Film musicals have received Finest Image earlier than, on prime of the thriving theater trade that may be seen in New York and past. Whereas I loved offbeat musicals, the blockbuster Broadway hit Depraved will all the time have a particular place in my coronary heart as a millennial theater child. The primary Depraved film is arriving in theaters, adapting the primary act of the stage present.
Since Depraved is being break up into two films, not one of the beloved songs have been lower from the primary movie. I am assuming the identical might be true for Jon M. Chu’s sequel which takes place years after the primary film (see CinemaBlend’s Depraved evaluation right here). As a hardcore fan of the musical, there are some songs I rank above others merely due to how they make me really feel within the theater. And with out additional ado, listed below are the tracks of the Wizard of Oz prequel ranked. A massive fats spoiler alert for Depraved‘s films are so as since I will be discussing plot particulars.
Thank Goodness
Act 2 of Depraved reveals the time leap that is handed since “Defying Gravity” was belted out on the finish of the primary. The opening tune is titled “Thank Goodness” and provides the viewers a deep understanding of Glinda’s perspective on the drama in Oz, in addition to her private life.
Whereas she’s making an attempt to be cheery for the Ozians of The Emerald Metropolis, it exhibits the true vulnerability of the “Good Witch.” Whereas she’s not a fugitive like Elphie, she’s caught working for The Wizard whereas Fiyero pines for her finest pal. After which there’s all of the guilt she has about staying behind and never becoming a member of Elphaba on her mission. Sadly, it will be one other yr earlier than we get to see Ariana Grande’s spin on that heartbreaking tune.
For Good
Apart from “Defying Gravity”, this observe is maybe the most important anthem of Depraved. “For Good” is the penultimate tune, the place Glinda and Elphaba lastly get sincere and susceptible about their lengthy historical past collectively. It is the cumulation of the whole story, with the witches acknowledging their very own wrongdoing, and in the end profess how a lot they love one another.
There’s normally not a dry eye in the home after “For Good”, and one can solely think about all the guts Grande and Erivo will put into the tune for the second Depraved movie. Contemplating how emotional they have been all through Depraved‘s promotional tour, sensible cash says that the tune goes to go onerous.
I am Not That Woman
There was a ton of strain on the Depraved solid, however Jon M. Chu struck gold with its main girls Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The latter actress has to belt to the heavens throughout sure songs, however on the stage and display screen “I am Not That Woman” permits Elphaba to point out one other facet of her voice.
Throughout this tune the inexperienced woman affords some beautiful low notes, revealing emotions of insecurity and unrequited love. She’s satisfied Fiyero might by no means love somebody like her, and the tune’s delicate orchestration is in stark juxtaposition to belty tracks like “All Good Deeds” or “Defying Gravity.”
Dancing By way of Life
“Dancing By way of Life” is a fan favourite tune from Depraved, one which includes the entire firm and permits many of the principal solid to get solos. Whereas at the start the tune is Fiyero’s massive solo in Act 1, it additionally finally ends up being a story sport changer for the whole story.
As a result of after having an antagonistic relationship since being caught collectively as Shiz roommates, Elphaba and Glinda come collectively for the primary time on the finish of “Dancing.” Glinda realizes how a lot she’s harm the longer term Depraved Witch, and so they dance collectively in a second of silent, transferring solidarity.
The Depraved With of the East
“The Depraved Witch of the East” is Depraved‘s model of a B-side. As a result of whereas it is a part of the Broadway musical, it is noticeably lacking from the solid recording. That is presumably as a result of it affords some massive spoilers, and there is additionally dialogue in between every vocal solo. Nevertheless it’s additionally certainly one of my favourite elements of the present, and I am so wanting to see it on the large display screen.
On this tune Elphaba travels dwelling to Munchkinland, the place her sister Nessa is sitting as Governor. They argue about her actions because the “depraved” witch, in addition to their childhood and relationship. The tune additionally concerned Boq, and issues go from tense to tragic as soon as the magic of The Grimmerie is concerned. Feelings are excessive for everybody concerned, and it by no means fails to take my breath away.
Defying Gravity
This one is maybe essentially the most well-known tune from Depraved. “Defying Gravity” is the closing second of Act 1 of the present, in addition to Jon M. Chu’s corresponding first film. After being withdrawn all through the story thus far, Elphaba lastly stands in her energy, and takes a stand in opposition to the treachery of The Wizard.
The tune is a real energy ballad, and is a magical expertise for audiences. On each the stage and display screen she takes flight, belting to the heavens at her enemies under her. All of it ends with a last battle cry, making it clear that the Elphie we knew is not any extra.
As Lengthy As You are Mine
Whereas Glinda has her eyes on Fiyero instantly, it is clear that he additionally has a connection to Elphaba. Halfway by means of the present’s second act, they lastly act on that attraction and flee into the woods collectively.
“As Lengthy As You are Mine” is the primary love tune of Depraved, and has essentially the most romantic musical lyrics of the piece. And seeing the inexperienced woman lastly feeling attractive and needed is normally an emotional expertise for audiences as nicely. Their honeymoon part is so candy… whereas it lasts.
Finale
The finale of Depraved brings the viewers again to the place the story all began. Glinda is along with her fellow Ozians after Elphaba’s obvious loss of life. Whereas the ensemble as soon as once more sings in regards to the “excellent news” about her loss of life, we now perceive simply how shut the pair of witches have been.
Glinda is left totally heartbroken, mourning privately as these round her have fun Elphaba being killed by Dorothy. And the viewers can also be aware of info she would not about what actually went down along with her finest pal. Critically, what a intestine punch to go away the story on.
