‘Wicked: For Good’ songs ranked — How the sequel’s music stacks up

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- One of the common criticisms of the Broadway musical “Wicked” is that its best songs are in Act I, leaving Act II to feel like a bit of letdown. By that logic, the same concern would extend to “Wicked: For Good,” essentially an expanded, big screen version of Act II.

Indeed, the first chapter in director Jon M. Chu’s two-part film adaptation boasts the musical’s most iconic numbers, including “Popular,” “Dancing Through Life” and, of course, the showstopping “Defying Gravity.” But that doesn’t mean the sequel is short on memorable music. Plus, composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz has rewritten and rearranged much of the score for the film and even added two original songs: the nostalgic “No Place Like Home,” performed by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, and “The Girl in the