As A Fan Of The Wicked Stage Musical, There’s One Song I’ve Changed My Mind About After The Movie

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As a lifelong fan of musicals and someone who has seen “Wicked” more times than I care to admit, I have always had a love-hate relationship with the song “Dancing Through Life.” It was catchy, sure, but it never quite resonated with me as deeply as some of the other songs in the show. That is, until now.

I’ve always been a devoted fan of the stage show “Wicked,” even though it wasn’t one of the original productions. In truth, I’ve adored this musical since I can remember, as if it was tailor-made for me – an emotionally turbulent teenage girl. I used to play the soundtrack endlessly, and over time, my feelings towards each song evolved with my growing age and understanding.

As a devoted fan, “I’m Not That Girl” resonated deeply with my teenage spirit that felt a bit out of place. Later on, “Defying Gravity” became my power ballad, giving me strength and inspiration. Recently, “No Good Deed” has become the track I turn to when I’m feeling particularly down. Though my feelings towards the songs from Wicked have shifted over time, some have still failed to touch me. Just like countless others who made the movie a blockbuster hit, I watched it during the holiday weekend. Not only did the film impress overall, but it amazed me that one song in particular completely transformed my opinion of it from the stage production.

“Dancing Through Life” Was One Of The Songs I Often Skipped From The Soundtrack

For years, “Wicked” has been one of my go-to albums that I seldom skip tracks from. Almost every song resonates with me. However, it’s only recently that I’ve grown to appreciate “Dancing Through Life.” In my younger days, I often skipped past it because it seemed too lengthy, and I didn’t feel the same connection as with the other tunes. Now that I don’t listen to the album compulsively (as I did in my teenage years), I usually play it for its nostalgic value. Over time, “Dancing Through Life” has grown on me, becoming a fun and carefree track that I enjoy more now.

Despite the increased affection I now hold for the song, it didn’t spark anticipation for its portrayal in the movie. In truth, being a dedicated fan of Jonathan Bailey (his exceptional acting in Bridgerton Season 2 drew me to the series), I was somewhat let down by his major musical performances being “Dancing Through Life” and “As Long As You’re Mine.” While “As Long As You’re Mine” is one of my beloved Wicked songs, I had high expectations for it given Bailey’s singing talent. However, I wasn’t as enthusiastic about “Dancing Through Life.

Even Seeing It Performed Live A Couple Of Times Didn’t Make Me Love It

Initially, I watched the musical “Wicked” on Broadway several years following its massive success and subsequent tour. Later, I had the pleasure of seeing it again. Watching it twice only served to deepen my affection for this musical. The stage performance made me adore the tunes even more, with the exception of “Dancing Through Life.” It’s a captivating song to witness live, but it didn’t win my heart or alter my initial feelings about it.

The songs in the play haven’t stirred the same deep emotional response in me as some others have. The play has always been captivating due to its diverse music selection, from energetic dance numbers to heart-wrenching ballads. However, I found myself more drawn to the songs that moved me emotionally and will continue to do so in “Wicked Part 2”. Consequently, even experiencing “Dancing Through Life” live on Broadway (twice) didn’t convert me into a fan of the song. I still appreciate and admire those who performed it, but sometimes songs simply don’t resonate with us.

Wicked Part 1 Made Me See How Dynamic The Song Is

Watching “Wicked” the movie transformed me into a fervent admirer of the character Fiyero, as portrayed captivatingly by Jonathan Bailey. He skillfully showcased that beneath Fiyero’s carefree party image lies a complex individual brimming with depth and passion. The song “Dancing Through Life” not only provides an ideal introduction for this character but also underscores his rebellious nature, urging the students of Shiz University to challenge their conventional thoughts. This defiance sets the stage for the narrative’s significant shift. Moreover, delving into the layers of this song’s performance reveals its indispensable role in enhancing the film’s overall entertainment value and pivotal position within the plot.

This portion significantly advances the plot, while showcasing the actors’ skills. The performance is packed with more than just singing; it features impressive choreography and technical aspects. Some of its most stunning visuals rival those found in the hit musical “Wicked.

“Dancing Through Life” Also Made Me Realize Its Importance To The Overall Story

In the magical world of Oz, it’s quite possible that the friendship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) might have never blossomed without Fiyero’s enchanting “Dancing Through Life.” In other words, his introduction served as a catalyst for their moments of empathy, enlightenment, and goodwill towards each other. The movie adaptation of Wicked, in my opinion, excels at portraying the profound effect Glinda’s kindness towards Elphaba at the Ozdust Ballroom has on their relationship.

If Fiyero hadn’t instigated the rebellion, that pivotal event wouldn’t have transpired. The melody in question serves as a key turning point within the musical Wicked. It wasn’t clear to me while listening to the album or watching it numerous times on stage. However, the film effectively conveys the importance of this moment and the shifting relationships at Shiz, particularly between Elphaba and Glinda.

Learning More About The Behind The Scenes Of Wicked’s “Dancing Through Life” Performance Makes It Even More Impressive

Following the movie, my friend shared a Vanity Fair video link with me. In this video, director Jon M. Chu and cinematographer Alice Brooks go into detail about the creation of the “Dancing Through Life” scene, revealing the many aspects that made it so impactful. They discuss minor details such as selecting the color for Shiz University uniforms and choosing the logo design. Additionally, they talk about significant elements like choreographing the dance numbers and designing the library set.

Before hitting play on that video, I was totally clueless that Jonathan Bailey pulled off all those stunts himself. It really adds to his performance, making it even more awe-inspiring. Plus, getting an inside peek at Chu and Brooks’ creative process when designing the sets, lighting, props, and everything else that went into crafting this exhilarating movie experience was pretty darn cool. As a past fan of So You Think You Can Dance, I couldn’t help but get excited upon learning about Christopher Scott’s involvement and eagerly awaited seeing his incredible choreography in the Wicked scenes.

Watching how “Wicked” made me appreciate the song “Dancing Through Life” has me even more eager to see how Chu and his team bring the songs to life when “Wicked Part 2” hits the big screen in 2025. Perhaps it will ultimately win me over as a fan of “March of the Witch Hunters.

Wicked is playing at theaters nationwide.

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2024-12-15 19:07