Idina was BEAUTIFUL!!!- Page 3

[BillFinn]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 3:21pm

People who have seen the show. What is the point of the reprise to "Im Not That Girl"? The song is something a teen would sing in Elphaba's situation, so why is older Glinda singing it?

The best worst lyric has to be:
Scrounging for scraps of pity to pick up, and longing to kickup my heels...

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 3:41pm

I only saw the show once, and I really don't remember when she sang that reprise, but as a guess I assume she sings it because the entire city of Oz and The Emerald City have an assumption of who Glinda is, and in her mind she's not that person (or at least not anymore).

[DefyingGravity]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 4:00pm

you people are bashing something that isn't even what you will see on stage?! it was TOTALLY different, the ensemble doesnt even open for Defy Gravity, they dont sing in it until the end, Kristin wasnt there to perform so the usual 9 minute Defy Gravity performance had to be cut down and erase Kristins part for Idina, give the cast a break and go see the show already before you make any judgements

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 4:08pm

Exactly, DG.

and as far as the effect goes... Elphie's flying is a big WOW moment at the end of the act, they don't want to give away the full efect in an appearance like that

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 4:21pm

Why does Glinda sing "I'm Not That Girl Reprise"?

WELL, because Fiyero likes the green girl..."As Long AS You're Mine" is immediately after "I'm Not That Girl Reprise" does it make sense now?

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 4:32pm

o, yes, and about the ensemble parts of the song, they did seem hideous last night. There was one man in the ensemble with the mosty utterly ANNOYING voice, that I simply could NOT take seriously, and he seemed to be louder than everyone else in the ensemble put together. Thank God its not this way live.

"When I took an elective this summer on Lyric Writing, they always told me to make my lyrics personal. Don't be general. And ironically, don't use any tense of the word "fly". That's really general."

Frankly, that's the point. It's a very general and very personal lyric at the same time. It's literal and figurative at the same time. While in Elphaba's life the song's meaning refers to literally "Flying hig, defying gravity," to someone else, it can mean attempting what everyone else thinks is impossible, just as it is impossible to defy gravity. Basically that song can touch base with most people in a personal way. I wouldn't say using any tense of fly is a bad idea at all here

[Madame X]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 4:44pm

"And ironically, don't use any tense of the word "fly". That's really general."

Ok I have to ask - why can't use any tense of the word fly?

[BillFinn]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 4:47pm

All I'm saying is that it's poor character development if you're having older Glinda sing a reprise of something 19-yr old Elphaba sang. Glinda knows all along Fiyero doesn't love her and the audience knows it as well at the end of "Couldn't be Happier" so what is the point of the reprise even being there?

The phrase "Defying Gravity" isn't something Elphaba would think up while experiencing an epiphany. It's not consistent with the character Gregory or Winnie have made. The entire song is very flashy and defintley made for the "show" part of the musical. People have said it before in this thread that Defying Gravity is one of the core moments in WICKED that should be showcased if you want people to come see this show and I think Schwartz knew that when he was writing it as a powerhouse duet for Kristin and Idina.

[Hello Gorgeous]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 5:11pm

I watched "Defying Gravity" this morning probably 3 times before my bus came (I know I have no life). Idina sounded incredible, a little flat in the beginning, but she really made that up at the end. I'm so excited to see this show again. And even with green makeup, like someone posted (sorry I can't remember who it was), you can tell how gorgeous Idina is off-stage...

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 5:17pm

"All I'm saying is that it's poor character development if you're having older Glinda sing a reprise of something 19-yr old Elphaba sang" No actually it's very good character development, because, first of all, Glinda, is not the epitome of maturity at her ag, she quite the contrary, and it make sense with later events (won't mention anything, may kind of spoil a few things) that happen later. AS far as knowing Fiyero doesn't love her, maybe that's true in a way, but she was led to believe they'd get married, and she's the type of character that likes to convince herself that he'll come around, and love her in the end anyway. On top of that, even if she knew in her heart Fiyero didn't love her, she wasn't aware that it was because of her best friend.

"The phrase "Defying Gravity" isn't something Elphaba would think up while experiencing an epiphany." You sure about that? I mean she IS defying gravity, literally. But if you really feel that she wouldn't come up with that while having an epiphany, you're right, she probably wouldn't, but she wouldn't start singing during an epiphany either.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 5:18pm

The concept of flying has been over used in musical theater, pop songs, art in itself as a symbol for freedom. My professor was just suggesting to try to steer away from that and to find my own uniqueness in writing lyrics.

[Elphie]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 8:19pm

Idina is so amazing, the most breath-taking performance I have ever seen in my history of going to musical theatre. Yes, I can agree, the score isnt the best in all creation- like the ensemble numbers- all they do is repeat the same lyrics over and over again and it kind of gets repetitive in a way. But the solo and duets are beyond belief- well look at the two leading ladies presenting them. As for Elphaba defying gravity, thats totally in the character. Elphaba doesnt want to go by the rules anymore- she wants to be someone and we all know where that gets her...but still, its shows her compassion but yet her strong beliefs. "Everyone should have the chance to fly."

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 8:22pm

That's ok. I watched it a total of 4 or 5 times today...

[BillFinn]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 8:46pm

*****Spoilers******

I can understand why Schwartz put that there. To show a link between Elphaba and Glinda. That's cute and all. It really is. Thinking about it now, Older Glinda, the same woman who seeks to revenge Elphaba by telling Morrible to get her through Nessa, would be at a maturity level to be feeling things a 19 yr old girl would. But then, Glinda's heart all of a sudden becomes forgiving when Nessa dies and she decides to sing a lovely "For Good"? That's too quick of a change for her.

