Wicked musical - Synopsis - Encyclopedia II

The musical is an alternative to L. Frank Baum's classic book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and is also somewhat influenced by the iconic 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz. Set in the days prior to Dorothy's arrival from Kansas, the story explores the idea that the infamous antagonist we call the Wicked Witch of the West was misconstrued and victimized. Her alleged evilness was merely retaliation against a charlatan wizard’s corrupt government. At Shiz University, the intelligent green-skinned woman, Elphaba Thropp, meets beautiful and ambitious Galinda Upland (who changes her name to Glinda during the course of the play and later becomes Glinda the Good) when the two become room mates. Their lives intertwine and throughout the show, their friendship struggles to endure extreme personality differences, opposing viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, and of course, Elphaba’s eventual tragic fall from grace.

The show starts off at the end of The Wizard of Oz, with Glinda descending in a bubble giving the citizens of Oz good news of the death of The Wicked Witch of the West ("No One Mourns the Wicked"). Glinda reveals the story of the Witch's childhood as the daughter of the governor of Munchkinland, and how she was actually illegitimately conceived when her mother had an affair with a traveling salesman. When the Witch was born, her skin was green because of a drink called Green Elixir that her mother purchased from the salesman and drank during their affair. Upon seeing her color, her father immediately rejected her.

Back in the present, as Glinda prepares to leave the festivities, a citizen asks if it is true that she and the Witch were friends. Glinda then takes us back to when she was a student (then named Galinda) at Shiz University ("Dear Old Shiz"), where she met the Witch, whose name was Elphaba. Elphaba arrives with her crippled sister, Nessarose. All of the students immediately take a disliking to Elphaba because she is green. Elphaba's father gives a pair of jeweled shoes to Nessarose as a gift, and reminds Elphaba that the only reason she is attending school is to take care of her sister. Madame Morrible arrives to greet the new students, and amongst a confusion with room assignments, Elphaba and Galinda end up rooming with each other. At the same time, Madame Morrible discovers that Elphaba has an amazing natural talent of magic, and tells Elphaba that she could end up at the top if she "makes good." ("The Wizard and I")

Galinda is disgruntled, both because of her new roommate, and because it was Elphaba who was accepted into the sorcery seminar, even though Galinda was keen on studying it. The rift between them deepens, and Elphaba and Galinda reveal how much they loathe each other. All of the other students side with Galinda and share her loathing for Elphaba. ("What Is This Feeling?"). Elphaba and Galinda find themselves at each other's necks in history class, where Elphaba happens to be the smartest student. Galinda is frustrated with the history teacher, a Goat named Doctor Dillamond, because he cannot pronounce her name correctly and instead calls her "Glinda." This prompts Elphaba to intervene, claiming that everyone is different, and Doctor Dillamond begins to explain how Animals in Oz have been suffering from discrimination. His lesson is interrupted when he turns over the blackboard to reveal a threatening message: "ANIMALS SHOULD BE SEEN, NOT HEARD." Doctor Dillamond dismisses the class, but Elphaba stays behind. Doctor Dillamond reveals to Elphaba that things in Oz aren't as they seem; something is causing the Animals in Oz to lose their powers of speech and intelligence ("Something Bad"). Dillamond is afraid that he too will be taken away to some sinister fate.

Shortly after, a Winkie prince named Fiyero shows up at Shiz. At the same time, an abnormally tall munchkin named Boq is trying to ask Galinda out, but Galinda has her mind set on Fiyero. Fiyero teaches the students his philosophies of living carelessly and having fun ("Dancing Through Life"), and they decide to have a dance at the most "swankified" place in town, the Ozdust Ballroom. Boq attempts to ask Galinda to go to the dance with him, but Galinda gets him out of her way by convincing him to ask Nessarose to go with him instead. Boq agrees, only because he thinks it will impress Galinda. Later, Nessarose excitedly tells Elphaba how tonight will be the first "fun night" of her life, and it is all thanks to Galinda. Elphaba does not believe that the shallow and arrogant Galinda could perform such an act of kindness. Meanwhile, as Galinda prepares for her date, her friends discover an ugly peaked black hat that Galinda has been meaning to get rid of. Her friends persuade her to give it to Elphaba as a cruel joke. Elphaba takes it, thinking it is a gift, and that Galinda might not be so cold-hearted after all. At the dance, Fiyero and Galinda kiss, and when Boq sees this, he tries to tell Nessarose the real reason he asked her out, but he doesn't have the heart to do so. Madame Morrible arrives at the ballroom with a gift for Galinda: a training wand. She reveals that Elphaba insisted Galinda be included in the sorcery seminar. Galinda begins to have second thoughts about Elphaba, but she brushes them away until Elphaba arrives at the ballroom wearing the black hat. Upon her entrance, the music stops and all of the students immediately begin to make fun of her. Elphaba, realizing what Galinda really did, steps onto the dance floor wearing the hat and dances alone, with no music. Galinda feels incredibly guilty for what she did, and goes to dance with Elphaba, with all of the students eventually following suit.

