Sylvia Rose Schwartz (August 30, 1927–June 21, 2010) was elected to The Lambs in 1989 as a Professional Member. She worked as a Broadway producer and for the William Morris Agency as a director of special services. Schwartz served as a director on the Lambs’ Council until her death in 2010.
“Sylvia Schwartz was not only a personal friend and supporter, but also a woman of many talents and abilities. She was on The Lambs’ Council, and her love for the theater and all of the many people that were her friends makes her someone that will certainly be remembered fondly.” — Davida Rothberg.
Sheila Smith, partner of Shepherd Randy Phillips, penned this memorial tribute for the Lambs’ Script after Sylvia’s passing in 2010:
“The Lambs and the Broadway community mourn the loss of long-time member, Sylvia Schwartz. They say, “There is a broken heart for every light on Broadway.” There has also been an angel who mended many of those broken hearts during her 15-year tenure with David Merrick, arguably the most important producer to dominate Broadway’s Golden Age. Sylvia began as a production assistant, and ultimately attained the rank and billing of associate producer.
She was a savvy but sweet Lamb. In her career, the names she worked with included Carol Channing, Robert Goulet, Tommy Lee Jones, Mary Martin, Christopher Plummer, Robert Preston, David Wayne, John Woods, and Lambs Peter Howard and Don Pippin. Don’t forget composers, Burt Bacharach, Lionel Bart, Jerry Herman, and Jule Styne; directors, Michael Bennett, Gower Champion, Peter Coe, and Agnes DeMille. Not to mention authors, Woody Allen, Tom Stoppard, and the fantastic costume designer, Freddy Wittop.
From Merrick to the William Morris talent agency, Sylvia moved on to representing many artists that she first soothed on Broadway. In an effort to expose new Lambs to music of the ages, Sylvia presented memorable Lambs theme nights that included celebrations of Harold Arlen, Arthur Schwartz & Howard Dietz, Irving Berlin, and Broadway’s un-sung hero, Michael Stewart. Sylvia was also the Collie of a very successful Shepherd’s Luncheon with Peter Howard. Never a woman who boasted of her illustrious life in the theatre, how fitting it was that Sylvia’s final curtain call came during the Lambs’ memorial farewell to Peter Howard in September 2009.”