20 Enchanting Facts About ‘Wicked’

This November, movie theaters will finally bring to life the eagerly anticipated film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical Wicked, featuring Ariana Grande in pink, Cynthia Erivo in green, and Jonathan Bailey taking part in this magical storytelling.

The movie, which is the first installment of a two-part series, represents Hollywood’s latest venture into transforming big Broadway musicals into cinematic experiences. But before this enchanting story was a musical sensation, it originated as a novel by Gregory Maguire. In light of the upcoming film adaptation, let’s delve into some intriguing facts about how the novel and musical came to be.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West is much more than a simple tale about a children’s villain. Instead, it’s a profound philosophical exploration of the nature and societal exploitation of evil, themes that are deeply rooted in Maguire’s personal inspirations and experiences.

One such inspiration was the Gulf War. Maguire recalled seeing a newspaper headline equating Saddam Hussein to Hitler, which made him ponder how society uses the concept of evil to justify actions driven by greed and self-rationalization. This line of thought also connected to his reflections on the 1993 murder of James Bulger in Liverpool, when society questioned how such young boys could commit such evil acts.

As a children’s book author, Maguire sought to explore these complex ideas by reimagining a notoriously evil character from a well-known story. “She came to me in a vision; not the Virgin Mary, but the Wicked Witch of the West,” he humorously recounted.

Maguire even cleverly created the name Elphaba by phoneticizing the initials of L. Frank Baum, the original author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. As he explained, Elphaba resonated immediately—symbolizing an otherworldly but clean and simple identity, perfectly fitting for the character he envisioned.

Despite initial skepticism from diehard Oz enthusiasts, who feared that Maguire’s rendition might desecrate the cherished story, his retelling was ultimately embraced. One memorable moment for Maguire came when a representative from the International Wizard of Oz Club, who initially came to observe him with suspicion, ended up becoming an enthusiastic supporter.

Hollywood’s interest in Maguire’s novel was inevitable, and several attempts were made to adapt it to the screen. However, early efforts floundered, leading to the realization that a musical format would better capture the story’s depth. Stephen Schwartz, known for his work on Godspell and collaborations on Disney musicals, suggested this transition, and Maguire, an avid musical theater fan, readily agreed.

The musical adaptation condensed and focused the book’s sprawling narrative, emphasizing the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda and creating a love triangle with Fiyero. This adaptation made several changes: for instance, Elphaba’s sister Nessarose in the musical uses a wheelchair, while in the book, she has no arms. The musical also bestows Elphaba with exceptional magical abilities and delivers a decidedly more upbeat ending.

Despite some early apprehension about significant departures from the novel—such as Elphaba’s survival—the musical’s poignant portrayal of friendship and separation resonated deeply with audiences and Maguire alike. The evolution of the script saw numerous iterations, including a poignant but ultimately discarded scene involving Doctor Dillamond, a goat professor stripped of his rights by the villainous Wizard.

The creators also had to navigate intricate legal challenges to avoid infringing on the original MGM film’s rights. They cleverly integrated indirect nods to the film, such as using a red spotlight on bejeweled shoes and including playful dialogue references.

Iconic performances further shaped the musical’s identity. Kristin Chenoweth’s dual vocal abilities inspired Schwartz to craft a character with both public-facing soprano perfection and a more grounded belting voice. Idina Menzel’s portrayal of Elphaba, despite a nerve-wracking audition blemish, solidified her place in Broadway history.

The production also saw Eugene Lee’s imaginative set designs and Susan Hilferty’s “twisted Edwardian” costumes enriching the magical world of Oz. Small details, such as the use of wood creaks for the flying monkeys’ sounds, showcased the creative ingenuity behind the scenes.

Despite initial setbacks and competition, Wicked has grown to be a modern classic, celebrated for its moving storyline and captivating performances. It stands as the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history, a testament to its beloved place in the hearts of theatergoers and now, soon, movie audiences alike.

Source: Mental Floss, GettyImages