As you will know if you've read my review of Wicked, the new musical at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London, I've become a bit of an obsessed fan. Having seen the show for the second time and gearing up for my third before the end of the year, I thought it timely to write a review of the original cast recording, which was what got me hooked in the first place.
A quick re-cap of the plot of the show: Elphaba and Glinda are the teenaged girls who will go on to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good in L. Frank Baum's novel, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In this take on the story, from the novel by Gregory Maguire, the premise is that Elphaba was not always evil, but because she is an outsider (she is green) her motives, which deep down are good, are misunderstood by the people of Oz and she is automatically presumed to ...
Advantages: brilliant songs, singing! Disadvantages: you want to see it again and again!
My boyfriend took me to see Wicked as an early Christmas present last year and I have to say it was one of the best Christmas presents ever. I didnt really know what to expect and from the moment it started I was blown away. The singing and the music is just incredible and the story is moving as well. I would definitely recommend for anyone, even those who dont like the ideas of musicals to go and see this.
The story links well with the Wizard of Oz and there are many little references to it throughout the show.
After the show I was given the soundtrack and now even 9 months later I still love listening to the songs and singing along.
A must see for everyone out there who loves singing, dancing and the glittery shows of the west end!
The plot of the show starts at the beginning of the Wizard of Oz, where the witch has been ...
Advantages: A great soundtrack of what will certainly be recognised as a Broadway classic Disadvantages: I honestly can't think of any!
with green skin. Here also is another moral aspect; does skin colour define who we are, or weather we are good or bad?
The score is a typical Schwarts pop score, with several strong numbers for both the leading ladies, like Popular and Defying Gravity. The ensemble is used a lot, making a lot of the music work as dialogue, moving the story forward.
On this recording Kristine Chenoweth and Edina Menzel make stuninng performances. They were both nominated for Tonys 2003 for these roles, and Menzel was the one who finally got the prize.
Trying my hardest to find some negative aspect to the show, I simply can't think of anything! Go and get it, is you don't already have it!
Tracks:
1. No One Mourns the Wicked
2. Dear Old Shiz
3. The Wizard and I
4. What Is This Feeling?
5. Something Bad
6. Dancing Through Life
7. Popular
8. I'm Not ...
![Merlin (Original Television Soundtrack) [Digipak] - Various Artists](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/409/prod_small-7033409.jpg)
