Wicked

Hello & Welcome to Monstrous Musicals. Admittedly, I’m playing fast & loose with this title as some of these musicals may not seem appropriate but the core idea here is quite simple, starting today and every Monday throughout the month of October, I’ll be taking a look at musicals that I feel are fitting for this time of year. Today’s musical for example takes the classic Oz character of The Wicked Witch and puts a new spin on here and shows what happens when society decides to paint someone as a monster. This is Wicked.







No One Mourns the Wicked

You have no idea; how many times I had to listen to this song to try and figure out I wanted to say. As I was stumped by this one. But the more I listen to this one, Glinda (originally played by Kristen Chenoweth) seemed to be putting on an act and telling them what they wanted to hear.

As her fellow Ozians were so blinded by their hatred for the Witch, that no one could feel any sympathy for the Witch. None of them realize that all of Oz cast Elphaba (The Wicked Witch) (originally played by Indina Menzel) into this role that she did not want. She only took up the mantle to give Oz, The Wicked Witch, which they claimed her to be. Oh, that’s not to say that she didn’t have people that cared for her such as Glinda, who were her best friend and her love, Fiyero, who eventually becomes The Scarecrow but most everyone else that crossed her path despised poor Elphie. Why even from birth, she was an outcast, the first thing her father said upon the sight of his newborn daughter was



Take It Away Take It Away.







He was horrified by the sight that lay before him. Of course, this can all be traced back to the one night stand that his wife had with The Wizard as his green elixir.

Dear Old Shiz

I like this song and we really feel for the students’ allegiance to Shiz. The university, that they all attend and this is where we are introduced to the rest of the cast including Galinda, who is that? Well, that’s Glinda in her younger state but she went by a different name and was a bit of an airhead and a diva. Short, simple and to the point.



The Wizard and I

This song is one that could very much be classified as an “I Want” song, as we hear Elphaba sing about her dream of working with The Wizard and how she finally won’t be judged just based on her looks. I feel so happy for her and that joy comes through quite well. And that comes through so well onstage.

In many respects listening to this song and knowing what happens is almost in a way, tragic foreshadowing. Especially, when Elphie sings of a day that Oz will celebrate her. Well, that happened but not in the way, she probably wanted. Oh, and the lady you heard at the beginning was Madame Morrible, (originally played by Carole Shelly) the headmistress of Shiz and one of the antagonists.

And well, let’s just say that she uses Elphaba because of her sorcery powers and even tricks poor Elphie into using them in front of The Wizard, which leads to the creation of the flying monkeys. Though this comes much later.





What Is This Feeling?












Again, I love this number and the best way is to say that it’s a “Play It Again” type song. After you listen to it once, you just have to hear it again and the great detail that Elphie and Galinda go into about how much they loathe is so much fun. This is easily one of the best duets in the entire show; of course these two get the best numbers in the entire show. And I also think how in your face, the actresses get really sell this number. Just look.

Something Bad





That is Doctor Dillamond (originally played by William Youmans)  and he is a goat that teaches History at Shiz.  Something to keep in mind with Wicked is that is that there is a difference between Animals and animals.

The former have the ability to speak and talk and interact with other humans.   And in this song, Dr. Dillamond is expressing his fears of Animals losing their abilities to be able  to talk and it does eventually happen to the doctor as Elphie does come across him at one point and he had been turned into a regular non-speaking goat as a prisoner because he was arrested and removed from Shiz for teaching anit-Wizard material.   Seeing what happened to Doctor Dillamond is what truly sets Elphaba on the path to becoming The Wicked Witch of The West.







Dancing Through Life







This is easily one of my favorite songs from the show.  It gives all of the major characters that we will be following throughout the play time to shine from Fiyero (originally played by Norbert Leo Butz), Galinda, Elphaba,  Nessarose (originally played by Michelle Federer),  Boq (originally played by  Christopher Fitzgerald)  each time to shine.     I feel that this show truly shows how shallow Fiyero and Galinda are at this point,   let's start with Galinda.   The two big factors here, are Boq, the Munchkin boy that has a crush on her is not given the time of day by her and is instead pawned off on to Nessa, which leads to a long and unhappy relationship.  By the way, Boq becomes The Tin Woodsman.  And then the hat, that Galinda gives to Elphie is indeed the iconic hat.  She received it as a gift and thought it was ugly and decided to fake a nice gesture and give to Elphie.  But at the same time, Galinda is starting to see that is more to Elphaba and that she was to quick to judge her later on in this song and this does start the road to them becoming friends.   And Galinda even at one point kinda stands up for Elphie as pictured below with her badly dancing.

