#Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz

[dogmalilith]

Wicked has Jewish connections through its creators, cast, and themes.

[forthefirsttimeifeelwicked07]

Can i just say that as someone who has loved Wicked since I was 13 or 14 but has not gotten to see it in person, I’m so glad Cynthia and Ariana were my first real Elphaba and Glinda 🥹 💚🩷

[i10v3sh4rk5]

A short discussion on Fiyeraba

I’m not necessarily anti-Fiyeraba. I don’t think that it is a bad relationship- in the musical that is. I have a few problems with the musical iteration of Elphaba and Fiyero’s relationship, but it’s relatively okay. Please watch this video about why it’s mediocre. My problem comes from the book version of their relationship. It is troubling, and I would even go so far as to say disturbing.

To start with, in their Shiz days, Elphaba and Fiyero have very limited interaction, only having contact with each other in the context of their wider group hanging out (Glinda, Boq, Avaric, Crope, Tibbett, and Nessa, along with Nanny). This isn’t unusual, it is just a deviation the musical took from the book. The relationship between Elphaba and Fiyero properly begins a few years later in the slums of Emerald city.  Elphaba is praying in church at a cloister of St Glinda (the reason for which she never tells Fiyero), and Fiyero recognises and approaches her. Elphaba vehemently denies knowing him and attempts to escape, even going so far as to use the back door of the church- this is where it gets bizarre and upsetting.

Wanting to pursue her, Fiyero asks the people working at the church if there was a back exit, knowing that Elphaba would be trying to escape that way, and he finds her and follows her home. There’s a bit of a cat and mouse game wherein Elphaba is really trying quite hard to shake Fiyero off around alleyways, but he keeps catching up to her. Eventually she makes it to where she’s residing, a worn out upstairs shack, and Fiyero gets to her. It is at this point on her doorstep that she tells him to leave her alone, to which he responds with this:

‘I’m not going rape or kidnap you, I just want to talk’. Which is terrifying. After some pressure, she eventually lets him in and gives him some food, telling him to eat and then leave. She is clearly unhappy about Fiyero being there and wants him gone. They talk for a bit and then Fiyero leaves. Elphaba tells him to not come back for his own safety. 

He does come back. And he keeps coming back, which for some reason Elphaba doesn’t question.

It is at this point after an emotional outburst from Elphaba that they start a sexual relationship, though it is unclear as to whether feelings have developed at this point. It should be noted that Elphaba does not let Fiyero touch her beneath the waist (it is implied that Elphaba is intersex). After a few weeks Fiyero comes and goes for sex and discussion, and Elphaba is doing domestic things like baking vegetable pies for him. Fiyero questions whether he is in love with her or not. 

It should also be noted that at this point Fiyero has three children with his wife Sarima, who Elphaba later stays with to try and work things out with her following Fiyero’s death and her 7 year stay as a silent nun.

Elphaba calls Fiyero ‘my hero’, and they continue their relationship until Fiyero is killed. Elphaba later goes on to give birth to their son Liir whilst in a shock induced coma.

This relationship is very troubling to me, as it represents several very frightening realities so casually. First of all, that of a man going out of his way to pursue a clearly unwilling woman and forcing his way into her life. Statements such as ‘I’m not going to rape or kidnap you’ are words that many women have heard, and then suffered the reality of. He may not have done either of those things, but it is very intimidating.

Second, is Elphaba’s almost immediate acceptance of Fiyero. She pushes him away, avoids him, tells him to leave (as she should), and then within a few weeks she’s cooking for him and having sex with him. 

Finally, I must stress that when their relationship began, Fiyero was married and had three children. I understand that love is complicated, and that Fiyero and Sarima’s marriage was purely political. However, when his physical relationship with Elphaba began, he did not love her. He was simply sexually attracted to her.

I am not denying that Elphaba had strong feelings for Fiyero. The problem is the premise of their relationship. I do think that this is partly just Gregory Maguire’s interpretation of heterosexual relationships. However, it is still troubling and unpleasant to read, especially if you’re a woman. A disturbing relationship that has been heavily romanticised by both author and reader. 

