What do the musicals WICKED, GODSPELL and PIPPIN and Disney movies POCAHONTAS and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME have in common? Stephen Schwartz wrote the lyrics for all of these and the music for most. DEFYING GRAVITY – THE BEST OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, presented by Marin Summer Theater on July 9, 10, 11 and 12 at Novato High School is a musical revue of the songs of award winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who has written some of the most popular music in American Theater in the last 40 years.
DEFYING GRAVITY is light-hearted and colorful, packed with memorable performances, tunes you can sing along to, and upbeat and moving choreography. It is very family friendly and a wonderful treat for theater lovers of all ages. DEFYING GRAVITY features music from the Broadway hits WICKED, PIPPIN, GODSPELL, and THE BAKER’S WIFE. Also included are numbers from his children’s musical CAPTAIN LOUIE and his film work collaborating with Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s POCAHONTAS and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Mr. Schwartz’s awards include three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, and "a tiny handful of tennis trophies".
“Stephen Schwartz has been writing monster hits for over four decades and we thought it was past time to create a show featuring some of our favorites”, said MST Artistic Director Patrick Nims. “We are very grateful to the Stephen Schwartz Organization and Walt Disney Music for giving MST special permission to assemble this incredible collection of music”.
DEFYING GRAVITY is directed by Kate Kenyon and Amanda Morando, with continuity by David Smith. Appearing on-stage with the MST company will be members of Musical Theater Madness, MST’s youth theater camp.
After DEFYING GRAVITY, MST will present IN THE HEIGHTS (beginning July 23 at San Marin High School). IN THE HEIGHTS, written and composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, was nominated for 13 Tony awards in 2008, winning Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Choreography. Now in its seventh season, Marin Summer Theater has received nineteen BroadwayWorld SF Awards and fourteen National Youth in Arts awards. Ticket prices start at $7.50 for Thursday performances and $15 for other performances. Tickets, schedules and more information about MST can be found at www.marinsummertheater.org.
Marin Summer Theater is a non-profit theater company for students of performing arts between the ages of 13 and 23. MST's mission is threefold: To present exciting, professional quality drama, musical theater and musical revue productions; to keep tuition as low as possible so that cost is not a barrier to participation; and to create a diverse company of college and high school students.