The Seven Wonders Of Stephen Schwartz: What The Wicked Composer Is Doing Now (2025)

The legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, the creative genius behind Broadway blockbusters like Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell, is not resting on his laurels. As of late 2025, Schwartz is experiencing a career resurgence that blends his most iconic work with brand-new, highly anticipated projects on both stage and screen. This article dives deep into the most current and exciting developments in his world, from a major new Broadway musical to the finale of the *Wicked* film saga and a celebrated revival of one of his hidden gems.

For fans of musical theatre and film alike, the next year promises to be a Stephen Schwartz masterclass. With multiple high-profile openings and a significant lifetime achievement award, the three-time Academy Award and four-time Grammy Award winner continues to shape the landscape of modern storytelling, proving his timeless relevance in the ever-evolving entertainment industry. The buzz around his new works and major film adaptations has never been louder.

Stephen Schwartz: A Biographical Profile and Career Milestones

Stephen Lawrence Schwartz is one of the most decorated and influential composers and lyricists in American musical theatre history. His work has spanned over five decades, earning him a rare distinction in the arts.

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• Full Name: Stephen Lawrence Schwartz
• Born: March 6, 1948, in New York City, New York
• Education: Carnegie Mellon University (Drama), studied piano and composition at the Juilliard School of Music while in high school.
• Major Broadway Debuts: Godspell (1971), Pippin (1972), The Magic Show (1974), Wicked (2003).
• Major Film Work: Disney's Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Enchanted (2007), The Prince of Egypt (1998).
• Key Awards & Honors:
  • Academy Awards (3): Best Original Song ("Colors of the Wind" and "When You Believe"), Best Original Musical or Comedy Score (Pocahontas).
  • Grammy Awards (4): For his work on Godspell, Pippin, and Wicked.
  • Drama Desk Awards (4): Including Outstanding Lyrics.
  • Golden Globe Award (1): Best Original Song ("Colors of the Wind").
  • Tony Award (Special): The Isabelle Stevenson Award (2015) for his commitment to fostering new talent. He has also received six competitive Tony Award nominations.
  • 2025 SCL Lifetime Achievement Award: Scheduled to be honored by the Society of Composers & Lyricists.

1. The New Broadway Blockbuster: The Queen of Versailles (2025–2026)

The most significant new project from Stephen Schwartz is the musical The Queen of Versailles, which is slated to open on Broadway during the 2025–2026 season.

The musical is based on the 2012 documentary of the same name and tells the true, larger-than-life story of billionaire-couple Jackie and David Siegel.

It chronicles their pursuit to build the largest single-family home in America—a 90,000-square-foot palace in Florida named Versailles—and how their lavish lifestyle was threatened by the 2008 financial crisis.

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The production, which had an initial run at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre, boasts a powerhouse creative team, including a book by Lindsey Ferrentino and direction by Michael Arden.

Headlining the cast are two theatre and screen legends: Tony and Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth as Jackie Siegel and Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham as David Siegel.

The show explores themes of the American Dream, the true cost of fame and fortune, and the resilience of family, all set to a fresh, contemporary score by Schwartz.

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2. The Final Curtain: Wicked: For Good Film Release (November 2025)

Schwartz’s most famous work, the cultural phenomenon Wicked, is reaching its cinematic conclusion with the second part of the film adaptation, Wicked: For Good, set for release on November 21, 2025.

This two-part film strategy, which began with 2024's *Wicked*, allows the beloved story and score to be fully realized on screen without significant cuts.

Schwartz, who wrote the original music and lyrics for the Broadway show, has been closely involved in the film's production, working on new songs and ensuring the cinematic versions of classics like "Defying Gravity" and "For Good" remain faithful to the original's spirit.

The films star Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, bringing the untold story of the Witches of Oz to a new generation.

3. Teasing a Wicked Cinematic Universe Spin-Off

The world of Oz may not be done with Stephen Schwartz just yet. Following the completion of the two-part film, Schwartz has offered a promising update regarding a potential third project set within the *Wicked* universe.

He has teased the possibility of a spin-off, clarifying that it would not be a direct sequel to the Broadway show or the two films, but rather a new narrative exploring other corners of L. Frank Baum's world.

This development suggests Universal Pictures and Schwartz are keen to establish a *Wicked* cinematic universe, capitalizing on the immense global popularity of the source material.

While details remain scarce, the prospect of new songs and stories from Schwartz exploring characters like Nessarose, Boq, or even the Wizard himself has ignited significant excitement among fans of the franchise.

4. The Baker's Wife Off-Broadway Revival (Late 2025)

In a treat for dedicated theatre enthusiasts, one of Schwartz’s lesser-known but critically revered musicals, *The Baker's Wife*, is receiving a major Off-Broadway revival at the Classic Stage Company (CSC) in New York.

The production is scheduled to run from October to December 2025, bringing new life to a show that has achieved cult status since its challenging initial run in the 1970s.

Based on Marcel Pagnol's film *La Femme du Boulanger*, the musical tells a charming and poignant story of a baker whose life—and the life of his small French village—is thrown into chaos when his young wife runs away with a handsome young man.

The revival features a book by Joseph Stein and is directed by Gordon Greenberg, with choreography by Stephanie Klemons.

The show is famous for its beautiful, melancholic score, which includes the classic theatre ballad "Meadowlark," a song often performed by leading ladies in concerts and auditions.

5. Honored by the Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL)

Adding to his already extensive list of accolades, Stephen Schwartz is scheduled to receive the prestigious 2025 SCL Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Composers & Lyricists.

This award recognizes his profound and lasting impact on the world of music, specifically acknowledging his work not only in the theatre but also in film and television.

The honor places him among a select group of musical titans and highlights his dual mastery of both stage and screen composition, a rarity in the industry.

6. Continued Mentorship and ASCAP Recognition

Schwartz has long been recognized for his commitment to fostering new talent, an effort that earned him a special Tony Award in 2015.

This work continues into 2025, where he remains a key figure in programs designed to mentor and encourage the next generation of musical theatre writers.

The ASCAP Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators, also honored Schwartz in May 2025, recognizing his enduring contribution to the arts and his role as an inspiration to emerging artists.

7. The Enduring Legacy of Disney Classics

While his focus in 2025 is heavily on Broadway and *Wicked*, Schwartz’s Disney legacy remains a powerful force. His collaborations with composer Alan Menken on films like *Pocahontas* and *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* continue to influence new generations of animated films.

The timeless quality of his lyrics in songs like "Colors of the Wind" and "God Help the Outcasts" ensures that his work is constantly being rediscovered and celebrated, cementing his status as a master lyricist who can seamlessly transition between the fantastical worlds of Oz, the historical drama of Egypt, and the intimate emotional landscapes of his stage work.