Popular





Something that I think sometimes gets overlooked referring to Wicked is Galinda's transformation into Glinda.  And in reality, this song is the first step in that, her offering her help to Elphaba to make her popular. It's a sweet song of how showing a friend is willing to help her new found friend climb the social ladder.

I'm Not That Girl






This is easily in my opinion of the saddest songs in the play. In it, we hear Elphaba sing of how she can't be with Fiyero because he is in love with Galinda and  comes to her truth that they were not meant to be.  In this song,  we hear Elphie sing of how she feels that she is always in the shadow of her closest friend and how that painful that truly is.   Something like about this number us that it is the way, it was staged in the production I saw with Elphaba singing overhead.



One Short Day







I love this song and it is nice to have a fun  song after I'm Not That Girl but the fun songs are about get far and few in between.   So, enjoy it!   We get to experience The Emerald City with Elphaba and Glinda.  It's a lot of fun to hear but I swear that when the Emerald City appeared onstage I was blinded by all of the green.  I needed sunglasses.

Yeah, like what Elphie and Glinda are wearing.



A Sentimental Man







This is the Wizard (originally played by Joel Grey), you are hearing there singing about how he always wanted to be a father.  Interesting!   This song is okay but it's too short but it does give a line that is mentioned next in the greatest song from this play.


Defying Gravity








This is the song, where everything really comes together and Elphaba dies and The Wicked Witch is born.  Elphaba throws away her old life because of how she is viewed and realizes that the only one, she can trust is herself because everyone  views her as The Wicked Witch. So, she gives them what they see. And this is where the two friends path part and they go their own ways.   This is easily one of the most popular songs from the show and it is not hard to see why, with how powerful the emotion is.  You truly feel the weight and emotion and know that Elphaba and Glinda mean every word, they are singing.





Thank Goodness







This is the opening of Act II  and  I think the two best things to describe this song are by taking a look at the two different portions.  First off,   you can feel the faking of Glinda and Fiyero's relationship.  As they really don't love each other and this is where we really start to notice the hatred Oz has for The Wicked Witch.  As they start spreading rumors such as water will melt her.  That doesn't actually work and also take notice that Fiyero still has feelings for Elphaba.  I feel the best way to describe this relationship is to say that it's one sided.   Also by this point, Fiyero is Captain of the Guard and he spends most of his time searching for Elphie.  And by the by,  even though you do not hear it in the song, Glinda can't stand what is being said but Fiyero calls her out as saying she loves the spotlight that is given to her as it feeds her ego.  And he is partially right and if you just hear how upset, he gets when they talk about Elphie, it's clear that he has feelings for her.



Wonderful








This song is a take it or leave it.  I mean, it is nice to have The Wizard's backstory explained and I like that Elphaba calls him out by pointing out that he lied and the vaudevillian nature of the song does fit The Wizard but I really don't care for it that much but it does work with him trying to sell himself as being wonderful and say that he bought into the hype from Oz but I say leave it.



I'm Not That Girl (Reprise)







I enjoy a good reprise and I think this is a good companion piece to the original number as now, we hear about how Glinda realizes that Fiyero doesn't love her and wishes to be with Elphaba, something that'll come with a price for our poor friend.


As Long as Your'e Mine







This number isn't bad and is a good love song and  I saw someone say on the Wicked Wiki that the background music almost adds a sense of forbidden love, which works because they both know that their love may not last with Elphaba being labelled a fugitive.     The atmosphere that is captured for this number works quite well in selling you that these two truly care for each other.

No Good Deed






This is often cited as the most powerful song from the show and it is not hard to see why.   Elphaba thinks that Fiyero is dead and comes to her realization that everything she does will end up hurting the ones, she loves.  As she reads a spell from the Grimmerie,   her spell book that gets into  trouble.



March of The Witch Hunters







This song really culminates in showing how much Oz has come to hate The Witch.   That is The Tin Woodsman, you are hearing.  He was Boq,  the Munchkin boy that loved Galinda.   Recall,  how I mentioned that he ended up in an unhappy relationship with Nessarose.   Well,  when he revealed his love for Galinda,  Nessa used a spell to make him heartless.  And to try and save him,   Elphie used a spell that could make it to where, he would be able to live without a heart.  Leading him to become The Tin Woodsman.   Boq was made to become Nessa's servant as she became the ruler of all of Munchkinland and he could only see what Elphaba did to try and save him as a curse.

