In the original "Making Good" form, the lyrics sound resentful and determined to force people to apologize for misjudging Elphaba. In "The Wizard and I," however, she's hopeful that the "wonderful" wizard will magically see through her uncanny looks and prickly personality, and give her the chance to prove her goodness so that other people will see who she really is, and love her. That makes me cry every time, because everyone knows it won't happen that way. Fabulous song.
I've literally never thought of Wizard and I as a wait-for-it song, but I just went back and listened to the soundtrack after watching this and... that's exactly what it is. Like there's so many points of build up in the song that always resolves down so that the finale can finally punch you in the face. I've grown up listening to Wicked, and I feel like I've listened to it for the first time again.
This is such an insight into how they really tried to keep the integrity of the Elphabas. Even Shoshana Bean who is probably the Rule Breaker/over riffer Elphaba... has really kept the integrity of this song by not over belt riffing until the end of the song in the same way that Idina does not Belt until the end of the song...This really opened my eyes to appreciating Shoshana and Idinas version even further...
So interesting how the show involve before it hits the stage. Julia Murney got to sing "Defying Gravity" first, Stephanie J. Block got to be in the initial readings and have the song "Making Good", Idina Menzel got a new song written for her that intensify Elphie for her voice "Wizard and I", and became the Original in the end. Basically, all three who auditioned for the role got something special in return! =O
Gotta love Stephen Scwartz :D I love how he kept saying "I won't play the entire thing..." every time he demonstrated the earlier versions - but in the end he did sing "The Wizard and I" all the way through XD
"Making Good" was originally written for Stephanie J. Block. She did the VERY early workshop stages of the show, but the producers wanted to attract the fans from different shows and since Idina was so well-known to theatre fans and was nominated for a Tony she was chosen to originate the role.
I am such a fan of his, and Wicked is very high on my list of favorite shows... but man did he get it right not becoming a singer. Songwriting is definitely his strength.
No one is talking about the guts and confidence it takes to publicly show pieces of your work that were not very good and basically failures and use them to explain how a creative process works. Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’s incredibly brave.
You know, I almost don't think it matters that he doesn't have a "beautiful" voice. He holds so much emotion when he sings that you almost forget he isn't a naturally gifted singer.
Fun fact: He actually wrote Elphaba for Stephanie J Block, she's another amazing broadway queen. She was Elphaba for the workshops but then they wanted a bigger name for Elphaba so they got Idina. Stephanie then went on the originate Liza Minnelli in The Boy From Oz.
@@katiecarrot31 he did not. The Wizard and I and No Good Deed were written for Idina's voice. Making Good was a scrapped song, but the only one to be truly written with Stephanie's voice in mind. Long story short: SJB FANS, *stop. Rewriting. The story.* The most Stephanie did for Wicked was a few reads in the workshop phase right before Idina auditioned, one show in San Francisco, and her full run as Elphaba. Idina built the role from the ground up. You can thank her for Elphaba, not Stephanie. If Stephanie would have been the original Elphaba, Defying Gravity itself would have been far less grand, and end on a "dooooown" belt.
The more I listen to the 1st "Making Good" I love it! Have it on my ipod! I know TWAI is better, but I love the musicality of it! And I hadn't heard the second one so thank you SO MUCH for that!!! And I found it incredibly interesting as a MASSIVE Idina fan to see how her personal style was utilised to create that bit of musical goldust!!! Thanks again!
In '98, when Schwartz and Julia Murney did a benefit concert at the Westport Country Playhouse, he had already written both the first "Making Good" AND "Defying Gravity" the difference? originally, "Defying Gravity" was somewhat legit and NOT the big belting anthem. It was a few steps higher, much much slower tempo, and was considered a ballad. Chord progressions also had a minor foundation (opposed to standard pop major) to them. so the whole structure sounded EXTREMELY different..
The high note is an E, which is pretty easy for most guys, particularly higher baritones and tenors, to hit in their octave. It's really, really hard to belt it as a female, though.
what happened was sjb was the voice type they wanted so they used her for the first readings and workshops, but they made clear that she wouldn't get the role because she had never been the lead in a broadway show before. so they ended up casting idina. but if i'm not mistaken they didn't have idina in mind until she actually auditioned
@pakamausi It's because the first time you think he's going to play the whole thing, but he tells you he won't. Then the second time, you think he's going to play the whole song this time. But he tells you he won't. And /then/ at the end of this long video, he does play the whole song. It's an analogy.
