Was the Wicked Witch of the West really that Wicked?

The Wizard of Oz is a beloved classic of both literature and cinema, with one of the most colorful and iconic casts in all of fiction. But have you ever wondered how the story played out from the Wicked Witch of the West’s point of view? This wholly original and inventive perspective flip of the classic tale has made Wickedtickets among the hottest-selling tickets on Broadway.

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One of the most successful musicals to come out in recent years, Wicked is far from being the same old story you have heard about the Land of Oz. Inspired by Gregory Maguire’s eponymous novel, Wicked is a fantastic yet poignant reimagining of the origins of one of the most legendary villains ever created. Of course, if this story is anything to go by, then the Wicked Witch of the West could be anything but a villain in the conventional sense.

As you must have already guessed by now, Wicked is not the story of a young Kansas girl and her dog. Rather, it centers on the journey of Elphaba, the green-skinned outcast who would later become the Wicked Witch of the West. Daughter of the most powerful couple in Munchkinland, Elphaba has long been overshadowed by her beautiful but crippled younger sister, Nessarose. Elphaba’s life takes a radical turn when she becomes her sister’s chaperone at Shiz University. There, they become friends with the pretty and popular blonde Galinda Upland, who would later become Glinda the Good Witch of the North.

Wicked itself opens on a bleak note, with the citizens of Oz rejoicing over the Wicked Witch’s death. Glinda, the only one who mourns Elphaba’s death, is left to recall the events which led the two to drift apart. The “untold” story of Elphaba’s rise and fall features a dizzying succession of catastrophe and intrigue. From her plot to save the Animals of Oz from a fate worse than death to her true connection to the less-than-wonderful Wizard, Elphaba is painted here as perhaps less wicked than misunderstood.

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Much like the 1939 film which served as its key creative influence, Wicked is dressed to the nines with sumptuous set pieces and dramatic costumes befitting of the story’s sweeping scale. Audiences will be bombarded with color and grandeur at almost every turn, drawing them deeper and deeper into this alternate interpretation of Oz. Of course, the show is not without its somber and quiet moments, many of which undoubtedly keep people on their toes to the very last drop of the curtain.

With a set list full of soaring and heartbreaking musical numbers, Wicked will be sure to tug at the heartstrings of viewers everywhere. The musical has contributed some of the most memorable additions to Broadway’s already-formidable list of greatest hits. Songs such as “Defying Gravity” will be remembered by musical fans for years to come. Other unforgettable numbers include “No One Mourns the Wicked”, “For Good”, “As Long As You’re Mine” and “I’m Not That Girl.”

Dying to catch the show before it flies off for good? Check availability here and order your Wicked tickets today.