For Good





It's funny but this is the very first song I ever heard from Wicked long before I owned the soundtrack or saw the musical.  And this is what led to me falling in love with this show and having to find the rest of the music.  It was this one song,  I heard it on either Today or Good Morning America.  Some morning show and I was taken aback by the raw and beautiful nature of this song.  This is a song of friendship showing how much these two meant to each other and how they have helped define who they are.  You may recall that last year I made a video for the site using this song.  Well that is because I consider each and everyone of you  a friend or sometimes something more such as an adorable little sister or an awesome big brother.   This song lets the beautiful nature of it speak for itself.   This is the perfect song to close out on.





Favorite/Least Favorite



Yeah,  I'm stealing this from Paw. But hey, he's not the only musical reviewer around. Though, he is one of my favorite reviewers around.  I'm going to give you my favorite & least favorite songs from the show.  Starting with Favorite.  Hmm, that's tough for this show as there are so many great songs but if  I had to choose,  I'd go with For Good & Defying Gravity as my two favorites from the show.  I believe that these two numbers really showcase the friendship between Elphie and Glinda quite well.  And shows how, they'll always be there for each other.  As for Least Favorite,  I have to go with Wonderful.  It's not a bad song and there aren't any bad songs in this show but that is just forgettable.



My Final Thoughts






I hope that this music gave you a taste of why I love this musical.  This musical is one of the most acclaimed musicals that has come out in a long time and it is not hard to see why with the music as it is very strong and the emotion is so real.  If this show comes near you, see it.   And I just hope that the rumored upcoming film adaption that is supposedly being worked on by Universal Studios captures the raw emotion of the musical.  They need to find the right director and cast for it to work.  But as for the musical,   this currently stands as my second favorite theater going experience after Newsies. Which up until I saw Newsies,  I considered this the greatest show that I'd ever seen.   And that is high praise and it more then earned that.   Join me next week as we go from one of the greatest musicals to one that is meh but not terrible.  Join me next time as I look at...

The Addams Family

The Addams Family

Hello & welcome back to Monstrous Musicals.  Let me ask you a question, what do you think of when you hear The Addams Family?   The theme,   Gomez,  Lurch, Cousin Itt,  Thing.   All good answers but what about a musical.  Yes, a musical.  The Addams  Family was adapted for  The Great White Way back in 2010 and in 2011,  I saw the touring production of The Addams Family at The Kennedy Center.  This musical is interesting, not so much in it's story because that is riddled with cliches but I feel that this show just goes to prove that not everything can work on Broadway.  Is this show bad?  No,  the music is okay and that is what we will be focusing on today but the plot feels like something out of a sitcom and is nothing special.  Now I know what you may be thinking, The Addams Family is  known for comedy. Yes, that is true but when you do a comedic musical, you really have to it out of the park and it is in my opinion comedy musicals are harder to get into.  I mentioned the plot, let's briefly touch on that for a moment.  To sum up, eldest Addams Wednesday is in love with  a boy, Lucas who is normal.  And we follow the exploits of these families meeting and learning that things are not always prefect.  You have to learn to trust each other to relationships to last.  See this isn't a bad idea and I do like the idea of including Gomez keeping his daughter's secret form Morticia but that is such old thing to do in stories.  The character that comes out best in this show is perhaps Uncle Fester, who serves as the Greek Chorus/Narrator of the show breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience.    With this long introduction out of the way, let's begin.

The Addams Family Theme

Not to much to say on this one other then that,  of course they were going to include the theme song.  It's one of the most iconic theme songs out there and to not include this in your stage adaption of The Addams Family would be dumb.

Overture 

Here again,  not to much to say but I would like to talk about something from this show.  The show's composer, Andrew Lippa tried to find a music score to match that of the characters.  Gomez has Flamenco score, while Fester's is vaudevillian  and Wednesday's is more of a contemporary pop.  And that is a decision that I truthfully like because it gives something unique to each of the characters.

