Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth - Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast)
Free Music Review: UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD is unbelievable!! i saw the show in Toronto a week ago and it was the most amazing thing i've ever seen! It made the CD a million times better. All of the vocals on this CD are amazing. Idina Menzel is the only person that can still give me goosebumps after hearing the songs a hundred times already. Here is my opinion of all the songs:
1. No One Mourns The Wicked-9/10- Awesome song by Kristin Chenoweth that shows off her opera training.
2. Dear Old Shiz-6/10- Not a very important song, but in the show it is our first glimpse of Elphaba. Still a good song, but can be skipped.
3. The Wizard And I-10/10- This is Idina's first song and she is amazing! I get goosebumps when i hear this.
4. What Is This Feeling?-9/10- I grew to like this song after a while. It is actually very funny and I liked it even more when i saw it.
5. Something Bad-7/10- Not my favorite song, its the only song William Youmans sings, and he does well (for having to sing like a goat!). Idina sings toward the end which makes it even better.
6. Dancing Through Life-10/10- This is a very fun song that Norbert Leo Butz sings. It gets the whole cast singing, including Michelle Federer who plays Nessarose (she sings another song that got cut from the CD that i will review at the end)
7. Popular-9/10- I grew to love this song after a while. Kristin Chenoweth is so funny, i was cracking up when i saw it live. A very funny typical musical number.
8. I'm Not That Girl-9/10- This is one of Idina's solo songs. it is fantastic, full of emotion.
9. One Short Day-8/10- A good song with upbeat music that involves the ensemble.
10. A Sentimental Man-6/10- Joel Grey is very good in this song, im just not a fan of this song.
11. Defying Gravity-11/10- The breathtaking act 1 finale that will leave you in awe every time you hear it. Idina and Kristin are amazing! (Its even more breathtaking live, especially when Elphaba defys gravity!)The end will give you goosebumps and leave you speechless.
12. Thank Goodness-8/10- Good song by the ensemble and Kristin Chenoweth who again shows off her opera training. Its a good act 2 opener.
13. Wonderful-7/10- Not my favorite song. Again Joel Grey is great, and Idina is great when she sings.
14. I'm Not That Girl (reprise)-7/10- Kristin Chenoweth sings this short reprise of I'm Not That Girl. Its a very smart song thrown in, and if youve seen the show, youll understand why. shes singing it.
15. As Long As You're Mine-10/10- Awesome duet between Idina and Norbert Leo Butz. This is a very sweet love song, and the singing and emotion is so powerful.
16. No Good Deed-10/10- One of my personal favorites! This is one of those songs where Idina shines. The song is full of emotion, and a sudden realization for Elphaba.
17. March of the Witch Hunters-7/10- Good song by the ensemble (and a main character, but i wont say who)
18. For Good-10/10- Idina and Kristin's powerful duet as they say goodbye to each other. This song will bring tears to your eyes (im tearing up thinking about it) because of the emotion both women put into the song.
19. Finale-10/10- This song is like a mix of No One Mourns the Wicked and For Good. It actually makes my cry more than For Good (only after i saw it live). This is the perfect end to the perfect musical.
(20.) The Wicked Witch of the East-10/10- This is Michelle Federer's (Nessarose's) song that was cut from the album. I was extremely disappointed because she has a beautiful voice that, in this song, can be as powerful as Idina at times. She is so full of emotion when she sings and speaks. This song was cut because it would give too much away and most of it is dialogue. It is still one of my favorites.
If you read this review and still dont believe the CD is amazing, take it from the 300+ other reviews that say it is. I listen to this constantly and it never gets old, and i dont think it ever will. "Wicked" is a musical full of so much heart, it will be a part of Broadway and our hearts for years to come.
Free Music Review: Best musical I've seen in years...
Hit: 5 Stars
I saw this on Broadway last week, bought the CD during the break between the two acts, and have been listening to it almost constantly since. Both the musical and it's music are simply one of the most awesome things to come out of Broadway in years.The CD starts off, like the play, with the somewhat discordant "No One Mourns the Wicked", which took me quite some time to warm up to -- it's a strange piece introducing everything, and while perfectly fitting setup for the story to come, it's hard to like. "Dear Old Shiz" is a mostly forgettable "school song" piece returning the story back in time to when Galinda (the future Glinda) and Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch) first met at school.
