Stephen Schwartz
Every project has challenges, and every project has its rewards.
While many of my musicals deal with big themes and ideas, I don't intentionally go looking to write shows like that. A story will interest me, and then somewhere along the way, I discover that hidden inside are these epic themes.
On the surface, 'Book of Mormon' is extremely irreverent, but underneath, there's a great sweetness and a very positive message.
I don't think it's a secret that New York tastemakers don't love my work.
I would like to have won a Tony, I guess, because I have always thought of myself as a theater person. But I've won my share of awards, so I don't worry about it.
I don't believe in condescending to children. I don't change any writing technique.
I think the arts are very important for children growing up.
I wouldn't do a project if it weren't a story I wanted to tell. That's rewarding in itself, as a writer, if you're working on a story that you enjoy telling.
It's just life, so keep dancing through.Collection: Dancing
I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason Bringing something we must learn And we are led to those who help us most to grow If we let them and we help them in return.Collection: Friendship
Often we treat certain aspects of ourselves as junk, having no value. We try to throw parts of ourselves in the garbage. But a human being is an ecosystem, and everything in that system is of value to the whole.Collection: Compassion
I have learned that human beings are not searching for philosophies, even though it may seem that way sometimes. We are searching for something we can trust. And when we find ourselves in the midst of change, the philosophies are like a broken crutch. They do not hold us up. What supports us is a force, an energy, a vortex of love that expresses through us as warmth, creativity, service, and compassion.Collection: Philosophy
So much of me is made of what I learned from you; you'll be with me like a handprint on my heart and now whatever way our stories end I know you have re-written mine by being my friendCollection: Heart
....Everyone deserves a chance to fly!Collection: Chance
Its time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and leapCollection: Eye
When hard times come, the greatest danger does not necessarily lie in the circumstances we face, but rather in the way we treat ourselves at the time. Nothing is more dangerous than self-hate. Nothing makes it more difficult to heal or to find the grace of peace than self-attack and the agony of self-doubt.Collection: Hate
Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true.Collection: Dream
You think the only people who are people, Are the ones who look and think the way you do, But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger, You'll learn the things you never knew you never knew... You can own the Earth and still, All you'll own is earth until You can paint with all the colors of the wind.Collection: Thinking
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill.Collection: Frail
What we do in our lives is what gives us contentment and serenity and makes us feel like we are doing some kind of contribution.Collection: Giving
Those who don't try never look foolish.Collection: Wicked
Some things I cannot change, but 'til I try I'll never know.Collection: Wicked
Excuse me, there's no pretense here. I happen to be genuinely self-absorbed and deeply shallow.Collection: Self
People like the way dreams have of sticking to the soul.Collection: Dream
No, you're wrong. I'm a hundred percent callow and deeply shallow.Collection: Wicked
Cause getting your dreams It's strange, but it seems A little -- well -- complicated There's a kind of a sort of : cost There's a couple of things get : lost There are bridges you cross You didn't know you crossed Until you've crossed.Collection: Dream
Are people born wicked, or is wickedness trust upon them?Collection: People
We can't all come and go by bubble!Collection: Wicked
And Goodness knows The Wicked's lives are lonely Goodness knows The Wicked die aloneCollection: Lonely
Start a new fashion, wear your heart on your sleeveSometimes you reach what's real just by making believeUnafraid, unashamedThere is joy to be claimed in this worldYou even might wind up being glad to be you.Collection: Fashion
I'm through accepting limits ''cause someone says they're so Some things I cannot change But till I try, I'll never know! Too long I've been afraid of Losing love I guess I've lost Well, if that's love It comes at much too high a cost!Collection: Long
I believe if I refuse to grow old, I can stay young 'til I die.Collection: Believe
So if you care to find me/ Look to the western sky/ As someone told me lately/ Everyone deserves the chance to fly!/ And if I'm flying solo/ At least I'm flying free/ Tell those who'd ground me/ Take a message back from me/ Tell them how I am defying gravity!/ I'm flying high defying gravity/ And soon I'll match them in renown./ And nobody in all of Oz/ No Wizard that there is or was/ Is ever gonna bring me down!/Collection: Flying High
Popular, You're gonna be Popular! I'll teach you the proper ploys when you talk to boys! Little ways to flirt and flounce! I'll show you what shoes to wear, how to fix your hair, everything that really counts, to be POPULAR!!Collection: Flirting
Dancing through life Swaying and sweeping And always keeping cool Life is faught less When you're thoughtless Those who don't try Never look foolish Dancing through life Mindless and careless Make sure you're where less Trouble is rife Woes are fleeting Blows are glancing When you're dancing Through life.Collection: Blow
Don't wish. Don't Start. Wishing only wounds the heart.Collection: Heart
Let the green girl go!Collection: Girl