Wicked Movie vs. Musical: Breaking Down the Biggest Differences

As a longtime fan of musical theatre, I must say that the transition from stage to screen for Wicked has been nothing short of magical. Having seen the original Broadway production multiple times and even playing Glinda myself in a local community theatre production, I can appreciate the thoughtful adaptations made in this film version.

Warning: This story contains spoilers from the film Wicked: Part 1 and Wicked the Broadway musical.

Time to spend one short day in the land of Oz.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about the upcoming big-screen debut of “Wicked”! If you’re wondering how the beloved Broadway production has been transformed for the silver screen, allow me to fill you in on some of the changes that have been made during its transition.

The primary distinction lies in the fact that spectators will be limited to experiencing just half of the musical in “Wicked: Part 1,” with the second part, titled “Wicked: Part 2,” scheduled for theater release next year (the current date set is Nov. 21, 2025). The initial film encompasses Act One from the Broadway production, with the duration of Part 1 being almost as extensive as the entire stage show.

In the extended runtime, filmmaker Jon M. Chu has had the opportunity to delve deeper into scenes that were not present in the stage production, offering fans a more intimate portrayal of the evolving relationship between Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s Glinda.

The movie gives ample opportunity to familiarize oneself with the secondary characters of the series. This includes Jonathan Bailey‘s portrayal of Fiyero, who is admired by both Glinda and Elphaba, as well as Elphaba’s sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) and the Wizard himself, played by Jeff Goldlbum.

The movie adaptation didn’t introduce any entirely fresh tunes but allowed the existing ones a little more room to resonate compared to their stage performance. Additionally, it showcased a delightful cameo for musical theater enthusiasts within one of its newly penned segments.

The musical and movie adaptations of “Wicked” deviate significantly from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel of the same name, as well as L. Frank Baum’s 1900 book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. (Did you know that Elphaba’s name is a tribute to L. Frank Baum, as Maguire incorporated his initials L.F.B. into the creation of this character’s name.)

For approximately 20 years now, since “Wicked” first graced Broadway in 2003 – with Idina Menzel portraying Elphaba Thropp and Kristin Chenoweth as the initial Glinda – the enchantment of Oz has kept everyone spellbound beyond the rainbow.

To find out what exactly changed in bringing Wicked to the big screen, keep reading.

In the original book “Wicked”, a significant element known as the Time Dragon Clock, which was a traveling puppet show, appears at the beginning of the Broadway production. Conversely, in the movie adaptation, this timepiece is merely mentioned when character Glinda (played by Ariana Grande) informs the citizens of Oz about Elphaba’s (Cynthia Erivo) demise.

The stage production briefly covers Elphaba’s conception and birth, but there are no scenes depicting her childhood or early life. In contrast, the movie offers a look into Elphaba’s upbringing and even hints at her powers from an early age. Additionally, the film introduces the character of Dulcibear (played by Sharon D. Clarke), who is present at Elphaba’s birth and raises her after her father, the governor of Munchkinland, reacts negatively to her green skin. Dulcibear also offers a reason for Elphaba’s compassion towards animals, which plays a significant role in both the film and the musical.

In the Broadway musical, Elphaba is a student at Shiz University, taking care of her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode). In the film, she simply brings her there but changes occur when Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) witnesses Elphaba’s power. She persuades Elphaba to enroll. The rest follows a similar pattern, with Glinda inadvertently becoming Elphaba’s roommate due to the possibility that Elphaba’s assigned room was overlooked.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but delve into the captivating world of “Wicked,” where the character who intrigued me the most was Doctor Dillamond, voiced brilliantly by Peter Dinklage in the movie. In both the film and the musical, he’s a wise-talking goat and a history professor at Shiz, enlightening students about the dark plot against animals that looms over Oz.

As an ardent admirer, let me share my perspective on the captivating love triangle between Glinda, Elphaba, and none other than Jonathan Bailey’s enchanting portrayal of Fiyero. While both versions feature this enthralling dynamic, there are subtle differences in the way Fiyero interacts with Elphaba, particularly during their first encounters.

Following Dr. Dillamond’s dismissal from Shiz, a replacement professor assumes his role, showcasing innovative cages for animals, including one housing a dejected lion cub. Enraged by this sight, Elphaba becomes agitated and, in the stage production, incites the students and professor to convulse uncontrollably as she and Fiyero free the cub and escort him to safety. In the film adaptation, rather than causing chaos, she puts everyone into a peaceful slumber using poppies (a clever reference to the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, where she puts Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion to sleep in a field of poppies).

In the movie version, there’s a slight variation as Elphaba prepares to meet the Wizard: Instead of departing without a farewell in the musical, her father shows up at the train station. Here, Nessarose presents him to Boq (Ethan Slater), unlike in the stage production.

The film offers additional insights about the Grimmerie, an ancient tome filled with enchantments, penned in a language that contemporary inhabitants of Oz no longer understand. Contrary to expectations, the movie doesn’t introduce any new songs, but it does include an extra segment within “One Short Day.” The expanded version of the film embellishes the Wizard’s legend, suggesting he is the sole individual capable of deciphering the Grimmerie, thereby satisfying a prophecy that many Ozians had been eagerly anticipating (though we eventually discover this is not accurate; it’s actually Elphaba who can read it).

One standout change from the stage to the screen is “One Short Day,” a song that underwent significant alterations. This number also includes an unexpected twist: it’s sung by none other than Broadway’s original Elphaba and Glinda, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, respectively. In the movie, they’re introduced as Wiz-O-Mania Super Stars, portraying characters not seen in the stage version. Their appearance serves to stir a wave of nostalgia for fans of the musical, as they engage with Erivo and Grande within the Emerald City.

In both adaptations of Wicked, the Wizard initially enchants both Elphaba and Glinda, but in the film, he uses a large Oz model and claims he intends to construct a route to the Emerald City. He even allows Elphaba and Glinda to choose the color of this road, which eventually becomes the well-known Yellow Brick Road.

In the movie adaptation, Elphaba’s significant musical scene during act one is extended, featuring a brief flashback where she encounters a younger version of herself in a vision. This vision encourages her to fly off, distancing herself from the Wizard and Glinda as she reinvents herself with a new identity. Contrastingly, this flashback scene doesn’t appear in the stage play.

For any potential alterations in the upcoming “Wicked: Part 2”, you’ll have to wait until next year to discover what they could be.

2024-11-23 01:18

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