The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz

I went to the Kennedy Center to hear the National Symphony Orchestra perform The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz.

From left to right: Stephen Schwartz who wrote musicals Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell to name a few, also wrote the music to Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Prince of Egypt. next we have the conductor of the orchestra by Steven Reineke. Center is Jeremy Jordan who is currently on the TV show SMASH but was also nominated for a Tony for his role as the leading actor in Newsies. In pink is Jennifer Laura Thompson who played Glinda in Wicked. In green is Julia Murney who has played Elphaba in Wicked. And the handsome man on the end is Norm Lewis who I saw perform in London the role of Javert in Les Miserable. He also played the role in the 25th Anniversary concert as well. Truly an amazing cast.

 

The whole reason I bought my ticket to come tonight was to see these two men. What a treat when I got to meet them! Both have great smiles and are so friendly. I'm literally walking on cloud 9 right now.

The set list:

Wicked: A Fable for Orchestra The symphony did an amazing medley. 

"The Spark of Creation" from Children of Eden. Performed by all. 

"Lost in the Wilderness" from Children of Eden. Performed by Jeremy Jordan. 

"Meadowlark" from The Baker's Wife. Performed by Julia Murney

"West End Avenue" from The Magic Show. Performed by Jennifer Laura Thompson

"Magic to Do" from Pippin. Performed by Norm Lewis

"Morning Glory" from Pippin. Performed by all.

Orchestra Suite from Seance on a Wet Afternoon which is a Opera (man of many talents)

Animated Movie Medley where Norm sang Look at Your Life through Heaven's Eyes. Laura sang When You Believe, Julia sang Just Around the Rivebend, Jeremy sang Out There from the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Amazing!!!!!!!!

"Testimony" which is a song that was written for Gay and Lesbian Youth. The lyrics actually came from the youth in their own words. Very beautifully performed by the Washington Choir. 

Stephen Schwartz came out and performed the original song he had written for Wicked called Making Good which went through some rewriting before being scratched to become the song we love "The Wizard and I" from Wicked which was performed by Julia Murney

"For Good" (which is my motto for life song) from Wicked. Performed by Jennifer Laura Thompson and Julia Murney who were reprising their roles as Glinda and Elphaba. 

For the Encore they performed a song that was written for a tribute to Hans Christian Anderson. 

All of it was beautiful. I had goosebumps and warm fuzzies all over. Of course it helped that I was sitting 11 rows back from center stage. I could see their expressions and emotions the performers felt in the music they were singing. I was truly touched by these talented people tonight.