Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook
The catalogue of Academy Award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz springs to new life in this moving, re-imagined story. Featuring songs from Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, and more.
Show Essentials
6
Roles
M
Rated
2
Acts

Full Synopsis

Act One

("Overture"). In the attic of her suburban home, Sue is surrounded by mementos from a life with her husband, Dan. Sue picks up an empty suitcase and takes a handwritten note out of her pocket. She reads the note aloud, which states that she is leaving Dan ("Opening – Snapshots"). 

Suddenly, Dan yells up to the attic, and Sue frantically tries to hide the suitcase. As she scrambles, Sue knocks a box of photos all over the floor as she hears Dan coming up the stairs. Sue and Dan begin looking through the photos and reminiscing about their lives together. One of the first photos that they find is from their son, Matt’s, first birthday. This first memory begins a long string of stories from their past.

As Sue and Dan continue to look at the photographs, Susie and Danny, the pair’s younger selves at eleven years old, appear. Susie and Danny are frozen in poses that clearly reflect the pictures that Dan and Sue are viewing ("New Kid in the Neighborhood / No Time at All / Popular"). As they continue to share stories of how they met and became friends, younger versions of Dan and Sue appear in vignettes that show them growing up together.

In one of the short sketches, Dan is surprised to learn that Sue’s crush on him started back in grade school ("Lion Tamer / I'm Not That Girl"). As the two come back to reality in the attic, Dan notices that Sue has pulled out her suitcase. He inquires about it, but Sue tries to draw Dan’s attention to more pictures ("Snapshots Reprise #1). 

Another vignette shows their young adult selves, Danny and Susie, in high school ("Making Good / Extraordinary / Corner of the Sky"). They are exchanging yearbooks and realize that they are going to the same college. Excited about continuing their lives together, Danny signs Susie’s yearbook with a message that reveals his feelings... but he quickly crosses it out and writes something very generic ("With You #1"). Watching this moment unravel, Sue sees the original message for the first time and immediately stops the memory. She asks Dan why he didn’t tell her how he felt, but he dismisses the thought, just like he did the original message ("Two's Company / All for the Best").

Sue and her younger self, Susie, are frustrated and displeased with Dan’s inability to express his feelings ("Morning Glow / With You – Yearbook"). Although it is clear that they were ecstatic to go to college together and that they care deeply about each other, Dan and Sue begin to point out each others’ shortcomings and argue about the past as more memories unfold ("If We Never Meet Again / Endless Delights"). As they return to the present after several vignettes, Sue grabs her suitcase, turns to Dan and gives him the letter that she wrote for him ("Meadowlark").

Act Two

Dan tries to stop Sue from leaving but he can’t find the courage to say what he is feeling ("How Does She Know"). The two begin to argue when Sue claims that Dan never made a first move in the relationship. Dan recalls the moment when he suggested that they move in together ("Moving in with Susan"). We once again see Dan and Sue’s memories materialize as more events from their lives are discussed ("Chanson").

The two move in together, and several memories are portrayed, ranging from their wedding to the high school graduation of their son, Matt ("Spark of Creation / All Good Gifts"). Dan and Sue remember that their marriage began to fall apart after Matt left ("Code of Silence").

Sue grabs her suitcase and begins to leave ("If We Never Meet Again – Reprise"). As Dan watches her go, the younger versions of them both appear and attempt to help the situation ("Cacophony").

Susie tries to keep Sue from leaving, and Danny encourages Dan to stop her. Ultimately, Dan rushes to Sue, grabs her suitcase and finally says the words that he struggled to say for so many years ("In Whatever Time We Have / So Far"). 

Casting
← Back to Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook
Cast Size: Small (Up to 10 performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast

Character Breakdown

Sue

A middle-aged woman who is frustrated with her marriage and is planning to leave her husband. She loves Dan but is looking for more from their life together and isn’t finding it. She and Dan have a son, Matt, who is in college.

Gender: female
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: G#3
Dan

A middle-aged man who struggles with expressing his feelings. His wife, Sue, is a childhood friend with whom he grew up through college and into their adult lives. Although Dan cares deeply for Sue, he is unable to communicate it and often uses humor to avoid tough situations.

Gender: male
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Man One: (Danny)

11-18 year-old Dan. Plus Male Ad Writer, Peter, Dan Double, Marilou, Doctor & Matt.

Gender: male
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Woman One: (Susie)

11-18 year-old Sue. Plus Female Ad Writer, Daniel’s Date, Girlfriends 1, 2 & 3, Elaine, Dan Double & Doctor.

Gender: female
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: B5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Man Two: (Daniel)

22-35 Year Old Dan. Plus 11 – 17 Year Old Boy, Valedictorian, Roger, College Dean, & Dan Double.