After the dance, Galinda has a new affection for Elphaba, and begs that they exchange secrets. Galinda's secret is that she's going to marry Fiyero, even though he doesn't know it yet. She then asks why Elphaba carries around a bottle of green liquid, which Elphaba says was all she had as a memento of her mother. Elphaba sadly admits that her father hates her, and that because of her condition, her father took extra precautions when her mother was carrying Nessarose, making her mother chew milk flowers day and night. Because of this, Nessarose was born prematurely with paralyzed legs, and her mother died in childbirth. Her father put all the blame on Elphaba, but Galinda helps her realize that it was not her fault. Galinda, touched, decides to make Elphaba her new "project" and give her a makeover ("Popular"). The next day, Fiyero starts falling for "Elphie", as Galinda has dubbed her. However, in class, Doctor Dillamond is being taken away and yells that they're "not being told the whole story." The new history teacher arrives to explain Oz's newest invention, the cage, and how Animals being contained in cages will never learn how to speak. He unveils a caged Lion cub, which is experimented upon as an in-class exhibit. Outraged, Elphaba stops it by uncontrollably using magic, causing the entire class except for Fiyero to make involuntary gyrations. Elphaba and Fiyero quickly take the Lion cub away to set it free. In this moment, Elphaba and Fiyero silently admit that they might have affections for each other. Fiyero, thrilled and enchanted, yet also a bit embarrassed, awkwardly leaves, and Elphaba ponders on what could be ("I'm Not That Girl"). As she regretfully thinks about it, Madame Morrible finds and tells her that she has been officially invited by the Wizard to the Emerald City.

At the train station, Galinda puts on a brave face, because Fiyero is now distant from her. At the same time, Nessarose is noticing that Boq's attention is not entirely for her. Fiyero shows up and is very courteous and attentive to Elphaba, hinting at how horrible Dr. Dillamond's arrest was, and how they rescued the Lion cub. Galinda, trying to join in and to impress Fiyero, says how she will change her name to Glinda in honor of Dr. Dillamond's infamous mispronounciation of her real name. Her plan fails and Fiyero does not seem to care. Once he leaves, Elphaba, feeling bad for Glinda, invites her along to the Emerald City.

After enjoying a day of sightseeing in the Emerald City ("One Short Day"), Elphaba and Glinda meet the Wizard, who immediately introduces his true self to them, saying that he wants to make Elphaba his right hand man, so to speak ("A Sentimental Man"). He suggests that, to prove herself, Elphaba should try to give his monkey servant, Chistery, the ability to fly. Madame Morrible arrives, now the Wizard's new press secretary. She carries an ancient and immensely powerful sorcery book called the Grimmerie, and Elphaba proceeds to naturally chant out a levitation spell. To their amazement, Chistery grows wings. The Wizard then shows Elphaba how powerful she really is by showing a giant cage full of winged monkeys. To Elphaba's horror, the Wizard and Madame Morrible reveal that they had planned this all along, and that the winged monkeys were to serve as spies for the Wizard to "report any subversive Animal activity." Elphaba now realizes that she has been trapped into helping the Wizard exploit and harm animals, because the Wizard has no real power of his own. The Wizard explains that in order for him to be beloved by Oz, the best way he could bring everyone together was to give them a common enemy. The Wizard tries to win Elphaba and Glinda over, but can only seem to convince Glinda. Enraged, Elphaba steals the Grimmerie and escapes. The Wizard, fearing that Elphaba will reveal the truth to all of Oz, sends his guards after her to bring her back. Madame Morrible makes an announcement to all of Oz, quickly deeming Elphaba a "wicked witch" who is not to be believed. Elphaba, with no chance of turning back now, enchants a broomstick to levitate. She says goodbye to Glinda, vowing that she now knows her destiny, what she is meant to do, and how she will fight the Wizard with every last ounce of strength. ("Defying Gravity")

