Stephanie J. Block - LAST EVER Defying Gravity (Broadway 2008)

[@spintaneousrazzle]

The way she just chucks the broom 6:18 into her other hand from so far apart and without looking gives me so much anxiety every time even though I know what happens

[@71crm]

It was kind of moving that the audience cheered the last time she went up. You can tell she’s definitely a fan favorite!

[@anagasteyerchicagoera8216]

She’s so flawless, I want her back on Wicked even if she’s 90

[@ciaransammon]

YES. YES. YES.

[@AlexHurleyMusic]

SERIOUSLY THO. Steph looks amazing for 50 years old.. she could still fit in this role like a glove physically, and let's be fair that's the ONLY excuse anyone can have for not recasting her in the show. Gimme my SJB back and I'll sell my kidneys if I have to, to make it to her debut. Yes yes a million times yes.

[@gabefuller5212]

Agree!

[@carlosalejandroalvarenga4913]

This comment is killing me 😭😭😭

[@RyanWaldroop]

It's OK. I saw her as the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods and she's equally phenomenal there, and I'm pretty sure she's touring now so find a city near you and go see that production.

[@ciaransammon]

The power behind her voice. I saw her the night before this at 8pm. She was astounding. You never forget your first Elphaba.

[@mp3holder94]

you definitely don’t!!! Caroline Bowman was my first Elphie!

[@connorr8832]

@@mp3holder94mine was olivia valli and she was AMAZING. i really want to go see alyssa fox on broadway though!

[@laurasosnow383]

She was mine too in Toronto. I didn't realize it was her at the time but holy Jesus she was amazing.

[@NairAthul]

I always wished we got to see her and Chenoweth perform together bc apparently that's the chemistry that made the show about Elphaba and Glinda

[@Broadwayriah]

ugh there was a day of the San Francisco tryouts where she went in place of Idina, that would be a gem to hear if it ever goes public

[@ciaransammon]

I would legit die!!!!

[@andrewdittmar361]

@@Broadwayriah June 8, 2003. I sincerely doubt it was recorded - though the one show Chenoweth missed in SF was recorded, so who knows.

[@andrewdittmar361]

@@veraelphie0306 What were the dates?

[@Broadwayriah]

@veraelphie0306 Never seen or heard of Melissa going on as Glinda on the 10th of June from anyone though. 🤨

[@isthisryan7899]

Has anyone ever noticed that Elphaba conducts the entire show with her hands during the battle cry? She pushes the broom forward to signal the ensemble to come in then pushes her other hand forward for the orchestra to come in.

[@Jamminjared]

Very very true. Good stuff!

[@xxRelentlezZxx]

so I read this comment. my very next wicked video was from the view of the conductor where they have screens showing them the performers cues telling them when to start, stop, etc. so wild. I love it here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/anS2fX5po7-YoZI

[@whatdoyousuppose]

Whenever I hear her sing this and see her perform it it’s like I’m hearing these words for the very first time, she delivers it like it’s truly the first time Elphaba has ever said these words out loud. To me SJB just **is** Elphaba, I have never believed this character more than I do with her playing her. Tell me why I have full body chills and tears coming out of my eyes at 4am 🥲

[@mylifeontheElist]

This!!! Bootlegs of SJB are the first thing I ever watched on KZbin as a little 13 year old in 2006 and to me that was the ONLY content on KZbin for like 2 years lol. I’ve seen her renditions of every song hundreds of times and find myself tearing up so often. She’s remarkable, so sad I never saw her live in wicked, but grateful I got to see her recently in into the woods twice and in sunset boulevard, where she was so so amazing, I hope we get to see her do that role on Broadway

[@joshuakline9857]

I’ve watched this so many times, and I still can’t get over how she uses her hands to gesture as the lift comes out before she flies. So many elphabas just come out pointing the broom. It’s such a small touch, but it makes the acting flawless in my opinion

[@notyournormalg1]

i love Idina, but Stephanie is the true originator and... she's just... flawless.

