62 Amazing 'Wicked' The Musical Facts For Movie Buffs
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We all love the 'Wizard Of Oz,' don't we?
The wicked witch wearing green makeup is one fascinating character. If you are a movie buff, you'll surely love 'Wicked,' the musical.
'Wicked' is a very interesting Broadway musical that talks about the friendship between a misunderstood wicked witch named Elphaba and a good witch named Glinda. Let's dive deeper into interesting facts about this musical.
'Wicked' The Musical Awards And Nominations
The first national tour of this musical happened on March 9, 2005 (preview). It is also known as the Emerald City Tour and was officially launched in Toronto, Canada, on March 21, 2005, at the Canon Theatre.
This musical has won 'Distinguished Production of a Musical' at the 'Drama League' awards and was also nominated for 'Distinguished Performance'.
This musical has won nine 'WhatsOnStage' awards before 2017, and on February 19, 2017, this musical received its 10th 'WhatsOnStage' award.
This wonderful musical has been nominated for 'Tony Awards' 10 times and has won three of them in 2004 alone.
This musical has managed to back one 'Grammy Award' at '47th Grammy Awards' by winning the 'Best Musical Theatre Album' category.
'Wicked' musical was played in London and was nominated five times for 'Laurence Olivier Award' and has won one of these.
This fantastic Broadway musical has also won six jaw-dropping 'Drama Desk' awards.
'Wicked' The Musical Story
The 'Wicked' is a wonderful story about a relationship between two best friends, one of whom is beautiful and popular, and the other is misunderstood as a wicked witch. Let's dive into some of the key events of the story of 'Wicked', the musical.
The story starts with the people from the land of Oz, the Ozians, celebrating the death of the witch of the west, Elphaba.
Glinda narrates how Elphaba's mother gave birth to Elphaba as a result of an affair that she had with an unknown salesman when Elphaba's father was out of town.
The salesman gave her mother a green elixir to drink, which led her to give birth to a green-skinned child.
The flashback begins when Elphaba and her sister, Nessarose, enter Shiz University.
Elphaba's father is disgusted with her green color. He would often be more affectionate towards his other child, Nessarose, who was disabled.
Elphaba's father gave her mother milk flowers to avoid any green-skinned children further, and as a result, Nessarose was born disabled.
Nessarose is gifted with silver slippers by her father and is taken by Madame Morrible under her tutelage.
Elphaba, as a result, is asked to become the roommate of Glinda, who is very popular and beautiful.
Elphaba, however, tries to use her telekinetic powers to reunite with her sister and succeeds.
Impressed seeing this, Madame Morrible teaches her sorcery in hopes that she will one day join the Wonderful Wizard Of Oz.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dillamond, a history professor and the only animal professor, expresses his concerns to Elphaba about the facial discrimination and a conspiracy to immobilize the animal speech.
Prince of Winkie, Fiyero Tiggular, throws an orientation party.
Glinda tries to get closer to him by getting Boq to ask Nessarose instead of her.
Glinda plays a nasty prank on Elphaba, asking her to wear a black witch hat.
Elphaba, on the other hand, asks Madame Morrible to invite Glinda to her sorcery class.
Madame also gives her a wand, stating that Elphaba requested it.
At the party, Elphaba gets laughed at, and Glinda feels guilty for that and comforts her.
They eventually become friends and start sharing secrets, where Glinda mentions that she wishes to be with Fiyero.
After Dr. Dillamond is removed, the replacement history teacher brings a cage where a frightened lion cub is caged.
Elphaba becomes furious and casts a spell to make everyone unconscious except Fiyero, and they both rescue the cub and share a light moment.
Madame Morrible informs Elphaba that the Wizard wishes to see her, and Elphaba becomes more excited than ever.
But she gets to know that the Wizard is the reason for the animal suppression and escapes the castle.
After a long journey of being called wicked and being misunderstood, Elphaba eventually gives up trying to change her reputation.
