THE SONGS + STORIES OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ

APR 17 & 18, 2026, @ 7:30 PM

The Chan National Queer Arts Center is located at
170 Valencia Street - SF, CA - 94103

THE SONGS + STORIES OF Stephen Schwartz

Join us at the Chan National Queer Arts Center for The Songs + Stories of Stephen Schwartz, an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime evening with the legendary composer of Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell — a three-time Academy Award and four-time Grammy Award winner and Theatre and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee. From Broadway to Hollywood, Schwartz has created some of the most beloved works in musical theater and film, including Children of Eden, The Prince of Egypt, and Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Enchanted.

At the piano, Schwartz will perform songs from his extraordinary career, share personal stories from a life in theater, and welcome special guest artists — including Broadway’s Michael McCorry Rose and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus — for unforgettable collaborations and show-stopping moments.

The evening is also deeply personal. Schwartz shares a long and meaningful friendship with outgoing CEO Chris Verdugo, and he is especially excited to honor Chris with a heartfelt send-off in true star-worthy style.

Bios

Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for the current Broadway hit Wicked and has also contributed music and/or lyrics to Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, The Baker’s Wife, Working (which he also adapted and directed), Rags, Children of Eden, and The Queen of Versailles. For film, in addition to the two-part adaptation of Wicked, he wrote the songs for The Prince of Egypt and collaborated with Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s Pocahantas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Enchanted. In the classical field, he collaborated with Leonard Bernstein on the English texts for Bernstein’s Mass, and his opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon, was produced at Opera Santa Barbara and New York City Opera. Mr. Schwartz has been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Awards include three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards, and a special Tony Award for his support of young theatre artists.

Michael McCorry Rose has performed on Broadway and on tour in The Queen of Versailles, Wicked, Anastasia, and in the Tony Award winning musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. For film, he’s appeared in Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Wicked for Universal Pictures, in Disenchanted for Disney+ directed by Adam Shankman, and in Dan Levin’s film adaptation of Snapshots, which was nominated for a 2022 Grammy Award. He has appeared in concert with symphony orchestras across the United States and regularly performs in concert with his long-time partner Stephen Schwartz. www.michaelrose.me

Taylor Iman Jones is a proud Bay Area native and has been seen on Broadway in SIX, and the original casts of Head over Heels and Groundhog Day. Before that, they appeared in the national tours of Hamilton and American Idiot. Off-Broadway she’s originated roles in The Jonathon Larson Project, The Lonely Few, and Scotland, PA. And next you can catch her in Deaf West’s and Two River Theater’s brand new musical Elephant Shoes. Taylor is so honored to be singing with these legends this evening, and has to pinch themself that it’s actually happening! Sending lots of love to her parents, her family, her partner Keely, and THE BAY AREA!! Find Taylor at @taylorimanjones or taylorimanjones.com

Photo of Taylor Iman Jones — Taylor Iman Jones

IMPORTANT TICKET AND VENUE INFO

This event uses a mixture of premium reserved cabaret table seating and standard general admission seating. Please select your desired performance date and seating type from the nearby options. A limited number of tickets include an exclusive post-show Photo Opportunity with Stephen Schwartz ($125 add-on).

To reserve ADA/wheelchair seating, please contact [email protected] prior to event day.