As previously stated, the musical version is not really that troubling, though please watch that video on why it’s still not that great.

In the musical, Fiyero is an existential, nihilistic prince who yearns to find his place in the world. In the book he is a Winkie prince in an arranged marriage who comes across Elphaba through circumstance, and then by chance.

It should also be understood that neither Fiyero nor Glinda are in the book a whole lot. They are not the main characters. They have some importance, but the main character is Elphaba. The book is not a romance, it is a scathing indictment of imperialism and dictatorship told through an ostracised woman’s philosophical narrative.

Here's the video in case the link didn't work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_wSKtiE_0A&list=LL&index=50

[dippy-sketch]

Old gelphie sketches I never posted

[m4lted-cr3am]

Decided to recreate Elphaba's stage outfits because of course I did.

[ulkaralakbarova]

Wicked Film Review: – Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Illuminate the Untold Story of the Wicked Witch

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5. We all yearn for a cinematic experience that lingers with us long after the credits roll. Wicked: Part I delivers just that, offering a majestic spectacle filled with breathtaking cinematography, a seamlessly integrated cast, and a story that feels as grand as it is profound. Arguably one of the best musicals adapted for the big screen, the film explores themes of…

[gelphiegifs]

Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz Happy 20 years on Broadway!

[demifiendrsa]

Wicked - Official Trailer

Poster

Synopsis

Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.  The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.  

[spiribia]

wicked is literally “the untold story of the witches of oz” and the musical begins and ends with the girls’ relationship with each other and the part 2 movie is named For Good and the series has the vaunted f/f sweep ratio on fanfiction sites due to 20 years of history yet if you search it on this site the discussion is still largely like that and arguing that focusing on the girls over the boy side character is because of vapidness and media illiteracy. Which tells you there is no corner of the earth you can escape to

[dream-this-nightmare-over]

THE CHRONICLE OF OZ ADAPTATIONS FOR ANYONE LOST THESE DAYS

1900. The Wizard of OZ Novel by L. Frank Baum

1939. The Wizard of Oz Movie

1995. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West Novel by Gregory Maguire

2003. Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz Musical

2024. Wicked Movie

[buttherainbowhasabeard]

Why Glicked Never Really Clicked

It was the mashup that Hollywood hoped would match the magic of Barbenheimer: a kooky combination of gladiators and good witches. But Glicked — the name given to the late November releases of 'Gladiator II' and ‘Wicked’ — was a tale of two cities (Rome and Oz) that felt forced to sit side-by-side in cinemas.

When ‘Barbie' and ‘Oppenheimer' debuted together in July 2023, they were an unlikely yet complementary pair. Even though one was a technicoloured exploration into the world of dolls and dreamhouses and the other was an IMAX-scale atomic biopic, they became a must-do double bill. They gave audiences an excuse to dress up and make going to the movies an “event”.

Glicked on the other hand, felt like an arranged marriage, and we the viewers – the children – took sides.

The first problem was the source material. 

The musical ‘Wicked: The Untold True Story of the Witches of Oz’ debuted on Broadway in 2003, and it was an instant classic. It spawned a stunning soundtrack of award-winning hits, including “What is This Feeling?”, “The Wizard And I”, “Popular” and “Defying Gravity”. It went on to be performed right around the world, including in Europe and Australia and continues to tour to this day.

This means that despite Jon M. Chu's movie adaptation coming 21 years after the first stage show (and 22 years once Part 2 is released in 2025), the fans hadn’t moved on or forgotten the Witches. If anything, the love and appreciation for the characters of Elphaba and Glinda (played by powerhouse performers Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the film) have only grown over the years, picking up new devotees with every new stage outing.

Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’ came out even earlier, in the year 2000. Although it was a big hit (winning five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Russell Crowe, and Best Supporting Actor for Joaqiuin Phoenix), it wasn’t a movie that needed a sequel, and frankly, the ending didn’t really lend itself to one.

Now, 24 years on, spiritual successor ‘Gladiator II’ is here sans most of the original cast and it feels... unnecessary. The lineup is impressive (Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn to name a few) the visuals are epic and the CGI is fun (ugly baboon, I’m looking at you!) but the story is lacking somewhat. Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius is mentioned and mirrored constantly, meaning that overall, the film struggles to step out of the original’s successful shadow.

