Defying Gravity

Step into a world where imagination soars and music transcends the ordinary. Defying Gravity is a breathtaking concert celebration honoring the legendary catalog of composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz — the visionary mind behind Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, and more. From the soaring anthems that have defined Broadway generations to the beloved songs that have moved millions, this evening promises to be a transcendent musical journey unlike any other. The experience reaches its most spectacular form with Defying Gravity: An Evening with Stephen Schwartz and Friends, hosted at the intimate and acclaimed Irvine Barclay Theatre on May 24, 2026 — a rare opportunity to experience Schwartz's genius up close alongside celebrated collaborators. Additional performances grace the historic RJ Reynolds Auditorium on May 9, 2026, and the stunning Carol Morsani Hall at Tampa's renowned Straz Center on June 7, 2026, one of the Southeast's premier performing arts destinations. Whether you're a lifelong devotee of musical theatre or simply drawn to the power of extraordinary live performance, Defying Gravity delivers an emotionally rich, vocally stunning evening that will leave you breathless. Expect world-class singers, lush orchestration, and the kind of spine-tingling moments that remind you why live music endures. Come ready to be lifted.