Gender: male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Woman Two: (Susan)

25-35 year-old Sue. Plus 11 – 17 Year Old Girl, High School Graduate, Karen, College Graduate, Dan Double, & Rene.

Gender: female
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Full Song List
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Snapshots Intro
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Snapshots
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: New Kid in the Neighborhood
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: No Time At All/Popular
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Lion Tamer
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Snapshots (Reprise)
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Extraordinary/Making Good/Corner of the Sky
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: With You – Part I (yearbook)
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Two’s Company/All For The Best
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Corner of the Sky (reprise) /Morning Glow/With You Part II (Yearbook)
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: If We Never Meet Again
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Nothing To Do With Love
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: If We Never Meet Again (reprise)
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Endless Delights
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Lion Tamer (Reprise)
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Meadowlark
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Snapshots Intro (Reprise)
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: That’s How You Know
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Moving In With Susan
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Chanson
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Spark of Creation
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: With You (reprise)
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: All Good Gifts
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Parent’s Day
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Fathers and Sons/Hardest Part of Love
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Code of Silence
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: If We Never Meet Again (Reprise)
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: Cacophony
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: With You (reprise)
Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook: In Whatever Time We Have/So Far

Show History

Inspiration

Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook came to life through bookwriter David Stern, who was intrigued by writing a story about a couple's life, utilizing the song catalog of composer Stephen Scwartz. Schwartz gave the go-ahead to develop the show further, and preliminary work started in the mid-1990s. 

Productions

The Village Theatre in Issaquah, Washington, debuted the piece as a Village Originals Developmental Production in 2005. Subsequently, the show has had productions in Dayton, Ohio's, The Human Race Theatre and Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut. In 2015, Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook returned to the Village Theatre for the final stages of development.

Trivia

  • The shows used from Stephen Schwartz's catalog in Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook include: Pippin, Godspell, The Bakers Wife, Wicked, Children of Eden and Captain Louie, among others.

Critical Reaction

"Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook is a journey worth taking as audiences will not only appreciate the second life that Schwartz’s music gets, but the new life that it receives from its emotional story."
– Vancouver Presents

Billing

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Licence Agreement, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on house-boards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind. You agree to supply to the Licensor full details of all such material for Licensor’s approval prior to printing and distribution and supply two (2) copies of the program after printing.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
SNAPSHOTS
A Musical Scrapbook
(100%)
 
Music and Lyrics by
STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
(50%)
 
Book by
DAVID STERN
(50%)
 
Conceived by
MICHAEL SCHEMAN & DAVID STERN
(33%)
 
Additional Music and Lyrics by
DAVID CRANE, SETH FRIEDMAN, MARTA KAUFMAN,
ALAN MENKEN and CHARLES STROUSE
(33%)
 
Arrangements and Orchestrations by
STEVE ORICH
(33%)
 
NAMES AND CREDITS: In no event shall one name appear without the others. All names and credits shall appear on separate lines in which no other words or names appear.
Names and credits shall be accorded billing in size, type and prominence equal to at least the percentage identified above of the largest letter of the print version title. For example: "Music and Lyrics" and "Stephen Schwartz" must be on separate lines, with no other words or names, and shall be at least 50% in size, type and prominence of the largest letter of the print version of the title, "SNAPSHOTS".
The order must be exactly as shown above, each credit and name immediately following the previous.
ARTWORK TITLE: If using an artwork title (as opposed to a print version title) in any program, announcement, or credit where full billing is to appear, the artwork title size should be in similar proportions to the size requirements outlined above.
SHORTENED BILLING: In ads of 1/4 page size or less, or where only the title of the play, performance dates and venue are provided, the following "shortened billing" is permissible:
SNAPSHOTS
A Musical Scrapbook
 
BIOGRAPHIES: No party shall receive a bio in any program distributed in connection with the Play unless the other parties also receive bios of similar length and prominence in such program. The author biographies can be found on the MTI website at www.mtishows.com/authorbios.
THANKS: The following credit shall appear on the same page as the list of musical numbers in the Play, or in similar prominence, in a reasonable size of type:
Bookwriters for the original shows from which the songs are derived, with thanks: Godspell John-Michael Tebelak; Pippin Roger O. Hirson; The Magic Show Bob Randall; The Baker's Wife and Rags Joseph Stein; Working Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso; Children of Eden John Caird; Captain Louie Anthony Stein; Personals David Crane, Seth Friedman and Marta Kauffman; Wicked Winnie Holzman
 
As an integral part of this license, you further agree to insert in each program of the Play the following credit lines exactly as listed for each of the following compositions:
“Snapshots,” “Code of Silence” and “So Far”
From the CD, Reluctant Pilgrim
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Copyright © 1997 Grey Dog Music All rights for Grey Dog Music (ASCAP) administered by WB Music Corp. All Rights Reserved.
 
