The first part of the movie adaptation of Wicked, opens a new window is coming to theaters November 22!
Fans of the musical, opens a new window may be interested to know that the divide for the two movies is said to follow the song “Defying Gravity,” so any songs after that number will likely be in the next movie. The creators have also said that they have added a new song to each film.
Here are some DIYs to make you feel like you’re headed to the Emerald City!
- 11 "Wicked" inspired cocktails, opens a new window
- Mocktails: Drink Pink, opens a new window for Glinda or Delicious Green, opens a new window for Elphaba
- Make a Wicked T-shirt, opens a new window (for Cricut*, opens a new window or Silhouette machines)
- Make your own Wicked poster, opens a new window
- Get costume inspiration from this interview with Susan Hilferty, opens a new window (stage costume designer) or from this behind-the-scenes clip with Paul Tazewell, opens a new window, (movie costume designer)
- Maybe go all out and throw an “Oz-tastic” party, opens a new window
*You can check out a Cricut machine from the library, part of our Tech on the Go, opens a new window collection.
Get carried away somewhere over the rainbow into Oz with these titles:
If you liked the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz or L. Frank Baum's original novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,, opens a new window try some of these!
If you have never seen or listened to the musical, which was originally adapted from the book of the same title, opens a new window by Gregory Maguire, here’s a bit of information and a synopsis.
Maguire was able to skirt around MGM’s copyrights for their 1939 film, opens a new window by claiming to have been inspired by the book written by L. Frank Baum, opens a new window and published in 1900. It is largely true, as the author pulled names and locations that were featured in the book but not the film. That said, the main visual element of the Wicked Witch of the West being green-skinned is something that was first developed, opens a new window in the MGM film. Prior to that, witches had been depicted with either human shades of skin, or bright warm colors, but not really green.
The main character of the book and musical is Elphaba (derived from the Baum’s initials L.F.B.), a Munchkinlander born with green skin, a full set of teeth, and a water aversion. According to Wicked, prior to Elphaba’s birth, her mother ingested a green elixir and had an affair with a traveling salesman, which is thought to have caused Elphaba’s unusual appearance. This creates many issues for her growing up, but it doesn’t stop her from learning and developing her magic. She is admitted to Shiz University, opens a new window, where she manages to be at the top of her class, but not without enduring the teasing and rejection of her classmates and roommate Galinda (later to become Glinda, the Good Witch).
In this land of Oz, anthropomorphic Animals (different from regular animals), who can reason and talk, are beginning to be sanctioned and restricted from life as normal citizens by the laws passed by the Wizard. Elphaba wants to stand up for the Animals and fight the injustice, but in ways that differ from Galinda's. These two enemies-turned-friends part to go down their separate paths. Dorothy and her compatriots are more hinted at than really seen in the book and musical, as Wicked is largely an origin story for Elphaba and Glinda.
