In response to the post that calls Mr. Schwartz arrogant and that some collaborator of his would never work with him - I say - welcome to the theatre world!
I have had the privelage of meeting Mr. Schwartz and I found him to be kind, warm and very much a supporter of the theatre and someone who loves what he does. He was also very confident and obviosly proud of his work - especially excited about the new little show he was working on that was the Wizard of Oz told from the witches point of view called Wicked.
So - perhaps someone found him to be arrogant. Most everyone in this busines have EGO's and if they are rubbed the wrong way or have competing EGO's - someone is arrogant or not particularly nice to work with. The more I get involved in theatre even on a small scale community level - the more I realize this is just what happens in this business. "I'll never work with her again!" BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.
I like Ave Q. I really like Wicked. SO WHAT! I don't think it's luck that Mr. Schwartz has not only created a very successful Broadway production, but has also created a musical that appeals to the masses. Of course, it's popular appeal will alienate it from many "Broadway Purists", but he has done the musical theatre world a great service by putting out a show that people who don't normally follow the theatre buy the soundtrack to and count the days until the tour reaches their city. I belong to a few Disney related Message boards and everyone there knows Wicked and has the CD and is buying tickets for the tour. I once brought up Ave Q and they were all stumped.
Whether or not you likes Schwartz's work - to each his own. We all have our opinions. But to call him plain "Lucky" or to diminish him as a composer despite what he has done for the Musical Theatre in general - shame on you.
...and your children start to leave you from the moment they are born.