The second point of difference was appeal and accessibility.

Although musicals aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, the family-friendly rating of ‘Wicked’ meant it was going to be a go-to choice for families and big groups of all ages. Fans of Erivo and Grande were also going to be keen to see their favourite singers in action, even if they weren’t familiar with the play.

'Gladiator II’, on the other hand, was hindered by its R rating. An Ancient Rome saga of bloody battles and political betrayals wasn’t going to have mass appeal, and those who were drawn to it would need to be over 17 years of age.

The third reason was marketing. 

Barbenheimer had its own memes, merchandise, costumes and a communal sense of fun, as well as triggering that all-important feeling of FOMO to drive ticket sales. Glicked didn’t generate any of that kind of buzz.

The stars of ‘Wicked’ walked yellow brick road themed red carpets in colour-coordinated pink and green, and the movie account had an unmissable social media presence through regular collaborations, sing-a-longs, fan art shares, dance tutorials and announcements. 'Gladiator II’, however, followed the more traditional path of posting trailers, set photos, and interviews.

There didn’t seem to be much effort on the part of either film’s team to create a sense of “us”, so it instead became a feeling of “this” or “that”. Not “When are you going to see Wicked AND Gladiator II?” but "Are you going to see Wicked OR Gladiator II?"

And that brings me to my fourth and final point – which is probably the most important: Barbenheimer worked because it wasn’t planned. Glicked felt like a failed attempt to manufacture lightning in a bottle. But as the myth goes, lightning never strikes twice…

‘Wicked’ 4.5/5 stars. ‘Gladiator II’ 3/5 stars.

[forthefirsttimeifeelwicked07]

The Wicked film is everything. It brought the universe to life in the best way possible. I saw it twice opening week and can’t wait to watch it over and over again. My Elphie and Glinda 💚🩷

[wickedmovieuk]

Uncover the untold story of the witches of Oz 💚🩷 WICKED is in cinemas TOMORROW!

[m4lted-cr3am]

Gelphie in Dress to Impress

[blacklister214]

Miss Scarlet and the Duke: A RED HERRING of a Title

I think that title of this show doesn't mean what most people think it does. Let me begin by saying I used to be one of "most people."

When I tuned in Season 1 I made what I imagine are the same assumptions most people did:

These were the two main characters

The show's main focus was Eliza's relationship with William

They would end up together.

It is now my strong hope/belief that the third assumption is wrong. This being a mystery show, I fully support the title as being somewhat of a red herring.

Stories can be about a relationship without it meaning they spend the rest of their lives together. Tristan & Isolde comes immediately to mind. Not that I think or hope they are killing off William.

Perhaps a better example is "Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz". The soul of the musical is about Glinda and Elfie, but they split up at the end. They each had a different, important destiny. It doesn't mean they didn't love each other or that their friendship didn't matter. "For Good" is the song I think of most for William & Eliza (at least when I'm not irritated with William. When I'm mad at William it is "King of Anything" by Sara Bareilles).

I've heard it said That people come into our lives for a reason Bringing something we must learn And we are led To those who help us most to grow If we let them And we help them in return Well, I don't know if I believe that's true But I know I'm who I am today Because I knew you

It's an absolutely beautiful song that pays tribute to those fundamental people in our lives whose have a huge impact, even if our paths diverge. This is what I want for William and Eliza, a bittersweet ending, acknowledging the value of their history, while also acknowledging they have different destinies.

[popentertainment-moviereviews]

WICKED (2024)

Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Bowen Yang, Aaron Teoh, Guan Ti, Adam James, Colin Michael Carmichael and the voice of Peter Dinklage.

Screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox.

Directed by Jon M. Chu.

Distributed by Universal Pictures. 160 minutes. Rated PG.

Have you ever wondered what came before Dorothy and the yellow brick road? Wicked answers all of these questions and more in the most spellbinding fashion. Jon M. Chu’s long-awaited film adaptation of Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz’s hit Broadway musical, Wicked, gives audiences an inside look into how Elphaba Thropp became known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and how Galinda Upland became Glinda the Good Witch.

