WICKED CD- CHEEZ WIZ OR WIZ CHEEZ?

[Mrs B]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 12:39am

I treated myself to the Wicked cd. I have not seen the show so I can't fairly critique what goes on onstage (hear that B.O.B.? Don't criticize something you haven't seen).

The cd is fascinating to me- some of it is gooes bump inducing and some of it so so awful I have a hard time reconciling the fact it is all one show.

DANCING THRU LIFE is the cheesiest song I have heard- it would have been out of place even in SEESAW. And will someone explain Butz to me? Is he terribly charismatic? He seems so theme park on this and on Last 5 Years.

Idina gives vocals that are terribly exciting. But I don't get much vulnerability from her- esp in NOT THAT GIRL. But she has cords of steel.

Kristen- she is funny but it sounds like CHARLIE BROWN, PART II. POPULAR might as well be called MY NEW FOUND POPULARITY. And forgive the blasphemy, but she is off pitch in the "try us" line and at the beginning of LOATHING. She has an amazing range, but she seems rather one note- well, as one note as someone with a gazillion octave range can be.

Still, as much as parts of it make me wince, I fnd myself enjoying it muchly. I am not a fan of how OVER EMPHASISED the internal rhymes ("Nessa/Confess a" comes to mind) are- Sondheim he ain't- but thank God he's not Fred Ebb either.

Still, I find it promising that a not perfect show on disc is doing well. Are the days of everything needing to be THE BEST SHOW EVER!!!!over? Are we back to pleasant shows that entertain, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts?

Sigh. Off to bed. To the library early in the morning.

Happy 2004!

[Schmack]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 12:51am

I'm glad somebody else is annoyed by the "Nessa/Confess a" because that line specifically drives me mad! There are a few more in the show like that and it really (in my opinion) shows an inadequacy (sp?) in Schwartz as a lyricist. Maybe he should have gotten another person to do it for him if his rhymes and phrases aren't up to par. I'm not saying I could do better but I'm not at the helm of a very expensive Broadway show.

PS - I loved Norbert Leo Butz on the L5Y cd, but I almost can't stand him on the WICKED recording. I don't know why exactly - he just seems extra loud and annoying. Perhaps it's a character choice. I'm really anxious to see this show, hopefully it can put some things into perspective and answer some questions induced by the recording.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 12:59am

I actually thought Joel Grey was the highlight of the CD for me. One line in Wonderful I just love. "There are precious few at ease with moral ambiguities." I just love the sound of it. Call me crazy. If someone posts next "you're crazy" I will hunt them down like a dog.

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 1:26am

I also recently got the CD and I am seeing the show next week. I was terribly torn by the CD. Well not terribly but I was torn. I found a few of the songs to be very exciting "Defying Gravity" (even with it's predictable rhyme patterns), "The Wizard and I," "Popular", and "Wonderful" (Joel Grey is WONDERFUL) but I felt as if several of the other songs belonged in a Disney Theme Park show- particularly "One Short Day."

Side Note To Mrs.B- I have seen everything I talk about. You doubt that than simply ask me questions about the production and I will be more than glad to answer them for you.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 2:08am

In Popular, Kristen is in something called "character."

[bernadette88]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 2:18am

well said bwaytheatre11!!!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 9:55am

I enjoy the show, and personally feel OD'ed on the score debate, which raged on these screens throughout the autumn of 03. But I much appreciate Sumofall's comment on the "Wonderful" lyric. Perhaps it's the new year, and the state of my mind re the state of the world. I find myself drawn to the whisp of a political commentary, prominent in Maguire's book but only hinted at in the musical. I think people sucked in by the Disney will find themselves startled to confront relevant issues in the Wizard's machinations and handling of heroine Elphaba. Madame Morrible's ascent into Ashcroft-like power tripping also causes people to sit up in their Gershwin seats and squirm. Even a "mindless" musical can have something on its mind. Bravo.

Updated On: 1/2/04 at 09:55 AM

[broadway geek]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 11:14am

Auggie27 thanks for bringing that up. I thought the show had some very political moments that surprised me by their frankness. I'm glad that the audience got them also.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 11:17am

Well said Auggie, well said.

[sondheimfreak]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 12:03pm

The suggestion that Schwartz's lyrics be written by other people is crazy! He is know for his music AND lyrics, and in one of the best Disney scores of all time, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, he wrote the lyrics to Alan Menkens music for an incredible "show" if you will.

[BroadwayBaby3]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 12:39pm

i think if you saw the show you'd let the little problems go. it's so amazing that the occasional bad rhyme or cheesy melody doesn't really matter. i hate that people are listening to this CD before seeing the show, because it kind of ruins it.

[Elphie]

Posted: 1/2/04 at 2:35pm

Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth are amazing. Ten times better live. And Norbert Butz is so fresh sounding in DANCING THROUGH LIFE that I think you will ignore the cheeziness of it and enjoy it. Come one- all musicals when looked at very carefully are cheesy.