Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz reveals how Idina Menzel changed ‘Defying Gravity’
The iconic high note? Thank Idina Menzel for that
Last updated 2nd Mar 2021
Stephen Schwartz, the lyrical mastermind behind the hit musicals Godspell, Pippin and Wicked, sat down with Alice Arnold to discuss his incredible four decade career.
When you think of Wicked, you immediately think of ‘Defying Gravity’. But did you know that Idina Menzel, the original Elphaba, had a hand in making the song what it is today?
He told AlIce: “With the last verse of the song, Idina or whoever is singing Elphaba’s part, stays up high vocally. That was for Idina. I had written a tune that didn’t keep her up that high.”
“At this point, I’m going to be flying, I think I should sing up there the whole time.” Idina told him.
Stephen explained that songs and roles he creates are often moulded based on casting decisions.
“Once a role has been cast you can tailor it to the actor. When Kristin Chenoweth read the role of Glinda at the very first script reading in Los Angeles, we knew the character was made for her, so a lot of the role was shaped around Kristin.”
Fans of Wicked now have something new to look forward to.
Stephen has officially confirmed a live action film adaptation is finally on its way! With Jon M. Chu directing, shooting will start soon once the screenplay and designers finish reimagining the beloved story for the big screen.
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From taking classes at Juilliard as a teenager to writing top musical scores, Stephen decided to take a break in the 1990s after being burned out by Broadway. At first, he went back to school to study psychology, thinking of pursuing an alternative career as a therapist. But then Disney called.
They were looking for Alan Menken’s new collaborator after Howard Ashman, of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast fame, passed away. Luckily, Alan and Stephen were already friends and together they produced Pocahontas.
Stephen then went on to write the original songs for DreamWorks' animated film The Prince of Egypt, with ‘When You Believe’ going on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Now, twenty years later, The Prince of Egypt has come to the West End. Under current plans The Prince of Egypt will be returning to London's Dominion Theatre on the 21st of June.