“Wicked” is a Broadway musical explaining the backstory of L. Frank Baum’s Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz.” Paving the way for musicals in the future, “Wicked” defies stereotypes by using powerful female leads who learn the importance of friendship and acceptance.
Published in 1995, Gregory Maguire’s novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” features Elphaba, the infamous villain from “The Wizard of Oz.” He begins with the idea that the green-skinned witch may not have started so evil, but instead as a unique young woman who just wanted to be accepted. Maguire always had issues with “The Wizard of Oz,” and asked questions including why did the Wizard command Dorothy to kill the Wicked Witch? Just because she was “Wicked”? He quickly decided to write a prequel that clarified these events and more, and perhaps discover that the infamous Wicked Witch was simply misunderstood.
Soon after his novel hit the shelves, Maguire’s book had people, including Marc Platt, a producer at Universal, and Winnie Holzman, the celebrated TV scriptwriter, on their toes with their bright imaginations flowing. Newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times gave the novel a front-page review. The next week, Maguire began to get numerous movie offers, and soon Universal was developing a screenplay.
Stephen Schwartz, a famous composer and lyricist, was intrigued by the book and felt that it was exactly his style. He then convinced Marc Platt and Winnie Holzman to make the movie a Broadway musical, and Platt claimed it was as if a lightbulb turned on in his head.
On Oct. 30, 2003, “Wicked” opened for the first time at the Gershwin Theater in New York City on Broadway, earning praise from companies including Time Magazine, which commented on the beauty and magic of the show. “Wicked” was also praised for its ability to encourage women and girls to embrace themselves and their uniqueness.
Allie Pedone (11) enjoyed “Wicked” the Broadway Musical and saw how it paved the way for musicals to come.
“I think ‘Wicked’ changed the way the villain is viewed in storytelling for musicals,” Pedone said.
“Wicked” produces the very important theme of acceptance, friendship, identity and self-love. Originally, Winnie Holzman admits, “Wicked” was intended to be focused on romance, the love triangle between characters Elphaba, Glinda and Fiyero, but ended up emphasizing Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship, while sprinkling romance into the plot. Glinda and Elphaba, performed by Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, begin the story as complete opposites, loathing each other. However, as the plot continues, the rivals form an unbreakable bond when they both learn to accept one another.
Ricardo Basurto-Perez (10) understands the importance of acceptance in “Wicked” and how its themes connect to the real world.
“Friendship helps create a sense of happiness and a feeling of belonging; it is one of the biggest displays of love. Acceptance of who you are is equally or possibly more important than friendship,” Basurto-Perez said. “Every person should be accepted no matter their beliefs or who they are. With acceptance comes friendship. It is important to share this message with the world as frequently as possible, especially through media such as films.”
The music of a Broadway show is one of the most important qualities, shaping the musical and its overall performance. Stephan Schwartz, the composer of the enchanting score of “Wicked,” would sit at his home in Connecticut, jotting down rhymes, lines and titles. To compose a song, he’d sit at his piano, writing his creations down on sheet music. Schwartz’s songs “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and “For Good” and received incredible amounts of praise for their wit, heart and satisfying melodies.
Jeff Key, a band teacher at Spartanburg High School, is impressed with Schwartz’s musical score and is inspired by his hard work and talent.
“‘Wicked” is fantastic. The moment in the show when the main character, Elphaba, learns to fly and the song ‘Defying Gravity’ is so incredible,” Key said.
Over the years, “Wicked” has won countless awards for its music, talent, creativity, acting and so much more. These include three Tony Awards in 2004, the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album Award in 2005, multiple Drama Desk Awards, Laurence Oliver Awards and broken box office records across the world.
The magic of this show has inspired people around the world to accept themselves and others and learn how to grow in their friendships.
Richard Zoglin, an American journalist for Time Magazine, watched “Wicked” when it first opened. “If every musical had a brain, a heart, and the courage, of ‘Wicked’, Broadway really would be a magical place,” Zoglin said in ew.com.