The first real hint of greatness comes with the third track, "The Wizard and I", which is, on the surface, a nice song about Elphaba's hopes and dreams for the future, but underneath contains delightful irony. "What is this Feeling" follows up with a fairly funny and entertaining telling of Galinda and Elphaba's initial feelings toward each other, while "Something Bad" provides the listener the only real hint on the CD about the underlying conflict ("Animals should be seen and not heard") which drives the plot. "Dancing through Life" introduces Fiyero, and has some entertaining bits, but is mostly fluff.
It's when Kristin Chenoweth (Galinda) sings "Popular" that you get hooked. This is an incredibly funny song, sung exquisitely by Kristen. Despite it's humor, it drives home an important theme of the show - it isn't how you look, or what you are that's important, it's how others perceive you to be. From this point on, every song is chock full of meaning, and almost all the remaining tracks are awesome, with only a few exceptions.
"I'm Not That Girl" is a simple, moving song about love that can't be, and "One Short Day" is an extravaganza introducing the Emerald City which, at least to me, evoked a Disney theme park right from the start, and also slyly plays with your perceptions of things. "A Sentimental Man" is Joel Grey's (The Wizard) first full song, and isn't really much by itself without getting the context of the rest of the musical, including things the audience hasn't yet seen. (In that context, or if you read the book, it's incredibly ironic...)
"Defying Gravity" is the Act 1 ending, and it's an incredibly awesome and satisfying showstopper -- Idina Menzel (Elphaba) gives a performance that has to be heard to be believed. This is the turning point of the show, and worth buying the CD for just this one track.
"Thank Goodness" opens Act 2, and Kristen's performance here clearly shows how her character has changed by the events ending Act 1. Along with "Wonderful", which follows it, they drive the theme of how people are perceived right out into the open.
"As Long as You're Mine" is a nice song between Elphaba and Fiyero that builds up that love relationship and sets the stage for the next song, "No Good Deed", where Idina once again shows how incredible a performer she is. "The March of the Witch Hunters" is more a stage piece than anything else - it advances the story a great deal, but a lot of it assumes you know things which happened in-between the songs.
"For Good" is a touching and beautiful song reconciling Glinda and Elphaba before the end, and is reprised in part by the "Finale", which is a bit disappointing musically, but is another one of those pieces which needs to be seen on stage for the best impact.
The biggest flaw in the CD is that it would have been nice for those who have NOT seen the show if there were some notes about the context of the songs, even though that might reveal some plot twists (and there are quite a few of those...). But while this may not be perfect, it's still a great CD and worth listening to if you like Broadway musicals. Highly recommended.
Free Music Review: *Huzzah for Wicked*
Hit: 5 Stars
I recieved my first taste of Wicked on an airplane, and oddly enough, I hated it! However, I didn't give it much of a chance. I listened to it again, and I then realized how wonderful it was. Kristin Chenowith and Idina Menzel really hold up the show with their beautiful voices. Kristin, with her beautiful and heady soprano, is Glinda. Idina Menzel, with her strong belting ability, is Elphaba. Norbert Leo Butz is a bit above average with his Fiyero, and Federer is excellent in the little part that she sings as Nessarose.
No One Mourns the Wicked: 7/10 It starts off really slow, but it is worth listening to. Glinda shows her phenominal talent as she hits her highest notes in the show. The history of how Elpahaba is born in also interesting
Dear Old Shiz: 1/10 Hideous, Hideous number. The only bad song in the show: extrememly slow and resembles religious chanting. Worth skipping over...
The Wizard and I: 9/10 The beggining is a bit slow with Madame Morrible's boring intro, but once Idina starts, the song is unforgettable. She shows her extremely powerful voice here, and starts us rooting for her.
What Is This Feeling?: 8/10 This is a good number, and many people's favorite. One of the second better of the duets w/ Idina and Kristin. Very catchy and funny, and will stick in your head all day.
Something Bad: 4/10 Not horrible, but it doesn't showcase alot of talent. It can be amusing if you have a good sense of humor.
Dancing Through Life: 10/10 One of my favorites!!! Very very catchy, and keeps your toes tapping the whole time. Butz is his best in this song. I also extremely enjoy Boq and Nessarose.
