For Good

"For Good" by Stephen Schwartz
(from Wicked)

Hazzan Diana Brewer and Hannah Holmberg, soloists
Jamie Goodnow, piano

Recorded on 5/19/24 at the Yiddish Book Center (Amherst, MA) as part of Mak'hela's "Jewish Broadway!" concert.
http://www.makhela.org

Audio and video recording by Brian Bender

For Good: Stephen Schwartz first read the novel Wicked by Maguire while on vacation
and saw its potential for theater. However, Maguire had promised the rights to his book to
Universal pictures. After much negotiation, it became a joint project. It is the story of
Elphaba who became the wicked witch in Oz, and Glinda, who became the good witch.
The novel is a commentary on the nature of good versus evil.

“For Good” is considered to be the most emotional of songs from the musical. The
word “good “could be interpreted several ways, meaning the opposite of evil, or good,
meaning forever. This song reflects the thought that everything happens for a reason.
Elphaba and Glinda have been forever changed as result of their friendship. “People
come into our lives for a reason bringing something we must learn, and we are led to
those who help us most to grow.”

Stephen Schwartz (1948 - ) is a lyricist and composer, born to Jewish parents in New
York City. He grew up in Nassau County and attended Carnegie Mellon University where
he composed and directed “Pippin” with a student theater group. He received his BA in
Drama. When returning to New York City, he worked as a producer for RCA records, but
shortly afterwards began to work in Broadway theater. 1971 he wrote the music and
lyrics to “Godspell” and later” Pippin.” He also wrote a musical version of Stud Terkel’s
“Working” and “ Children of Eden.” In 2003 he composed and wrote the lyrics for
“Wicked.”

Stephen has continued to write music and lyrics for various shows and projects. In
April 2020, he participated in a fundraising video called “Saturday Night Seder,” which
took place during the pandemic. It both explained the meaning of Passover and raised
funds for the CDC.

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We are grateful to the following organizations for their support:
Mass Cultural Council
Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts
Harold Grinspoon Foundation

Contributions will be gratefully welcomed.
Please visit the website to make a contribution:
https://www.makhela.org/donate

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Mak’hela, Inc.
P.O. Box 2153
Amherst, MA, 01004