Changed for Good: The Universal Power and Spellbinding Nature of Wicked
Article by: Samia Posadas / Graphic by: Adriel Malaca
For over twenty years, Wicked has captivated audiences, breaking box-office records and filling theaters, not just for its spectacle and catchy songs, but for the humanity it offers through the green-skinned girl who refuses to fit the mold, reminding all of us that the most powerful kind of magic is held within being unapologetically yourself. As Wicked: For Good prepares for release on November 21st, the world seems ready to fall in love with the barrier-breaking story all over again.
Long before Elphaba became a Broadway and film icon, her story began with L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), where she was originally written off as the evil Wicked Witch. Nearly a century later, Gregory Maguire reimagined her in his 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, uniquely painting her as a brilliant, emotional, and misunderstood victim of societal prejudice whose story is heavily shaped by the environment she is born into and the power that lies in the differences that separate her from that environment. Composer Stephen Schwartz and writer Winnie Holzman then brought that idea to the stage in 2003, creating the infamous Broadway musical we know today. Since then, Wicked has become one of Broadway’s most successful productions, winning multiple Tony Awards and going on multiple national and international tours in addition to a London West End production, and now a two-part film adaptation. According to Billboard, the film is expected to be one of the most successful musical adaptations in history. All of this speaks towards the fact that Wicked’s influence has reached far beyond the theater, inspiring generations of performers, writers, and dreamers who see a bit of themselves in Elphaba’s story.
What lies within the enduring nature of this story isn’t just its dazzling production or iconic score, but the simple reflection that it provides of the world around us. Elphaba’s struggle to belong, as she is mocked for her green skin and judged for her difference, feels achingly familiar in a society still learning how to embrace diversity. She is the outsider, the “other”, the person who sees truth when the world chooses illusion. Her story challenges the audience to question who gets labeled “wicked” and who decides what’s “good.” Additionally, Elphaba’s battles against the Wizard’s authoritarian control, her defense of animals, and her moral choices feel urgent because they mirror real-world struggles. Her relationships with those closest to her truly did change her “for good”, reminding audiences that the connections we nurture and the choices we make significantly define who we are.
Even the romance between Elphaba and Fiyero enhances the emotional depth of the story. Their connection, built on mutual respect and recognition rather than convenience or perfection, underscores the universal desire to be truly seen. Their forbidden love heightens the stakes in a world that already resists difference and grapples with identity, judgment, and courage, making their experiences feel both personal and relatable.
Another part of Wicked’s continued relevance is its intentional doorway for inclusivity. Its story and fantastical setting allows for diverse casting and a diverse audience. Just this year, Lencia Kebede, made her debut on Broadway as the first African-American woman to play Elphaba, a pivotal moment in proving the story belongs to anyone and everyone who has ever felt marginalized. With Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, both women of color, leading the upcoming film adaptation, the story’s messages will reach even wider audiences.
What sets Wicked apart from other movie musicals is its universal acceptance. Not every adaptation, especially from stage to screen, resonates unanimously across generations, cultures, and backgrounds, but Wicked has. Audiences continue to return to Wicked because it reflects the human experience so vividly. For over two decades, Elphaba has fearlessly reminded us that “everyone deserves the chance to fly”, and in doing so, she reminds us that embracing our own humanity is the most powerful act of all.
Works Cited
Schwartz, Stephen. “The History of Wicked.” StephenSchwartz.com, April 2017, https://stephenschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/WickedHistory.pdf.
Billboard Staff. “Broadway Musicals That Became Box Office Hits: From ‘Les Misérables’ to ‘Wicked’.” Billboard, 2024, https://www.billboard.com/lists/broadway-musical-films-biggest-box-office-wicked/.