For those who don’t already know, Wicked is the musical prequel to L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (my fellow musical theater geeks know that Elphaba’s name is derived from Baum’s initials). Baum’s novel took the world by fire and earned its very first film adaptation in 1939, The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland, Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan, Margaret Hamilton, Billie Burke, and Clara Blandick. Unsurprisingly, the film quickly became a cult classic which led to numerous sequels, retellings, and, you guessed it, prequels.

In 1995, Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West was published, a prequel to Baum’s award-winning tale. The novel tells the previously untold story of how Elphaba and Glinda’s complicated relationship came to be, exploring themes of Good vs. Evil, Identity, Discrimination, and Friendship. With the success of Maguire’s novel, further conversation sparked about translating the story into a musical.

In 2003, Wicked made its Broadway debut at the Gershwin Theatre with music and lyrics composed by Stephen Schwartz and script by Winnie Holzman. The award-winning original cast featured Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, making the pair household names.

Being lucky enough to have seen Wicked twice on Broadway, I, as well as other theater enthusiasts, had extremely elevated expectations for its highly anticipated film adaptation. Recent movie musicals have let me down, so I was curious how Wicked would fall on my wickedly misguided to thrillifying rating scale.

Needless to say, my expectations were defied.

The film begins exactly as its musical counterpart does, picking right up where The Wizard of Oz film left off, with the Munchkins of Munchkinland celebrating the melting (death) of the Wicked Witch of the West, belting opening number “No One Mourns the Wicked.” Glinda (formerly GA-linda) floats down in her iconic pink bubble to “rejoicify” with the Munchkins. Glinda’s sudden appearance prompts one of the Munchkins to ask Glinda if she was ever friends with the Wicked Witch, to which she responds that she was. Glinda then goes on to tell the origin story of the green witch (Elphaba,) and the trials that she endured as early as a newborn baby.

The story continues as Elphaba grows up and enrolls in Shiz University, with Galinda as her roommate. The duo become unlikely best friends, even after expressing that they equally “loathe” one another. Over the course of the girls’ first semester at Shiz, the talking animal professors of the university begin to lose their voices, reverting to their animalistic bleating, mooing, selves. As Elphaba has such a passion for the rights of all living things, she seeks out the help of the great and powerful Wizard of Oz to serve justice to the animals. Elphaba and Glinda make their way to the renowned Emerald City, not knowing that their adventure is just beginning.

I was concerned that Elphaba and Glinda’s characters would get lost in the mix of Wicked’s star-studded cast, but this was not the case at all. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande transformed into the film’s iconic pair on the screen before me. Be prepared to see Erivo and Grande as you’ve never seen them before – their chemistry and talent are unmatched. Wicked is a true masterpiece and Erivo and Grande are coming for those Oscars.

Between Jonathan Bailey’s charisma playing Fiero, Michelle Yeoh’s mesmerism as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum’s allure as the Wizard, every single person in this cast carried their weight and more.

Alongside the incredibly brilliant cast, Wicked’s cinematography is another massive contributor to its success, in my book. The film is jam-packed with breathtaking landscapes including Munchkinland’s radiant tulip field (including nine million real planted tulips,) the effulgent Emerald City (which was actually a physical set,) and the ethereal Shiz University, complete with its very own lake and stone academic buildings (surprise – another physical set.) Aside from the sets, the vibrancy of every shot in the film is unrivaled.

Regarding the film’s musical aspect, I am still speechless, even after departing the theater. Not only can this cast act, but they can sing. Beautifully. It is rare for a film adaptation of a musical to hit the mark with its soundtrack, but Wicked did much more than hit the mark, it smashed it with a giant broomstick.

Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the entirety of Wicked’s original songs, co-wrote the film’s musical score alongside John Powell. The scoring evoked such emotion and tied the whole feature together with a pink and green bow. 

After watching Wicked, I can confirm that pink does go“good” with green.

Kayla Marra

Copyright ©2024 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: November 20, 2024.