“New Kid in the Neighborhood”
from Captain Louie
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Copyright
© 1986, 2009 Stephen Schwartz Published by Grey Dog Music (ASCAP). All rights for Grey Dog Music administered by WB Music Corp. All rights reserved. 
 
“No Time At All,” “Extraordinary,” “Corner of the Sky,” “With You” and “Morning Glow”
from Pippin
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Copyright © 1972 (Renewed), 2000 Stephen Schwartz Music Publishing Rights Administered by EMI BMPC CORP. (ASCAP) and JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC. All Rights for JOBETE MUSIC CO., INC. Controlled and Administered by EMI APRIL MUSIC INC. (ASCAP) Print Rights for EMI BMPC CORP. Controlled and Administered by ALFRED MUSIC. All Rights Reserved.
 
“Popular,” “I’m Not that Girl” and “Making Good”
from Wicked
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Copyright © 2003 Stephen Schwartz Music publishing rights administered by Grey Dog Music (ASCAP) in the United States and Canada; and by WB Music Corp. in the rest of the world. All Rights Reserved.
“Lion Tamer” and “Two’s Company” from The Magic Show Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Copyright © 1974 (Renewed), 2002 Stephen Schwartz Music publishing rights administered by EMI Mills Music, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 
“All For the Best” and “All Good Gifts”
From Godspell
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Copyright © 1971 (Renewed), 1989, 2012 Range Road Music, Inc., Quartet Music and S & J Legacy Productions LLC (ASCAP) Music publishing rights administered by Range Road Music, Inc. c/o Carlin America, Inc. and Quartet Music c/o BMG Rights Management (US). All Rights Reserved.
 
“If We Never Meet Again”
from Rags
Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Copyright © 1986, 1991 Charles Strouse and Grey Dog Music Music publishing rights for Grey Dog Music (ASCAP) administered by Grey Dog Music in the United States and Canada; and by WB Music Corp. in the rest of the world. Music publishing rights for Charles Strouse Publishing (ASCAP) administered by WB Music Corp. worldwide. All Rights Reserved.
 
“Nothing to Do With Love” and “Moving in with Susan” (aka “Moving In with Linda”)
from Personals
Music by Stephen Schwartz, Lyrics by Marta Kauffman, Seth Friedman and David Crane
Copyright © 1985, 1986 Stephen Schwartz, Marta Kauffman, Seth Friedman, David Crane Published by Grey Dog Music (ASCAP). All rights for Grey Dog Music administered by WB Music Corp. All Rights Reserved.
 
“Endless Delights,” “Meadowlark” and “Chanson”
from The Baker’s Wife
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Copyright © 1977 (Renewed), 1990 Grey Dog Music All rights for Grey Dog Music (ASCAP) administered by WB Music Corp. All Rights Reserved.
 
“How Does She Know?” (aka “That’s How You Know”)
from Enchanted
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Copyright © 2007 Wonderland Music Company, Inc. and Walt Disney Music Company All Rights Reserved.  Used by Permission.
 
“The Spark of Creation,” “Parents’ Day (aka “Father’s Day”),” “The Hardest Part of Love” and “In Whatever Time We Have”
from Children of Eden
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Copyright © 1989, 1998, 2000 Grey Dog Music All rights for Grey Dog Music (ASCAP) administered by WB Music Corp. All Rights Reserved.
 
“Fathers and Sons”
from Working
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Copyright © 1978 Stephen Schwartz Music publishing rights administered by Grey Dog Music (ASCAP) in the United States and Canada; and by WB Music Corp. in the rest of the world. All Rights Reserved.
 
“Cacophony”
Copyright © 2017 Stephen Schwartz Published by Grey Dog Music (ASCAP). All rights for Grey Dog Music administered by WB Music Corp. All Rights Reserved.
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
LIBRETTO10
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE8

Production Resources

Resource
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
LOGO PACK DIGITAL
PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION
TRANSPOSITIONS-ON-DEMAND

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

InstrumentationDoubling
BASSACOUSTIC BASS , ELECTRIC BASS
GUITARACOUSTIC GUITAR , ELECTRIC GUITAR , 12-STRING GUITAR
PERCUSSIONBELL TREE , BELLS , DRUM KIT , MARK TREE , SHAKER , SIREN , SLIDE WHISTLE , TRIANGLE , VIBES , WIND CHIMES , WOOD BLOCK