Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Hello & welcome back to Monstrous Musicals.  Today, we are taking a look at a musical that first debuted online during the Writer's Strike back in 2007 & 2008.  Joss Whedon put this together along with some great talent and uploaded it in three parts over three days online and the reaction was extremely positive. And it's not hard to see why as it is easily, one of the best musicals, I've ever seen.  Now, I'll admit the first time, I saw I it, I didn't like it because I felt like the ending came out of nowhere but after repeat viewings and learning more about Whedon, it made perfect sense.  Now,  I'll admit, I went back and forth on whether or not to review this one but after seeing it listed on multiple sites that put together lists of fun musicals for Halloween, I decided to go ahead and review it.  Now unlike the previous reviews, this one will be more in line with being a proper film review as I'll go over, The Plot, Characters, Music,  Favorite Song/Least Favorite Song, & My Final Thoughts.

The Plot

We open on Doctor Horrible as he answers fan mail on  his vlog.   And we learn of his arch nemesis, Captain Hammer and her (Penny)   We find out that he is trying to get into the Evil League of Evil. The first song is cut short but his friend/henchman, Moist.   As Doctor Horrible mentions seeing her at the laundromat.   In the next part, we hear Doctor Horrible talking about pulling off a heist and we watch control a van from his phone and this is when we were introduced to Penny  as she is asking people to sign her petition to help shelter the homeless.  Bill aka Doctor Horrible at first seems uninterested but he agrees to sign it. And then enter Captain Hammer, who destroys the remote receiver  and pushes Penny out of the way into a pile of garbage.  Penny and Hammer start to fall for each other or so, we think.  The next day, we see Captain Hammer and Penny on many dates with Doctor Horrible following them.     In a nice touch,  we start to see Hammer is not the hero that the town thinks the people he is.  A perfect moment that starts to reveal his true feelings are when Penny and Hammer are in the homeless shelter. You just get the feeling that he wants to take a shower and wash off  the people touching them.  The next day, Doctor Horrible reveals his freeze ray had been completed.  He then later reveals that it isn't a good idea to do that as apparently, both Captain Hammer and the LAPD were followers of Doctor Horrible. He gets a second letter from Bad Horse now is the only way to commit an assassination.   Pay attention to this because it'll come into play later.  We then later see Billy and Penny talking about Billy's interview at the laundromat and reassures him that things happen  Later, Captain Hammer comes to pick up Penny and remember what I was saying. Well,  Captain Hammer knew that Billy and Doctor Horrible are one and the same. And revealed that he was only with Penny is because he knew Horrible wanted to be with her and that led into the iconic song, Brand New Day, where Billy starts to die and Doctor Horrible starts to take over.   The next day, we see people singing the praises of Captain Hammer ,save for of course Doctor Horrible and Penny, who is starting to wonder if she is in a good place with her relationship.  We then see them at the opening of the shelter for the homeless that Hammer got by blackmailing the mayor.  There Captain Hammer gets up and starts to make fun of everyone in the audience and belittle them.  Penny finally wakes up to the jerk that Hammer is and quietly leaves because she is too embarrassed.    Then Doctor Horrible shows up with his death ray, his former freeze ray and uses it on Hammer.  Hammer is stunned and for a while, there Horrible is on top taunting the crowd and actually doing a good job at being a villain.  But then  Hammer unfreezes and takes the death ray in his hands and causing him for the first time ever to feel pain.   He runs out as he leaves others wounded, including Penny, who had a piece of the weapon launched into her and it killed her.  And thus Doctor Horrible won but at the ultimate price and ends with just going through routine as that is the new status quo.  Y'know, there are really three deaths in this film.  The obvious is the death of Penny, which is the death of innocence.  The death of Billy, which lead to the birth of Doctor Horrible and the death of his good side.  And finally, the death of Captain Hammer.  Sure, just like Doctor Horrible, he's still alive but without his powers, he's nothing.  As I mentioned up top, the first time I watched this, I didn't like it but upon repeat viewings, it has become one of my favorite musicals.  It's interesting to note that after my third or fourth viewing, I started seeing this not as a comedy but rather a tragedy. Sure,  it starts out as a comedy but there are those tragic moments throughout and that all comes together with the death of Penny and more specifically, Everything You Ever.

