books Archives | Page 2 of 3 | MusicalWriters.com

Curtain Up, Light the Lights – Writing Opening Numbers

Jun 14, 2019 | 5 |

When constructing “curtain up” moments and opening numbers, you must be clear, clever, and able to convince the audience to stay with you for the ride.

Review: Stephen Schwartz Biography “Defying Gravity” Looks Behind the Scenes

Mar 11, 2019 | 0 |

An aspiring theater composer myself, I looked to Carol de Giere’s Defying Gravity, (2nd ed.) for insight on Schwartz’s creative process, a history of his entire career, and details on “the musical theater business.” But that is just a sampling of what awaits the reader.

Release of Updated Edition of Defying Gravity

Oct 19, 2018 | 0 |

Just in time for Wicked’s 15th anniversary of opening on Broadway! The only book-length biography of Stephen Schwartz, covering his legendary career up through 2018, written by MusicalWriters.com founder Carol de Giere.

Book Review: Writing the Broadway Musical by Aaron Frankel

Jul 23, 2018 | 0 |

‘Making Musicals’ is book writer and lyricist Tom Jones’ intimate introduction to the business that he and composer Harvey Schmidt have been associated with since their first collaboration at the University of Texas in the late 1940’s. ‘Making Musicals’ is a very readable work. Genial wisdom tumbles out of the author like apples from an overturned basket. Jones relates the struggles of other well-known writers with a been-there-done-that sense of kinship. “The best a ‘teacher’ can do,” he states modestly, “Is to point out the problems and possibilities.” And so he does.