Steph is a Mezzo-Saprano, so this is right in her range. All of the "Wicked" songs were written for her anyway. She did all of the original work with Stephen Schwartz and all of the workshops. I've never heard anything that's "out of her range". She is just so talented, I can listen to her for hours. Her new CD is terrific. I'd love to see a "Live" album from her. All her RUclips stuff is so fun to watch. SJB is the greatest!
Typically not one to argue, but since I actually know Stephanie, I will say that she was most definitely Elphaba in the workshops. I was doing Oliver with her in Spring of 2001 and she was telling us all about this workshop she was doing that was based off of the Wizard of Oz. It is true, of course, that when the show was moving the Broadway, Idina was hired.
Wow! Great sound quality! Sounds like she's really right here singing in this very room! Stephanie is amazing! They made a terrible mistake by ditching Stephanie for Idina Menzel when Stephanie was suppose to be the original Elphaba! Stephanie is the best. People only say Idina is the best because she was the original. If they knew Stephanie was suppose to be the original Elphaba, they would all say she was the best!
She was the original. She was the Elphaba in the workshops, and then two weeks before opening, they wanted someone with a bigger name, so they fired her and got Idina. Which was a mistake, even though Idina is good. No one beats SJB.
In reply to @Victor Hugo Santana - You have that entire thing backwards. Stephanie worked on Wicked for years...songs were written by Stephen while she was singing them, she did all the workshops with Kristen and Idina didn't come on board until they started the original San Francisco run (see; pre-Broadway trial) with Stephanie as her understudy. Trust me on this one - definitely know what went on. If you don't believe me, read the Grimmerie and find out the history - it's all in there.
She was supposed to be! Schwartz wrote the part for her but she was big in LA and not in New York and Idina had just gotten done closing Rent so the producers booked her instead.
I know charts are expensive, etc.. but I think that they should ALWAYS adjust the key for the actor playing the role instead of letting people wreck their voices by trying to do something that isn't 100% comfortable 8 times a week week after week. It's better and less stressful for the performer and therefore better for the show!
Nothing was lowered a key. Stephanie was the original Elphaba. She hurt herself flying during workshops of wicked before it went into previews and Idina took her place.
@Guy and Rebekah- you guys are so very wrong. Idina was done with Rent many many years before Wicked and was hired as Elphaba in 2001, not two weeks before opening but rather two years! I love Stephanie, but get your facts right!
I wonder if they lowered it so that the high notes would be in her "sweet spot" in her voice, that way she doesn't have to strain her voice at all. That or they didn't want to blow the audience away. LOL
If she had been the original the show would be totally different, totally. She worked for about a year, early stages, Idina worked for almost 3 years creating her Elphaba (the Elphaba standard for all the others performers), Idina did more readings, SJB DIDN'T do all the workshops at all. All the songs were adapted to Idina, Defying Gravity was 100% different, it wasn't the belting anthem that everyone loves. New songs were written to Idina...
Steph is a Mezzo-Saprano, so this is right in her range. All of the "Wicked" songs were written for her anyway. She did all of the original work with Stephen Schwartz and all of the workshops. I've never heard anything that's "out of her range". She is just so talented, I can listen to her for hours. Her new CD is terrific. I'd love to see a "Live" album from her. All her RUclips stuff is so fun to watch. SJB is the greatest!
Typically not one to argue, but since I actually know Stephanie, I will say that she was most definitely Elphaba in the workshops. I was doing Oliver with her in Spring of 2001 and she was telling us all about this workshop she was doing that was based off of the Wizard of Oz. It is true, of course, that when the show was moving the Broadway, Idina was hired.
I've never seen an Elphaba quite as expressive as Stephanie J Block. Each part of her face and body tells a different story :)
She brings such an honesty to Elphaba, it's absolutely wonderful
I love how her vibrato really shines in this lower key.
i couldn't tell you how many times i've heard this song, but watching stephanie sing it gave me goosebumps like the first time i heard it.
To me, she is perfection ALWAYS.
aw it's been so long since ive heard her sing wicked :)
Wow! Great sound quality! Sounds like she's really right here singing in this very room! Stephanie is amazing! They made a terrible mistake by ditching Stephanie for Idina Menzel when Stephanie was suppose to be the original Elphaba! Stephanie is the best. People only say Idina is the best because she was the original. If they knew Stephanie was suppose to be the original Elphaba, they would all say she was the best!
i love her facial expressions! i was singing along with her and i wasnt really looking and i then i realized i was doin the SAME THINGS!
i luve how it is only piano it really makes her voice stand up..as if it doesnt already lol
She was the original. She was the Elphaba in the workshops, and then two weeks before opening, they wanted someone with a bigger name, so they fired her and got Idina. Which was a mistake, even though Idina is good. No one beats SJB.
wow she sounds awesome!
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS.
FABULOUS♥
SIMPLY... FABULOUS!!!!!!!
Perfect!
In reply to @Victor Hugo Santana - You have that entire thing backwards. Stephanie worked on Wicked for years...songs were written by Stephen while she was singing them, she did all the workshops with Kristen and Idina didn't come on board until they started the original San Francisco run (see; pre-Broadway trial) with Stephanie as her understudy. Trust me on this one - definitely know what went on. If you don't believe me, read the Grimmerie and find out the history - it's all in there.
Lol.. She was the original Elphie!!! :D ..and THE only one. Idina was fabulous but Steph is better!
She was supposed to be! Schwartz wrote the part for her but she was big in LA and not in New York and Idina had just gotten done closing Rent so the producers booked her instead.
I know charts are expensive, etc.. but I think that they should ALWAYS adjust the key for the actor playing the role instead of letting people wreck their voices by trying to do something that isn't 100% comfortable 8 times a week week after week. It's better and less stressful for the performer and therefore better for the show!
Nothing was lowered a key. Stephanie was the original Elphaba. She hurt herself flying during workshops of wicked before it went into previews and Idina took her place.
@Offatacanter even with a bag on her head she'd still look great!
@Guy and Rebekah- you guys are so very wrong. Idina was done with Rent many many years before Wicked and was hired as Elphaba in 2001, not two weeks before opening but rather two years! I love Stephanie, but get your facts right!
I'm curious as to why this was lowered? There seems to be no reason why Stephanie couldn't sing this in the original key. Can anyone enlighten me?
Well, for one: she isn't green. Very pretty woman. And, a trememndous talent.
B flat
I wonder if they lowered it so that the high notes would be in her "sweet spot" in her voice, that way she doesn't have to strain her voice at all. That or they didn't want to blow the audience away. LOL
shes singing it in a lower key
If she had been the original the show would be totally different, totally. She worked for about a year, early stages, Idina worked for almost 3 years creating her Elphaba (the Elphaba standard for all the others performers), Idina did more readings, SJB DIDN'T do all the workshops at all. All the songs were adapted to Idina, Defying Gravity was 100% different, it wasn't the belting anthem that everyone loves. New songs were written to Idina...
I don't like the lower key...it's not as impressive...I'm not a Steph Block fan but still it's disappointing.