Characters

Now, this'll be broken down into Main, Supporting, & Antagonist. With that out of the way, let's begin.

Main Character

Doctor Horrible/Billy played by Neil Patrick Harris

It's interesting but in the beginning, there really isn't much of a distinction between Horrible and Billy. They feel to be the same person and at the start,  it appears as though Horrible is the disguise while Billy is the true identity but as the story progresses, Billy starts to die and Doctor Horrible becomes the real identity.  This first starts with Brand New Day but by the end of the musical particularly,  Everything You Ever,  Horrible is here to stay and Billy is no more.  The fake identity had become the true identity.  See  many people can look at this as a comedy, which it is but it's also a tragedy as stated up top with the three deaths.   Here's an interesting thought but Billy/Dr. Horrible is a lot like Elphaba from Wicked.   I imagine a lot of you are scratching your heads at this one. Well as I mentioned in my review of Wicked, Elphaba was forced by Oz into the role of The Wicked Witch. Now yes, Billy was already Doctor Horrible, when the film started but Captain Hammer pushed him over the edge and caused Doctor Horrible to become the true identity.

Supporting Characters

Penny played by Felicia Day

Penny is the only truly good character in Doctor Horrible and she is the one thing that kept Billy from going full on evil. She kept him grounded but once she died,  Doctor Horrible took over as there was no more need for Billy. Because he no longer had the thing that kept him grounded in reality.  As I stated above, her death symbolizes the death of innocence.  However, besides that,   I feel that it is also the death of hope for Billy.  With Penny dead, there is no hope left for him  

Moist  played by Simon Helberg

To be perfectly honest, the character of Moist doesn't add much in the way of story.  He's more or less just there to be a friend for Doctor Horrible.

Music

Horrible Theme

I love the theme music for Doctor Horrible.  It has this quirky yet sinister vibe to it. That just really makes it work.

My Freeze Ray

What a great song!   In this one, we hear about Doctor Horrible has that girl that he wants but doesn't know how to talk to her.  Who hasn't been there.  It's just so cute and real.

Bad Horse Chorus

Okay,  I don't like the Bad Horse Chorus.   They serve a purpose to the plot, yes but they just take me out of the story.  I normally don't mind 4th wall stuff but this doesn't work for me.

Caring Hands

I honestly kinda wish this song was longer but it's a good tease for what to expect with Penny and we get the feeling that she is a good person with just this short number. I really like this one.  It isn't one of the more memorable numbers from the movie but it's still really good.

A Man's Gotta Do

This number is awesome.  I love how Horrible starts off but Captain Hammer barges in and takes over.  And here, we see the start of Penny falling for Hammer.  And I love how in the background, Horrible is pointing out what really happened but Penny is too blinded by love to notice.

My Eyes

This song is the perfect contrast between how Horrible and Penny view the world around them.  Horrible sees nothing but evil and a place filled with filth and lies.   He thinks the world is getting worse by the moment whereas Penny is more optimistic and chooses to see the good in the world.  That's probably why I relate to her so much.

Penny's Song

Aw, here we go.   This is more like it.  I love this song as it gives insight to Penny's views and it's just a nice pick me up song. This song can get me teary eyed because  it is a message that I feel everyone should take to heart.  It's just a simple song of always try look on the bright side.

Brand New Day

And here we witness the start of the death of  Billy.  Captain Hammer caused Billy to break and snap with what he said about only be with Penny, so that Billy/Horrible couldn't have her.  Hammer viewed as nothing more then a prize. This number pretty much start the descent of Doctor Horrible taking over and becoming the true identity.  He is now out for revenge and he'll do whatever it takes to get it.

So They Say

I love this number. For the most part, it's upbeat, peppy and happy save for two characters, Penny and Doctor Horrible.  Penny is starting to question her relationship with Hammer and just listen to Horrible say "Not for me anyways"  after both he and Penny sing about  there never being any happy endings.  That in a way is kinda foreshadowing.  Also,  I just love the way the one moving guy says "About time" in this song, I don't why but I do.

