New York City Opera honored composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz at its April 21 gala benefit with a concert,
Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz.
The concert starred Broadway veterans Ann Hampton Callaway, Kristin Chenoweth, Raul Esparza, Victor Garber, New York City opera stars Lauren Flanigan and Todd Wilander, and the New York City Opera Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Steven Osgood.
The 80-minute concert featured selections from Schwartz’s theater work, including “All Good Gifts,” “Save the People,” and “All for the Best” (from Godspell); “Corner of the Sky” and “Simple Joys” (from Pippin); “Meadowlark” (from The Baker’s Wife), “In Whatever Time We Have” (from Children of Eden), and “Popular,” “Defying Gravity,” and “For Good” (from Wicked).
In addition, there were selections from Schwartz’s new opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon, now playing at City Opera, as well as from the television film Geppetto. Schwartz closed the concert with a selection from his new musical, My Fairytale, which will have its American premiere in Los Angeles later this spring.
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Stephen Schwartz
(© Carol Rosegg)
Kristin Chenoweth
(© Carol Rosegg)
Raul Esparza and Victor Garber
(© Carol Rosegg)
Lauren Flanigan and Ann Hampton Callaway
(© Carol Rosegg)
Stephen Schwartz and cast members
(© Carol Rosegg)
Todd Wilander
(© Carol Rosegg)