“Wicked” defies gravity

“Good news… She’s dead.”

“Wicked,” the stage production and now the feature film, both start with this startling decree. The residents of Munchkinland, aptly named the Munchkins, rejoice over the murder of the Wicked Witch of the West, who has (allegedly) tormented them for years. The good witch, Glinda, floats down to congratulate and celebrate with the Munchkins, and the jaw-dropping opening number begins. “No One Mourns The Wicked” kicks off what is to be an emotionally complex and deeply nuanced show, something that will get people thinking about its main message: Do real good and evil line up with our perceptions of what they are?

“Wicked” is a story told by Glinda, recounting the events of her youth to the Munchkins. Glinda is brought to life by pop star and iconic industry legend, Ariana Grande.  The true events of the film start with a simple question: “Is it true you were her friend?” The answer is yes. Glinda begins recounting the musical story of how she met, befriended, and parted ways with Elphaba, a young woman with magical powers and green skin. Elphaba is given the star treatment by actress Cynthia Erivo, whose vocal abilities make the film stand out from the stage production. Each of the two leading performances is beautiful, taking the most minuscule details and bringing them to life. 

Speaking of life in the film, the set design and costuming stand out above it all as the film’s crowning achievement. The film was shot primarily in New Zealand, with each sprawling set fully built by practical means and shot without CGI. The beautiful and expansive campus of Shiz University, where the girls meet, is a grand and beautiful monument to the beauty of Oz, with each room and “Hallowed hall” feeling like a real place where real life (given, very fantastical life) takes place. The glimmering and sparkling Emerald City city is given a new look and treatment from the classic film “The Wizard Of Oz,” which is what inspired “Wicked.”

“Wicked” started as a novel by Gregory Maguire, which was based on the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” which was in its own regard inspired by L. Frank Baum’s classic novel. The novel was adapted into a Broadway stage production, which started with iconic musical stars Kristen Chenoweth (Glinda) and Idina Menzel (Elphaba) originating the roles over 20 years ago. Now finally, after all these years, audiences are getting the adaption they’ve been melting for.

“Wicked” has a strikingly complex narrative and spin on the classic story that anyone will be sucked into. It explores the different perspectives of the characters, and really poses the question, who is really wicked? Any viewer, especially any theater kids, will be delighted and dazzled by this thrilling adaption and will be pondering this question long after the film ends. The sequel, “Wicked: Part Two” will be released in November of next year. This franchise is gonna be popular!