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: "Wonderful"!
Hit: 5 Stars
Wicked is a true phenomenon. A new musical with the potential to run for years, Wicked possesses certain qualities that distinguish itself from any other contemporary!
The biggest asset Wicked has is an amazing plot. Kudos goes to Gregory Maguire for creating the premise! Though Wicked does not follow the book, it has an intricate and enthralling plot guaranteed to bewitch you. The story of a green girl with amazing powers, Elphaba, and her very popular friend Galinda, the tale follows them through years at school and all the way until the bitter end. The most entrancing and original aspect of the plot is its novelty. Wicked takes the story we all know, and upon which many of us have been raised, and shows just how little we actually know! Before Wicked how many of us can explain the significance of the ruby slippers? Or for that matter even grant the simple kindness of giving her a name beyond "the witch"! None of us could. But Stephen Schwartz changed all that with his most remarkable musical.
Bringing me to second point. The music. Catchy and inspiring they help craft a tone that makes Wicked both tragic and comedic. Not often can the two merge so seamlessly, and the music helps to enable this.
Third point. The lyrics. They are incredibly witty and poignant. They will reveal deep ironies and foreshadowing. I for one could spend years interpreting the lyrics and finding nuances. In the song "Wonderful" the Wizrd tells Elphaba that he really just wanted to help the people in Oz. Elphaba retaliates by accusing him of lying. In return, he tells her "Elphaba, where I come from people believe all sorts of things that aren't true... We call it history!" and then he continues on to sing about our historical hypocrisy. Though superficially light and funny, this hits on a deep and sadly true fact of life!
Fourth point. Great cast. Who doesn't love Idina and Kristin? They are both so amazing, and with beautiful voices too!
If anyone criticizes this show, they just must be unable to appreciate the nuances to it. Whether they dislike the plot, or the music, some people will always dislike every great show. I'm sure many people hate "South Pacific" too! But I think Wicked has proven it can compete and endure. In LA (near where I live) the show has cleaned out the Pantages box offices. It completely wiped out the huge record set by "The Producers." As I write, the show runs in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Osaka, London, Melbourne, and Stuttgart. Future locations include Greensville, San Francisco, and more (Thanks to a tour!)! The show has a future that is truly "Unlimited"! With great acting, music, lyrics, and a story that could captivate any theater-lover, Wicked promises to be a major presence forever! So I will close with a selection from a Time review:
"If every musical had a brain, a heart, and the courage of Wicked, Broadway would really be a magical place!"
Free Music Review: Nothing Short of Spectacular
Hit: 5 Stars
I am a big fan of musicals, having been exposed to masterpieces such as The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables when I was no more than five. But since those two, I had not listenned a soundtrack that truly gripped my heart. I had seen Wicked displayed in the Broadway section of Borders, but never really gave it any consideration. Then a best of broadway cd was displayed and I decided to give that one a listen. "Defying Gravity" was the very last song on this best of broadway cd, and it astounded me. I decided I had to lend an ear to this new musical called "Wicked".
From my very first listen, I was hooked. The culmination of the openning number, "No One Mourns the Wicked", and last song of the first act, "Defying Gravity" (in which Idina Menzel, who portrays Elphaba: The Wicked Witch of the West, soars to a vocal climax high above the citizens of Oz) continue to shoot chills down my spine.
Any track with Idina Menzel is instantly a hit in my mind, as she is pure talent. "The Wizard and I", "Not that Girl", and especially "No Good Deed", are all brilliant displays of her vocal genius.
Kristin Chenoweth, who plays Glinda the Good, is also mystifying in her abilities. Her high-pitched comedic voice (paired with fantastic timing) make her unforgettable. In such songs as "Thank Goodness" and the aforementioned "No One Mourns the Wicked", Kristen's voice reaches an altitue which many singers could never dream of attaining.
Norbert Leo Butz, who plays Fiyero (the Winkie prince and love interest of both Glinda and Elphaba), is also very talented. His voice is immediately pleasing to the ear, with it's rock and roll undertones and occasional huskiness. "Dancing Through Life" showcases his talents quite effectively.
Joel Gray as the wizard is also quite remarkable, although his songs, "Sentimental Man" and "Wonderful" are not among the most memorable of the soundtrack.
