Ariana Grande: "Wicked"

I'm not going to rain too much on anyone's parade, but I will list my objections first:

*Ariana Grande was the wrong candidate. She has obvious reverence for Kristin Chenoweth--which is touching--but she isn't on par with Chenoweth. It's clear that Grande made a choice to attempt a Xerox copy of Chenoweth's various brilliant moves--and I'm disappointed. (Was Annaleigh Ashford judged to be "too old"?)

*The meandering book scene before "Defying" is almost fatally tedious.

*It is impossible to make sense of Fiyero. (I understand that this is because he actually represents a mishmash of two characters from the novel.)

*The Galinda/Glinda discussion adds nothing to the story, and it certainly doesn't merit inclusion in a movie that is already much too long.

*Glinda's sudden decision to befriend Elphaba--because of an awkward dance--leaves me scratching my head. Maybe an actor stronger than Grande could have persuaded me to believe in this substantial inner change. As things stand: Nope.

All that said, I had a great time. I think "Wicked" is best when it keeps things small. I like the boarding-school scenes. (The writer is also the writer of "My So-Called Life.") I've always enjoyed "What Is This Feeling," a parody of a love song, in which the two leads find pleasure in their mutual disgust. "Though I do admit it came on fast...still, I do believe that it can last! And I will be loathing you my whole life long."

This song really takes flight in the bridge section; Grande deploys squads of Janet Jackson-esque dancers, and she suddenly recognizes that her unfortunate situation can actually help her to amass more power. (Glinda can score points through martyrdom. "These things are sent to *try* us!")

Delightful. I will always sing the praises of this song.

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