No One Mourns the Wicked

''Wicked'' is a 2003 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel '' Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West'', in turn based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' and its 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film adaptation.

The show is told from the perspective of, and focuses on, the witches of the Land of Oz; its plot begins before and continues after Dorothy Gale arrives in Oz from Kansas. ''Wicked'' tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (later Glinda the Good Witch), whose relationship struggles through their opposing personalities and viewpoints, same love-interest, reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba's private fall from grace.

Produced by Universal Stage Productions, in coalition with Marc Platt, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone, with direction by Joe Mantello and choreography by Wayne Cilento, the original production of ''Wicked'' premiered on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre in October 2003, after completing pre-Broadway tryouts at San Francisco's Curran Theatre in May and June of that year. Its original stars included Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, and Joel Grey as the Wizard. The original Broadway production won three Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards, while its original cast album received a Grammy Award. On October 28, 2019, with its 6,681st performance, it surpassed '' ''Les Misérables'''' to become Broadway's fifth-longest running show. A typical performance of the show takes about two hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission.

The success of the Broadway production has spawned many productions worldwide, including a long-running West End production. ''Wicked'' has broken box-office records around the world, holding weekly-gross-takings records in Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, and London. In the week ending January 2, 2011, the London, Broadway, and both North American touring productions simultaneously broke their respective records for the highest weekly gross. In the final week of 2013, the Broadway production broke this record again, earning $3.2 million. In 2016, ''Wicked'' surpassed $1 billion in total Broadway revenue, joining ''The Phantom of the Opera'' and ''The Lion King'' as the only Broadway shows to do so. In 2017, ''Wicked'' surpassed ''The Phantom of the Opera'' as Broadway's second-highest grossing musical, trailing only ''The Lion King''. Wicked had performed in 16 different countries and is still going strong.

A two-part film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero is currently in the works. The first part is set for release on Christmas Day in 2024, with the second part to follow a year later.

Inception and development

Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz discovered Maguire's 1995 novel ''Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West'' while on vacation, and saw its potential for a dramatic adaptation. However, Maguire had released the rights to Universal Pictures, which had planned to develop a live-action feature film. In 1998, Schwartz persuaded Maguire to release the rights to a stage production while also making what Schwartz called an "impassioned plea" to Universal producer Marc Platt to realize Schwartz's own intended adaptation. Persuaded, Platt signed on as joint producer of the project with Universal and David Stone.

The novel, described as a political, social, and ethical commentary on the nature of good and evil, takes place in the Land of Oz, in the years surrounding Dorothy's arrival. The story centers on Elphaba, a misunderstood, smart, and fiery girl with emerald-green skin, who grows up to become the notorious Wicked Witch of the West and Galinda, the beautiful, blonde, popular girl who grows up to become Glinda the Good Witch of the South. The story is divided into five scenes based on the location and presents events, characters, and situations adapted from L Frank Baum's ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' (1900) and its 1939 film adaptation in new ways. It is designed to set the reader thinking about what it really is to be "Wicked," and whether good intentions with bad results are the same as bad intentions with bad results. Schwartz considered how best to condense the novel's dense and complicated plot into a sensible script. To this end, he collaborated with Emmy Award-winning writer Winnie Holzman to develop the outline of the plot over the course of a year, while meeting with producer Marc Platt to refine the structural outline of the show, creating an original stage piece rather than a strict adaptation of Maguire's work.

While the draft followed Maguire's idea of retelling the story of the 1939 film from the perspective of its main villain, the storyline of the stage adaptation "goes far afield" from the novel. Holzman observed in an interview with '' Playbill'' that: "It was aguire'sbrilliant idea to take this hated figure and tell things from her point of view, and to have the two witches be roommates in college, but the way in which their friendship develops—and really the whole plot—is different onstage." Schwartz justified the deviation, saying: "Primarily we were interested in the relationship between Galinda—who becomes Glinda—and Elphaba... the friendship of these two women and how their characters lead them to completely different destinies." Other major plot modifications include Fiyero's appearance as the scarecrow, Elphaba's survival at the end, Nessarose using a wheelchair instead of being born without arms, Boq having a continuing love interest for Glinda and eventually becoming the Tin Woodman instead of Nick Chopper, cutting Elphaba's years in the Vinkus, the deletion of Liir's birth, Fiyero not having a wife and children, Doctor Dillamond being fired instead of being murdered, and Madame Morrible going to prison instead of dying.

The book, lyrics, and score for the musical were developed through a series of readings. In these developmental workshops, Kristin Chenoweth, the Tony Award–winning actress whom Schwartz had in mind while composing the music for the character, joined the project as Glinda. Stephanie J. Block played Elphaba in the workshops (she played Elphaba in the first national tour and later as a Broadway cast replacement) before Idina Menzel was cast in the role in late 2000. Earlier that year, the creators recruited New York producer Stone, who began planning the Broadway production. Joe Mantello was engaged as director and Wayne Cilento as choreographer, while designer Eugene Lee created the set and visual style for the production inspired by W. W. Denslow's original illustrations for Baum's novels and Maguire's concept of the story being told through a giant clock. Costume designer Susan Hilferty created a "twisted Edwardian" style in building more than 200 costumes, while lighting designer Kenneth Posner used more than 800 lights to give each of the 54 distinct scenes and locations "its own mood." By April 2003, the show was in rehearsals.

