Wicked has become the backbone of modern Broadway. It’s been over 20 years since Idina Menzel first donned the emerald green skin and Kristin Chenoweth came down in a steampunk bubble, asking fans to defy gravity and be changed for good as they enjoy a new spin on the familiar Land of Oz. Wicked currently stands as the fourth longest-running musical on Broadway, with even more productions globally; there’s no denying the power that this story has on theater lovers. So the question shouldn’t be, why are they turning Wicked into a film? Instead, we should ask ourselves why it has taken so long for Wicked Part One to arrive on the big screen?
One of the obvious answers is that there is immense pressure to get this right. When you have something as powerful as this musical, you want to do the story justice. But also, much history predates it, with Wicked being based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, which in turn is based on L. Frank Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Factor in the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland, and there’s so much you can draw from. Initially announced by Universal Pictures in 2012, it took 12 years to bring this story to life on screen, but let me be the first to say that it was well worth the wait. Director Jon Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have put their hearts and souls into getting Wicked right.
With Wicked Part One flying into a theater near you this weekend, now’s the perfect time to gather your friends and travel down the yellow brick road because believe me, this is the cinematic event of 2024 that you must see on the big screen before it’s gone!
[Warning: light spoilers for Wicked Part One are below!]
From enemies to friends for these witches of Oz
Chances are, if you’re following Cosmic Circus Broadway or searching for this review, you know the plot of Wicked. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is an outcast amongst the people of Oz, including her own family. Misunderstood because of her emerald complexion, she’s shunned, made fun of, and even emotionally abused by her father, who blames her for all the horrible things that have happened to the family. However, she posseses extraordinary magical powers unmatched by any other, except perhaps the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) himself.
So naturally, she’s taken under the wing of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), the Dean of Sorcery at Shiz University. There’s nothing like being trained by one of the best sorceresses in Oz, but it also makes her an enemy of Galinda Upland (Ariana Grande). Galinda, one of the most popular girls in school, has grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth. She thinks she’s the best and has no problem letting everyone know that. Galinda’s also after a spot in the sorcery program and is livid when Elphaba gets it.
Forced to share a room together, Elphaba and Galinda struggle to get along. How exactly can they see eye-to-eye when neither can understand the other’s perspective? Through trials and tribulations, the two learn to embrace each other’s differences and not a moment too soon. There’s something odd happening to the animals across the land. Their voices are being taken away, along with the lives they’ve lived up to that point, as forces of evil within Oz are rising. It’s up to Elphaba, Glinda, and the gorgeous and perfect prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) to save the day before it’s too late!
Wicked Part One is the best musical adaptation to date
I know what you’re thinking reading that subheader, “Wow, Brian, that’s such a bold statement to make,” but I stand by that. I’ve been immersed in the world of musicals for as long as I can remember, but I came from a poorer family who couldn’t afford to see live productions frequently. That meant I was cutting my teeth on movie musicals from when I could walk and talk. I’ve seen so many, from the classics to the contemporary ones, and many of them are excellent movies that I will still watch frequently.
Wicked Part One is in an entirely different league. I didn’t know that a film version of a musical could be a faithful adaptation and an epic movie unlike anything I have ever seen. Wicked Part One misses no beats from the first act of the stage production, with every moment and song you’ve come to expect. Universal Studios developed an hour and 40 minutes of material into an almost three-hour film. That might seem complete overkill, and if you had asked my opinion a year ago, I might have agreed. How do you add another hour of material to the first act?
The studio and filmmakers gave the story time to breathe, allowing audiences to connect with stories and characters in ways that they could never do in a stage musical. These expanded moments allow for a richer narrative than ever before. There’s a greater focus on the animals of Oz, giving Elphaba even more justification for her actions and feelings as the story progresses. However, perhaps Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship is the biggest area of deeper exploration within this film.
There are so many moments in Wicked Part One in which these two are brought even more front and center than before, allowing for vastly more growth and making their relationship even easier to buy into. That sounds foolish even to say, as there’s no difficulty believing that these two witches care deeply for each other. This is a testament to the relationship between the two actresses.
Cynthia Erivo is nothing short of the standard that all future Elphaba’s will be compared to in my mind. Before seeing the movie, I knew she would be exceptional, but I was not prepared for how blown away I’d be by her performance. What I loved most about Erivo’s Elphaba is how vulnerable she was. During the stage production, Elphie is hard and cold, tending to turn towards anger before any other emotion.
But Cynthia Erivo brought a softness and sadness to the character, who is strong because she has to be, but not necessarily jaded. She’s calmer than her stage counterpart, which makes the character even more likable. Erivo also brings a sense of amusement to the character, looking at the world through a vastly different lens. Conversely, when she eventually flies off the handle, angry with the world and those in Oz, it’s all that more scary and intense. Watching someone who doesn’t necessarily lose her cool flip is terrifying, which gave me chills.
Ariana Grande is just as impressive as Glinda. You can tell that this role is a dream for the actress because she truly put her all into getting this character right. Galinda/Glinda is largely unlikable throughout the musical, but Grande brings an overwhelming charm to the character. You can’t help but laugh and enjoy her performance, even when she’s being absolutely “wicked.”
I know for many, this was the wild card of choices, but Jon Chu and those involved with bringing this movie to the silver screen knew what they were doing with this choice. I can’t picture anyone being as dedicated to getting Glinda right as Ariana Grande was, and she does a wonderful job honoring those who came before her but also making this role her own.
Wicked Part One is a must-see in theaters
What’s most impressive about Wicked Part One is how it will redefine what a movie musical can be. So many people have preconceived notions about musicals, which is why so many of them don’t do as well in the box office. There’s no denying the epic scope of Wicked Part One, which feels similar to Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings regarding what kind of film this is.
Sure, there is singing, but the creators have built something unique that will appeal to various people. The song and dance are just aspects of the overall story and feel, not the defining component. I mean…my sister, who doesn’t like musicals in the slightest, loved this film, which speaks volumes about the magic that Wicked Part One has created.
Wicked Part One is currently in theaters! Have you seen it or plan on seeing it? Let us know on social media @boxseatbabes or @mycosmiccircus your thoughts! You can now find us on Bluesky at @CosmicCircusBroadway.com!
Wicked on Broadway: A Must See Musical Experience