The Wizard And I
“The Wizard and I” is Elphaba’s first massive quantity, and is a basic musical theater “I Need” tune. The viewers learns who she is and what her targets are, particularly the hopes of being accepted and even “de-greenified” by The Wizard.
The younger scholar stands in stark juxtaposition to the Depraved Witch from The Wizard of Oz, and it is onerous not be swept up by its hovering melody and orhestrtion. Every Elphaba sings this tune a bit of in another way, with vocal decisions serving to to elicit robust feelings from musical theater followers.
One Quick Day
Whereas many of the first Depraved film (and Act 1 of its stage musical) are set at Shiz College, the 2 main girls finally depart for the Emerald Metropolis after an invite comes from The Wizard himself.
The complete ensemble quantity “One Quick Day” follows, which is a enjoyable option to introduce the fan-favorite location from The Wizard of Oz. However the tune ends on a surprisingly touching second, the place Glinda and Elphaba affirm that they’ve develop into one another’s finest pal. I am not crying, you are crying.
Standard
“Standard” is Glinda’s signature tune from Depraved, and is arguably the funniest scene in the whole story. She’s principally a cartoon character on this sequence, having an over-the-top slumber occasion along with her new bestie Elphie, and assuring her she’d assist make her (nearly) as well-liked as her.
As humorous as “Standard” is, there are some very touching moments. Notably the one the place Glinda places a pink flower in Elphaba’s hair and tells her that she’s stunning. It is clear that the inexperienced gal has by no means heard that earlier than, which is why she runs out of the room.
No One Mourns the Depraved
Within the opening quantity “No One Mourns the Depraved” residents of Ouncescelebrate the information that Dorothy killed the Depraved Witch of the West. The tune is a really energetic option to begin the story, and even the opening notes have a method of constructing hardcore followers emotional.
Seeing Elphaba’s tragic backstory tugs on the coronary heart strings, particularly the way in which her father rejected her as an toddler. And after seeing the story in its full, Glinda’s response to all of the chatter is all of the extra heartbreaking.
No Good Deed
Issues go downhill within the second half of Depraved, and the drama surrounding Elphaba goes from unhealthy to worse. And after shedding a number of of her family members and realizing that the world would by no means perceive her, she lastly declares herself to be “depraved” throughout “No Good Deed.”
Seeing Elphaba’s age lastly take management is a strong expertise, as is the temporary moments of stillness as she mourns who she’s misplaced. She frantically tries to save lots of Fiyero’s life with spell, earlier than declaring that she’d by no means do one other good deed once more, as none of them go unpunished.
What Is This Feeling?
Whereas Glinda and Elphaba develop into finest mates, they do not begin off that method. As an alternative they’re caught collectively as roommates, and immediately having a sense of “loathing” towards one another. That is when “What Is This Feeling?” is available in, as the scholars of Shiz rally across the blonde witch.
It is a tremendous enjoyable tune, with the Elphaba and Glinda buying and selling barbs, and finally encourage these round them to hitch the battle. Sadly it could take just a few extra scenes earlier than they meet eye to eye.
One thing Unhealthy
This is likely to be the least beloved tune from Depraved. “One thing Unhealthy” is the one and solely vocal characteristic for Dr. Dillamond, who warns Elphaba about animals being silenced all through Oz. However she is a believer in The Wizard at this level, and thinks that he may be capable to assist.
Within the film, Peter Dinklage voices the character and is proven talking to an underground group of animals. It is the primary trace that there is darkness on this story, even when it is not the catchiest tune within the piece.
A Sentimental Man
This tune is likely to be quick, however it’s important into understanding The Wizard and his battle with Elphaba in Depraved. “A Sentimental Man” is his first massive tune, the place he explains that he all the time needed a household, however as a substitute ended up ruling over Oz.
It is touching to see the softer facet of The Wizard earlier than his villainous intentions are revealed. Moreover, his line to Elphaba saying “everybody deserves an opportunity to fly” would find yourself being repeated by her throughout “Defying Gravity”.
March of the Witch Hunters
One of many last songs in Depraved is “March of the Witch Hunters”, the place a mob of offended Ozians get collectively so as to search out and kill Elphaba. It is an livid tune, one which options various key connections to the occasions of The Wizard of Oz.
I do not wish to give all the spoilers away, however seeing the way in which Elphaba is villainized for making an attempt to save lots of these round her is certainly heartbreaking to see. So whereas the march is a fast tune, it has an influence.
Pricey Outdated Shiz
The primary half of Depraved largely takes place at Shiz College, so naturally composer Stephen Schwartz wrote a choral association to introduce us to that location. Enter “Pricey Outdated Shiz”, which is usually sung a cappella by the corporate.
Whereas “Pricey Outdated Shiz” positively has its place within the story (and its enjoyable to listen to Glinda hit that top word on the finish), it would not have the identical emotional punch as lots of the different songs.
Fantastic
“Fantastic” is the Wizard’s second massive tune, and its a duet the place he tries to as soon as once more join with Elphaba within the mist of her ongoing rebel in opposition to him. He waxes poetic about real-world politics, and the way he is utilizing them (and spin) to maintain himself in energy and unite the individuals of Oz.
Sadly, their temporary second of dancing and pleasure is shortly ruined. She finds a now-mute Dr. Dillamond, and he or she finally ends up vowing to struggle The Wizard till the day of her loss of life. Yikes.
The primary Depraved is in theaters now, and the sequel will comply with November twenty first, 2025. For now, examine the 2025 film launch dates.