Following the out-of-town tryout in San Francisco in May and June 2003, which received mixed critical reception, the creative team made extensive changes before its transfer to Broadway. Holzman recalled:

Stephen chwartzwisely had insisted on having three months to rewrite in between the time we closed in San Francisco and when we were to go back into rehearsals in New York. That was crucial; that was the thing that made the biggest difference in the life of the show. That time is what made the show work.

Elements of the book were rewritten, while several songs underwent minor changes. "Which Way is the Party?," the introductory song to the character Fiyero, was replaced by "Dancing Through Life." Concern existed that Menzel's Elphaba "got a little overshadowed" by Chenoweth's Glinda, with ''San Francisco Chronicle'' critic Robert Hurwitt writing, "Menzel's brightly intense Elphaba the Wicked Witch eedsa chance of holding her own alongside Chenoweth's gloriously, insidiously bubbly Glinda." As a result, the creative team set about making Elphaba "more prominent." In making the Broadway revisions, Schwartz recalled, "It was clear there was work to be done and revisions to be made in the book and the score. The critical community was, frankly, very helpful to us."

Synopsis

Act 1

''Wicked'' starts off with a celebration in Oz, following the death of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda the Good floats in and reveals Elphaba's past: her mother had an affair with a traveling salesman while her father, the governor of Munchkinland, was away. She gave birth to a girl with green skin, whom her father rejected at birth ("No One Mourns the Wicked"). After being asked if she was Elphaba's friend, Glinda reminisces about their past. Years earlier, Elphaba arrives at Shiz University ("Dear Old Shiz"). Her father showered all of his affection on her younger sister Nessarose, who uses a wheelchair, and gives Nessa a pair of jeweled shoes. The headmistress of Shiz, Madame Morrible, decides to take Nessa under her wing, assigning the nerdy Elphaba and the popular Galinda to be roommates. Elphaba, anxious, uses magic to pull Nessarose's wheelchair back after Morrible attempts to depart with her sister. Morrible recognizes Elphaba's potential and decides to teach her sorcery. She tells Elphaba her powers might allow her to one day work with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, something Elphaba has dreamed of her whole life (" The Wizard and I").

Galinda and Elphaba clash with each other in their letters to their parents and even in classes (" What Is This Feeling?"), such as history, with Doctor Dillamond, a goat who, as the only Animal professor at Shiz, is beginning to suffer from discrimination. He tells Elphaba about a conspiracy to stop animals from speaking, and she wants to let the Wizard know because he could stop it ("Something Bad"). Meanwhile, a handsome roguish prince Fiyero arrives at Shiz and introduces the other students to his philosophy of not caring about life and worries. They decide to attend a party at the Ozdust Ballroom that evening. A Munchkin named Boq asks Galinda to go with him, but she convinces him to take Nessarose so she can go with Fiyero. Nessa becomes deeply enamored with Boq and convinces Elphaba to find a way to thank Galinda for her "help". At the party, Madame Morrible tells Galinda she can join her sorcery class, at Elphaba's request, and gives her a wand. Elphaba arrives wearing a hat Galinda gave her as a practical joke, only to find the other students laughing and staring while she dances alone. Galinda has a change of heart and decides to dance with her, and soon everyone joins them, allowing both girls to finally bond (" Dancing Through Life").

Later back in their dorm room, they continue to bond with secrets. Galinda decides to give her new friend a personality makeover ("Popular"). The next day, Dr. Dillamond arrives at class, explaining that he's leaving - he is no longer permitted to teach. Elphaba wants to help, but no one will stand up with her. Afterward, the students are introduced to the technical advantages of the cage, which will prevent any animal from speaking. Elphaba's anger cannot be contained and; in the ensuing chaos, she escapes alongside Fiyero, taking with them the lion cub that was imprisoned within the cage, the two of them sharing a private moment. Elphaba, alone, laments that she could never be loved by Fiyero as Galinda is (" I'm Not That Girl"). Madame Morrible arrives and tells Elphaba that the Wizard will meet her. Nessa, Fiyero, and Galinda see her off at the train station. Galinda tries to impress Fiyero by changing her name to "Glinda" in solidarity with Dr. Dillamond, but Fiyero just barely notices and says goodbye to Elphaba. Elphaba invites Glinda to the Emerald City with her ("One Short Day").

Elphaba and Glinda meet the Wizard of Oz, who is not as scary as they thought ("A Sentimental Man"). He promises Elphaba to grant her request if she proves herself. Madame Morrible appears as the Wizard's new "press secretary." She gives Elphaba a book of spells, the ''Grimmerie'', which only the magically gifted can read. Elphaba is asked to perform a levitation spell on the Wizard's monkey servant, Chistery, but it makes Chistery very painfully sprout wings. She discovers that the Wizard is behind the suppression of the Animals and that he is a fraud who only creates a bunch of lies so he can continue on in power. She flees the Wizard's chamber, and Morrible warns all of Oz that Elphaba is a "wicked witch." After she refuses to take Glinda's advice to go back and apologise, Elphaba decides to go off to do what's right for her. She repeats the effect of the levitation spell on a broom and flies away from the Emerald City, leaving Glinda behind (" Defying Gravity").

