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Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast)  | 
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Artists: Stephen Schwartz, Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel
Label: Decca Broadway
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $9.79
You Save: $9.19 (48%)
New (49) Used (27) Collectible (1) from $8.25
Avg. Customer Rating:  858 reviews
Sales Rank: 59
Format: Cast Recording
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 602498613436
UPC: 602498613436
EAN: 0602498613436
ASIN: B0000TB01Y
Release Date: December 16, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new, factory sealed. Fast shipping!
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| Tracks:
| • | No One Mourns the Wicked - Cristy Candler | | • | Dear Old Shiz | | • | The Wizard and I - Idina Menzel | | • | What Is This Feeling? - Kristin Chenoweth | | • | Something Bad - William Youmans | | • | Dancing Through Life - Michelle Federer | | • | Popular - Kristin Chenoweth | | • | I'm Not That Girl - Idina Menzel | | • | One Short Day - Kristin Chenoweth | | • | A Sentimental Man - Joel Grey | | • | Defying Gravity - Idina Menzel | | • | Thank Goodness - Kristin Chenoweth | | • | Wonderful - Idina Menzel | | • | I'm Not That Girl (Reprise) - Kristin Chenoweth | | • | As Long as You're Mine - Norbert Leo Butz | | • | No Good Deed - Idina Menzel | | • | March of the Witch Hunters | | • | For Good - Kristin Chenoweth | | • | Finale - Kristin Chenoweth |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: WICKED
Title: ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING
Street Release Date: 12/16/2003
Domestic
Genre: CAST RECORDINGS
Amazon.com
One of the most common complaints about musicals is that the books are flimsy pretexts from which to hang numbers. Wicked runs into the opposite problem: it has a great plot, but too often the songs just get in the way. Based on Gregory Maguire's novel of the same name, Wicked tells us what happened between Glinda the Good and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, before Dorothy showed up in Oz. And the show is lucky to boast a pair of ace leading women in the main roles. As Glinda, Kristin Chenoweth delivers a sensational star turn, displaying a crystal-pure voice and sharp comic timing; Idina Menzel lends her powerful pipes to the tricky role of Elphaba. Unfortunately, you wish they had better material to work with. Stephen Schwartz's pop score is often dragged down by overly synthetic orchestrations and sentimental lyrics (think Chicken Soup for the Witch). Still, at its best Wicked is a seductive slice of popular entertainment that could well give a younger audience a lasting taste for musical theater. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
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| Customer Reviews: Read 853 more reviews...
 "Wonderful"! June 30, 2008
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!"
 Utter Garbage June 28, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
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 Wizard and the WIZ is a hard act to follow. June 25, 2008
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
AWESOME, if you like the musical June 23, 2008
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.
Keeps it fresh in your mind... June 16, 2008
Listening to this CD is the perfect way to keep the experience of actually going to see it live fresh in your mind. I loved seeing the musical and just listening to the music reminds me how much I loved it and makes me want to see it again. I say definitely get it if you have seen the show and if you just simply love Broadway music then it's a must have.
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