Stephen Schwartz is among the rare American composer-lyricists whose Broadway musicals have inspired passionate followings, resulting in blockbuster hits like Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin. In the revised and updated second edition of Defying Gravity, biographer Carol de Giere reveals how Schwartzs beloved musicals came to life, adding four new chapters that shed light on the continuing Wicked phenomenon and exciting projects that include stage adaptations of The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Alan Menken and The Prince of Egypt.A popular feature of the first edition remains intact for the second: the story of Schwartzs commercially unsuccessful shows, how he coped, and how he gave himself another chance. The new edition also features an acclaimed series of Creativity Notes with insights about the creative process. Wicked enthusiasts are treated to a revealing, in-depth account of the shows evolution that takes readers from developmental workshops, to the pre-Broadway tryout in San Francisco, through the arguments over changes for Broadway, and finally to productions around the world.