Wicked (2024)
In the magical Land of Oz, a joyous celebration takes place in Munchkinland. The people rejoice over the death of the Wicked Witch of the West, whose oppressive reign has finally come to an end. Amidst the revelry, Glinda the Good, the beloved and radiant sorceress, arrives to share in the momentous occasion. The citizens look to her as a beacon of wisdom and kindness, believing that she alone can bring light to the darkness that the Wicked Witch left behind.
As the festivities continue, a curious child tugs at Glinda’s flowing gown and asks a question that silences the crowd: “Why does wickedness exist?” Taken aback, Glinda ponders for a moment before deciding to reveal the truth about the so-called Wicked Witch. She explains that evil is not always born but sometimes made. With this, she begins recounting the life story of Elphaba Thropp, the woman the world came to fear.
Elphaba was born under extraordinary circumstances. Her mother, the wife of the then-Governor of Munchkinland, had an affair with a mysterious traveling salesman. When the child was born, it was clear she was different—her skin was an unnatural shade of green, and from infancy, she exhibited powerful, uncontrollable magical abilities. Because of these unusual traits, she was ostracized by her own family and community. This alienation would shape much of her life, leaving her with a deep sense of loneliness and an unrelenting desire to prove herself.
When asked if she had known the Witch personally, Glinda hesitates before admitting that they had been acquaintances—more than that, they had been friends once. She takes a deep breath and continues her tale.
Years before Elphaba became the feared Wicked Witch, she arrived at Shiz University, a prestigious institution where young minds from across Oz were trained in various fields, including sorcery. She had not come for herself but to accompany her younger sister, Nessarose, a frail girl who required a wheelchair for mobility. Though Elphaba was fiercely protective of Nessarose, it quickly became evident that her sister was favored by their father, while she remained the family’s black sheep.
Despite the cold reception she received from students and faculty alike, Elphaba’s natural talent for magic could not be ignored. After a particularly powerful display of sorcery, Madame Morrible, the formidable Dean of Sorcery Studies, took a keen interest in her. She promised to personally tutor Elphaba in sorcery, an offer that Elphaba eagerly accepted in hopes that it would lead her to meet the great and powerful Wizard of Oz. She clung to the belief that if she could stand before him, he might help her rid herself of the green hue that had marked her as an outcast all her life.
However, life at Shiz was not easy. She was assigned to room with Galinda Upland, a popular and charming young woman whose bubbly personality was in stark contrast to Elphaba’s reserved nature. Their conflicting personalities led to constant clashes, and the two quickly developed a rivalry. Galinda, ever the social butterfly, went out of her way to mock Elphaba, ensuring that she remained an outsider among their peers.
But Shiz University was not free from the troubles that plagued the rest of Oz. Dr. Dillamond, a kind and wise Goat who served as one of Shiz’s last remaining Animal professors, confided in Elphaba that Animals across the land were losing their civil rights—and worse, their ability to speak. He warned that something sinister was at work, but Elphaba, ever the optimist, insisted that the Wizard would set things right. Yet, in the back of her mind, doubt lingered.
Meanwhile, a charming and rebellious transfer student named Fiyero Tigelaar arrived at Shiz, instantly shaking up the school’s social scene. Carefree and effortlessly charismatic, Fiyero encouraged a hedonistic lifestyle, declaring that life should be about enjoyment, not worry. He arranged a grand outing to the Ozdust Ballroom, where students could dance the night away.
Galinda, eager to secure Fiyero’s attention, manipulated a young Munchkin named Boq Woodsman into escorting Nessarose to the event, freeing her to be with Fiyero. But as the night progressed, Galinda learned that Elphaba had ensured her a place in Morrible’s exclusive sorcery seminar, a gesture of goodwill she had not anticipated. In an uncharacteristic act of kindness, she offered Elphaba a pointed black hat, intending it as a joke. However, when Elphaba arrived at the ball wearing it, she was met with ridicule. Stricken with guilt, Galinda made amends by dancing with her, marking the beginning of an unexpected friendship.
Over time, their relationship deepened, and Galinda, now going by “Glinda” in honor of Dr. Dillamond, became fond of her roommate. She even attempted to teach Elphaba the ways of popularity, though Elphaba never quite fit the mold. Nevertheless, their bond grew strong enough to withstand the pressures of their vastly different worlds.
Tragedy soon struck when Dr. Dillamond was removed from his position, a sign that the oppression of Animals was only getting worse. His replacement, the cold-hearted Professor Nikidik, introduced a cruel new contraption—a cage designed to prevent Animals from speaking. Enraged by the injustice, Elphaba unleashed a powerful spell that filled the room with sleep-inducing poppy dust. Only she and Fiyero remained conscious, allowing them to steal away with a caged lion cub. As they freed the frightened creature, a connection sparked between them. But Elphaba, ever aware of her differences, knew that Fiyero was drawn to Glinda, not her.
Then came the moment she had been waiting for—an invitation from the Wizard himself. Overcome with hope, she traveled to the Emerald City, bringing Glinda along for support. The city dazzled with its towering green architecture and bustling streets, offering a glimpse into the world of grandeur Elphaba had long yearned for. Upon meeting the Wizard, she was initially charmed by his warmth and apparent willingness to help. But when he encouraged her to perform a spell from the ancient Grimmerie spellbook, the truth was revealed. The spell caused his monkey servants to sprout wings in agony, turning them into his flying spies. Elphaba realized with horror that the Wizard was no benevolent ruler—he was a fraud who had orchestrated the suffering of the Animals all along.
Determined to stop his tyranny, Elphaba stole the Grimmerie and fled. Glinda, torn between loyalty and fear, pleaded with her to make amends, but Elphaba could not turn back. With the authorities closing in, she bid an emotional farewell to Glinda, who was left to watch helplessly as her friend made a daring escape. Using the same levitation spell, Elphaba enchanted a broomstick and soared into the night sky, defying those who sought to control her.
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