Well, as I sit here at home on a Saturday night (hey! I'm just being safe about not getting sick and tired for an upcoming show) I came across an article about Joel Grey in Wicked. Here's a little piece of the Playbill.com article:
"Grey plays a role listed as "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" — every inch of it — and that's seconded by a show-stopping song and dance called, simply and accurately, "Wonderful" (Wonderful/They called me "Wonderful"/So I said "Wonderful - if you insist/I will be wonderful - "/And they said "Wonderful"/Believe me, it's hard to resist). It's not easy to make an understatement of that adjective, but Grey manages to do it."
Does anyone really feel that 'Wonderful' is a show-stopping number? I personally felt that the song wasn't all that great.
I wasn't saying to myself: "Wow, he's a real legend and I'll never forget that."
I just thinking: "Bring Kristin back on." I guess my expectations were a little big.
Does anyone else feel the same way? Is the Wizard really such a great show stopping part? I've yet to determine if I didn't like the character itself or Joel Grey. Maybe I'll catch it again when he leaves to see.
I agree.."Wonderful" is the only song i don't like. I didn't like it in the theatre and it's even worse on the cast recording. And it's not saturday night yet, it's only 5:30 my luau doesn't start for 3 hours!
"Fidelity is more than mere display, it's what a man expects from life. Fidelity, like mine to Desiree and Charlotte my devoted wife..."
I, too, think "Wonderful" is the weak point in the score. It seems to be a number thrown in just so Joel Grey can have a moment to strut his stuff.
"Wherever you go... I'll be right there. When you get your own private kick in the ass, just remember: it's a present from me to you."
Rose's dying words to Louise
it looked like it was choreographed by Fosse! Joel practically did those Fosse "jazz hands" move. I thought it looked more like Mr Cellophane from CHICAGO!
"I've had two years to grow claws, Mother, and they're Jungle Red!" Mary Haines - The Women
This is very interesting. While I acknowledge the fact that WICKED is probably a great show, Joel Grey would be my only draw to go see it, just because, well he's the INCOMPARABLE (let me emphasize this as much as possible) Joel Grey. It was the same thing with Chita in NINE. I get the impression that from what everyone is saying he (in this particually case) is not "worth it" (at least in terms of the role.)
Went I went to see Wicked, one of the things I was most looking forward to was Joel Gray, based on how wonderful I thought he was in both stage and film versions of Cabaret. I know the years have passed, but speaking objectively, I didn't get any thrill from him this time. I don't know if it was the weak song, or his performance.
When i listen to the CD i usually skip the song "Wonderful" or just let it play when im busy. I also skip "something bad" I dont like the sheep sound! =P
"Chicago is it's own incredible theater town right there smack down in the middle of the heartland. What a great city! I can see why Oprah likes to live there!" - Dee Hoty :-D
something bad doesnt come off like a song in the play it coems off like a funny lil minute of talking and slight singing. Wonderful isn't wonderful its decnt. not great not bad but somewhere in the middle.
"Look on the Bright Side
Not on the Blackside
get off your backside
shine those shoes!
This is your golden opportunity:
Your the lightning and the news!"
-Assassins
Well i HATE Wicked and I don't mind saying so on this LOVING wicked board. BUT I love Joel Grey. the Wizard in Wicked in the villan, tho its not written that way... and all the songs he sings seem FORCED to fit into the style we see as Joel Grey... Lets face it Stephen Schwartz (and i LOVE Pippen) is NO Kander and Ebb!!!!
There was a lot of excitement and hype about Joel Grey being in Wicked. But his part was rather small and unimpressive to me. But I am comparing him to Joel Grey of the old days. He also should up date his head shot. It must be about 30 years old.
"Life is not measured by the number
of breaths we take, but by moments
that take our breath away."
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
but how to dance in the rain."
I thought Joel was great as the Wizard. I was surprised with how small his part was, but he performed it perfectly, even the dreadful song he was given.