Some years later, rumors and lies about Elphaba have grown to the extent that she is now known as The Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda, Fiyero, and Madame Morrible, all now government officials, hold a press conference to celebrate Glinda's surprise engagement to Fiyero ("Thank Goodness"). Fiyero, who became the captain of the guard in order to find Elphaba, is no longer the life enthusiast he used to be, and hates what is happening to Elphaba and the rumors that people are believing, such as one that claims "her soul is so unclean, pure water can melt her." He reluctantly accepts Glinda's proposal, but abruptly leaves halfway through the ceremony, making Glinda's happiness and glee abruptly succumb to feelings of sadness and discontent, as she contemplates at what cost she has achieved her dreams. Still, Glinda wears a smile on her face and continues to sing how, ironic as it may be, she "couldn't be happier."

In the Munchkinland governor's mansion, Nessarose has Boq as her personal servant. Elphaba arrives to seek refuge, and get help from her father so that she does not stand alone in her cause. Nessarose reveals that upon hearing how Elphaba had disgraced her family, her father was "embarassed to death." Elphaba is in disbelief at first, but then sees this in a positive light, since it is now just her and her sister, but Nessarose is furious with Elphaba for leaving her alone, when she had depended on Elphaba for her entire life because of her condition. Elphaba notices the jeweled shoes Nessarose is wearing, and casts a spell on them. As the shoes glow ruby, Nessarose takes her first steps out of her wheelchair. Thrilled, she calls Boq in, who panics upon seeing Elphaba. He explains to Elphaba that Nessarose is as "wicked" as she is, and has stripped the Munchkins of all of their rights in order to keep Boq with her. Nessarose shows Boq her new ability, and Boq thinks that now she no longer needs assistance, this is his chance to leave once and for all so he can tell Glinda how he still feels for her. In a rage, Nessarose steals the Grimmerie and, despites Elphaba's efforts to stop her, casts a spell on him to lose his heart to her. Because of Nessarose's clumsy chanting, Boq's heart instead starts to shrink, and Elphaba, desperate to save his life, casts another spell on him so that he can live without a heart. As she is doing this, Nessarose reflects on just how tyrannical she has become ("The Wicked Witch of the East"). When Elphaba is finished, she leaves, once again leaving Nessarose alone. Boq wakes up, and they are both horrified to see that he is now entirely made of tin. As Boq flees, Nessarose calls after him that it was all Elphaba's fault.

Back in the Emerald City, Glinda and Fiyero are holding a ball to celebrate their engagement. Elphaba shows up at the Wizard's chamber to free the flying monkeys. The Wizard stops her and tries to tempt her into making peace, giving up her cause and staying to achieve her dreams become a celebrity, working together with the Wizard to perhaps set things right ("Wonderful"). Elphaba almost gives in, willing to accept his proposition if he sets the monkeys free. The Wizard agrees, and amongst all of the flying monkeys, Elphaba notices a figure struggling undereath a blanket. Elphaba uncovers the blanket only to reveal Dr. Dillamond, completely reverted into an unintelligent, nonspeaking animal, who does not even remember who Elphaba is. Elphaba, remembering what she stands for, rejects and tries to escape, but the Wizard quickly calls the guards in. Fiyero bursts in, sends the other guards away, and saves Elphaba by holding the Wizard at gunpoint. Glinda then runs in and is overjoyed to see Elphaba, but confronts Fiyero's attack on the Wizard. Fiyero decides that he is leaving with Elphaba, and Glinda's joy at seeing her friend turns to hatred and heartbreak as they both run off. The Wizard offers Glinda a drink from a bottle of green liquid, but Glinda declines. Acting upon her emotions, Glinda suggests to Madame Morrible and the Wizard that they spread a rumor about Nessarose as bait to capture Elphaba, who would fly to her side the moment Nessarose was in any trouble. The other two think it is a good idea, but that Elphaba is too smart for a rumor. Madame Morrible decides to take it a step further, saying "a change in the weather" might just be the thing to draw Elphaba from hiding. Glinda retreats to her bedchamber, heartbroken that the two people closest to her in her life have just abandoned her ("I'm Not That Girl," reprise)

