analysis is fascinating.

She talks about "Godspell,", and "Pippin," and "The Magic Show," and "The Baker's Wife", and "Working," and "Rags", and finally, and most importantly, de Giere spills the whole story of "Wicked." And she tells amazing backstage stuff. She was actually there.

Buy the book. It's amazing.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book! January 1, 2009

By Jonathan Todd

Format:Paperback

I had really been looking forward to reading this book, and was thrilled to be able to get a few copies directly from the author that were autographed by both the author and Stephen Schwartz. The book exceeded all of my expectations. I only knew about a couple of his musicals, but Carol covered them all.
I also had no idea the amount of group effort that can go into writing and producing a musical for Broadway. My respect for Mr. Schwartz has greatly increased with reading this amazing book.
It was also fascinating to get a look into the inner workings of Mr. Schwartz's writing process.
If anyone wants too get an insiders look at not only Stephen Schwartz's musical and creative career, but also of the process of creating and producing musicals, I heartily recommend this book!
Good job Carol!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must... October 26, 2008

By W. Alexander

Format:Paperback

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Astounding Creativity October 19, 2008

By Bettie S. Laven

Format:Paperback

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

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Down To Earth Encounter! October 2, 2008

By Jan DeFour

Format:Paperback

If you are a fan of the music and genius of Stephen Schwartz, then you will not be disappointed in Carel de Giere's account of his journey as songwriter and lyricist from Godspell to Wicked in Defying Gravity. I have been a fan of Stepehn Schwartz's music for over thirty years and found Ms. de Giere's detail, via a chronological narrative, with personal notes, reflections, interviews and photos to be a marvelous insight into Stephen's musical career. It's as though you've been given a free ticket to the window of his musical life and can sit back and enjoy the show as you turn every page. The stories about the development of various songs and the singers/actors who performed them were so engaging that I found myself searching the internet to hear them perform. This is a book that will be read more than once. Bravo!