Stephen Schwartz confirms new London production of The Baker’s Wife

Composer Stephen Schwartz has revealed that his 1976 musical The Baker’s Wife will receive a major London revival next summer.

Speaking at the Schwartz at 75 concert, held on Sunday (17 September) at the Lyric Theatre, he confirmed that a new production will be mounted at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2024.

The show, which has never run on Broadway, received a West End premiere in 1989, directed by Trevor Nunn. Its last outing in London was at the Union Theatre in 2011.

Based on the film La Femme du Boulanger by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono, the show is set in a small French village where a baker’s wife causes scandal – and a bread shortage – by falling in love with a younger man.

It features music and lyrics by Schwartz, and a book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler On The Roof). The score includes “Meadowlark”, “Chanson”, and “Where Is the Warmth?”.

Dates, cast and creative team are still to be announced for the new production, though Schwartz indicated it would run from July to September.

Schwartz, who has won three Grammys, three Oscars and been nominated for six Tony Awards, has written works including Wicked, The Prince of Egypt (as well as its original film), Children of Eden, Pippin, and Godspell. 

He also contributed to films including Enchanted, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Disenchanted and Spellbound. 

Wicked, which continues to run in the West End and is set to embark on a major UK and Ireland tour, is also being adapted into a two-part film starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

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