Book Illustration News

News:
An illustration I donated has been published in a new book.


THE HARDEST PART OF LOVE
A Stephen Schwartz song illustrated


March 13, 2008 – This new book, an adaptation of Stephen Schwartz’s eloquent and affecting song, “The Hardest Part of Love” from the widely popular staged musical CHILDREN OF EDEN and his RELUCTANT PILGRIM CD, will pull at the heartstrings of all parents and elate Stephen Schwartz fans with its beautiful, sophisticated pictures and enclosed CD featuring the songwriter himself.

Ms. Angela Pletcher Stillson from Nappanee, Indiana, conceptualized the project having become familiar with Schwartz’s work when THE BAKER’S WIFE was produced at Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre in 1997 and guest-directed by his son, Scott Schwartz. She describes, “I set out to entwine music, art, and literature in a unique and provoking fashion that is both contemporary and enduring.” In appreciation of the arts, she recruited 18 creative souls from Alaska to Hong Kong (including Schwartz’s daughter) to illustrate the 32 glossy pages. They achieved a one-of-a-kind medley of stylized pictures leading to a hard cover collector’s volume to treasure and reflect upon.

Mr. Schwartz’s (www.stephenschwartz.com) most recent musical, WICKED, opened in the fall of 2003 and is currently running on Broadway breaking its own record for the highest grossing week in history. Winner of fifteen major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, productions of WICKED have also broken records in London’s West End, Chicago, and Toronto. He is also known for his songs for the musicals GODSPELL, PIPPIN, THE MAGIC SHOW, THE BAKER’S WIFE, WORKING (which he also adapted and directed), CHILDREN OF EDEN, and for the Disney animated features POCAHONTAS and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME(in collaboration with Alan Menken), and the DreamWorks animated feature THE PRINCE OF EGYPT. For children, he has written a one-act musical, CAPTAIN LOUIE, a picture book, THE PERFECT PEACH, GEPPETTO & SON and most recently the Disney movie ENCHANTED. He has released two CDs entitled UNCHARTED TERRITORY and RELUCTANT PILGRIM, which includes his version of “The Hardest Part of Love.” Mr. Schwartz is the recipient of three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards, and four Drama Desk Awards.

The included artists’ biographies highlight: Karen Beitar, Dee Birkey, Jessica Flores, Hannah Graber, Tim Hooker, Ann Lynn, Birdie Rossow McElroy, James McNeill Mesple, Nicole Moore, Shirley Natoli, Ramiro Rodriguez, Jessica Schwartz (Mr. Schwartz’s daughter), Doug Smith, Jeff Stillson, Laura Ury, Todd Volkmer, Rachelle Lee Witter, and Laura Zato-Clemons.

Support for this project comes from The Fetzer Institute (www.fetzer.org) whose mission is to foster awareness of the power of love and forgiveness in the emerging global community.”

A gift for special occasions including graduations, weddings, births, baptisms, and all holidays, the book is available through Mr. Schwartz’s website www.stephenschwartz.com, Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre, The Nappanee Center, specialty shops including Art & Soul (Winona Lake, IN), Pages & Ivy (Nappanee, IN), and by contacting angiestillson@mchsi.com or (574) 773-3722.