Wicked
*Items in BLUE have
not yet been reviewed and any description comes from the previous trader.*
Audios:
Original Broadway Cast Recording
Norbert Leo Butz, Kristin Chenoweth, and Idina
Menzel. 1 CD.
Wicked Karaoke.
Full song list available upon request. 1 CD.
Wicked Compilation:
Three disk set of various Wicked Songs
from various performers/performances. Full track list available upon request.
*unreviewed*
Unknown
Date – Rehearsal/ Workshop and a Live Performance.
Cast:
(See description for more specifics) Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenoweth
Kinda
a strange audio. Combination of a workshop and what I think is also an early
audio from
2
CD's
A-
RARE! Limited trade.
Originally
labeled OBC rehearsals, I'm pretty sure this is the beginning of the Workshop
noted above. I'm currently comparing the two, and if so, I'll probably put them
back together the way they were meant to be J
1
CD
Rare, Limited Trade.
Cast:
Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, Norbert Leo Butz, Robert Morse
Very
nice sound quality. Different lyrics/dialogue/notes from what eventually made it
to Broadway. Annoying three second pause problem. Very
receptive audience. Gorgeous echo effect for Defying Gravity – probably one of
the best DG's I've heard out of Idina, hands down.
2
CD's
A-
Cast:
Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, Norbert Leo Butz, Robert Morse
Very
nice sound quality. Some different lyrics/dialogue from what eventually made it
to Broadway. It gives you an idea of the work that went into creating the roles
from SF to B-way . . .
Idina's
Defying Gravity is slightly more understated than it had been on 6-10.
2
CD's
A-
Broadway,
Cast:
Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Joel Grey, Carole Shelley, Norbert Leo Butz,
Michelle Federer, Christopher Fitzgerald, William Youmans
Original Broadway cast, opening night. Act one
does not fit onto one CD. Nice audio, but a tad on the lower side, still clear
except for an occasional cough. Menzel and Chenoweth work well in harmony
together.
2 CD's
Quality: A
Broadway
Cast: Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs
(U/S), Carole Shelley, Joel Grey, Christopher Fitzgerald
Diggs does a nice job as Fiyero,
I'd love to find a video of him in the role. Occasional mic bumping that almost
sounds like wind noise. Act One does not fit on one cd so CD two begins with
"Defying Gravity"* Otherwise an excellent audio, sounds like an
analog transfer though I was told it was digital.
2 CD's
Quality: A-
Broadway,
Cast:
Laura Bell Bundy (U/S), Idina Menzel, Joel Grey, Norbert Leo Butz, Carole
Shelley, Christopher Fitzgerald.
Nice
clear sound. Bundy doesn't hold a candle to Chenoweth as Glinda, though.
2
CD's
A
Broadway,
Cast:
Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Joel Grey, Norbert Leo Butz, Carole Shelley,
Christopher Fitzgerald, Michelle Federer
Very
heavy bass. Chenoweth and Menzel still rock the stage.
2
CD's
A-
Broadway
Idina Menzel/Eden Espinosa (u/s Elphaba, Act 2),
Laura Bell Bundy (u/s Glinda), Derrick Williams (u/s Fiyero), Sean McCourt (u/s
Wizard), Carole Shelley, Christopher Fitzgerald, Michelle Federer, William
Youmans
"Understudy Day", Missing part of Act
Two after Elphie discovers Dr. Dillamond in the Wizard's Chambers after
"Wonderful". Picks up again at "As Long As You're Mine."
Great quality recording. Idina became severely ill during Act One so
2 CD's
A
Broadway,
Eden Espinosa (u/s Elphaba), Kristin Chenoweth,
Norbert Leo Butz, Sean McCourt (u/s Wizard), Carole Shelley, Randy Harrison,
Michelle Federer, William Youmans
Absolutely beautiful audio except for one thing –
short pauses between tracks. Not three second, not even two second, but enough
where I can hear the track switch. Eventually I'll probably work on getting
these out.
2 CD's
A – (Downgraded because of pauses.)
Broadway,
Cast: Kristen Chenoweth (final performance), Idina
Menzel, Robert Norse?, Norbert Leo Butz (Final
Performance, Carole Shelley, Michelle Federer.
Has annoying three second pause problem and sound
drops sharply around the applause. I'll probably re-master it eventually but
it'll take some time. Not sure who plays the Wizard, but it's NOT Joel Grey.
Not sure about Boq either – doesn't sound like
Christopher Fitzgerald. Some adlibs by cast – Menzel's "Don't leave, I'll
miss you" just before One Short Day practically stops the show. Beautiful
sentiment. Includes Menzel's farewell speech at the end to Chenoweth, Butz, and
Grey (who was also leaving and I'd imagine was in the audience at the very
least.)
2 CD's
B+
RARE!