When Your'e Addams

   

Our first song of the show,  here we hear The Addams at their graveyard as they celebrate what it is to be an Addams. As all dead, living and undecided Addams come together to celebrate this special night.   By the way, I should mention that really the only two known stars in the original run were Nathan Lane as Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia.   And  I normally hate complaints about well known actors being too distracting in the role but I kinda feel the need to touch upon that with Nathan Lane.  As mentioned, I saw this at The Kennedy Center and it was a touring production,  so of course they did not have Lane and Neuwirth  come back and do their roles on the touring production.   And the Gomez,  I had was great because I bought into his performance.  Of course, it may have helped that it was the first show I ever saw that actor in.  Now as for Lane,  I don't hear Gomez Addams.  I don't know what they could have done to make this better because Lane isn't the first big name actor to take on this role as in Addams Family Values,  Gomez was played by Tim Curry and let's not forget Raul Julia before him.  He does get the sentimental loving father and husband side down pat but there is just something about Lane that felt amiss in this role but I can't place my finger on it.  Also,   I understand why they chose to promote Lane and Neuwirth as the big stars of this show, even though the main character is Wednesday.  That's another thing, that kinda bugs me about this show.  Particularly, it's  promotion.   It tried to ride off the name of The Addams Family without telling us anything about the plot.  So, that left me wondering,  "Are you an adaption of the sitcom,  the movies,  the cartoons from The New Yorker?  What are you?"   In the end, it turned out that it was an original story that took inspiration from many of the adaptions that came before it but mostly relied on the original cartoon strip.  And I  didn't know this until after the fact.   It seemed as though, this show thought The Addams Family name would get people in the door and that'd be it.   Well, it has but this show is not a critic's darling.  It was panned left and right, when it made it's debut and I can understand that.  I truthfully can.  Do I think this show is bad?    I'd just say forgettable.  Ah, well.

Pulled 

I must admit that this song is... okay.  It's not bad but there is nothing special about this number.  Let's go back to what I mentioned earlier about composer,  Andrew Lippa wanted to give Wednesday  (originally played by Krysta Rodriguez) ,  a pop like score.  And I get that but that is the problem,  it feels too Hairspray and not enough Addams. It is a good contrast to how Wednesday usually acts and I like how she is torturing Pugsley (originally played by Adam Riegler) while singing as that is in character for The Addams Family.  So, this isn't bad.  it's there.  

Where Did We Go Wrong?

God,  I hate this.  One of the most annoying things, I hate in stories, where a child is growing up and falling in love, is when the parents question themselves and doubt whether or not they are good parents.   I just want to yell "DID YOU EVER THINK THAT IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU?!?!?!?"   And oh, it's supposed to be funny because they are singing about stuff that normal people would find weird.  No, it's not!  This is one of the worst showtunes, I've ever heard.  Everything about it, just grates on my last nerve.  And Lane was even less convincing as Gomez in this number.   Here's an idea for  future stage adaptions and shows in general, cast someone that fits the part and not someone who'll bring in the tickets. A little integrity for your show, could've a long way. Look, Gomez has been portrayed many different ways such as with an accent to  go along with his namesake.   And here's an idea,   he had A Flamenco score, and Flamenco is Spanish.   Why not cast a Spanish actor to play him?  That could've accommodated the score and it would've probably worked better then Nathan Lane playing Nathan Lane pretending that he is playing Gomez Addams. I'm sorry but I really feel that this was a miscast on all fronts.

One Normal Night

Be still,  my little musical heart.  We  have a good song.  An honest to goodness good song.  It's funny  and while the Wednesday and Lucas's bit with their families are cliche, they work. Save for the character of Alice, who speaks in rhyme.  That was annoying!  And the bit with Uncle Fester and the ancestors is more along the lines of what I expect when I hear of an Addams Family musical.   Don't get to used to me saying nice things in this review.

Morticia

Okay, musical, you are winning me over.  Maybe you can turn yourself around and finally,  you give me a song that sells me on Nathan Lane as Gomez.  Only took three songs.  Better late then never.   This song is cute and  this does capture the love that Gomez has for his life in that twisted and bizarre way, that only an Addams knows how to love.  So, maybe there is hope for this musical to turn itself around just yet.  Don't disappoint me.

What If?

What's this?  Three good songs in a row!  Perhaps, there is hope yet.  This is such an adorable song of Pugsley singing about how he doesn't want to lose his big sister because he fears all the good times will go away. Being a little brother myself,  I can totally relate to what he is going through.   

Full Disclosure






Well,  I knew the streak of good songs couldn't last.  I get that this song is supposed to be a "fun" song but I just feel like that there is too much going on and I am not a fan of when songs are cut in half.  Yeah, there is another part of this song.  It's not a reprise, it a Pt. 2.   Because as you heard, the song wasn't finished.



Waiting





Here, we go.  This is more like it.   We get into Alice  (originally played by Carolee Carmello), who reveals that her marriage is on the rocks.  I think I've  realized what it is about this show.   When they do songs, that are emotional, they are pretty good but when it comes to fun, they seem to miss the mark.



