Wicked marks a return to London theatre for Stephen Schwartz, whose work first landed in London when Godspell opened in 1972 with a cast including Jeremy Irons and David Essex.
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7th November to 3rd December 2006. (For show details see our news page)
Changed For Good - Review By Gerry Sloan
Little theatrical miracles can sometimes happen in the littlest venues in the most unexpected of places.
"Schwartz Stories", is the clever, intelligent, thought provoking review of the music and lyrics (both old, new, known and unknown), of one of our most talented musical theatre writers Stephen Schwartz currently playing at the Kings Head Theatre, Islington.
Featuring selections from Wicked, Godspell, Children of Eden and The Bakers Wife amongst others the songs are often sent off to such unexpected places that even the most devout fans of Mr Schwartz will be delighted and surprised at how these classic standards have been re-invented to serve this production.
Billed as a story of three couples relationships told through song with added narrative by Mark Powell and John Consworth "Schwartz Stories", is often more than the sum of its parts. The choice of music is all good. 29 numbers are performed by the highly talented cast including two breakout performances by Annalisa Rossi and Carys Grays. Separated from their respective shows Mr Schwartz's songs find new and different meaning as performed by this cast. Sometimes songs overlap each other to wonderful effect such as in Gifts of Love/Corner Of The Sky.
Where else can you currently find this kind of quality writing in London apart from at Mr Schwartz other current smash "Wicked?
"Schwartz Stories", uses a musical theatre review format as the spring board in which to launch numbers that by evening's end have taken the audience through "the best of" Stephen Schwartz's career to date. However, a very real story clearly told emerges throughout that audiences will identify with. One couple deals with infidelity, forgiveness, acceptance whilst the other gets ready for their pending wedding. Both stories often meet in the middle offering the chance for comedy, tragedy and everything else in between.
Paul Nicholas narrates playing different characters as the situation demands. Proving his versatility as an actor and singer Mr Nicholas is the confident voice of this almost through sung piece. Highlights include a drunken, hilarious pre-wedding party version of "Turn Back Old Man", and any audience member who does not double up with laughter or wince at the finale of Act One, need their pulse taken. To give away the many surprises would be to ruin the discovery for future audiences.
Amongst the cast two triple threat star performers have been born.
Carys Grays as the waitress gives a tour de force performance during "Its An Art" and a wistful longing rendition of "I'm Not That Girl". The producers of "Wicked", need not look far for their next Ginda.
A vocally stunning Annalisa Rossi sings the living daylights out of "Meadowlark" both funny and poignant whilst leading the afore mentioned "Turn Back Old Man". Both these performers hold the stage confidently and they really can "sing".
Amongst the men there are strong vocals (and a lovely performance from Paul Baker).
Headliner Tony Award winning Frances Ruffelle appears to be playing the London Palladium rather than an intimate theatre in her initial songs with her performance of Les Miserable's Cossette channelled in for good measure. Her smoky vocals remain intact and she is a pleasure to hear if not at times to watch.
Slickly staged by director Jospeh C Walsh with one person expert piano orchestrations from musical director Simon Sharp the show could be placed on a bare stage for the voice of not only its creators but its subject choice to really shine! Credit must be paid to the producing team. This show offers audiences the chance to hear all these songs in one place in less than two hours.
The shows striking logo features a montage of photos formed into a heart. "Schwartz Stories" is indeed a love letter not only to the future of musical reviews but to the man who gave the world these shows.
Theatre fans and newcomers to the material will find the evening succeeds were others have failed by simply trusting in the material ,making the right choices and letting it to that thing that audiences most want. Entertain!
Excerpt from Rainbow Network review: Mark Powell and John Cusworth have devised an excellent new musical that uses the songs of the Oscar winning composer to follow the path of love, as three couples deal with the highs and lows of their relationships. But where Schwartz Stories really succeeds is in adding bucket loads of humour and presenting the material in a new, immediate and more appealing guise.
Loosely set in a bar, the cast perform over 30 numbers ranging from familiar standards to unknown gems from across Schwartz’s long career. Highlights include a wonderfully comic version of ‘Meadowlark’, perhaps his best-known song, which is turned into a speed dating number that so totally confounds expectations that it’s like listening to an entirely new song, and 'Turn Back Oh Man' which becomes a raucous stag night party. But it’s also a delight to wallow in the haunting music from The Bakers Wife and Pippin which, performed away from their rather worthy shows, confirm their status as truly great musical theatre songs.
TO SEE THIS SHOW: See our news page for theatre and ticket info.
Stephen Schwartz is probably best known in Europe for his music and lyrics for the stage musical GODSPELL and the DreamWorks animated feature THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, for which he received the 1999 Academy Award for Best Original Song. Other work familiar to European audiences includes the lyrics to the Disney animated features POCAHONTAS (two Academy Awards) and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, both with music by Alan Menken. The latter was adapted for the stage and, as DER GLOCKNER VON NOTRE DAME, became the longest-running musical in the history of Berlin. Mr. Schwartz also provided lyrics in collaboration with Leonard Bernstein for Bernstein's MASS. Other stage musicals for which Mr. Schwartz has written music and lyrics include PIPPIN, THE MAGIC SHOW, THE BAKER'S WIFE, WORKING, CHILDREN OF EDEN and the current Broadway hit, WICKED. web site www.stephenschwartz.com.
Sheet Music - See Stephen Schwartz Songbook, songbooks for Godspell, Pippin, and more: Schwartz Sheet Music
For links to interviews, more photos, article on his musical influences, profile, etc. see the official Stephen Schwartz fan site: www.musicalschwartz.com/schwartz.htm
When the Schwartz/Tebelak musical Godspell opened May 17, 1971 at the Cherry Lane theatre in Greenwich Village, it became an instant hit. Co-producer Edgar Lansbury naturally, as a native Londoner, wanted to bring his new hit to London. He originally booked the Prince of Wales but the show ended up off the West End at the Roundhouse Theatre. Later it moved to the West End where it ran for several years before becoming available for regional theatre licensing.
Pippin came along shortly thereafter.
In the 1980's, Schwartz's lush score for The Baker's Wife attracted the attention of Trevor Nunn. Nunn heard "Meadowlark" in auditions and wanted to know more about the show. Working with Schwartz and Joseph Stein, they mounted a production. Though it did not survive long, for the 1989/90 season the show received a nomination for The Laurence Olivier Awards for "Musical of the Year," alongside Miss Saigon and others.
In 1990, Schwartz and John Caird brought Children of Eden to London. It suffered from circumstances and from not being complete. A revised version later became immensely popular for regional productions.
Der Glockner Von Notre Dame with lyrics by Schwartz ran for three years in Berlin.
For interviews/articles about the making of Wicked see
Schwartz discussing Wicked's music: www.musicalschwartz.com/wicked-musical-themes.htm
Decca Broadway interview with Schwartz about the songs
On MusicalSchwartz.com - official Stephen Schwartz fan site: Read all about Stephen Schwartz - LOTS of info, photos, links, etc.Copyright © 2006–2007 Carol de Giere, webmaster for this independent site for the musical theatre show Wicked West End London
wickedwestend.co.uk
Carol's Wicked UK Site. Carol is also webmaster for the official fan site for Wicked's composer Stephen Schwartz
Godspell movie