Defying Gravity - Earliest Recording Oct 2001 - Liz Callaway - Wicked Musical
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- This may well be the earliest available version of Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked. Liz Callaway sings to a very small audience with Stephen Schwartz at piano in Baltimore, Maryland in October 2001. This was two years before the show would open on Broadway. Enjoy.
Transcript of Stehen Schwart's introduction of the song: "Some of you may know I’m working on a new show. It’s kind of early days for the show, a new show for the live theater. The show is called “Wicked.” It’s about the wicked witch of the west and how she became to be thus. And we thought we would do a sneak preview of one of the songs from the piece, even though, as I say, the show is a year or so away from happening. We’d love to do this, but the producer doesn’t know we’re doing this. So if any of you see Marc Platt, don’t tell him. So if you don’t tell him, we won’t. Anyway, I asked Liz to do this song for you this evening, even though there is nothing remotely witch-like about her. So you’ll just have to picture her all green. This is the song at the end of the first act where the wicked witch of the west comes into her own, feels her power happening for the first time.”
If this was the public world premiere (or one of the first times), I wonder if this audience had any idea upon hearing that first chorus that this would become the first real blockbuster musical number of the millennium. There's magic here.
I was there and remember thinking it was a great, powerful song. Of all the songs performed in the concert, that was the one that stuck with me the most. There was no inkling that the show would become a blockbuster, because it still wasn't even workshopped yet. The hope was that it would make it to Broadway, so we could see it. Remember Schwartz hadn't had a hit in quite a while, so the future of the material was very much in question.
Steve Okoniewski Thanks for the cool, insightful comment! :)
Steve Okoniewski You were there? Amazing! Did you record this? What other songs were played?
K. S. That was the only song from Wicked.
HOW DID I NOT KNOW ANASTASIA RECORDED THIS SONG
Because she didn’t? Anastasia Romanov was murdered in 1918 with the rest of her family.
Amazing how little the lyrics changed. Testament to how strong the song is and always was.
This gives me chills. The first ever public preview of what is now arguably a cult classic anthem. 20 years on and it’s still giving me chills❤
Arguably a cult classic? That's a couple very limiting qualifiers. I'd say it's arguably a classic (though even that is hedging a little too much I think).
Liz Callaway is one of the all-time greatest voices this world has ever seen.
This is so cool. I've always wanted to somehow hear the moment that the "so if you care to find me" line as we know it now was created.
According to Stephen Schwartz, it was Idina who suggested that instead of doing the flyig portion the same way all the choruses go, she should also be "up there" vocally
It’s interesting because the melody didn’t really change with time, but the rhythms did slightly. This is incredible-Thanks for sharing!
Liz Callaway is my favorite musical theatre voice. She's amazing, she absolutely nailed this song before everyone else!
It’s super cool to hear this now in 2020 after Wicked’s success throughout the years
I LOVE that "match them in renown"
This is a piece of History
The "down" was amazing
Can you imagine how deafening that was in person?!!! Powerhouse. No one belts better than Liz out of her mix... maybe SJB or Patti, but come on
This happening during the month I was born. I was destined to be obsessed with this goddamn musical
Note who Schwartz turned to, to bring justice to his new piece? She is truly the best!
2:05 I’m sure I’m not the only one who responded with “Can’t I make you understand? You’re having delusions of grandeur!” LOL
The ending is like how the half Leonard sheet music is!!! Now I know where that ending comes from.
Fascinating getting some background on the conceptualization and how it changed over time!
Too bad she didn’t get the credit for this she deserved! Beautiful.
I’m so used to how “look to the western sky” is sung now that this seems off.
This is so cool! I guess the "Ahahaha!" and the second "bring me down!" hadn't been invented yet.
Just like the high note on the "defYYYYING gravity"
The change in “So if you care to find me look to the western sky” was actually Idina’s Idea
It’s also rumored that Idina also suggested the Battle cry at the end
@@musicalsunlimited3740 i just watched a tiktok that apparently she couldnt sing the last note or something so then she made the riff. not sure if thats true or like to what degree. esp bc if the last note was "downnnnnnn" then i mean idina already sings that note so
@@musicalsunlimited3740 I don’t think so. I think Stephen has already written that part to be sung like it’s being today; it’s just that either it’s out of Liz’ belting range or she/they didn’t see the point of belting it out fully….?
@@CountryCowboy008nope. it was Idina who suggested the key change when Elphaba flies. There’s an interview available online from Stephen Schwartz himself as well as the 20th anniversary interview of Idina and Kristin.
amazing work. she sang it before sjb . Steven is incredible
Two years before Wicked opened on Broadway. Wow.
:)
What a rare find!
This is incredible. Gives me chills. Thank you for sharing.
I'm obsessed with this video thank you
It is pretty special. Thanks for reaching out.
Very cool. Thanks for sharing!
I was born in October 2001🥺🥺
Gorgeous voice!
Amazing song and Liz does this song good!
Wonderful!!
so cool! thanks for uploading this!
as much as I agree with Idina it makes more sense that since Elphaba's high up in the sky, the song should go up with her, I can't deny starting lower and bringing it up on "Everyone deserves the chance to FLY!" creates a wonderful buildup and release, I love it!
also was Liz ever actually considered as Elphaba or was she just brought in for the first sneak peak of the musical?
Anastasia
Hannah R And Princess Kiara and Princess Oddette. Ok...I love Lea Salonga, but those were my three favorite movies growing up.
I want this instrumental version😩😩😩😩
1:09 Is where the song starts
Now I need Christy Altomare as Elphaba.
Her voice is too weak for the role. Sorry not sorry.
@@CountryCowboy008 okay?
@@CountryCowboy008 She's definitely more of a Nessarose
@@oneandonlyprecarious oh yeah I agree! With her voice and demeanour, she could be a perfect Nessarose 😍