[@Wave.s27]

FAX LITERAL FAX

[@amandamahurin4063]

The Elphaba we all deserved.

[@theunknown947]

The queen of resonance 🛐🛐🛐

[@danafripp4120]

YES INDEED!

[@michaelalexander4105]

Isn't it so lucky that she got to close out her Wicked career with the Galinda she started with?! Their chemistry is so stuck in my head bc I got to know Wicked with them. And they closed out on Broadway!! Love them together

[@ItsRickLopez]

She is so powerful and her acting skills are amazing!

[@jvudah1814]

this is her most iconic defying gravity.

[@jadeputer]

CRYING RN STEPHANIE J BLOCK I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

[@Jon_from_LI]

I was floored when I saw her performance on Broadway, and have the privilege of getting her autograph on my Playbill (I sent it to the theater).

[@hex0578]

I've heard this song sung so many times by so many singers, but listening to Stephanie J block feels like hearing the song for the first time all over again. Absolutely stunning

[@entertainer1987]

Stephanie and Kendra were my very first Elphaba and Glinda. I saw them both on the 1st national tour of 'Wicked' in October 2005. It was such a magical night.

[@pabloluisperez5265]

SAME. In Los Angeles.. both were BRILLIANT. SJB especially.

[@andrewdittmar361]

I've said this elsewhere, but this show felt like a culmination of the earliest period of "Wicked." As an old timey Wicked fan now (ugh) I have always felt like the original magic has never been fully recaptured.

[@gabefuller5212]

Completely agree.

[@danafripp4120]

Now THAT'S a SINGING ACTRESS. Every note perfect, every intention clear and moving.

[@austiniannone1552]

Thank you so much for this. The second bring me down is one of my favorites ever. She changed something so subtle for her last performance and it paid off.

[@prestonnorris9822]

Saw both these wonderful ladies at The Kennedy Center on first national tour, God they were wonderful 💚💜💚

[@kookykylie]

Literally perfect in every way possible!!!! ❤️

[@rhemyella]

The best Elphie EVER!

[@prp134]

She’s so good we didn’t even care she didn’t “fly”

[@inspiteandespite]

forever my elphaba💚

[@chrisjacobs7417]

That second bmd❤❤❤

[@carlybradshaw7732]

So much emotion. So powerful. Perfect.

[@x0xTHLover4Lifex0x]

ITS ME!! will always have it

[@msenimyer1445]

This duo is my first Elphaba and Galinda❤️ June 2008

[@IB-cf6hb]

I love how she mixed instead belted on the first BM

[@camara1194]

Most of all the Elphaba's do and they would have to. Idina does actually. Idina thins her vocals out, but it sounds like a belt with her bringing out the cricoid cartilage with it.

[@catherineparr2344]

the power

[@KLK1618]

It’s back!

[@mjthegamer9559]

Nothing will ever beat the “It’s me “ and “Bring me down”

[@AlexHurleyMusic]

The echo in her voice on the bmd 😭

[@Leosworldof]

This feels like a breakup song😭😭 i love steph ao much omg

[@avazanne]

Love Idina, but I first saw Wicked in Chicago with Stephanie and she’s my all-time favorite.

[@ryanfoster3747]

Low key obsessed with Kendra "delusions of grandEUUUUUUUUUR"

[@Moundfreek]

Dream team! I saw these two ladies on tour in 2005

[@Broadwayriah]

i’m jealous!! I love the 1NT’s original cast

[@craigmcintosh8024]

Wow would love to see her as elphaba

[@mfstormy]

TLDR: her emotional depth and expression is absolutely top tier, maybe unmatched She's the best emotional and acting for me, for sure. I can see that others would judge some vocal perfection, but, i think she's incredible and anything less than the exact belts they want are better served with that real emotional draw, combined with an outfit voice and insane riff. Also, how often do you hear the audience gasp and laugh? She puts on such a compelling show, and can got those notes

[@nini-tu5fl]

THIS IS THE BEST EVER

[@Ladyhoneybun242]

I love Idina Menzel, but Stephanie played the HELL out of this role. The emotion behind the singing. Her tone on what she’s saying, her facial expressions all lined up to how I pictured Elphaba reacting in this situation. It all makes sense as to why in the Wizard of Oz the witch has the attitude she does. She’s perfect as Elphaba!

