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Wicked: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical

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Each title in The Applause Libretto Library Series presents a Broadway musical with fresh packaging in a 6 x 9 trade paperback format. Each Complete Book and Lyrics is approved by the writers and attractively designed with color photo inserts from the Broadway production. All titles include introduction and foreword by renowned Broadway musical experts. Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery, and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious, and very popular. The story of how these two unlikely friends end up as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for the most spellbinding new musical in years.

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2010

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About the author

Stephen Schwartz

237 books43 followers
Stephen Schwartz was born in New York City on March 6, 1948. He studied piano and composition at the Juilliard School of Music while in high school and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1968 with a B.F.A. in Drama. Upon coming back to live in New York City, he went to work as a producer for RCA Records, but shortly thereafter began to work in the Broadway theatre.

His first major credit was the title song for the play BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE; the song was eventually used in the movie version as well.

In 1971, he wrote the music and new lyrics for GODSPELL, for which he won several awards including two Grammys. This was followed by the English texts, in collaboration with Leonard Bernstein, for Bernstein's MASS, which opened the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The following year, he wrote the music and lyrics for PIPPIN and two years later, THE MAGIC SHOW. At one point, GODSPELL, PIPPIN, and THE MAGIC SHOW were all running on Broadway simultaneously.

He next wrote the music and lyrics for THE BAKER'S WIFE, followed by a musical version of Studs Terkel's WORKING, to which he contributed four songs, and which he also adapted and directed, winning the Drama Desk Award as best director. He also co-directed the television production, which was presented as part of the PBS "American Playhouse" series.

Next came songs for a one-act musical for children, CAPTAIN LOUIE, and a children's book, THE PERFECT PEACH. He then wrote music for three of the songs in the Off-Broadway revue, PERSONALS, lyrics to Charles Strouse's music for RAGS, and music and lyrics for CHILDREN OF EDEN.

He then began working in film, collaborating with composer Alan Menken on the scores for the Disney animated features POCAHONTAS, for which he received two Academy Awards and another Grammy, and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. He also provided songs for DreamWorks' first animated feature, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, for which he won another Academy Award for the song "When You Believe".

Mr. Schwartz provided music and lyrics for the original television musical, GEPPETTO, seen on The Wonderful World of Disney. Recently, he released two CDs on which he sings new songs, entitled RELUCTANT PILGRIM and UNCHARTED TERRITORY.

Mr. Schwartz's most recent musical, WICKED, opened in the fall of 2003 and is currently running on Broadway.

Under the auspices of the ASCAP Foundation, he runs musical theatre workshops in New York and Los Angeles, and serves on the ASCAP board; he is also a member of the Council of the Dramatists' Guild.

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5 stars
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48 (28%)
3 stars
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
19 reviews
September 1, 2024
obrigada David por sugerires a experiência!!!
não me acredito que tenho de esperar tipo 2 meses pelo filme...
Profile Image for Susanne Duke.
5 reviews
January 4, 2011
I loved it!! A little dark,but you feel for the misunderstood
Profile Image for Leona.
98 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2018
Beware --it is nothing like the musical. Names are the same but the personalities and life stories are not. Intriguing twists included. Still are good story if you let go of the belief that it is related to anything else
Profile Image for Lina Battaglia.
10 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2020
I did not expect to love this book SO much. Holzman masterfully presents The Wizard of Oz from a different point of view.
Profile Image for Loralee Arbanas.
36 reviews2 followers
October 16, 2024
It crushed my heart AND had me kicking my feet and giggling—what more could I ask for?!

Oh, and the songs are just delightful.

Can’t wait to see this musical on the big screen next month!
Profile Image for Eros Rose.
116 reviews4 followers
January 8, 2025
I watched the “Wicked” movie again and found myself down a rabbit hole. I read “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire & found myself looking to read this immediately after. I’m glad that I did.
Profile Image for Javier Fernandez.
314 reviews7 followers
February 12, 2023
I saw this on stage today from an awesome front row seat. The song "For Good" found the elusive soft spot in my heart. Tears flowed, dams burst, and the world was flooded with a wistful joy that washed away all wickedness.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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