“Wicked” has been a well-known show on Broadway for the past 15 years with its ability to captivate audiences, young and old alike, (and inspire them) to “defy gravity” with the main character, Elphaba, as she breaks the rules of society in Oz. What I love the most about “Wicked” is how there is a meaning deeper than the story perceives throughout the play. The reason why this show has been famous for so long is because it is relatable to those who are outcasts in society.
Elphaba grows up accepting that green skin through her strength against her father, who was not proud of his wife giving birth to someone who was green. Without even getting the chance to look at her, he made the decision to define her by skin color, not by the fact that she was his daughter. In fear of having another child with a different skin color, he made his wife eat milk flowers every day during her next pregnancy.Elphaba’s mother eventually passed away during childbirth, and her father made her believe that she was at fault for her mother’s death. While attending Shiz Wizard School, Elphaba was constantly teased because of her green skin. Elphaba’s acceptance of her green skin is what I believe made her an idol for those who feel like they don’t belong in this world.
Friendship is another way that shows how relatable this story is to others. Dr. Dillamond, a professor that teaches at Shiz, is pushed around by others because he is a goat. Forexample, he sees an insult on the chalkboard that says, “Animals should be seen and not heard.” (who wrote this? A student?) Because of the similar issues that they both have, Elphaba and Dr. Dillamond gain a friendship that makes them feel comfortable with who they are. Can you explain a little more about this friendship?
Love is shown through Fiyero, a student at Shiz who falls for Elphaba. He was one of the characters that saw Elphaba for who she truly was and encouraged her to be herself. e When Elphaba is hunted down by the Wizard and the guards of Oz try to take her away, Fiyero comes in and saves the day, even though he works for the Wizard himself. His affection for her is what made him give up his guard position and show his love for her.
Selflessness is one of the characteristics that I loved about Elphaba. (did she gain this characteristic as she learns to embrace her differences?) . When Elphaba tries to save animals from being experimented on by the Emerald City and Shiz Wizard School, two types of animals stood out the most: the lion cub in her class who became the Cowardly Lion in the “Wizard of Oz” story and the flying monkeys that the Wizard kept hidden in the Emerald City. While trying to save these animals, Elphaba forms an alliance with those who are just as different as she is.
The dynamic relationship between Glinda and Elphaba is what shines throughout the play. Glinda and Elphaba came from different backgrounds, that clashedat first. Glinda was a popular blonde who got everything she wanted and Elphaba was the exact opposite (Show, don’t tell. What was she like?). Once they put their differences aside, a friendship was born. For example, during the Oz Dust Ball, an event everyone at Shiz Wizard School attended, Elphaba danced awkwardly. She didn’t care if people stared or questioned her.Glinda admires her way of not caring what other people think. Towards the end of the show, Elphaba and Glinda sing a song that truly defines their friendship called, “For Good.” This song was amazing in that it shows being different as a good change in a world where it is not accepted in society.
“Wicked: The Musical” is worth the watch with its themes, story and music that bring this play together. I highly recommend seeing it and discovering what it means to love and embrace who you are when others try to diminish it. Once you enter the theater and watch the show, you find a way to escape reality and journey into Oz for a big adventure. I’m glad to know that this play has been on Broadway all these years so I could see it myself. In the words of the author from the original novel, “The play sweeps on. I am not out of Oz yet. And I couldn’t be happier.”
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