As he prepares to open his latest West End show The Prince of Egypt, the Wicked and Godspell composer and lyricist appears at the Finsbury Park Venue to raise funds for a production of RAGS The Musical
American Musical theatre legend Stephen Schwartz is to appear at two events in north London.
The Oscar and Grammy-winning writer of hit musicals Wicked and Gospell is in London to oversee the opening of his latest West End show The Prince of Egypt next month.
But in the meantime, fringe venue Park Theatre is staging RAGS The Musical which features lyrics by the New Yorker alongside a book by Joseph Stein of Fiddler on the Roof fame, and music by Annie writer Charles Strouse.
West End stars Alice Fearn and Emma Hatton, who have both played green-skinned Elphaba in Schwartz's musical of the Witches of Oz appear at a gala fundraiser in aid of Park Theatre's production which runs until February 8.
The Spark of Creation on January 19 celebrates some of Schwartz's favourite compositions and also features Carolyn Maitland, who stars as Rebecca in RAGS, Natalie Green, Simbi Akande and Soophia Foroughi, who are due to appear in The Prince of Egypt, Luke Bayer, who appeared in Yank! and Genevieve Nicole, who starred in Hope Mill Theatre and Aria Entertainment's production of Schwartz's Pippin.
The evening includes a panel discussion and audience Q&A with the composer and lyricist who has also written songs for several hit animations.
All proceeds will go towards staging RAGS The Musical which tells the heart-warming tale of a group of Jewish immigrants as they start a new life in America.
Fresh from Ellis Island, a young mother and her son search for a sense of home as the 20th century beckons on the streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side.
They may not be paved with gold, but they echo with the music of opportunity, optimism and hope.
On February 9, Schwartz is also in coversation at JW3 in Finchley Road, talking about his career from the 70's when Pippin, Godspell and The Magic show were running concurrently on Broadway, to Children Of Eden, and the forthcoming Prince Of Egypt which opens on Feb 5 and tells the story of Moses and Rameses. jw3.org
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