"Wicked" staged reading

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 2:14am

Hey Wicked fanatics,
I just got ahold of a CD recording of one of the original staged readings of Wicked. It has a lot of the original lyrics/music that were later altered or cut altogether. It is very interesting to listen to and see what was changed. It seems like originally the musical had much more in common with the original novel. It's also interesting to hear Idina back when the show was still being worked out. It is quite obvious she has gone through MUCH vocal training. It sounds like she is straining on a lot of notes.

There is a song called "Making Good", which was later replaced by "The Wizard and I". It is Elphaba singing to Nesarrose. It's a wonderful song, and part of me wishes it was still in the show. It has sort of a different emotional feel than Wizard and I. I'm curious as to what others think of the lyrics to this song, and how it has different meaning than The Wizard and I. To me, it makes what happens to Elphaba seem even more tragic. These lyrics have so much hope in them. Here they are:

Elphaba (spoken): Maybe I'll meet the Wizard some day.
Nessarose: Elphaba, it's just a school
Elphaba: No, it's just the beginning...
(Sung)
Unlimited
The future is unlimited.
And I just had a vision almost like a prophecy, Nessa...
You can call me crazy
And true, the vision's hazy,
But I swear someday there'll be
A celebration throughout Oz
That's all to do with me...
You'll see...

At long long last I'm making my way
Out of here.
Erase the past,
It's, as of today, clean and clear.
Today I start my quest
To find my special destiny
Be more than just the best I could
I'll be making good.

Cuz in my gut
I know I can do something great.
I don't know what yet,
But when I'm through, just you wait!
When they see all I've done,
They'll tell me "you're so wonderful"
We wish back then we'd understood
You'd be making good.

Good,
I'll be making good.
Undertaking new inventions or discoveries
Maybe find a cure for some disease,
Maybe make some great injustice cease,
Or perhaps create a masterpiece.
Something that astounds,
Something that amazes,
Something that has everybody
Singing my praiseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees (long note like "meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" in "Wizard and I")

The shouts of love will RING through the air
And what's more:
A certain governor will be there
Claiming credit for this magic child of his,
Boasting how proud he is of me
For doing things the Wizard would not even contemplate...
So they can go ahead and laugh
'Til their sides are aching
But if I do half what I feel in the making,
They'll be cheering after I have finished making good,
No, not making good,
Making greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat!

Thoughts?

There are lots of other differences, but I'll leave it at that for now. I don't even know if anybody will really care.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 2:18am

I still dont' think they made enough changes since what's on stage now could use a lot of work

Updated On: 6/27/04 at 02:18 AM

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 2:21am

Yeah, while I do love the show, I agree that it could use some re-working. I actually wish they had left some of the things that were changed. I like Fiyero's lines and solo in "No One Mourns the Wicked". I wish they had kept that. It makes the ending so much more interesting I think.

[Chip1012]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 2:34am

where did you get this recording? And how can I obtain it?

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 2:41am

Not in a store, I'm sure.

Putting bets on how long this thread stays up.

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 2:58am

I got it from someone in NYC. I was actually wondering if there were any legality issues with me posting the thread. I'm sure I'll find out if there are. We shall see.

[Gypsy2]

Posted: 6/27/04 at 7:18am

Making Good is such a great song, but I'm glad they replaced it with The Wizard and I. It is still a great song, but it didn't fit Elphaba's personaly that well. The Wizard and I is much more "her," and sets the mood for her goals later on.