Stephen Schwartz to be Honored With Johnny Mercer Award at Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala

variety.com:

Thania Garcia The Songwriters Hall of Fame will recognize Stephen Schwartz — the arranger and composer behind the music from “Wicked,” “Godspell” and “Pippin” — as the recipient of the 2025 Johnny Mercer Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala, slated for June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

The Johnny Mercer Award is the most prestigious honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, is exclusively reserved for a songwriter or songwriting team who has already been inducted in a prior year and whose body of work is of “such high quality and impact that it upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer,” per the SHOF.

Schwartz was first inducted into the Hall in 2009. “With every lyric and melody, Stephen invites us on an unforgettable journey,” said SHOF Chairman Nile Rodgers. “From his iconic list of award-winning musicals, including ‘Godspell’, ‘Wicked’ and ‘Pippin,’ Stephen continually proves that he is the only person who can turn a simple story into a Broadway musical masterpiece, one catchy chorus at a time!

We are delighted to see him receive the esteemed Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which is not just a recognition of his extraordinary talent; it’s a celebration of a legacy that continues to inspire hearts and minds.” Past Johnny Mercer Award recipients include songwriting giants Diane Warren (2024), Tim Rice (2023), Paul Williams (2022), Carole Bayer Sager (2019), Neil Diamond (2018), Alan Menken (2017), Lionel Richie (2016), Van Morrison (2015), Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff (2014), and Elton John and Bernie Taupin (2013), among many others.