He probably planned it since that was also his point with making an audience wait for something they expect to happen. He said that he wont sing the whole song on the first two versions and he didnt, but then explained that the lead is good at belting and everyone expects that of her, so he wants to show that off with this song. He again says he wont do the whole thing, but how can he otherwise show off what he means at the end without doing the whole thing? :) So he meant to do the whole thing. Thats just my 3 AM theory on this and why he is a genius. xD
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.
The beauty of the song is that it shows a childish, naive side of Elphaba which is very different from her usual confident and self reliant personality. It humanizes the character and really creates a lot of empathy for her story
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.
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...
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.
It is, but the comment is using “wait for it” song to describe structurally how the audience has to wait for the pay off of hearing Idina belt like he described in his lecture.
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.
Cynthia Erivo did such an amazing job on this song, especially because her tone switches up a lot from her sweet and kinda soft lower register to her clear ringing belt. One of my favourite songs from the musical
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..
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 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.
@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.
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!
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.
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
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. ;)
"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"?
True lover of the craft
He probably planned it since that was also his point with making an audience wait for something they expect to happen.
He said that he wont sing the whole song on the first two versions and he didnt, but then explained that the lead is good at belting and everyone expects that of her, so he wants to show that off with this song.
He again says he wont do the whole thing, but how can he otherwise show off what he means at the end without doing the whole thing? :)
So he meant to do the whole thing.
Thats just my 3 AM theory on this and why he is a genius. xD
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.
The beauty of the song is that it shows a childish, naive side of Elphaba which is very different from her usual confident and self reliant personality. It humanizes the character and really creates a lot of empathy for her story
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.
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 appreciate how he wasn’t focusing on his singing abilities but more on the heart of the song. Very impactful
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
Here after watching wicked in the cinema having never had the chance to see it on stage CANNOT wait for part 2
Stephen schtwartz is amazing , and is an excelent person
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...
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.
I always thought that “The Wizard And I” is an “I want” song.
It is, but the comment is using “wait for it” song to describe structurally how the audience has to wait for the pay off of hearing Idina belt like he described in his lecture.
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
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 love how he kept parts of the melody of the 2nd version of Making Good.
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.
He wrote all the music too...which only makes him more amazing.
The cry when he sings "Help me meet the Wizard" 😍😍
Cynthia Erivo did such an amazing job on this song, especially because her tone switches up a lot from her sweet and kinda soft lower register to her clear ringing belt. One of my favourite songs from the musical
Yes! It makes me feels so many things.. joy, excitement, pride, hopefulness, interjected with some ironic foreshadowing
She sounded completely lifeless and dull.
@@aidandavis5550 it's a shame that your health insurance doesn't cover hearing aids
He's a genius. I love hearing the back stories. I'm a new fan!
Now I really wish to hear full versions of the previous two songs!💚🎹🎼🎵🎶
When people see me they will scream for half of Oz's favorite team!
Stephen Schwartz and I!!!
;)
That was beyond brilliant and gave me some insight into the workings of this musical genius' mind.
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
I hope none of you take it this way, but I could watch him play piano all day.
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..
I read about the original "Making Good" from "The Grimmerie", so it's super cool hearing the original version.
I LOVE watching him play piano! His hand motions are so... interesting! Love Love Love Stephen Schwartz.
I love these ‘evolution of song’ videos. So fascinating to see how composers work. Brilliant
No greater gift than to hear the composer do the song. All the material is there. Then give it to the performer. But we need this.
He's in tune, and he's a composer not a singer.
your such a good singer dude, amazing.
I pray that someday I can be remotely close to him in the GENIUS category.
Wow he really gets into it, huh? I really enjoyed seeing that process!
everyone thank this man 🙏
you know hes a successful broadway guy by the way he prioritizes the acting of the song over pretty singing. Its my favorite thing about theatre
_YAAAY, THEY'RE KICKING!_
I WAS GONNA TEXT THAT TO YOU
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.
@@veraelphie0306and I thought SJB was pregnant that’s why Idina came
@katiecarrot31exactly he only needs to know how he wants it to sound
Musical genius responsible for so many classics ❤❤❤
I will forever love this brilliant man
I actually liked hearing a guy sing that
...genius. I loved learning about the process behind what ended up being a huge hit.
Thank you! It is so magical to watch
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? (:
Could this get any better?
This is perfection!!!
Irony + foreshadowing = WIN!
08:48 - 09:40 Just purely speachless.
What an amazing guy. 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.
this was AWESOME.
He's truly brilliant! 💚🩷
Lucky you!! What a awesome artist !!
I love the first making good. and this IS very good
Majestic. I wish I could watch ALL the clips associated to Wicked.
outrageously interesting and entertaining
Its good to know even the best have to work at it.
i love this making good song. both versions. but the wizard and i is still my favorite.! :)
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!
why am I seeing this in my recommended 11 years later- not complaining though
Wow he is amazing!!!
He's really not bad :)
i would have loved to go to this evening!
song writing gold☺
He actually has an outstanding voice this is crazy
Just amazing.
Thank for sharing..I had no idea!!
I love this music
Even Steven Schwartz riffs his own music :-P
This is so amazing!!!!!! Loved it! He's such a full of soul and smartness genius!
I LOVE him so much!
wow, this was really interesting to watch=) thanks for posting!
He's truly AMAZING!!!!
Yes, the composer is great...as long as you don't get too close to him. He bites..hard!
Damn. This man can tell a story.
hes such a genius
Wow! What a treat!
here again
They should so have one show where he actually plays the Wizard!! XD
He should have a cameo in the movie
@@AirTravel415 "the Wizard will see you now!" 💚
@@noxatracava5361 yes, Winnie has one two
How I wish I was in that room x
This is such an insight!!
Thanks for posting these!! So cool to hear him talk about and perform his own work.
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
This is a reallly good song
Big smile!
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
Negative.
It also featured Scott Coulter singing a few cut songs from POCHANTAS and HUNCHBACK.
very very interesting concert....
The “I could….melt” line is so damn clever
clever and brilliant :)
Yes.
i loved Making Good
I loved Making Good!
But TWAI is great too
Maaannnn what a genius
yay! they're kicking! lol love SS
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. ;)
god could this guy get any more talented!???? xh
its amazing.. you can really hear Pippin in this song..
Greatness
Stephen is a genius
woah! thanks!
He is a genius.
Musically, I prefer “Making Good” for sure. But there's many great choices in the final song.