(Just a warning, there will be spoilers ahead!)
I vividly remember the first time I saw Wicked, which is funny, considering I don’t remember what year it was, how old I was or any of the major details from that day. I do, however, remember every minute from the show. From the opening number, “No One Mourns the Wicked,” to the curtain call. I was in awe of every single detail: the performances, costumes and sets. I left that theatre a different, more annoying version of myself. I pestered my parents with millions of questions like “so the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda were actually friends?” and “Wait, hold on, so you’re telling me that the Scarecrow and the Witch of the West were in love? That’s crazy.” Questions of that nature, I’m sure that you get the idea.
Of course none of my questions were about how Wicked’s story was not only very political, but that everything happening on that stage was an allegory for something that has happened or that is happening in our current political climate. In my defense, I was probably around eight, so at that age, I never would have made the connection between Oz and our everyday life. So don’t blame me for asking such juvenile questions regarding the plot. At that point, all that mattered to me were the songs and how each character fit into the established narrative of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. However, after watching the Wicked film adaptation, I can confidently say that the story has an incredibly heavy dose of our reality mixed with its fantasy.
To give some context about Wicked, the Broadway musical: Wicked premiered at the Gershwin Theatre on Oct. 30, 2003. The show is loosely based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Maguire loosely based his novel on L. Frank Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, as well as the 1939 film adaptation of the same name. The original cast of the musical included Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba, and Kristin Chenowith, who originated the role of Galinda/Glinda. With a total of ten Tony awards, a Grammy award for Best Musical Theatre Album, 11 Drama Desk Awards and so much more, it’s no secret how Wicked is now the fourth longest running Broadway musical. The show was loved by audiences everywhere because of the heart and soul running the show: the celebration of female friendships.Â
The musical’s first act is a prequel to the events of Baum’s classic novel, while the second act’s events coincide with the original source material. So before Dorothy realizes she’s not in Kansas anymore, we meet Elphaba and Galinda during their time at Shiz University. Galinda is “popular” (pun intended), perky and loves being beloved by those around her. Elphaba is independent and strong-willed, but is made an outcast because of her green skin. The girls are portrayed as polar opposites, but despite their differences, they become friends. However, throughout the second act, the audience sees how life and politics impact these characters and how they eventually fulfill their roles as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.Â
Fast forward to November 22, 2024, Wicked, the film adaptation, was released in movie theatres everywhere. You better believe I saw this movie the second I had the chance. With John M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights, etc.) directing, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera starring and a marketing team to put all other marketing teams to shame, the movie was heavily awaited by the masses. The movie is an adaptation of act one from the Broadway musical, while part two (act two) is set to release on November 21, 2025. In my personal opinion, the movie was close to perfection. It is undeniable that the film was handled with such care and that the lives of these characters have been honored and respected in a way that goes above and beyond. It’s made crystal clear in every shot of the film that there is a deep love and admiration for the original source material.Â
Now having revisited Wicked as an adult, I realize that the themes depicted in the musical are vastly more mature than I had even begun to conceptualize as a child. Themes such as discrimination and racism, advocating for others in the face of adversity, the nature of good and evil, self-acceptance, animal rights, women empowerment, the celebration of female friendships, the list goes on and on. All of these are woven into this narrative and covered (but definitely not hidden) by flashy costumes and catchy songs with elaborate dance numbers.
Elphaba’s character represents anyone who has ever felt “othered.” She represents people from all different backgrounds who understand what it’s like to be judged based on your outward appearance and not by the essence of your character. Elphaba’s character arc is a story of self love and growth; the most important aspect of her story is that she doesn’t necessarily change. The beauty behind it is that she doesn’t need to change, and by the end of act one, she learns to love herself for who she already is. She is strong and refuses to be silenced by those around her. She embraces the fact that she’s different, she refuses to comply with other’s expectations, she knows who she is and will not internalize any other definition.
Galinda’s character is meant to be the polar opposite of Elphaba. Where Elphaba is unpopular, Galinda is adored by the masses. While Elphaba learns to truly not care about other people’s opinions, Galinda cares deeply about how she is perceived. Galinda represents privilege, compliance, societal beauty standards and more. She is a heavily flawed, truly tragic character, yet she’s still loveable. She means well, but it really isn’t until the end of act one when her trajectory changes—a journey audiences will have to wait until 2025 to see on the big screen.
Together, the two girls are a representation of everyone. Anyone can see different aspects of themselves in either of the girls, down to Elphaba’s stoicism or Galinda’s eccentric energy, there’s something for everyone. That’s what makes the story of this friendship so meaningful to people. Despite the craziness of Oz, at the end of the day these characters represent very human qualities; it’s easy to be invested in their relationship, and it’s easy to become attached to them as individuals.
The film takes everything we know about Oz: the wonder, the beauty and the bad, and it gives us a story that is deeply rooted in love and friendship. Wicked is a musical that means the world to so many people, so to see the on-screen adaptation be handled with such care is truly special. With this film being released at a time where there is so much uncertainty in the world, I encourage anyone and everyone to see this film. Let it remind us, despite all of the chaos, to remain close to the people we love, to never silence our voices, and to never let anyone bring us down.