The remaining characters and those of the company are also very extraordinary, and without them Wicked wouldn't be half the musical it is.
Lastly, Stephen Swartz's music is mind-blowing, and the perfect accompaniment to such talented performers. It is the music that wells up in the listenner's mind and really enables Wicked to explode there. Wicked's lyrics fit this music wonderfully.
I haven't seen Wicked on stage, although I am going to New York this summer as my graduation present (I'm seventeen) and plan to see it there and also at the Pantageas in Hollywood when it comes in June. I truly love this soundtrack, and I hope that on stage it will live up to all of my expectations.
The original cast is no longer with the on-stage production, so the soundtrack is the only way to truly witness the brilliance of Wicked as it was in the beginning. I reccomend it with all my heart.
Free Music Review: WICKED is 5 Stars
Actully I Give this Recording and Show 100 Million StarsI have seen Wicked once on Broadway with the original cast and once in Denver Colorado. From the moment you see Galinda/Glinda fly in on her bubble to the heart stopping second Elphaba, The Wicked Witch, takes flight ending Act 1 the the finalie this show is inspiring and Beautiful.
Now for the album, While Idina Menzel's booming voice sounds much, much better bouncing off the rafters in the Gershwin theater than on this cd it is still amazing and the same goes for Kristin Chenoweth. This cd is full of amazing orchrastrations and Whitty and Beautiful lyrics. I like everysong on the cd, but I will do a breakdown so you can make your own decision
1 No One Mournes the Wicked- A great opening song. 8/10
2 Dear Old Shiz- This song is short and progresses the story. 7/10
3 The Wizard and I- Amazing vocals from Menzel make this song one for the books. 10/10
4 What is This Feeling-Idina and Kristen blend well in this hurmors song. 9/10
5 Somthing Bad- The only time you get to hear doctor Cillmond sing adn he does it well, even if he does sound like a goat. 7/10
6 Dancing Through Life- A big splashy show stopper that is very enjoyable. 8/10
7 Popular- Kristin's big number is fun, funny, and a standout. 10/10
8 I'm Not That Girl-Again Idina shines. 8/10
9 One Short Day- Another show stopper. Makes me want to spend one day in OZ 10/10
10 A Sentimental Man- Short and Sweet. 7/10
11 Defying Gravity- Inarguably the absolute best song on the album and in the show. Idena gives this song her all. the ending will have you in tears every single time you hear it. 20/10
12 Thank Goodness- Another kristen song, a little long but enjoyable. 9/10
13 Wonderful-A song to spotlight Joel Grey's talent. 7/10
14 I'm Not That Girl (Reprise)-The only reprise on the album. Same as above, but with Chenoweth singing this time. 8/10
15 As Long as You're Mine-A truly intresting love song with a hint of longing. Norbert Leo Butz and Idina Menzel sound great together. 9/10
16 No Good Deed- Again Menzel belts it out in this song.
17 March of the Witch Hunters- A short song that progresses the story, It remindes me of ""The Mob Song" from Beauty and the Beast". 7/10
18 For Good- The final duet between Elphaba and Glinda. 9/10
19 Finale- Great! 7/10
* The Wicked Witch of the East- this song isn't included on the cd because it is mostly talking and would give away too much of the plot.
All in all this is a great Broadway musical and a great cast recording.
Free Music Review: Addictive!
Hit: 5 Stars
I saw Wicked last New Years' Day and straightaway fell in love, so I requested the soundtrack for my birthday, coming up four weeks later. It took me a little while to get into the songs I didn't like so much in the musical, but I love most songs:
"No One Mourns The Wicked"-3/10. Just skip it. It's way too long and pointless if you haven't seen the musical.
"Dear Old Shiz"-3/10. Shorter, but not worth any of your time.
"The Wizard And I"-9/10. Idina Menzel's first solo, as Elphaba dreams of her life when she works with the Wizard. Beautiful.
"What Is This Feeling"-10/10. A great duet with Kristen Chowineth (sorry about the spelling) as Galinda and Idina Menzel (again) as Elphaba. A bouncy song about how much they hate each other. Brilliant.
"Something Bad"-7/10. It's good, but nothing special. Idina's solo lines are perfect here, though.