Everyone's A Hero

This song pretty much shows how blind people are to Hammer.   Here he is,  mocking taunting and making fun of his "fans" and they don't even notice.  They just look at this moron as a hero but Penny wakes up to this and realizes that Captain Hammer is an idiot. Which makes her saying that Captain Hammer will save her as she's dying kinda  insulting to her character.

Slipping

This song is the first real taste, we get of Doctor Horrible now being the true identity. There is still some Billy left as he worries about Penny but Horrible is starting to come off as legit threat here.  He's feel like someone that you don't want to mess with because he could truly mess you up.

Everything You Ever

And now we come full circle, Billy is dead.  Doctor Horrible is real. The death of Penny killed Billy but it also got Horrible into the Evil League of Evil but at the ultimate price.  The death of the only person, he truly cared for.   This song is the big reason, Doctor Horrible should be considered a tragedy.  Horrible wins but it's almost as though, he wished  he hadn't

Horrible Credits 

What's interesting with the credits,  is that they start out with Penny's Song but as it progresses, the tune changes to the main theme.   Almost signifying that good is dead and this further reinstated by it ending with Slipping.

Antagonist

Captain Hammer played by Nathan Fillion 

Hammer is an egoistical self-centered a-hole.   In other words. he's Gaston from Beauty and The Beast.  Seriously,  there is so much he has in common with Gaston. They both think that they are better then everyone else and the town loves them even though, they are grade A jerks. Lest we forget that there is only one person that could see them for the beings that they truly are.    Now, I mentioned that there were three deaths and one of them was Captain Hammer's.  There's really not too much left to say on that one but notice how weak and fragile he is, when he feels pain for the first time. The facade of him being this great hero is gone.

Favorite Song/Least Favorite Song

I had such a hard time choosing a favorite song.  It came down to three choices,  Penny's Song,  So They Say, & Everything You Ever. So They Say is great for the upbeat nature of it and Everything You Ever is really good at showing the pain and despair that Doctor Horrible is feeling,  now that Penny is dead but I have to go with Penny's Song.  The big thing that makes this song work for me is the optimistic nature of the song and a ray of sunshine in this otherwise tragic story.  As for Least Favorite, I have to go with Bad Horse Chorus.  It's not bad and it makes sense in terms of the plot but it just takes me out of the action.  

My Final Thoughts

This is one of my all time favorite musicals.  Everything about it just comes together so well to tell a great story with very good characters.  This is one that comes highly recommended from me.  Join me next time as I take a look at..

Phantom of The Paradise

Zombie Prom

Hello & welcome back to Monstrous Musicals.  Today, there's been a slight change of plans.  I'm still reviewing Zombie Prom but not the film because seeing as it never had an official release,  I couldn't find full versions of the songs.  So instead, I'll be taking a look at the music from the off-Broadway production.  Now as for the film.  it is one of the funniest and most entertaining musicals, I've seen in quite a while.  And I actually first learned about this show while listening to a Halloween episode of a Broadway podcast similar to that of Patty's Nick Jukebox.  The plot is pretty simple,  at Enrico Fermi High,   we meet our cast,  Jonny, a rebel who spells his name without an "H".   good girl, Toffee, and principal  Miss Strict (who was played wonderfully by RuPaul in the short film.  Who knew RuPaul could act?) Jonny and Toffee fall in love and date for several months but uh-oh, her parents don't approve and Toffee breaks up with Jonny, who takes his life by hurling himself into the Francis Gary Powers Nuclear Power Plant.  Three Weeks pass and Jonny is brought back to life by the power of Toffee's voice and now wishes to re-enroll but has to put up with Miss Strict, who doesn't want any zombie polluting her school.  Yeah,  if you couldn't figure out by now,  this show falls into what I like to call "The Three C's categories", campy, cheesy, & corny.  And goddamn,  am I ever raring to get this review started. Especially unlike the previous two,  I've never seen the stage production of this show.  So, this is all new for me.  This is going to be fun.   Let's get this tale of  romance in the most bizarre way started. 

