Wicked: A Tale Beyond the Wizard of Oz
Instead of the triumphant declaration, “Ding-dong, the witch is dead!” that marks the celebration of the Land of Oz’s inhabitants upon the demise of the Wicked Witch of the East, crushed by Dorothy Gale’s house, “Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz” begins with a song. This song, too, commemorates the death of a wicked witch—the sister of the one Dorothy melted with water. However, this isn’t Dorothy’s story. This is the tale of the Wicked Witch of the West, an adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical, even parodied in an episode of “South Park,” which has awaited its cinematic moment for years.
The Genesis of Elphaba
Long ago, in Munchkinland, a green-skinned baby girl was born to the mayor’s family. Named Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), she was ostracized for her unique appearance, rumored to be the offspring of a traveling salesman who sold her mother a peculiar green elixir. Years later, Elphaba accompanies her sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), to Shiz University. Fate intervenes, and Elphaba remains, her magical abilities recognized by headmistress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), who promises her an audience with the Wizard of Oz. Elphaba has dreamt of this meeting her entire life, but it requires enduring the scorn of her peers and sharing a room with the spoiled, popular Galinda (Ariana Grande-Butera), who later drops the “a” from her name.
Ariana Grande as Galinda in “Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz”
From Page to Stage to Screen
In 1995, Gregory Maguire published “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” a dark reimagining that captured the attention of film studios and composer Stephen Schwartz (“The Prince of Egypt,” “Pocahontas”), who envisioned a more uplifting musical adaptation. His dream materialized in 2003 with the Broadway premiere of “Wicked,” which continues its run to this day. The film adaptation lingered in development hell until John M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “In the Heights”) took the helm, and in 2021, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were cast as the leads. Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of “Hamilton,” played a significant role in Chu’s appointment as director.
A Fan-Fueled Production
Skepticism surrounded the musical’s adaptation, given “Wicked’s” devoted fanbase, who have cherished the story for decades and held high expectations for the film. Some questioned Ariana Grande’s suitability, an established pop singer, for a musical role, and the track record of Broadway adaptations often falling short of the original. However, the release of the first trailer dispelled doubts, revealing a production crafted by fans for fans, with a deep reverence for the source material.
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in “Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz”
A Cinematic Celebration
“Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz” is a tribute to the Broadway spectacle. It’s a celebration, a feast for the senses, and a testament to meticulous detail. The filmmakers even preserved the two-act structure, splitting the film into two parts (the second slated for release in 2025) to ensure no detail is overlooked. Yet, “Wicked” gains a cinematic scope that the stage couldn’t contain. It’s the vibrant fairy tale needed as winter approaches, reminding everyone they “deserve a chance to fly.”
Beyond the Surface
This isn’t the rom-com with James Franco as the Wizard and Zach Braff as a monkey (“Oz the Great and Powerful”). The conflicts in “Wicked” are grounded in reality. Yes, the characters sing and dance. Ariana Grande maximizes her comedic talent and is already being hailed as the new Lucille Ball. Yes, it’s a fairy tale about witches based on a children’s book. Yes, there are not one, but two love triangles. However, beneath the surface lie social, political, and ethnic themes. Primarily, it’s a story about the struggles of those who are different, simply because of who they are. It’s an ode to the misunderstood, the outsiders, and the underdogs who must defy gravity to stand tall and avoid falling.
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in “Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz”
The Nature of Evil
It’s a story about the true nature of evil, transcending the simplistic good-versus-evil dichotomy where the wicked queen or witch is inherently evil, and the heroines are saccharinely good. “Is one born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?” Glinda asks. Few realize that Maguire’s inspiration stemmed from the infamous 1993 true crime case where two ten-year-olds murdered two-year-old James Bulger. This crime deeply affected the author, and the novel, and subsequently the musical, became a sublimation of the nature of evil. While the musical omits the darkest and most explicit scenes from the original work, its core remains relevant 30 years later.
The Cast: The Heart of the Musical
Returning to the adaptation, the path to the audience’s heart in any musical lies with the actors (“Cats” excluded; CGI left them lifeless, or perhaps too alive). The cast of “Wicked” deserves its own review. Jonathan Bailey (Anthony Bridgerton from the Netflix hit) finally showcases his stage talent to a wider audience, where he made a name for himself before “Bridgerton.” However, the true chemistry lies between Cynthia and Ariana. “Wicked” is also a story of friendship between two very different women, each undergoing a profound personal transformation. Erivo and Grande are accomplished artists in their own right, but on screen, they reinvent themselves through each other, becoming “the greatest team there’s ever been” (a line from the musical’s anthem, “Defying Gravity”). In short, pink and green are the colors of the season.