Wicked - The Basics

So, we're going to extend Wicked's week into next week due to the fact I will be out of town and unable to devote as much time to it as I would like. In the meantime, here's this lovely info:

Wicked
"So Much Happened Before Dorothy Dropped In"

The Basics:
Title: Wicked
Opened: October 30, 2003
Still Running: Yes, as a bestseller no less
Theater: Gershwin (222 W. 51st Street)
Stats: 2 Acts, running about 2 hours and 45 minutes; one intermission
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz
Book: Winnie Holzman
Based on the Book by Gregory Maguire
# of Songs on Cast Recording: 19

My Thoughts in general Prior to its Week:
This musical honestly isn't one of my favorites. There are certain songs that I adore, but others I completely skip over. Also, I read Maguire's book prior to hearing anything about the musical, so as with any translation, some things just become lost or changed.

On the show:
I have seen the show once, in Columbus. I absolutely ADORED the set and costumes. The dragon? Quite possibly the coolest thing ever. I also saw it with understudies in the Elphaba and Galinda/Glinda roles and they were fabulous as well.

On the Original Broadway Cast recording:
I both love and hate it. The love is for the songs I've come to adore. I HATE that it doesn't have all the songs from the show on it. HATE. I do not understand the reasoning behind this. They didn't even put all the songs on the anniversary copy edition (which I do not own, nor am I reviewing.). So annoying. But Chenoweth and Menzel = awesome. Seriously awesome.

Random note that I can make without going to in detail:
I adore the cover and CD art. (Which also means I adore the poster art.) And I like that they didn't make Glinda pink.