The Outstanding Wicked "Defying Gravity".
Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Galinda, later Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Their friendship has problems because of their opposite personalities and views, rivalry over the same love-interest, their reactions to the Wizard's tainted government, and, eventually, Elphaba's public fall from grace.
Wicked the musical premiered at San Francisco's Curran Theatre in May 2003. In October, 2003, the show relocated to Broadway's Gershwin Theatre. It was produced by Universal Pictures and directed by Joe Mantello. In the first Wicked cast the original stars were Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, and Joel Grey as the Wizard.
Even though production had been given mixed reviews and was slated by The New York Times, it has turned out to be a favorite amongst patrons. The Broadway production's success led to productions in Chicago, Los Angeles, London's West End, Tokyo, Melbourne, Sydney, Stuttgart, and San Francisco. There were also two North American tours that have visited over 30 cities in Canada and the United States.
Record Breaking Wicked
Wicked has broken box office records around the world, with weekly-gross-takings records in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, and London, and the record for the biggest opening in the West End. Both the West End production and the North American tour have been seen by over two million patrons.The show was nominated for ten 2004 Tony Awards, winning those for Best Actress (Menzel), Scenic Design and Costume Design.
Defying Gravity
The song most connected with Wicked is the excellent "Defying Gravity". In Wicked "Defying Gravity" is the finale song for the show's first act, when Elphaba discovers that The Wizard of Oz is not the heroic figure she had initially thought him to be. Knowing this, and in spite of Glinda's attempts to deter her, Elphaba decides to do every thing in her power to fight the Wizard and his menacing plans against the Animals of Oz. She sings of how she wants to live without any limits, contrary to the rules that others have set for her. During the song, Elphaba enchants a broomstick to levitate and, chased by the Wizard's guards, rises from the stage above the angry citizens of Oz, who try in vain to bring her down.
The staging of the Wicked "Defying Gravity" climax includes several special effects. The actress playing Elphaba is lifted up into the air by a hydraulic launch system. The sequence includes lots of moving lights, smoke, and wind effects. You must see Wicked "Defying Gravity" !