Fiyero and Elphaba also express their love for each other, and Fiyero tries his best to save Elphaba from the wrath of the people, but he is taken into custody by the guards and is tortured.
Glinda finds out that Wizard is Elphaba's biological father and threatens to expose him if he does not leave.
Glinda and Elphaba finally accept each other's mistakes and embrace each other before the final goodbye.
Elphaba and Fiyero (now turned into scarecrows because of Elphaba's spell) run away together and leave Oz forever.
The Cast Of 'Wicked' The Musical
Initially, the wicked witch of the west did not have a name in the novel by Frank Baum. It was after Gregory Maguire wrote the book 'Wicked: The Life And Times Of The Wicked Witch Of The West' that she got a name. Inspired by Frank Baum's initials, L.F.B, Gregory Maguire named the witch 'Elphaba.'
The Broadway debut of 'Wicked' the musical happened on June 10, 2003.
Joe Mantello directed this Broadway musical.
Idina Menzel was not sure if she would get the role of Elphaba. This was because she cracked her voice while singing 'Defying Gravity' on a high note after singing the first seven notes nicely.
Joe Mantello and Stephen Schwartz were highly impressed by Idina Menzel and finally cast her as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of The West.
After Idina Menzel, Kerry Ellis played Elphaba in 2007.
Stephen Schwartz was the man behind the lyrics and music of this beautiful Broadway musical.
Stephen Schwartz was on a trip to Hawaii when he found out about this musical and did not wait to call his lawyer to get the rights.
In the early readings of this show, Stephanie Block played the role of Elphaba, the wicked witch.
Margaret Hamilton is also known to have played the role of the Wicked Witch of the West.
Glinda was originated by Kristin Chenoweth in the first-ever Broadway history of the 'Wicked' musical.
Songs of 'Wicked' The Musical
The first-ever premiere of 'Wicked' happened in San Francisco on May 28, 2003, before it went on to Broadway. This premiered at the Curran in San Francisco.
An aria of 'No One Mourns The Wicked' is sung to depict that Elphaba, a green-skinned girl, is born.
After this, in a chorus, 'Dear Old Shiz,' a flashback starts. This is when Elphaba sings 'The Wizard And I', which depicts it as her quintessential dream.
'What Is This Feeling?' is sung by Elphaba and Glinda to show the rift between the two of them.
Dr. Dillamond shares the discrimination he faces every day and a conspiracy about the immobilization of 'animal speech' via 'Something Bad' to Elphaba.
The chorus of 'Dancing Through Life' is performed by the Prince of Winkie, Fiyero Tiggular, to show his happy-go-lucky philosophy.
Glinda sings the aria of 'Popular' while she comforts Elphaba from the embarrassment her friend faces at the party.
To express that Fiyero would not even bother to like her, Elphaba sings, 'I'm Not That Girl.'
Elphaba sings 'The Wizard And I - Reprise' to show her excitement about meeting the wonderful Wizard.
'One Short Day' is performed when Elphaba and Glinda move around the Emerald City.
When Elphaba escapes the Wizard's tower, the chorus 'Defying Gravity' is sung.
'No One Mourns The Wicked - Reprise' is sung to depict that Glinda, the good witch is the hope against Elphaba.
A chorus of 'Thank Goodness' is played when Glinda keeps a brave face on.
'The Wicked Witch Of The East' is an aria sung when Nessarose shrinks Boq's heart.
An aria 'Wonderful' is played when the Wizard tries to convince Elphaba that he can change her reputation.
When Glinda realizes Fiyero cannot be hers, she sings, 'I'm Not That Girl - Reprise'.
Both Elphaba and Fiyero acknowledge their love via 'As Long As You're Mine.'
Eventually, when Elphaba gives up trying to change her reputation, she sings 'No Good Deed'.
'March Of The Witch Hunters' is the chorus played when people march towards Fiyero's castle.
When Glinda and Elphaba embrace each other and accept their mistakes, they sing a duet 'For Good' before parting ways.
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