"Dancing Through Life"-A little too long, but a good introduction to such characters as Fiyero, Nessarose and Boq. Worth listening to. Also Boq and Nessa's only song on the CD (Although in the musical, both sing part of "Wicked Witch Of The East")
"Popular"-10/10. What can I say? It's definitely a bubblegum pop type, yet it's so catchy and fun to sing. The happiest song on the CD.
"I'm Not That Girl"-10/10. A sweet slow ballad when Elphaba expresses how she feels about Fiyero, but how she believes he doesn't feel the same way. Another perfect performance by Idina, and quite sad. It would have been tricky to sing, so especially commendable.
"One Short Day"-8/10. Starts off well, and ends well, but before the end and halfway through it gets boring. Still worth a listen.
"A Sentimental Man"-5/10. Uninteresting. Not worth a listen.
"Defying Gravity"-10/10. While I didn't enjoy it as much as some did, Idina definitely did a great performance as her character decides to go her own way. A good finale for the first act.
"Thank Goodness"-4/10. Weak. Boring. Need I say more?
"I'm Not That Girl(Reprise)"-7/10. Not bad, and Kristen sings well, but no point in hearing it if you've listened to Idina's better and longer version.
"As Long As You're Mine"-8/10. I love Fiyero and Elphaba's romance as much as anyone, but this song doesn't stand out to me.
"No Good Deed"-11/10. Without a doubt, Idina outdid herself. Elphaba's expression of how she hasn't been able to do any good for herself, and she might as well give up.
"March Of The Witch Hunters"-N/A. I can't find this song on my CD, so I can't rate it.
"For Good"-7/10. It's so beautiful, but for some reason I just don't click with it.
"Finale"-7/10. A mix of "No One Mourns The Wicked" and "For Good". It's lovely, it's beautiful, but nothing special.
There you have it. Now go get the CD!
Free Music Review: Thank Goodness!
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD of the smash new musical now leading the boxoffice in New York is a somewhat uneven representation of the best new Broadway score of the new millenium. After the bland "Aida", the instantly dismissable "Producers", the quirky but annoying "Urinetown", and the pleasant but overwhelmingly derivative "Hairspray", Broadway has finally given up a score that moves and excites. Admittedly, "Wicked" is at times somewhat done in by an overreliance on 70s pop sensibilities, but there's an energy and excitement to this score that even Sondheim rarely achieves. It's a bit pokey in the early sections, but once Kristin Chenowith performs her charm number, the delightfully playful "Popular", the score comes into its own. Chenowith has been given a huge share of the credit for the show's success but Idina Menzel, as the evil witch, holds her own and is the heart and soul of "Wicked". From the lilting "I'm Not That Girl" to her whirlwind turns on "Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed", she brings passion and heartbreak to the lost Elphaba, Wicked Witch of the West. The recording itself is, unfortunately, somewhat spotty. The first duet for the two stars, "Loathing", is at times flat and at other times soaring. Both of Joel Gray's songs as the wizard are hardly memorable, and the overlong "Dancing Through Life" is one sidetrack this show could do without. In addition, some of the orchestrations rely too heavily on percussive bite, at the expense of rather delicate melodies. Still, when the two stars are front and center, the show rises to skies. The running theme of "Wicked" is not "good vs. evil" but rather, surface vs. substance, and how worthwhile people can sadly fail. These dichotomies are ever present in the unlikely friendship forged by the two witches, and it's quite thrilling to have a substantial show built around female bonding and identity. Chenowith and Menzel are the women to do the trick, and they turn "Wicked" into a passionate experience. As they go their separate ways in the eery but exciting "Defying Gravity", you sense the tragedies to come. Chenowith tries to keep things light in "Thank Goodness" but, as the show's theme asserts itself, the score naturally turns dark and foreboding, meaning that Menzel's Elphaba takes center stage. Her passion and rage on "As Long As You're Mine" and "No Good Deed" communicate a sense of loss that adds pathos to the proceedings. This makes the witches' denouement, "For Good", both a satisfying and precisely right culmination of the show. "For Good" is exquisitely tailored, and the stars bring a delicate honesty to their performances that is extremely moving. Whatever its failings, it is in this moment that "Wicked" proves itself more than a sum of its parts.