[@lanecorby4927]

Speechless 😦

[@lucybliss2014]

Sorry but can I give a special mention to the French horns? Love the DG versions with the horns ❤️

[@gabefuller5212]

This is the greatest this song has ever been sung or will ever be sung. Definitive.

[@doritobaby]

Ooh chills

[@thd6810]

how she didn’t get it originally instead of idina

[@sleepydaisiesmusic7798]

because she didn’t have any previous broadway history and they wanted someone who did :( idina is amazing but so is stephanie her voice is AMAZING

[@Sofarinrunning]

The people's elphaba

[@infjelphabasupporter8416]

Stephanie J Block is the true original Elphaba. In the books her personality was very different, and it was with Stephanie that they worked to create a softer, more easily likeable version of the character. Then Idina just stepped in, when Stephanie's character was already mostly created. Many actresses who play Elphie now act as very angry versions of the character; but Stephanie's more melancholic and naive version is the one that works with the script. The Elphie on Broadway right now (Alyssa Fox) also nails the acting, but most don't. Unpopular opinion; but it's partly Idina's fault, for adding a lot of angriness and coldness to the character that whilst book accurate don't make sense considering the musical's script.

[@charlzfn4094]

This must’ve been difficult for her because she was there from the start 😢💚

[@themoviecritic1092]

...Wow

[@johannabrianna3231]

9:38 i love her facial expression idk why lol

[@brightsunshine]

That echo!

[@dunkvlogs6561]

So this is where Judie spent her single years

[@alfonsohernandez8035]

07:14Qué bonito cuando vio hacia abajo.

[@jamirgordon9745]

I really like this Glinda’s voice, only problem is I think she doesn’t sound youthful imo. Aldo when she said “let go of me” it sounded like she was just asking them nicely lmaoo instead of being panicky like LET GO OF ME!!!!

[@Broadwayriah]

yeah Kendra’s voice is thicker than the other Glinda(s)

[@lukepevensie]

I want stephanie to play the wicked witch of the west or as Mrs Gulch so that Idina can play the scarier version in the wizard of oz if they make another movie

[@dndlee6872]

this was by far the gayest rendition of defying gravity I've ever seen. the amount of times glinda held her face

[@evanisbaked]

I get to see her live for my first time soon on the into the woods tour in Chicago and I am so excited

[@cbells__]

I didnt know Trina from falsettos was green

[@jadeputer]

sHAKING STEPHANIE J BLOCK YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FAMOUS

[@Thepoorguysheadisspinning]

Everyone commenting about how great of an Elphaba she is (which I 100% agree) Meanwhile me: why is Trina green?

[@marissamoore3577]

I love SJB, but is it me or did the beginning feel rushed?

[@jamirgordon9745]

Yeah it was way too fast.

[@gabefuller5212]

It’s called a choice. I don’t mind it at all.

[@JoeCarswell]

Why didn’t she rise up/fly?

[@Broadwayriah]

she did. It’s the filmer who shifted the camera upwards as she flew up, the filmer always shot Defying Gravity closeup so you could not see the rising in action

[@VegasSteveWinn]

OMG - THE BEST! NO ONE BELTS LIKE SJB!

[@spintaneousrazzle]

The only, and I mean THE ONLY, thing I never liked as her Elphaba is the "quick get on" choice.

[@weightycarlos]

While I prefer Idina's tone cause she sounded more like THE witch, Stephanie really did a wonderful job as Elphaba.

[@seanhaley3204]

Its obvious the show was written with her in mind and not Idina who was only brought in for her Rent clout.

[@babyfish554]

Why are you posting these illegal recordings?

[@inbread4349]

because this is literally history

[@Broadwayriah]

because i can (honestly half of these are just reuploads of stuff that was on KZbin years ago)