BroadwayGirl, no one would start singing during an epiphany, but it's a musical. Can anyone honestly tell me before WICKED, the musical, began that when they saw a witch fly during Halloween time, they said to themselves "OMG! LOOK! A WITCH IS DEFYING GRAVITY!". No, you can't. It amazes me that the Wizard had Elphaba on his side the entire time right up until she found Dr. Dillamond, and in that, what? 5 minute interval? something has changed within her. "I can't want it anymore". Once again, Winnie switches the character's motivations within a modicum of time.

[Elphie]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 9:45pm

BillFinn- I love your icon! Nessarose was so beautiful- even though she too was misunderstood. I felt sympathy for her, while despising her at the same time- she just needed some. Stupid Biq or Boq- whatever his name was.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 9:49pm

Elphie, I know! Michelle Federer is very beautiful in WICKED and I'm in love with her voice. I recently just went through a "Boq" experience myself, so that's why Nessa is my favorite character. It's funny. The ass told me the same stuff Boq told Nessa. -
"Can't we part as friends?"
"I never meant to hurt you"
Ah, the Boq's of our lives. What would we do without them.

[Elphie]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 9:55pm

Nessa is excellent, I love the sisterly love despite it all though Nessa caused many turmoils through out the novel. Her name is so pretty though- Nessarose. I wanted to meet the actress playing her afterwards..but she somehow slipped away. Stupid Joel Grey disappearing through another door. Fine, we dont want you anyway. Rock on WICKED fans!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 11:11pm

Oh my god. Nessarose is one of the most misused characters in that show. And the woman who plays her is terrible. Absolutely horrible. HORRIBLE. Do you hear me? It's almost as if some witch somewhere has flown over your house and written SURRENDER CRITICAL FACULTIES in the sky. A very important character in the novel has been reduced to a cipher onstage.

Updated On: 11/19/03 at 11:11 PM

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 11:20pm

I agree name..she was horrible..I have more talent in my pinkie fingernail.

[guttertanzer]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 11:32pm

I just have to say that I wasn't so interested in Wicked from what I read in New York magazine but I just watched "Defying Gravity" and I cried. CRIED! It was too beautiful and goosebumps!It was just an amazing performance and I'm def. going ot see it next week if I can only get tickets...Now on another note, I saw Taboo last weekend and I was very pleased. However, this is coming from someone who saw Dance of the Vampires three times. In conclusion, people can say if they think a show is better than another but the bashing is not needed.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 11:49pm

I love your post. And that you concluded with a conclusion! No bashing from me. Now, the people willing to not only overlook Wicked's flaws but to praise them as assets? THAT'S a different story.

[jcr279]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 11:58pm

Someone asked that someone who has seen the show and Letterman tell how the performances differed.....I'll have a go at it. I think I said this way earlier but let me just stress to anyone who wants to know. I liked the Letterman performance but it does not compare to how the song is in the actual show. Yes it is still really Idina's big song but Kristin is a huge part of it. It does not start with the ensemble at all and Elphaba doesn't just stand there and sing like she did last night. She and Glinda are together and Elphaba is trying to get Glinda to go escape with her but Glinda chooses not to. It is a WONDERFUL moment in the show. They sing a verse and chorus together and Idina enchants the broom and they are literally standing there beside the broom and Elphaba sings something about "we'll be the greatest team there ever was" and so on but Glinda says "no, but I hope you're happy choosing this" and so on. The song is about 10 minutes long and the ensemble sings in the very end only. So once again, the performance last night was good but it pales in comparison to the real thing. I don't want to give too much away, you just have to see the show to know what I mean. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end at the end of that number......I think they did what they could considering the location and Kristin's absence. As a matter of fact, I believe they let Elphaba sing some of the lyrics from Wizard and I in the middle of the song last night. To sum it up, it all makes so much more sense IN THE SHOW:) Hope that helped....

[BillFinn]

Posted: 11/20/03 at 1:04am

Namo, I applaud you for not picking on gutter for crying during the Letterman performance.

The beginning was the Witch Hunter's Chant, and then Defying Gravity was chopped up with that "Unlimited" verse from The Wizard and I.

[MlleDaae]

Posted: 11/22/03 at 3:59pm

About Glinda singing "I'm Not That Girl"...yes everyone in the aidience knows and Glinda knows...but there's a difference with knowing and admitting it. She finally admits it to herself...out loud. Eh...I'm just guessing.
 

Updated On: 7/12/19 at 03:59 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/22/03 at 6:28pm

This is a late response to an old thread, but the argument against using flying metahpors in the lyrics of this show seems unfair.

This is a show loaded with levitation spells, sorcery classes -- and yes, flying witches. Seems to me that Schwartz tried hard to avoid the most obvious flying imagary (we're spared a cute soft shoe with a broom, or Peter Pan-like retreads about whizzing past the stars, etc), and chose 'defying gravity' because its scientific motif matched the (mored) educated Elphaba's cerebral sensibility. She arrives at Shiz the deeper of the two women, well-read, "serious," and not prone to glib pronouncements or poetic similies. She is articulate from the start, hardly a tongue-tied soubrette, so it actually makes sense that her character might express an emotional epiphany in quasi-aeronautical terms. The moment even organically grows out of a cruel misuse of the "skill" of flying, which Elphaba has a passionate response to (the monkey biz). There may be cliches sprinkled through this show's lyrics, but surely this is one place where employing one - with a fresh spin -- applies.

Updated On: 11/22/03 at 06:28 PM