Why Wicked was perfect

Since my post on Wicked, I have been asked to describe why it was "perfect" and "the best show ever".
SO, always up for a challenge, I'll try. But I am going to do it in chunks.

The first chunk being a response to Mr. Ben. Stupid Law my friend: read the liner notes of your CD before you talk about the show. :)
OF COURSE it doesn't sound Wicked!
A couple of reasons why follow:
1. Dramatic/Poetic Irony in the story
2. The entire show is NOT on the CD on purpose because several songs have "spoilers" in them.
(see - that is only a couple of reasons - I know the difference between "a couple" and "a few")

I would like to talk about point 1.
Wicked the musical is based on the theme of Wicked the book, written by Gregory MacGuire. It's a pretty good read. Not great, but definitely worth the time , especially if you like The Wizard of Oz and "why things are the way they are" stories. I am fan of this genre. Go Rudyard Kipling!
Anyway, the whole point of the story is why the Witches of Oz are who they are and how they got that way.
The dramatic irony is - not a spoiler as far as I can tell - is that the people who are "Wicked" are not really the "Wicked" ones, and the "good" are not "good."

The musical is a much more concise version of the book, with some significant changes from the book, but tells the story VERY well. It is actually like they are two different takes on the same story and both wind up being solid and respectable and pleasing in their own right.
The book is darker and more detailed (of course) and has a lot more political/social commentary. There are more dark moments, more sadness, more painful realizations.
The musical is a musical... come on folks.... a musical. 'Nuff said.

Stephen Schwartz wrote the stage show, btw, and really outdid himself musically. I can hear some themes that he tends to use in all his shows. A couple "power ballad" chord progressions... see "Meadowlark" from The Baker's Wife and "Defy Gravity" from Wicked - you will hear similar thematic melodies and changes. Love it.
Overall, however, he brings a fresh spin to the characters and weaves the musical themes between the characters with finesse and musical skill. Not an easy thing to do. Sondheim did it really well, so did Webber - but he is kinda lame in the story area.

Ok I am tired and want to think about other things so I'll get back to this.