Limited trade
Broadway,
Idina Menzel, Jennifer Laura Thompson, George
Hearn, Joey MacIntyre, Christopher, Fitzgerald, Carole Shelley, Michelle
Federer
2 CD's
*Unreviewed*
Broadway, September 19, 2004, Matinee
Kristy Cates (u/s), Jennifer Laura Thompson, Joey Macintyre, George Hearn,
Carole Shelley, Michelle Federer, Christopher Fitzgerald, Anthony Galde (u/s)
Cates’ second of only two performances to date as
Elphaba. She's an excellent understudy, but sounds like she should be singing
opera rather than musicals. However, her “No Good Deed” completely rocks. Thompson at times vocally sounds like
Chenoweth, but her delivery is completely different. Macintyre doesn't quite
have the emotion of Norbert Butz, but he's vocally there – maybe with some more
experience under his belt he'll be better.
Video of this performance also available.
Audio is currently incomplete – missing part of
act two. Eventually I'll fix this from the video.
2 CD's
A
Broadway, October 19, 2004
Shoshana Bean (u/s Elphaba), Jennifer Laura Thompson, Kristoffer
Cusick (u/s Fiyero), George Hearn, Carole Shelley,
Christopher Fitzgerald, Michelle Federer, William Youmans
2 CD's
*Unreviewed*
Broadway,
Megan Hilty (U/S, Glinda) Idina Menzel
Full Show, great audio, but skips a little, but other than that
great quality. Date may not be correct, waiting for conformation on Date and
full cast list.
2 cd's
*Unreviewed*
Broadway,
Saycon Sengbloh (s/b Elphaba), Jennifer
Laura Thompson, David Ayers, George Hearn, Carole Shelley, Jeffrey Kuhn,
Michelle Federer
Saycon’s First Performance as Elphaba? Or second?
Not
great quality by any means – muffled, very possibly an I-pod audio – and
overloaded on the loud bits, almost sounds mono (it reminds me of the
generation loss from cassettes). Listenable though, just don't expect
miraculous sound here. Saycon has a great voice,
overpowering at times, but she's not as . . . energetic as I like my Elphabas to be. Still not thrilled with JLT's
Glinda.
2
CD's
B
Kristy Cates (u/s), Kendra Kassebaum,
David Garrison, Derrick Williams, Carol Kane, Jenna Leigh Green, Logan Lipton,
Timothy Britten Parker
VERY overpowering bass problem, but other wise decent sound, and
some other weird digital noises interspersed throughout.
Kane's Morrible is MARVELOUS! I love her already lol! Cates shines
through once again. Kassenbaum's Glinda is definitely
different, I'll say that much.
2 CD's
B
VIDEOS:
Broadway
Press Reels
Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenoweth, Norbert Leo Butz, Joel Grey, Carole Shelley, Michelle Federer, Christopher
Fitzgerald, William Youmans
About 20 minutes or so of pro-shot video from the show. 10 clips. Trades as full show.
Let Us Be Glad (Opening)
Wizard And
I
Dancing Through Life
Popular
One Short Day
Defying Gravity
Couldn’t Be Happier
Wonderful
As Long As You're
Mine
For Good
Quality: A+ - Pro-shot
NTSC VHS, VCD, NTSC DVD, MPEG
Data Disk
Broadway,
Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenoweth, Norbert Leo Butz, Joel Grey, Carole Shelley, Michelle Federer, Christopher Fitzgerald,
William Youmans
Great
cast, but horrible shooting, many many blackouts,
more worth it for the audio segment. Probably of interest to collectors only.
NTSC
VHS
Broadway,
Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenoweth, Norbert Leo Butz, Joel Grey, Carole Shelley, Michelle Federer, Christopher
Fitzgerald, William Youmans
Quality: A
Nicely filmed and clear, but
with some spot washout in places and the camera doesn't always follow the
action. There's a blackout during the end of "Dancing through life". I'm
pretty sure this is a digital video. Easy to see why Idina won the Tony – she's
amazing! Chenoweth must have been right behind her in the running because she's
wonderful as well.
NTSC VHS, NTSC DVD
DVD includes special features
TV clips, please ask for details. Runs about 4 hours.
Limited Trade
Broadway,
Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenoweth, Taye Diggs (U/S Fiyero), Joel Grey, Carole Shelley, Michelle
Federer, Christopher Fitzgerald, William Youmans
Quality: A-
Originally shot in PAL, NTSC
conversion was made from master PAL tape with
professional grade equipment. Video is clear and generally well-shot; as it was
the taper's first full video, there is some shakiness.
Menzel and Chenoweth still
going strong. Diggs has some amazing moments, and it was a clip of "As
Long As You're Mine" from this performance that originally hooked me on
Wicked. He and Menzel have absolutely amazing chemistry (Of course they do,
they're married how could they not!)
NTSC VHS, VCD, DVD
Limited trade
Broadway,
Idina
Menzel, Kristen Chenoweth (final performance), Norbert Leo Butz (Final
Performance),Sean McCourt (U/S, Wizard), Carole Shelley, Michelle Federer.