Popular: 10/10 Yet another one of my favorites. Kristin is absolutely amazing and keeps you laughing the whole time. A must listen, and shows Kristin's comic brilliance.
I'm Not That Girl: 10/10 The only song that Idina doesn't belt, and she uses it well. She tones her voice down for a soft and heartbreaking ballad or hopelessness. Guaranteed to make you cry!
One Short Day: 7/10 Not one of my favorites. It includes the whole cast, and they sing well, but the song doesn't do much for me. But you might like it!
A Sentimental Man: 5/10 Boring and Mediocre. Not one of Joel Gray's best.
Defying Gravity: 10/10 Undeniably one of the showcases of the whole show. Idina really lets her voice go, and delivers one of the most powerful performances ever.
Thank Goodness: 9/10 The best cast song on the albulm. Kristin is obviously the star of this song, especially with the spectacular note she hits at the end (listen for it!!!!!).
Wonderful: 10/10 Joel Grey & Menzel team up to have a toe-tapping masterpiece. Joel makes us all laugh with his vaudeville/cabaret song. Wonderful...
I'm Not That Girl (Reprise): 7/10 It's just a reprise people, except with Kristin. An allright song, but there's nothing really to comment on.
As Long as You're Mine : 10/10 The one and only love song in the show, and both heartbreaking and romantic. Hautingly beautiful and the two have great chemistry. And I don't think that the orchestration is weak at all!
No Good Deed: 10/10 MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!! The best song of the entire show. Idina finally lets all her talent break out in the belted despairing song. Will definently make you understand Elphaba's reasoning, and also guaranteed to make you cry!
March of the Witch Hunters: 8/10 Amusing, and the Tin Man's little solo is fun.
For Good: 10/10 Hauntingly beautiful, and the strange combination when you match Kristin and Elphaba's voices together. Makes you cry and want to yell at the stereo to tell Elphaba to stay at Glinda's side. Very bittersweet!
Finale: 8/10 Not my favorite ending, but allright.
This is a must have CD, and you should also read the original novel by Maguire.
Free Music Review: Wickedly Wonderful...
Hit: 5 Stars
I would just like to start the review with a comment about the musical. Okay, here it goes... "WOW!" I am a huge fan of The Wizard of Oz and everything associated with it, so of course when I heard about this musical,"The untold story of the witches of Oz," I HAD to get the soundtrack. I have listened to the soundtrack about three times through since I received it on Christmas. I will now go through song by song and review each one...1. No One Mourns the Wicked
- The song starts off with power as the orchestra really shows off. The chorus also gives us a very good impression with their beatiful harmony as they proclaim "Good News! The Witch of the West is dead!" Kristin Chenoweth first introduces her beautiful voice with an opera sound. The switching back and forth between present and past is nice here. The song ends triumphantly.
2. Dear Old Shiz
-A nice introduction to the school. The chorus has great harmony here.
3. The Wizard and I
-I love this song! Idina Menzel really shines. She shows great range and gives us a lot to look forward to in the songs to come.
4. What is this Feeling?
-A very cute song. I really like it. I love the musical arrangement and the chorus's involement. Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel have some great harmony.
5. Something Bad
-A nice little song. Shows the faith that the citizens of Oz have for the wizard since Elphaba (Idina Menzel) assures Dr. Dillamond (William Youmans) that nothing bad can happen in Oz.
6. Dancing Through Life
-Wonderful! One of my favorties. Norbert Leo Butz (Fiyero) is great. He has a very nice voice. The rest of the cast involved in this song (Kritin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Michelle Federer, Chris Fitzgerald) are great also. The song has a lot of changes in the music and every cast member stays right with it and never skips a beat. The orchestra is awesome during the musical break. I dance along with this song everytime I hear it.
7. Popular
-OMG! Great!! Kristin Chenoweth is hilarious! Especially when she cracks her voice in the middle of the word "Popular." It is so funny. She has the cutest little voice. Brings back memories of when she played the role of Sally Brown in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" singing "My New Philosophy."
8. I'm Not That Girl
-Another great one from Idina Menzel. Very soft and sweet.
9. One Short Day
-A great song to show off the voices of the chorus as their voices blend very nicely.
10. A Sentimental Man
-A song by Joel Grey (the wizard). It shows his cute voice and gives us a little intro to what we will hear in his upcoming song "Wonderful."