Buffy has it mostly right. According to Steph (interviews), it was later in the process of mounting the show, when they saw how expensive it was going to be, that they decided to go with a "name" who had opened a Broadway show before. And "Making Good" was actually one of only three songs (+"One Short Day" and ALAYM) Stephen Schwartz had written before he began working with Steph. Incidentally, the original "Defying Gravity" (during the workshops) was a few steps HIGHER than it is now. ;)
Does anyone know why he doesn’t sing this part “One day he’ll say to me Elphaba , a girl who is so superior ... Is it allright by you , if I degreenify you ?”
wow.. i love the version 2!!!i like his version of wizard and I too it sounds like Micheal McClean singing his own music.. an amazing musician and gives the singing a good try but it works though they cant sing hahaha :P Me loves Stephen I'm just say'n LOL
"A reading"? She worked with Schwartz for over two years on the show, through many of its earliest manifestations. I'm not taking anything away from Idina at all...but it's not like SJB sang through the songs once or twice. Most of the Elphaba songs (except the three listed) were written for her voice, with her range and vocal qualities in mind. Idina had the recognizability they felt was necessary to open a show of this magnitude. That doesn't mean Stephanie was not right for the part.
I got it off limewire...Check it out. If not I will try and get it on this computer to send it to you, but this is my laptop which doesn't have any music on it. But I will try if I have some time :-)
think...The Rockettes. They stand in a line, and they kick pretty high. Sorry, I suck at explaining things. It's a dance term. Look up the Rockettes...then, you'll understand
![The Wizard and I [Wicked] - Lauren Samuels](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/my2g8HWM3vo/mqdefault.jpg)
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
In the original "Making Good" form, the lyrics sound resentful and determined to force people to apologize for misjudging Elphaba. In "The Wizard and I," however, she's hopeful that the "wonderful" wizard will magically see through her uncanny looks and prickly personality, and give her the chance to prove her goodness so that other people will see who she really is, and love her. That makes me cry every time, because everyone knows it won't happen that way. Fabulous song.
"im not gonna play the whole thing"
gets carried away and plays the whole thing
Ludwig van Beethoven he skipped the once the wizard will tell me: elphaba
He skept the part when Elphy imagines that the Wizard could de-green her.
and about halfway through probably says to himself " *WHY* did I pick this key to sing this in myself"?
It's so beautiful because you can truly notice he feels what he sings... Even if his vocals aren't that good, it's still very special
I've literally never thought of Wizard and I as a wait-for-it song, but I just went back and listened to the soundtrack after watching this and... that's exactly what it is. Like there's so many points of build up in the song that always resolves down so that the finale can finally punch you in the face. I've grown up listening to Wicked, and I feel like I've listened to it for the first time again.
This is such an insight into how they really tried to keep the integrity of the Elphabas. Even Shoshana Bean who is probably the Rule Breaker/over riffer Elphaba... has really kept the integrity of this song by not over belt riffing until the end of the song in the same way that Idina does not Belt until the end of the song...This really opened my eyes to appreciating Shoshana and Idinas version even further...
So interesting how the show involve before it hits the stage.
Julia Murney got to sing "Defying Gravity" first,
Stephanie J. Block got to be in the initial readings and have the song "Making Good",
Idina Menzel got a new song written for her that intensify Elphie for her voice "Wizard and I", and became the Original in the end.
Basically, all three who auditioned for the role got something special in return! =O
Murney is one of my favorite vocalists. Her vibrato is insane and adds something witchy to this role that some of the other girls don't.
And all got to play the part
Stephen schtwartz is amazing , and is an excelent person
Gotta love Stephen Scwartz :D I love how he kept saying "I won't play the entire thing..." every time he demonstrated the earlier versions - but in the end he did sing "The Wizard and I" all the way through XD
"Making Good" was originally written for Stephanie J. Block. She did the VERY early workshop stages of the show, but the producers wanted to attract the fans from different shows and since Idina was so well-known to theatre fans and was nominated for a Tony she was chosen to originate the role.
I appreciate how he wasn’t focusing on his singing abilities but more on the heart of the song. Very impactful
I love how he kept parts of the melody of the 2nd version of Making Good.
