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Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked by Carol de Giere
Licensing information for CDs Lyrics Etc. Lyrics and Publications Permissions. De Giere dedicates her work to the creative spirit that inspires each and every one of us. Nov 29, Michael Thomas Angelo marked it as to-read. I am obsessed with Wicked ever since I waited tables on the original Tony award winning cast that opened the show in San Francisco in while it was still in experimental stages.
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This book chronicles that journey that I was so fortunate to view from the fringes of fandom. Feb 26, Dinosaur rated it liked it Shelves: I read this primarily for the Wicked portion the only parts I've read so far which was interesting especially from this perspective, but I still have to go through the rest of it pertaining to his other work. Jun 29, Jean rated it it was amazing. Stephen Schwartz wrote the musical "Wicked" This book talkes about his career starting with his first musical "Godspell" I'm finding it very interesting. I learned so many things about those shoes and their creator.
Mar 04, Britni rated it it was amazing. Amazon does a good job giving a brief synopsis of the book. 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. Her sympathetic yet frank narrative reveals never-before-told stories and explores both Schwartz Amazon does a good job giving a brief synopsis of the book.
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I love musicals and Wicked is one of my favorites. I'll admit that I quickly skipped through the first half of the book to get to the section on the making of Wicked so this review is based on the sections on Wicked. And if the other sections of the book are as good as the section on Wicked, I'll definitely be returning to read those skipped sections.
Carol’s Creativity Connection
When I first received Defying Gravity in the mail I began to regret agreeing to review it because well, it looks like a textbook and with the index it is over pages long. But I'm glad I did because honestly while it looks like a textbook, it reads nothing like one and the word that comes to mind to describe it is fantastical. Defying Gravity takes you not only into the inner workings of Wicked but into the inner workings of how any musical is put together. There's a new TV show called Smash that does the same thing and I just think it's fascinating. Carol describes in very easy to read and understand prose the entire journey of Wicked from its conception during a trip Stephen took to Hawaii, to drafting the music and book, to casting the incredible Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel as the best friends, to writing and rewriting, and finally to opening night on Broadway.
I've seen Wicked five times now including with the original cast and know all of the music by heart so it was incredible for me to read where Stephen started with the original concept and how the team together made it into the incredible piece of art it is now. If you like Wicked or musicals in general this is a book you want to read.
It's an easy but fascinating read and really gives you insight into Wicked and the musical creation process like no other book I've read. Sep 19, John Kunich rated it it was amazing. This is by far the finest book ever written about the creative process in musical theatre. Carol de Giere has done an enormous service for all composers, lyricists, playwrights, and theatre-lovers with this intimate and in-depth examination of how Stephen Schwartz brought some of the greatest musicals to life.
If the book contained nothing more than the "Creativity Notes," it would still be worth ten times the retail price. These concise practical asides are overflowing with illuminating insight This is by far the finest book ever written about the creative process in musical theatre. These concise practical asides are overflowing with illuminating insights into how anyone can improve his or her artistic work.
Although the book rightly devotes much space to the unmatched "Wicked," I learned just as much from reading about Stephen's struggles with rejection and even failure. Every artist can find an "unlimited" trove of treasure here, in studying a career that spans the vast gaps from early fame to decades-long doldrums and all the way back to unprecedented triumph. In this magnificent book, Carol de Giere has changed us all for the better, and, yes, for good. Nov 06, Digne rated it it was amazing Shelves: I loved this book. It's very straight forward and easy to read.
But for a Creative biography, as opposed to a straight biography, I really got a feeling of who Schwartz is as a person. I enjoyed his frank comments on the difficulties he has faced in his career. The epilogue is fantastic although I know he later got his name on that wall. I've had this book for some time now and I've read bits of it before but this is the first time I have read it straight through. I felt that de Giere did a fine I loved this book.
I felt that de Giere did a fine job of tying together all the various projects into a compelling narrative. If the book has a fault it is that at times I felt de Giere was a little too partisan in Schwartz's camp. De Giere's case would have come across stronger had she adopted a more neutral tone at times cut a lot of the adjectives. Even with minor flaws, this book is easily one of the 5 most enjoyable books I've read all year. Jul 27, Brent Ranalli rated it really liked it Shelves: I grew up with Godspell and Pippin, and only recently I was delighted to discover, thanks in part to this book, just how much additional writing and composing Stephen Schwartz has has done.
The book is a little homely I hope no one will take offense at this observation , written as it is by an emerging author who came to the project with no musical or theater background to speak of, as she herself acknowledges. But Stephen Schwartz is a perennial outsider himself, so why not? He has his own loy I grew up with Godspell and Pippin, and only recently I was delighted to discover, thanks in part to this book, just how much additional writing and composing Stephen Schwartz has has done. He has his own loyal following, and if many of his fans are introduced to a love of musical theater by Wicked and this book, that is entirely to his and de Giere's credit.
I enjoyed the inside view of Schwartz's creative process, including the stories behind some of my favorite songs, and the glimpses into the triumphs and heartbreaks in the life of this consummate artist. Jun 25, Nicki Markus rated it really liked it Shelves: This was a very interesting book. I bought it after seeing a Stephen Schwartz concert and he signed the book for me. Particularly, I enjoyed the extensive section charting the process of creating "Wicked" and the section on "Baker's Wife", which is a show I am very fond of.
What I liked mos This was a very interesting book.
What I liked most about this books was the fact that the author knew Stephen and had written it with this warm openess, as opposed to some biographies that just come across as dry and factual with no life. Worth reading for fans of Stephen's work. Jan 26, Kristen rated it liked it. A friend who had read an early draft of my own musical sent me Maguire's book around the time Schwartz aquired the rights This is a great learning experience for me!
Jul 23, Garry rated it it was amazing. Great book - I loved it! I enjoyed getting the insider look at the creative career of Stephen Schwartz. If you're familiar with his work, you'll appreciate learning behind-the-scenes information directly from the source for me, the Wicked section was especially enjoyable. It is inspirational, informative, and a valuable resource for me. May 17, Randee rated it it was ok. I really shouldn't rate this as I am not interested in such detailed analysis of composing though I certainly had no idea of the complexity involved in writing for Broadway or movies.
I read it to see how many references were made to Carnegie Mellon and to people I might have known. How I loved those years and having "dramat" roommates and friends. Jul 26, Paul rated it liked it. Not a page turner unless you are a major theater geek. BUT if you are involved in any of Schwartz' shows, it's a must-read to have a better understanding of the context of his work.
I read it while directing Godspell, and found it invaluable.