Full Disclosure Pt. 2






And now, we  go back to the bad.  Okay,  the big secret that was kept was finally revealed. Wednesday and Lucas are getting married.  But here's the issue, all throughout the play, they try to set up tension between the two families and as you can see here,  it comes off as forced.



Just Around The Corner





Okay, this song is just disturbing and I get that it fits The Addams Family but there is just something unsettling yet entertainingly funny about listening to Morticia sing about death and I like how the tone contrasts the subject matter as the song sounds rather happy,  and here we are listening to someone sing about death. This song is seriously growing on me.  The best way to sum it up is "Play It Again!"


The Moon and Me





Great, another dud   This song is just so boring.   It's sweet but it's just so forgettable.  Y'know the more I listen to this and think about Fester's relationship, I can't help but to think of The Princess and the Frog. Specifically, Ray and how this similar idea was executed much better with Ma Belle Evangeline.    Ah, well.


Happy/Sad








For all of the ragging, I've done on Nathan Lane,   I can't deny that this is such a beautiful song.  The title is so perfect because it is about letting go and letting your children grow up and how the parents are both excited at the prospect of a new life for their child but at the same time,  they will always see them as the little kids, they once were and how it is hard to let them go. It's like wearing a mask of happiness to hide the tears.  This is one of the most beautiful songs from any show, I've ever heard. If there were more songs of this caliber,  I wouldn't be so hard on the music of this play. Of course, the next number is my favorite song from this show.


Crazier Then You






I can't pinpoint what is about this song but I LOVE this song.  This is the one fun song in this play that truly works.   Wednesday and Lucas  (originally played by Wesley Taylor)  prove their love for one another.  I mean he let's Wednesday shoot an apple off his with her crossbow blindfolded.   This is a sweet song, showing that these two were meant to be.

Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love







I'm not going to call this song bad and I feel bad for not talking about Mal,  (originally played by Terrence Mann)  but he is a grade A jerk that shows no respect to his wife.  And expects to be somewhat of a trophy wife and as you can hear in this song, he has bottled up his emotions and Gomez and Fester are trying to get him to open up and realize that love isn't a bad thing.  This song serves it's purpose.



Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love (Reprise)





Not too much say on this reprise other then they just added in Granmama (originally played by Jackie Hoffman) and that's it to this number.






In The Arms





This song is bizarrely sweet and that works for The Addams Family.  Y'know I don't recall if this was still part of the show, when I saw it.  If it wasn't, that's a shame.   Who knew facing a squid would help one to rekindle the love, they had for their partner.


Live Before We Die





This is a sweet song showcasing how much love Gomez and Morticia have for one another and that no matter what, they'll be there for each other.  As any couple truly in love would be.

Tango de Amor

A different piece as it is mostly instrumental and that's okay because is just background music to see Gomez and Mortitca tango to.  It's a very exciting piece in that regard and I get a lot of cool vivid images going through my head while listening to this number.

Move Toward The Darkness








Our final song of the show and I think the big thing from this number is that Lurch (originally played by Zachary James) sings out loud for the first time and James' has a very soothing and enjoyable voice.  I'll admit that I like the joke of Lurch being able to perfectly sing.  And in my opinion, this is a great song to close out on.  It bring the cast together wonderfully for one final performance. Oh, by the way Fester does get to the moon and stays there.



Favorite/Least Favorite


My favorite, this time was easy to pick.  I have to give it to "Crazier Then You".  Now "Happy/Sad" is a strong contender for 2nd place, Crazier Then You is just a fun and sweet little number.  Picking Least Favorite, this week. Yeah, that was tough because there are a lot of  bad songs in this show but I have to go with "Where Did We Go Wrong?"  because as I said, when  talking about it,  I hate it when parents think that they have failed their children in these types of stories.  It comes off as a little selfish to me.




My Final Thoughts


Perhaps I was too hard on this show in the beginning of this review.   Do I think this show is bad?   No, there are aspects of it that I like and some of the music is good but at the same time,  I can understand why this show didn't do very well with critics.    There is truthfully nothing there that makes this play stand out and the songs are a mixed bag.  Some are good and others are just downright terrible.   I'm not complaining about this being an adaption as my three favorite plays, Newsies, Wicked, & The Lion King are also adaptions but I just feel that this show is a good example of  "Just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should do it".  Ah well,  not every musical can be a home run.  Join me next week as I take a look at a 2006 short film that was adapted from an off Broadway production as we get ready to go to Prom.  Not just any Prom but a....

Zombie Prom