I am such a fan of his, and Wicked is very high on my list of favorite shows... but man did he get it right not becoming a singer. Songwriting is definitely his strength.
lekoman This was such a shallow thing to say.
lol he's not terrible but he's a great pianist too
i want him to release a solo album. there is so much emotion in his voice when he sings, i get chills just listening to him.
EvanBellTheatre He has at least one album out, perhaps two, I don't remember
I what a album of all the songs he cut from shows
Love the harmony in “he’ll say to me I see who you truly are...” Goosebumps. In fact, there’s lots more of those goosebumps moments in Wicked.
I read about the original "Making Good" from "The Grimmerie", so it's super cool hearing the original version.
No one is talking about the guts and confidence it takes to publicly show pieces of your work that were not very good and basically failures and use them to explain how a creative process works.
Maybe it’s just me, but I think it’s incredibly brave.
your such a good singer dude, amazing.
Now I really wish to hear full versions of the previous two songs!💚🎹🎼🎵🎶
He's in tune, and he's a composer not a singer.
The cry when he sings "Help me meet the Wizard" 😍😍
You know, I almost don't think it matters that he doesn't have a "beautiful" voice. He holds so much emotion when he sings that you almost forget he isn't a naturally gifted singer.
This is actually one of my favorite versions of The Wizard and I. I come back to it allll the time
I hope none of you take it this way, but I could watch him play piano all day.
He wrote all the music too...which only makes him more amazing.
When people see me they will scream for half of Oz's favorite team!
Stephen Schwartz and I!!!
;)
I LOVE watching him play piano! His hand motions are so... interesting! Love Love Love Stephen Schwartz.
He's trying to sing a part he wrote for Idina while playing the piano...also he's a composer, not a singer.
Fun fact: He actually wrote Elphaba for Stephanie J Block, she's another amazing broadway queen. She was Elphaba for the workshops but then they wanted a bigger name for Elphaba so they got Idina. Stephanie then went on the originate Liza Minnelli in The Boy From Oz.
@@katiecarrot31 he did not. The Wizard and I and No Good Deed were written for Idina's voice.
Making Good was a scrapped song, but the only one to be truly written with Stephanie's voice in mind.
Long story short: SJB FANS, *stop. Rewriting. The story.* The most Stephanie did for Wicked was a few reads in the workshop phase right before Idina auditioned, one show in San Francisco, and her full run as Elphaba. Idina built the role from the ground up. You can thank her for Elphaba, not Stephanie. If Stephanie would have been the original Elphaba, Defying Gravity itself would have been far less grand, and end on a "dooooown" belt.
The more I listen to the 1st "Making Good" I love it! Have it on my ipod! I know TWAI is better, but I love the musicality of it!
And I hadn't heard the second one so thank you SO MUCH for that!!!
And I found it incredibly interesting as a MASSIVE Idina fan to see how her personal style was utilised to create that bit of musical goldust!!! Thanks again!
That was beyond brilliant and gave me some insight into the workings of this musical genius' mind.
this was AWESOME.
In '98, when Schwartz and Julia Murney did a benefit concert at the Westport Country Playhouse, he had already written both the first "Making Good" AND "Defying Gravity"
the difference?
originally, "Defying Gravity" was somewhat legit and NOT the big belting anthem.
It was a few steps higher, much much slower tempo, and was considered a ballad. Chord progressions also had a minor foundation (opposed to standard pop major) to them. so the whole structure sounded EXTREMELY different..
...genius. I loved learning about the process behind what ended up being a huge hit.
Could this get any better?
This is perfection!!!
I actually liked hearing a guy sing that
I love the first making good. and this IS very good
Wow he really gets into it, huh? I really enjoyed seeing that process!
Majestic. I wish I could watch ALL the clips associated to Wicked.
outrageously interesting and entertaining
I pray that someday I can be remotely close to him in the GENIUS category.
i would have loved to go to this evening!
Lucky you!! What a awesome artist !!
Irony + foreshadowing = WIN!
Wow he is amazing!!!
_YAAAY, THEY'RE KICKING!_
I WAS GONNA TEXT THAT TO YOU
Just amazing.
i love this making good song. both versions. but the wizard and i is still my favorite.! :)
Thank for sharing..I had no idea!!
He's really not bad :)
The high note is an E, which is pretty easy for most guys, particularly higher baritones and tenors, to hit in their octave. It's really, really hard to belt it as a female, though.