Enrico Fermi High

Honestly,  not too much to say about this.  It serves well as an opening piece and a good introduction to our characters.  And also lets you know what kind of show, you are getting in for.  If you aren't into shows that are just downright silly, best to leave now.  As for the rest of us, let the fun begin.  Also, one difference I noticed between this and the film is that it seems as though in the play, Jonny had been going to Enrico Fermi High for a while whereas in the film, he was a new student.  Wonder why, they made that change. Minor to the overall story though, really.


Ain't No Goin' Back





This song is cute as it is the timeline of Jonny (originally played by Richard Roland) and Toffee (originally played by Jessica Snow-Wilson) dating and falling in love.  You can hear how much they love one another and how they'll always be there for each other until....   outside influences such as Toffee's parents and Miss Strict say that Jonny is no good for Toffee and that she should break up with him and she does it. Rather intense ending with Toffee shouting "Don't do anything rash" but this truly sets up the play.


Jonny Don't Go





I like this piece a lot as it perfectly captures the regret that Toffee is feeling over dumping Jonny, just because outside sources told her that he's no good but she knew better all along and now she feels as though, she has lost the one person, she truly loved.



As Good As It Gets





After the last song with Toffee lamenting over her lost love, this one seems to try and be cheerier, showing how easily people have moved on and already put Jonny's death behind them all save for Toffee.  This song is rather blatant about that because one of the characters even tells Toffee to let it go, because it's been three whole weeks.   Kind of narrow minded, if you ask me.



The "C"  Word






I really like this song and notice at the beginning, you hear Jonny calling out to Toffee and I like how she calls out her friends over being more concerned about the prom, then what really matters but at the same time, I understand where they're coming from but if she had just accepted his death, there wouldn't be much in the way of a story, now would there.  Sorry about the end of the video, it dips in sound quality.


Rules, Regulations, & Respect






Okay, this song is just so much fun and gives the character of Miss Strict (originally played by Karen Murphey) so much  to do and let's us know about her view and how she is no nonsense woman and goes by the book and there is no veering from it. And if you even try to think about it, she'll stop ya. And plus this song is just pure fun.  The best way to sum up this ditty is by saying this. "Play It Again!"



Blast from The Past






This was the very first song I ever heard from Zombie Prom and the first time, I heard it, I knew that I had to track down the rest of the music because this song was amazing.  And I still hold that belief.   I feel this song is where the numbers really start to pick up.   It's just so much fun and it again lets you know what kind of show, you are in for.   Hey Jonny, even says that he is an acquired taste.   I love how even though, he's come back from the dead, the only thing on his mind is getting back with Toffee and not realizing how weird that'll feel for her.



That's The Beat For Me







This is our introduction to Expose reporter, Eddie Flagrante (originally played by Richard Muenz) and he'll play a big part in covering Jonny's story.   I actually like this because in the film, this character didn't have much to do.  However, I have a feeling in the play, he was big and over the top.  And I'm A okay with that.




Voice In The Ocean







This song is rather sweet in how Jonny, even after he died kept on hearing Toffee's voice and that is what him brought back from the dead.  Aw, that's kind of cute and romantic.  Aw!!!!   Who knew zombie love could be so romantic.  I think that I may have found my favorite song from this show.  It's just so sweet and  you can feel the power of love between Jonny and Toffee.  If you love someone, they really never leave you.


It's Alive






This song is good but coming after Voice In The Ocean makes it tough.  Though, it does give some great insight into Jonny and Miss Strict. Especially with Jonny flat out admitting that he used to hate Miss Strict but now he is ready to change his ways and re enroll and get his diploma.  But Miss Strict won't any zombie scum in her school and will do anything it takes to keep him out.


Where We Do Go From Here







This is a sweet song for Jonny and Toffee, who are easily the best part of this show and this song shows why.  Jonny wants to win the heart of his girl back and will go to any lengths to get it and in this number, you can truly hear how conflicted Toffee is.  She wants to be with Jonny because she truly loves him but she is scared of what others will say and the social stigma that'll come with dating a teenage zombie.  Y'know for as silly as this story is, it's pretty sweet.



Trio (Case Closed)






This song lets us know that Eddie and Miss Strict have a bit of history.  That'll come up later and be real important.   Eddie serves as Jonny's biggest supporter and is a great adversary for Miss Strict.  This is a great piece especially for Eddie and Miss Strict.  The best word, I can come up with for this number is tense.