Act II

There has been a time skip, and now Elphaba is known as "The Wicked Witch of the West." The Wizard has given Glinda the title "Glinda the Good" and a public status as the nation's defender against Elphaba. Fiyero has become captain of the guard and tries to find Elphaba. He reluctantly agrees to marry Glinda. A press conference to celebrate their engagement is hijacked by the crowd's panicked rumors about Elphaba; one saying that she can be melted by water. Glinda maintains a cheerful front for the press but secretly regrets her decisions ("Thank Goodness").

Elphaba visits Nessarose, now the governor of Munchkinland after the death of their father. Nessa has taken away the Munchkins' rights so that Boq can't leave her. Elphaba tries to convince her to join her against the Wizard, but Nessa is consumed by her problems. Elphaba tries to help by giving Nessa the power to walk, by turning Nessa's jeweled shoes into the magic ruby slippers. Nessa thinks Boq would love her now, but he sees this as proof that she no longer needs him and wants to tell Glinda of his love for her before she marries Fiyero. Nessa takes the ''Grimmerie'' to cast a spell to make Boq fall in love with her. She pronounces the words wrong and accidentally shrinks Boq's heart. She cries to Elphaba so she can save him and prevent Nessa from having to "live a life of loneliness" (" The Wicked Witch of the East"). Elphaba works another spell to save his life, transforming him into a Tin Man. Horrified, Nessa blames Elphaba.

Elphaba returns to the Emerald City to free the monkey servants and encounters the Wizard. He admits that he is an ordinary man and offers to redeem Elphaba's reputation ("Wonderful"). Even though she initially accepts his offer, when she discovers Dr. Dillamond who has lost the power of speech, Elphaba angrily accuses the Wizard, before he calls the guards to arrest her. Fiyero helps Elphaba escape and leaves with her. Heartbroken, Glinda tells the Wizard and Morrible that the only way to capture Elphaba is to make her believe her sister is in trouble ("I'm Not That Girl (Reprise)").

Hidden away in a natural surrounding, Elphaba and Fiyero express their love for each other ("As Long As You're Mine"). Their happiness is interrupted by a sudden change in the weather. Elphaba and Glinda reunite at the spot where Nessa has just been crushed by a house with a girl named Dorothy inside. After a fight between the two witches, the Wizard's guards arrive. Fiyero holds Glinda hostage as Elphaba flees. Glinda pleads for the guards not to harm him as she knows he wouldn't really harm her, but they escort Fiyero to a nearby cornfield. At Kiamo Ko, Elphaba casts a spell to save Fiyero but is crestfallen by the limitations of her power. She finally accepts her reputation as a wicked witch (" No Good Deed").

Meanwhile, the citizens of Oz, led by Madame Morrible and Boq the Tin Man, set off to destroy Elphaba. Glinda realizes that Madame Morrible is responsible for Nessa's death and that the situation and rumors have already gone too far. But when she confronts her, she tells her that there is also blood on her hands and advises her to smile and wave as the citizens set out to Kiamo Ko ("March of the Witch Hunters"). Elphaba captures Dorothy, refusing to release her until she relinquishes Nessa's slippers, the only thing left of her deceased sister. Glinda arrives to warn Elphaba of the danger and begs her to free Dorothy. Elphaba refuses until she receives a letter concerning Fiyero. She decides to surrender and the two women forgive each other of all allowances. Elphaba gives the Grimmerie to Glinda and they embrace one final time before saying goodbye forever, realizing how much they've changed because they knew each other (" For Good"). Elphaba forces Glinda to hide, and she witnesses from the shadows as Dorothy throws a bucket of water on Elphaba, melting her. The only remains of her are her pointy hat and the Green Elixir that she had slept with under her pillow.

Back at the Emerald City, Glinda confronts the Wizard with Elphaba's bottle, which he recognizes as his own; he was Elphaba's biological father and the cause of her green skin. Glinda banishes the Wizard from Oz and throws Morrible into prison for murdering Nessarose. Meanwhile, Dorothy's friend, Fiyero (now a scarecrow) comes to the spot where Elphaba melted. He knocks on the floor; Elphaba steps out from a trap door, apparently having faked her death, and they embrace. She regrets that she will never see Glinda again. Back outside the Wizard's palace, Glinda informs the People of Oz that the Wicked Witch is dead and that she will earn her title as "Glinda the Good". As the people celebrate and Glinda mourns quietly, Elphaba and Fiyero leave Oz ("Finale").

Casts

Original cast

Notable replacements

Broadway (2003–)

*Elphaba: Shoshana Bean, Eden Espinosa, Ana Gasteyer, Julia Murney, Stephanie J. Block, Kerry Ellis, Marcie Dodd, Nicole Parker, Dee Roscioli, Mandy Gonzalez

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