MithraMusic not for me at all. I'm a soprano female who has a 4 octave range so that's probably why
You sure you belt in chest voice and not just sing it in head voice? (:
why am I seeing this in my recommended 11 years later- not complaining though
This is so amazing!!!!!! Loved it! He's such a full of soul and smartness genius!
Even Steven Schwartz riffs his own music :-P
He's truly AMAZING!!!!
They should so have one show where he actually plays the Wizard!! XD
He should have a cameo in the movie
I LOVE him so much!
song writing gold☺
Wow! What a treat!
08:48 - 09:40 Just purely speachless.
What an amazing guy. Genius.
I love this music
clever and brilliant :)
This is such an insight!!
hes such a genius
Big smile!
wow, this was really interesting to watch=) thanks for posting!
This is a reallly good song
Yes, the composer is great...as long as you don't get too close to him. He bites..hard!
yay! they're kicking! lol love SS
what happened was sjb was the voice type they wanted so they used her for the first readings and workshops, but they made clear that she wouldn't get the role because she had never been the lead in a broadway show before. so they ended up casting idina. but if i'm not mistaken they didn't have idina in mind until she actually auditioned
Thanks for posting these!! So cool to hear him talk about and perform his own work.
Negative.
It also featured Scott Coulter singing a few cut songs from POCHANTAS and HUNCHBACK.
very very interesting concert....
i loved Making Good
Maaannnn what a genius
@pakamausi It's because the first time you think he's going to play the whole thing, but he tells you he won't. Then the second time, you think he's going to play the whole song this time. But he tells you he won't. And /then/ at the end of this long video, he does play the whole song.
It's an analogy.
woah! thanks!
Buffy has it mostly right. According to Steph (interviews), it was later in the process of mounting the show, when they saw how expensive it was going to be, that they decided to go with a "name" who had opened a Broadway show before.
And "Making Good" was actually one of only three songs (+"One Short Day" and ALAYM) Stephen Schwartz had written before he began working with Steph.
Incidentally, the original "Defying Gravity" (during the workshops) was a few steps HIGHER than it is now. ;)
Genius!
I loved Making Good!
But TWAI is great too
Stephen is a genius
Does anyone know why he doesn’t sing this part “One day he’ll say to me Elphaba , a girl who is so superior ... Is it allright by you , if I degreenify you ?”
Alex Israelyan he skipped part of the song
Greatness
"They kicked!"
god could this guy get any more talented!???? xh
its amazing.. you can really hear Pippin in this song..
wow.. i love the version 2!!!i like his version of wizard and I too it sounds like Micheal McClean singing his own music.. an amazing musician and gives the singing a good try but it works though they cant sing hahaha :P Me loves Stephen I'm just say'n LOL
his facial expressions
What did he mean by "kick?"
Yes.
"A reading"? She worked with Schwartz for over two years on the show, through many of its earliest manifestations. I'm not taking anything away from Idina at all...but it's not like SJB sang through the songs once or twice. Most of the Elphaba songs (except the three listed) were written for her voice, with her range and vocal qualities in mind.
Idina had the recognizability they felt was necessary to open a show of this magnitude. That doesn't mean Stephanie was not right for the part.
I wonder if this will be included in the movie
I got it off limewire...Check it out.
If not I will try and get it on this computer to send it to you, but this is my laptop which doesn't have any music on it.
But I will try if I have some time :-)
does anyone know where/if i can get the first Making Good sheet music?
Liar liar pants on fire, you did the entire song.
He did the beginning and the end, but he left out a lot of the middle...
Why does it matter because without this guy Wicked would not even exist
Did he preform "Wizard and I" in a different key?
IVe read something that was recorded straight from the makers outh saying SJB did a reading but they thought Idina was right for the part.
Look at his hands goo!
a kick line
actually that wizard and i prototype was very good:P
5:02-5:05 and I was like YAY THEY'RE KICKING! XD Awesome!
What key is he singing in?
+Bwayinanchorage Key of G
Kyle Sherrington haha that's my lowest range
entertainer1987 they wanted Idina way before stpehanie but she was doing another musical at the time
think...The Rockettes. They stand in a line, and they kick pretty high. Sorry, I suck at explaining things. It's a dance term. Look up the Rockettes...then, you'll understand