Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast)

Just Awesone! You can't go wrong - if you love this musical, you'll love this!

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!"

wow its unfortunate how so many people have bad taste and do not know good music. my freind plays this cd a lot and it is so generic,and corny the broadway shows now are lame and unimagintive.very corporate and cheesy what has happend to creativity and art in theater in movies.i do not like this cd or show i couls care less if this review is unhelpful. I recommend much ado about nothing,brillant example of good music,orlando,1492 conquest of paradise(never can go wrong with vangelis,and last but not least passion. skip this horrid cheap wanna be artistic generic music and production. boo!Yuck! for clueless listeners on;y.:)

The concept of "Wicked" is great. Unfortunately, the songs heard on the CD lacked an igredient to make you sing it repeatedly after hearing it initially. There were no block buster hits such as we heard in the original "Wizard of OZ" or the "Wiz". I still am glad I bought it and plan to see the theatrical performance when it becomes available in Florida.
Thank you
HV

I've read a lot of the reviews for this CD, and I don't get it. Some people are reviewing the musical itself, which seems silly. Obviously, if you don't like Stephen Schwartz or mainstream plays, or whatever, you won't like this CD. So don't buy it. I personally loved the musical when I saw it on Broadway. Sure, it has some silly songs, and sure, it plays to a mainstream, family-oriented audience, but if this musical gets kids and "regular" (I mean, not artsy types) people introduced to musicals in general, why not? What is art if it is not shared with the masses? Nobody said it had to be radically different to be good. Most of the songs are very catchy, "thank goodness," and idina just blows me away everytime I listen to her sing these songs. I couldn't be happier.