WICKED, PART I

US, 2024, 160 minutes, Colour.

Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marisa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Andy Nyman, Bowlen Yang, Bronwyn James.

Directed by Jon M. Chu.

Everyone knows the story of The Wizard of Oz. And, over 85 years, so many audiences have enjoyed the film version with Judy Garland. And there were other’s books about Oz by the author Frank L. Baum (and some film versions like Return to Oz). However, in the 1990s, the author, Gregory Maguire created an alternate interpretation of the Wicked Witch of the West and the good fairy, Glinda.

With enthusiasm, Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, captivity and schools for several Disney movies) was creative in bringing Wicked to the stage where it has been performed widely for over 20 years. Which means then that there is an eager audience for this film version of the musical. And the eagerness is being rewarded, so to speak, by having the first part of the musical, Wicked Part I (and running for 2 hours 40 minutes) reaching the screen but with audiences having to wait for another 12 months for the rest of the musical, Wicked Part 2.

Most of the enthusiastic audiences who have made this first part a box office bonanza, will know the story, know the characters, have a point of view on them, know the songs, anticipate the choreography.

But, this reviewer did not have these advantages, not the book, not the musical, just a general anticipation of finding out something about the Wicked Witch of the West now called Elphaba. And, for this reviewer, the performance by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba is most striking, always interesting, the background of her unexpected birth, her green colour, her powers, her place in her family, the attention given to her younger sister, taking her to the school of magic but impressing one of the teachers and being invited to stay.

One of the disadvantages for the reviewer is knowing only about singer Ariana Grande rather than having seen her perform. It is a bit of a shock to see that she looks something of a rather slight presence, but fully determined, and in the performance of the first part of the film dramatising her supreme self-confidence, doubts not even possible, symbolised by the swish of her hair.

It is an understatement to say that the film is colourful, elaborate sets, action in motion, a range of students of the school, critical of alphabet, fawning on Galinda, and Jonathan Bailey as Flyero, the dashing hero, with an effect on each of the young women.

There is a lot of talk of the Wizard himself, especially by the arch-Wizard teacher in the school, Madame Morrible (an imperious Michelle Yeoh). But, finally we see the Wizard himself, played by Jeff Goldblum. And the question of whether he is just like the familiar Wizard in the film or is he up to something else…?

Fans will know what the ending is as they spend the year waiting for Part 2 – whereas, this reviewer and any others who have not seen the musical in the theatre, will have a year of wondering…

1. The popularity of wicked in the theatre? For 20 years? The transition to the screen? The traditions of The Wizard of Oz, Return to Oz, The Wiz…? The opening tribute to The Wizard of Oz, to Frank L Baum, mansions, the glimpse of Dorothy and the Yellow Brick Road, the munchkins, the death of the wicked witch? The appearance of Glinda?
2. The importance of the sets and decor, denominations, the Governor and his home, the school, Oz? The activities, Oz and the Wizard?
3. The range of songs, popular, the lyrics, characters, themes, their insertion into the ongoing drama, illuminating the characters?
4. The child asking Glinda about the wicked witch? Her narrative and perspective?
5. The Governor, his wife, the salesman, the affair, the birth of the baby, green, the younger sister, the reaction of their father?
6. The two sisters, Elphaba, illegitimate, green, her relationship with her sister, the nice younger sister? The relationship with their father?
7. The University of Shiz? For magic? Her father and her sister, the travels, meeting the students, the initial impression? Madame Morrible and her watching, her father and her reaction, the display? The offer of a place, Elphaba wanting to meet the Wiz, to be rid of her greenness?
8. The introduction to Galinda, manner, beauty, self-centred, her style, squabbling? Arrogance, the swish of her hair?
9. The range of the students, friendly, hostile?
10. Dr Dillamond, and an animal, teaching? His explanation of the threat to the animal teachers? The issue of the cub freeing the cub in the forest?
11. Flyero, young, handsome, rebel, the importance of his song and dance, the attraction of the two young women? His place and influence at the University?
12. Bok, his place in the school, the attraction to Nessarose? The buildup to the dance, the hat, the black hat for Elphaba, her unwillingness to go, her finally going, the consequences?
13. The train trip to Oz, the sightseeing?
14. The audience with the Wizard, the presence of Madame Morrible, the reading of the magic document, the monkey guards and their wings, spying? The revelation that the Wizard was a fraud, wanting power, the collaboration of Madame Morrible?
15. Galinda, some steps in self-awareness, some selflessness, the relationship with Elphaba, simplifying her name? Making peace?
16. Elphaba, the refusal to collaborate, levitation, and the disaster, the students fleeing, Flyero, the consequences for Elphaba? And her finally on the broom, defying gravity?
17. And for audiences, the year long wait for the sequel, Wicked: For Good?