Wicked Good: Stephen Schwartz at The Ridgefield Playhouse on April 2

Wicked just became the third Broadway show to gross a billion dollars in record time! A month ago, it eclipsed Rent to become the tenth-longest-running Broadway show of all time. It has played more than 5,100 performances to 9.2 million people. Now, in a special evening, Wicked’s composer and lyricist, Stephen Schwartz will chat about his life, legendary career and his contributions to the American musical. He will be joined by Broadway’s brightest stars Lindsay Mendez, Derek Klena, and Kara Lindsay as they belt out the hits that made these shows famous. This intimate performance on Saturday, April 2 at 8 p.m. at The Ridgefield Playhouse is part of the Ridgefield Magazine Broadway & Cabaret Series and Moffly Media Entertaining Conversation Series.

In a career spanning more than four decades, Schwartz has written hit musicals such as Godspell, and Pippin; and has been awarded multiple Oscars, Grammys, Tonys, Drama Desk Awards and a Golden Globe. Simply put, Stephen Schwartz is the premier American musical theater composer. With an all-star line-up of performers, his on stage interview will be intertwined with material from Schwartz's various projects including, Wicked, as well as Pippin, Godspell, and others. Lindsay Mendez who played Elphaba in Wicked among many other Broadway roles will be joined by two other Broadway singers, Derek Klena (Wicked, The Bridges of Madison County, Dogfight, Carrie) and Kara Lindsay (Wicked, Newsies, Little House on the Prairie) to sing a few of his iconic songs. Bryan Perri (Wicked, Chaplin, Next To Normal) will accompany and Michael Kerker (ASCAP) will conduct the interview. Enjoy a night of dinner and a show - visit Bernard’s (20 West Lane, Ridgefield) for a prix fixe menu when tickets are presented (reservations recommended). Then, step into the world of one of the musical theater’s most gifted artists.

A titan of Broadway, this Ridgefield resident and longtime supporter of The Ridgefield Playhouse has also written for several film musicals, including Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Prince of Egypt and the TV musical Geppetto. “It will be a very intimate night with Stephen Schwartz,” says the show’s producer, Daniel C. Levine. “We’ll learn things we never knew about Broadway, and we’ll have some fantastic voices demonstrate the songs from the shows he’s talking about.” This exclusive insider’s look into Stephen Schwartz and his musicals is sure to be the hottest ticket in town!

For tickets ($65), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.