‘Wicked’ composer Schwartz heads up ASCAP/Disney Musical Workshop

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation is teaming up with Grammy-and-Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz yet again to offer the Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in both Los Angeles and New York, according to an article published Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the official Broadway World Web site.

The annual ASCAP event is held to discover and support new American musicals and Schwartz, who has been most recently recognized for his work on the smash hit musical Wicked, is a perfect candidate to lead up the workshop as artistic director. After creating music for major musicals, such as Pipin and Godspell, and writing songs for major Walt Disney films such as “Pocahontas” and “Enchanted,” Schwartz is a legend in his business and has gained the respect and loyalty of thousands of theater and film fans across the world.

Those participating in the workshop will receive constructive criticism from a panel of judges as they present bits and pieces of their professional work-in-progress, according to the Broadway World article. The Disney Musical Workshop is just one of the many series of classes ASCAP offers. Created more than three decades ago in 1975, the ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization that offers support to young American music creators through grants, workshops and other educational programs.

Now is a great time to get involved in professional theater, whether it’s directly - by attending one of these workshops -  or indirectly by supporting a musical production by attending a performance. Don’t miss out on your chance to see Schwartz’s smash hit musical Wicked, which is running at theaters in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and a few select others as part of a national tour. Get Wicked tickets now at Stubhub.com.

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