11. Defying Gravity
-Another one of my favorites. Both Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel shine again with their powerful voices. Also another triumphant end.
12. Thank Goodness
-I keep talking about the chorus but they are just wonderful and they are great here again along with Kristin Chenoweth.
13. Wonderful
-Joel Grey is great in this song. And funny! He is terrific as the wizard.
14. I'm Not That Girl (reprise)
-Kristin Chenoweth is very good. Very soft and sad.
15. As Long as You're Mine
-A great duet between Idina Menzel and Norbert Leo Butz. "Wicked!"
16. No Good Deed
-A showstopper by Idina Menzel. Very powerful and emotional.
17. March of the Witch Hunters
-A good song. Introduces the Tin Man and the Lion which is a nice tie back to The Wizard of Oz.
18. For Good
-Beautiful!! This is my FAVORITE song. Very touching and sentimental. Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel have great harmony on this song.
19. Finale
-A very quick and powerful ending to this musical masterpiece.
I strongly suggest purchasing this soundtrack. Go out and get it NOW!!! You will not regret it.
Free Music Review: Wicked is a classic
Hit: 5 Stars
Over Labor Day, George and I finally got the chance to see Wicked. We'd been wanting to see this since it had gotten so much buzz on Broadway, but we didn't plan far enough ahead when we went to New York, and I wasn't fast enough on the ball to get tickets here in Los Angeles before the entire 6-week run quickly sold out. So we made a trip to San Francisco to see it there. We are so glad we did. The show is absolutely phenomenal: great music, great story, great performances, great staging. It completely deserved to win Best Musical Tony and then some. Some shows are enjoyable for an evening, but every once in a while, you experience a show that you know you'll remember for years if not a lifetime.
So what makes Wicked so incredible? Any classic show has a great story for its foundation. Wicked begins with a creative concept: the "back story" of the Wizard of Oz, expaining what really went on before and during the story we know so well. Imbue the story with great characters and great themes. In this upside-down Oz story, we only catch a fleeting glimpse of Dorothy's shadow, while the focus is on Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the "good witch"). Subverting everything we thought we knew about Oz, we learn that Elphaba may not actually have been so wicked after all, but perhaps just misunderstood because she is green. There is great character development in the interaction between Elphaba and Glinda (who is, in a word, blonde) as fate makes them roommates at school. One of the great themes dealt with in this story is judging people by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. (While the green-skinned Elphaba primarily makes this point, it has also been subtly reinforced with some of race-blind casting. On Broadway, Ben Vereen played the Wizard of Oz, while in San Francisco, we had a white Wizard and the handsome black actor Derrick Williams took over the romantic lead which was created on Broadway by white Norbert Leo Butz.) Another great theme is the conflict between being true to your own values versus doing what is popular and politically expedient. The Wizard is a man of the expedient school, and while he is not very admirable, he does make a wise point when he explains (in song) to Elphaba that history is written by the winners, and the only difference between a dictator and a liberator is in who is telling the tale. As the story sounds notes on these lofty themes, the characters evolve in interesting ways, primarily Elphaba and Glinda, but also Fiyero (the romantic interest), the Wizard, and Elphaba's sister Nessarose (a.k.a. the Wicked Witch of the East). The story is neither simple nor sugar-coated, but from its darkish Dickensian tone, notes of hope and heroism come through, though alloyed by realism and cynicism.
This intriguing story is elevated and made to soar with music that is still in my head weeks later (and not because I bought the CD -- I didn't -- though I put it on my Amazon wish list). From laugh-out-loud numbers like "What is this Feeling?" (when Elphaba and Galinda first meet) and "Popular" (Galinda doing an "extreme makeover" on Elphaba), to show-stopping inspirational numbers like "The Wizard and I" and "Defying Gravity", to the beautiful, tear-drawing "Changed For Good", Stephen Schwarz' music and lyrics are classic. Add to this a marvelous set that enhances the production at every turn, with some impressive stagecraft, but no gimmickry for gimmickry's sake (a lesson that the LA Center Theatre Group's new artistic director appears to be learning the hard way, but that's another story).
I don't know why they're doing such short runs in major cities like LA and SF. This could have easily run for months if not years in Los Angeles, as the Phantom did. But if you have to hop on a plane to New York, Chicago, or somewhere else, go see this musical!