Jon M. Chu’s premiere of Wicked defied all expectations on the weekend of November 22, 2024. The musical, created in collaboration with Winnie Holzman, Stephen Schwartz, and Gregory Maguire, is a prequel to the hit 1939 film starring Judy Garland, The Wizard of Oz. 

Wicked tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, and the good witch, Galinda. It features the competitive yet friendly nature of two unlikely friends. While The Wizard of Oz guides the simple notion of good prevailing over evil, Wicked uncovers the truth when good and evil are blurred. Suddenly the story turns to the powerful themes of friendship and discrimination. Tragedy and victory strike within the musical when those least expect it and are projected through the voices of Cynthia Eviro’s Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s Galinda. Both touching and heartbreaking, the relationship Eviro and Grande have built through their time on Wicked is evident both on screen and in interviews. This relationship brings the story to life, and first-time watchers discover what is so special about this modern take on The Wizard of Oz. 

Behind the scenes, Christopher Scott’s incredible choreography sends viewers out of their seats with its lively moves. Beyond that, the set design was created entirely without the use of special effects or CGI. This incredible use of traditional filmmaking almost feels like an homage to the original movie from 1939, however, viewers are brought back to the present by the stars’ striking talent.  Between the dancing and the set, it feels as though you have been swept away in a tornado and are no longer in Kansas. 

Overall, Wicked has truly become popular with extensive advertising leading up to its release. It’s impossible to see green and pink without thinking of Eviro and Grande! Nevertheless, the production deserves the fame, as it defies both gravity and our expectations through an incredible cast, director, set, and so much more. See Wicked before it leaves theat

res and the magic ends.