The time is 1900 and author L. Frank Baum puts pen to paper to create a story that will become one of the most influential in the popular imagination. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was the first in a series of children’s novels that would be loved by generations to come. Since the book’s publication, the story of Dorothy and the witches of Oz has garnered numerous retellings. Perhaps the most well-known is the 1939 film adaptation starring Judy Garland. The movie’s vibrant technicolor landscapes and catchy musical numbers further catapulted the story’s popularity.

Each of these adaptations centered around the young Dorothy’s journey through Oz. It wasn’t until 1995 that the public was confronted with a new perspective on the classic story, which would later inspire the musical, Wicked.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Gregory Maguire grew up with The Wizard of Oz. Once each year, Maguire watched the movie as it was broadcast. His connection to the story grew quickly. In the early 1990s, driven by experiences of war around him, Maguire began to contemplate the meaning of evil. He began to explore the topic through writing and what he found was that the children’s stories he knew and loved did explore concepts of evil. He decided to take the villain’s story to a deeper level and his first choice was Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

Armed with a bright new idea and a passion for writing, Maguire successfully published Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West in 1995. Though the novel would be the main inspiration for the Broadway musical, Wicked, fans of the musical may not be familiar with the full story. Maguire’s original take on Elphaba and Glinda’s story is much darker than the stage production. It deals heavily with adult themes, politics, and the origins of evil that Maguire was so fascinated with.

Wicked: The Musical

When the book was first released, a film was optioned but did not come to fruition. Instead, the story fell into the hands of Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman who began production in Los Angeles. Stephanie J. Block was the first to play Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth soon joined as Glinda. Eventually, Joe Mantello joined on as director, and with him came a new era for the musical. Idina Menzel replaced Stephanie J. Block as Elphaba alongside Kristin Chenoweth’s Glinda. In May of 2003, Wicked played its first performance in San Fransisco. Audience reception was largely positive with critics leaving mixed reviews. The show’s star potential was clear but there were still changes to be made before Wicked made its Broadway debut.

Wicked: On Broadway

After much deliberation and workshopping, the creative team behind Wicked ended up with a tweaked version of the show audiences witnessed in San Fransisco. With various scenes changed or scrapped, the musical was finally ready for the big stage. On October 30, 2003, Wicked opened at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City. With Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth leading the healm, the show received overwhelmingly positive reviews and garnered a large fan base despite some continuing negative responses. Idina Menzel would go on to receive the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, cementing her legacy with the show.

Even after both Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel took their leave from Wicked, the buzz surrounding the show continued. Wicked went on tour around North America before making its debut in Japan and later, on the West End in London. No matter where the production ended up, audiences became enamored with the music and cast. Since its first performance, the show quickly became a pop culture staple. Wicked‘s legacy has been celebrated throughout the years with reunion events and groundbreaking anniversaries. In April 2023, it became the fourth longest-running show on Broadway.

Wicked: On the Screen

Wicked‘s success on Broadway and beyond could only mean one thing: a movie was next. COVID-19 delayed the film’s production for some time but it finally made some headway in 2021. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were added to the cast, Jon M. Chu was set to direct, and production began not too long after. The show’s move from stage to screen has been a long time coming, especially with SAG-AFTRA strikes delaying the process, but it’s finally coming alive this week. Wicked releases in US theaters on November 22. This will be the first movie with a second part coming in 2025.

This show’s legacy is still in the making. Fans and creatives alike are itching to see how the 2024 film adaptation will hold up to its predecessors. But one thing is certain. The little idea turned phenomenon that is Wicked has come a long way and is still on the rise.