Quality:
A-
Complete
blackout until after Glinda's line "The Wicked Witch of the West – is
dead!" Also many other cover-ups. Thunderous applause when Kristen
Chenoweth first appears. Also a few lines of dialogue worth missing from the
beginning of the scene where Elphie and Galinda are about to tell secrets. Missing
the very beginning of Act 2. Also missing the dialogue after "As Long As
You're Mine" (Cuts off Idina's word, Wicked, and the rest of the dialogue)
Not
sure about who plays Boq
– doesn't sound like Christopher Fitzgerald.
Some
adlibs by cast – Menzel's "Stay with me, I'll miss you" just before
One Short Day practically stops the show. I choked up just watching it. Includes Menzel's farewell speech at the end
to Chenoweth, Butz, and Grey (Who was at the performance and appeared onstage
during the speeches though he did not perform.)
Also
includes extra features from several TV spots:
1.
Commercial by Thirteen.org
2.
Broadway on Broadway - Idina Menzel - The Wizard and I
3.
Today Show - Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel - Popular
4.
David Letterman - Idina and ensemble - Defying Gravity
5.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Idina, Kristen, Ensemble - One Short Day
6.
Theater Talk - Interview - Idina and Kristen
7.
On Stage - Interview - Idina and Kristen
8.
A&E Breakfast With The Arts - Idina and Kristen
9.
Kristen and Idina - For Good - Macy's Window Display
10.
Seth's Broadway Chatterbox W/ Idina Menzel
NTSC
DVD
Broadway, Sept. 19, 2004, Matinee
Kristy Cates (u/s), Jennifer Laura Thompson, Joey McIntyre, George Hearn,
Carole Shelley, Michelle Federer, Christopher Fitzgerald, Anthony Galde (u/s)
Quality:
A-
1st gen. Cates’ second of only two performances to date as Elphaba. She's an
excellent understudy, but sounds like she should be singing opera rather than
musicals. However, her “No Good Deed” completely blows Idina’s out of the
water, it was incredible. Thompson at
times vocally sounds like Chenoweth, but her delivery is completely different.
McIntyre doesn't quite have the emotion of Norbert Butz, but he's vocally there
– maybe with some more experience under his belt he'll be better.
Shot
from the center orchestra. Complete except for the first 20 seconds of Act 2.
Curtain call is audio-only. Taper sat behind a woman with the biggest hair in
the world, which blocks most of the left far side including the ‘gear’ thrust
set piece and any action that takes place in that area. There is a smaller head
at center a few rows down that doesn't really get in the way too much, and one
on the right that taper was able to shoot around. A fair amount of
wandering but this video gets better as it goes along. Despite the issues it is
an incredible video with amazing close-ups, especially during main numbers.
Because of the absolutely breathtaking designs in this production there is a
fair mix of wide shots and close ups. A must-have for anyone that is even
remotely interested in this show.
2 NTSC DVDs
RARE
Broadway,
Shoshana Bean (SB), Jennifer Laura Thompson, Joey
McIntyre (Final Performance), George Hearn, Carole Shelley, Michelle Federer,
Robb Sapp (U/S, Boq), Idina Menzel (Cameo appearance,
final scene, Final Performance.)
Quality: A
1st Generation from the digital Master.
Was supposed to be Idina Menzel's final performance as Elphaba, but an accident
onstage the day before kept her from performing, she is there for the speeches
and makes a cameo in the final scene. Bean delivers an excellent performance,
different than Menzel's, more childish. Thompson's Glinda grates on me at
times. McIntyre has improved tenfold. Bean overpowers Thompson during "For
Good".
Some wonderful shots. Random cover-ups. Camera
wanders at times and misses what could be some really great shots. During Popular, there is a problem with the
flower barrette that Glinda gives Elphaba – this stops the show for nearly a
minute as Thompson attempts to get it attached in Bean's hair, futility,
finally sticking it in the front of Bean's dress. In the next scene, there's
still a problem with the barrette, it keeps falling out during Elphaba's
discussion with Fiyero before class.
First five minutes or so of Act II are audio only.
On the DVD, this time is a separate chapter, so if you're that bored with the
black screen, you can fast forward to where there's video easily.
In the last scene, when Fiyero comes in as the
Scarecrow, lifts the hat and knocks on the trap door, instead of Bean popping
out, Menzel comes in from stage right. Literally, her appearance stops the show
for a good three or four minutes as the audience goes wild with applause and
many "Woo-hoo's" and "We Love You Idina"'s. Menzel finishes the scene (out of costume)
with McIntyre, with several add-libs, and many
audience interruptions with more applause. Some of what they say is almost
unintelligible over the applause, but you can still feel the energy and emotion
both in the crowd and onstage. Most of the cast are obviously overcome.
Thompson hams it up during her goodbye to McIntyre.
Joe Montello (producer) comes out to give Idina's farewell speech.
Half of Idina's farewell speech is audio only (very
disappointing!)
DVD is well mastered, includes slideshow of
playbill at beginning, including understudy announcements.
NTSC DVD
Rare!
Mix
Tape
Tons
of clips of the OBC, includes the press reels. Sound goes a bit quirky after
the reels though. Full description coming.
NTSC
DVD