From the Broadway stage to the big screen, Wicked has captivated audiences all over the world. Since Wicked first came to the stage in 2003, nearly 65 million people have seen this Broadway hit, encouraging the creation of this “Popular” new movie. The storyline of Wicked is that it follows the story of Elphaba, a young woman who was born green, as she finds herself “Dancing Through Life” while learning how to use the powers she was born with and attempting not to worry about what others think even though “No One Mourns the Wicked.” Although she believes she was the cause of her sister, NessaRose, needing a wheelchair, Elphaba follows her to “Dear Old Shiz” University to care for and look after her. She then finds herself under the guidance of Madame Morrible, headmistress of Shiz University, after she discovers Elphaba’s magical powers. While Elphaba works with Morrible, the charming Glinda the Good attempts to be included in their lessons wanting to learn sorcery after promising Elphaba to ungreen her. After growing up with the dream of meeting the Wizard, Elphaba believes that learning how to use and control her powers could be her ticket to the Land of Oz. Elphaba discovers through her lectures and conversations with Dr. Dillamond, a goat professor at Shiz, that “Something Bad” is happening to all of the animals, leaving her with the want to help the animals and meet the Wizard even more. From Elphaba’s perspective, “Since I was a young girl, I’ve always believed that ‘I’m Not That Girl’ and that I could only prove myself and bring justice to the animals if it’s ‘The Wizard and I.’” After “One Short Day” of learning and growing, the Wizard has sent her an invitation to the Land of Oz and brings along Glinda after wondering “What is This Feeling” she felt with the recent transfer student, Prince Fiyero. Through their adventures in Oz, Elphaba and Glinda meet “A Sentimental Man”, the Wizard of Oz, who leads Elphaba to the Grimmerie where she is found to be the only person to be able to read the spells when she gives all the monkeys wings and the ability to fly. Little did she know that both the Wizard and Madame Morrible have been working together to get rid of the animals and when Elphaba finds out, she stops reading spells and runs away when the two turn the monkeys against her and Morrible has Glinda go after her to change her mind. After Glinda finds Elphaba and they run away from the monkeys, they reach a dead-end where they have their last moment together and Elphaba can finally be free by “Defying Gravity.” And that’s just Act one.

As part of the Hoover choir trip this past March, we went to New York City and the Gershwin Theatre to watch the Broadway Wicked. When first walking into the theatre, the main thing that stuck out to me was the set and all the small details and aspects that went into it. From the gears to the map, everything about the stage and setup was perfect. I was so excited going into it, I would’ve never guessed how much more perfect the actresses and actors would be. With Alexandra Socha as Glinda and Mary Kate Morrissey as Elphaba, they brought the stage to life with so much emotion and passion in a way I never thought possible. After the end of Act two, I was left speechless and filled with tears, wanting there to be more. I was so moved by that show, the role of Elphaba has become my dream role to perform and encouraged me to go for my dreams and goals, no matter what anyone else thinks because the only person stopping you, is you. I also share many of her characteristics and bold personality, also wanting to make a positive impact on both people and animals in whatever way I can. After watching the musical, I never thought anything could even come close compared to it. That’s until I watched the movie.

Going into the movie I was expecting it to be good, but not as good as the musical believing that they’re just playing off of the Broadway version. I also wasn’t completely feeling the cast as the original Elphaba, Idina Menzel and Glinda, Kristin Chenoweth was and are absolutely incredible just as Socha and Morrissey were. Never before have I been so wrong about the movie. It was breathtaking. Just like the musical, everything about it was perfect. The casting, music, set, costumes, plot and even more. I loved everything about the first part and would’ve just put both acts into one movie making it probably the longest movie ever, but since I loved it so much, I would watch every minute of it. It’s not even that it is two parts that bother me, but the fact that I have to wait until November 2025 to see the second part. The end of the first part left me on a cliffhanger wanting more. The more I will get in November, I just don’t want to have to wait such a long time. Since I haven’t seen Ariana Grande in many movies or shows, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I couldn’t be more blown away by her. The fact that someone could hit the whistle notes she hit especially in “No One Mourns The Wicked” is absolutely incredible. And with Cynthia Erivo, I hadn’t known too much about her until Wicked and her “Defying Gravity” is actually Defying Gravity. Maybe it was such a good thing after all that the movie was split into two parts, because after that song, I had to save space to remember every little detail about every part of the song. As a singer and vocal student, I know from experience that “Defying Gravity” is one of the hardest, if not the hardest musical theater song of all time to sing. With all the vocal jumps, belts and emotion, it takes a serious athlete and singer to be able to execute that song in the way Cynthia did. Even as amazing soloists, they also make the most perfect duo. Cynthia and Ariana create the most gorgeous sound together, and after hearing how angelic they sound, I couldn’t imagine any two other people playing those roles.

After watching both the Broadway wonder and cinematic movie in 2024, I can undoubtedly say that both were outstanding in their own way. From seeing both, I have learned that just because something may be different than the original doesn’t mean it’s not as good in any way and that one show can have many different interpretations and each has their own unique take on it. I have also learned that even though people may have different takes on something and different perspectives, it doesn’t mean they can’t come together and make something beautiful. Everyone has a place in life, no matter where their life may take them and everyone is beautiful both inside and out. Wicked has taught me so much both about myself and the world around me. It has also become my new favorite movie and gave me people to look up to. Overall, I loved the movie just as much as the musical. I would definitely recommend it to someone wanting to watch it, especially if they love musicals just as much as I do. Wicked has taught me to follow my dreams no matter what anyone thinks and to in my own way, always “Defy Gravity.”

5/5 Stars