The long-awaited movie adaptation of the Broadway musical, Wicked, was officially released in theaters on Friday, November 22, 2024. This release caused both a resurgence of longtime fans, while also bringing many new audiences into the world of Wicked.
For those unaware, Wicked was (and still is) a long-running Broadway musical that opened in 2003. The show centers around the iconic line, “Are people born wicked or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?” This question is explored through a cast-down character from The Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West. Through introspections on her life, before and after Dorothy, audiences learn that what they see through a certain perspective is not always the true story.
References to The Wizard of Oz were made throughout the film, such as bluebirds and rainbows being present, Glinda clicking together a pair of her red shoes three times during the song “Popular,” and Glinda and Elphaba choosing the color of the Yellow Brick Road when they meet the Wizard in the Emerald City.
Stepping into such iconic roles, especially in a film adaptation, would not be an easy task for anyone who accepted the challenge. This obstacle was soon proven futile though once audiences saw the talented cast this film was adorned with. Both leads, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, rose to the occasion showcasing their versatility and true talent in the film. They were also accompanied by Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldbloom who all enhanced the movie’s life and enjoyment.
With the release of the film, many fans noticed changes made from stage to screen. Most noticeable were changes made to the songs. In the musical’s opening number, ”No One Mourns the Wicked,” Ariana Grande added a ridiculously impressive option-up to the already high last note. Also, in Glinda’s solo, “Popular,” a key change and an extension to the song was added, further showcasing Grande’s talent in the role. Cynthia Erivo displayed her vocal prowess in all of her songs, but especially “The Wizard and I” and “Defying Gravity.” The extra riffs in both songs truly displayed Erivo’s talent, but the final riff in “Defying Gravity” proved why Erivo was cast as Elphaba. The ending of this song has been a staple of the theater community for years, and Erivo kept the essence of it, but made it her own. Changes were made to other songs, such as some of the lyrics of “Dancing Through Life” and “Defying Gravity,” and “Something Bad” was shortened. Most of the musical changes made from stage to screen were well received by audiences and benefited the story of Wicked.
The film has been a long awaited endeavor that has kept fans waiting on the edge of their seats ever since the initial announcement back in the late 2010s. Unfortunately the film’s premiere was pushed back numerous times due to unavoidable delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This long wait though has proved worthy to many fans as seen through the abundance of praise the film has received across many demographics.
With the less than positive response most recent movie-musicals have been receiving, theatre and movie fans alike were hoping for a change with Wicked. It is safe to say that audiences have gotten their wish. Hopefully the success of Wicked has proven that musicals can be faithfully and effectively adapted into different forms of media that anyone can enjoy.