Then Came Jonny






When this number started,  I was bit confused and thought it was the first number from the show but actually, they used that to contrast the changes that have taken place.  And in this song, we are actually hearing Miss Strict doing any and everything to keep Jonny out of school and stop anyone from supporting him such as dismantling the pep squad and baseball team.  And she makes the biggest threat, that is to cancel prom, if Jonny shows up.



Come Join Us









This song is okay and cute but not one I'll recall after it's done.  I can't explain it but this song, while it serves a purpose,  just leaves me disappointed.




How Can I Say Goodbye?







I really like this song and the pick me up that I needed after Come Join Us.  This song could give Voice In The Ocean a run for it's money as Favorite.  It's sweet and shows us what lengths, Jonny will go to to win back his girl.   I love the feeling of it as it feels a '50s boy band.




Easy To Say








I  think this song could also be called Toffee's Dilemma/Realization.   Because this song brings to the forefront, the internal struggle that Toffee is feeling.  As I've said throughout, she wants to be with and we feel that in the beginning after talking with her friends, she makes up her mind and decides that Jonny will always be her guy and doesn't care, what others think.



Expose








Remember, what I said about Eddie and Miss Strict having a bit of a history.  They dated in high school and this song, which is riddled with innuendos gives us insight into their past.  Also, keep in mind what Miss Strict said about being in the back of Eddie's car.  That is going to be a bit of prominent part in the finale.  And I also get the feeling that these two, even though they act as though they hate each other still have a thing for one another.



Isn't It?








This song like Come Join Us us just okay.  It's fun but I think it has the problem of coming after a much better song.  It's cute but forgettable.



Forbidden Love






Man, this show is so not making it easy to pick a favorite.  This song is GREAT!!!!!!   Then again, most of the songs that have focused on Jonny and Toffee's relationship have been the best numbers.  Again, their love comes through wonderfully and you can feel it and it is real love.  These two will always have each other's back and it doesn't if their relationship is a bit different, they love each other no matter what.


The Lid's Been Blown







Everyone has finally turned on Miss Strict and she can't threaten any longer. Eddie has cornered her and she is forced to reveal the truth of her past.


Delilah's Confession

This song explains the past  of Eddie and Miss Strict.  As I said, they dated in high school and he got her pregnant and Jonny happens to be their son. Dun Dun Dun!!!   Is it silly? Yes.  Is it cheesy?  You bet!  Do I love it?  Yes, I do! Does the twist come out of nowhere.  Hmm,  no not really.   Because as I pointed out Miss Strict had been hiding something and she had a past with Eddie and this is a big secret to hide.   Does it feel forced.  Yes but intentionally so.  

Zombie Prom

This is a fun song and a fun one to close out as Jonny and Toffee look towards the future.  They know that people will judge because of Jonny being a zombie but Toffee is a bit more optimistic and hopes that others will at least give them a chance.

Favorite/Least Favorite

Okay,  I gotta be honest, there are so many good songs in this production,  that it's hard to narrow it down to one as my favorite.  All of the Jonny and Toffee numbers are beautifully done but having said that,  I think that I have to give it to "Voice In The Ocean".   Jonny and Toffee's first number after he comes back to life and I feel that one out of all the Jonny and Toffee number perfectly captures the love, these two have for one another. As for least favorite,  I'm going to go with  "Come Join Us".  It's not bad per se but it just comes across as filler.

My Final Thoughts

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to listen the songs from the original show. The short film is good but it cut so much. Granted, it was 36 minutes but this, oh wow.  I wish that I could have seen this on stage because I imagine that would've been AMAZING!!!! After last week with The Addams Family,  this is the kind of boost, I needed.   The songs in this production fall into two categories,  Really Good or Just Okay.  And none of the songs in my opinion are really bad.  And something else,  I liked about this play and it's numbers,  sure there were zombie references such as The Walking Dead,  but they never let the zombie angle overtake the story. It just happened to be a story about two teenagers in love and one of them is a zombie.  Join me next week as I review a musical that is my favorite thing to come from Joss Whedon.  You should all know what I'm talking about...

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

 

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