On October 30th, 2003, Wicked opened in the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway. With music by Stephen Schwartz, the musical became a smash hit through its storytelling spin on a well-known story and iconic songs such as Defying Gravity and Popular. Based on the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which is based on the book Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, Wicked the musical is filled with characters beloved by many generations. But now, after many long-awaited years, Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz has finally received its movie adaptation.
Directed by Jon Chu, Wicked (Part 1), tells the story of Act 1 of the musical, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Galinda as they venture to Shiz University. Elphaba, misunderstood by others for her green skin, starts her journey loathing Galinda. Overtime, the two become best friends and go on an adventure to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard. However, once there, Elphaba realizes that everything is not how it seems, ending the movie and where we will begin Part 2 in 2025.
This movie was the best musical to movie adaptation I’ve seen. Chu truly stayed true to the original script, using cinematic elements to add to the film rather than take away from the musical. The usage of practical sets added a layer of whimsy to the production that couldn’t have been accomplished with CGI. Each aspect of the production truly brought the world of Oz to life. Whether it was the costumes, or the choreography, it was spectacular. You could feel the passion and heart radiating from the film in every creative department.
The performances in this movie were equally breathtaking. Cynthia Erivo’s performance was jaw dropping. Her vocals in songs like “I’m Not That Girl” and “Defying Gravity” sent chills throughout the audience. Ariana Grande also brought her comedic chops to life throughout the entire film, capturing the essence of Galinda. Jonathan Bailey also perfectly played the Winkie prince Fiyero. His performance in “Dancing Through Life” has the internet in spirals, gushing over his charm.
In our current digital age, the social media effect is stronger than ever, and the Wicked press tour has only proved this. Erivo and Grande have gone viral for crying in a multitude of press rooms, sparking discourse online about their passion for the show. Additionally, clips have created new viral trends like “holding space” for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity” or the TikTok event “Boqfest” in New York City where fans chose the best Boq lookalikes. The instant catapult into the spotlight this movie received truly shows the fanbase of this musical.
But the story of Wicked isn’t finished yet. Currently scheduled for release November 21, 2025, fans new and old are anxiously awaiting Wicked (Part 2), encompassing the second act of the musical. The movie has already been filmed, and the pictures we have seen from the set seem to only raise the bar from the stellar part one. New fans can’t wait to see the connections between the second part and Wizard of Oz, while longtime musical fans are excited to see the familiar story translated to screen.