Hidden away in the Great Gillikin Forest, Elphaba and Fiyero confirm their newfound love ("As Long As You're Mine"). However, before they can run off to Fiyero's abandoned "extra" castle in Kiamo Ko, Elphaba hears a wailing in the distance. Instinct tells her that Nessarose is in danger, and Elphaba sees a strange vision in the distance of a house flying through the sky. Elphaba hastily flies off to her sister, leaving Fiyero alone in the forest. The sky goes dark, the wind picks up, and it all suddenly ends with the sound of a loud crash.

In Munchkinland, at the site of the fallen house, Glinda calls down the yellow brick road, bidding farewell Dorothy. Now alone, Glinda mourns the death of Nessarose, when Elphaba arrives, angry that Glinda had given away Nessarose's shoes, the only memory Elphaba had of her sister. Elphaba too mourns the death of Nessarose, and Glinda tries to console her, but the two end up in an argument about Fiyero. Elphaba and Glinda spar off verbally and physically and are about to engage in a brawl, when the Wizard's guards arrive and take hold of Elphaba. Elphaba, thinking Glinda had planned Nessarose's death as a trap to capture her, is even more furious. Fiyero arrives and tries to save Elphaba by holding Glinda at gunpoint. Elphaba escapes, and Fiyero immediately surrenders himself. Glinda finally accepts that Fiyero loves Elphaba, but despite her protests, the guards take Fiyero, hang him up on poles, and carry him off into a cornfield to be tortured until he tells the guards where Elphaba went.

In the castle at Kiamo Ko, Elphaba, enraged and disillusioned, desperately tries to cast any spell she can to save Fiyero's life. Thinking she has failed yet again, she begins to accept her reputation as "wicked," claiming that no matter how much good she can try to do, everything always seems to go wrong ("No Good Deed"). Elsewhere in Oz, angry mobs led by Boq and the Cowardly Lion from the history class at Shiz prepare to have a witchhunt and save Dorothy, whom Elphaba has captured ("March of the Witch Hunters"). Glinda starts to catch on to the larger scheme of things and confronts Morrible about how Nessarose died. Morrible, finally showing her true colors, snaps back angrily that Glinda, getting the fame she had always wanted, should do her job without asking questions. Glinda leaves the scene as Morrible continues to encourage the witch hunters.

Elphaba and Glinda embrace, but they are quickly interrupted by the mob that is coming after Elphaba. Elphaba tells Glinda to hide, takes a bucket and pulls a curtain across the stage, blowing one final kiss to Glinda. The audience sees the scene from Glinda's point of view, as the silhouette of Dorothy runs in and throws the bucket of water at Elphaba. With a piercing shriek, Elphaba descends to the floor in a cloud of steam and the room goes dark. Chistery finally opens the curtain and Glinda, not quite sure what has just happened, sees nothing of Elphaba remains but the hat that Glinda had given her. She cries over the death of her friend, and Chistery hands to her the green bottle that Elphaba had carried with her.

Glinda returns to the Wizard's palace, just after he finished his business with Dorothy and her comrades. She shows the Wizard the green bottle, stating that it was Elphaba's mother's, and Glinda had only seen it one other place, which was with the Wizard. The Wizard soon realizes that Elphaba was his daughter as the audience realizes he was the mysterious lover who had an affair with Elphaba's mother. Madame Morrible concludes that the reason Elphaba had so much power was because she was "a child of both worlds." Glinda forces the Wizard to leave Oz, and the Wizard agrees. Madame Morrible tries to dissuade Glinda from doing anything to her, but Glinda has finally come to the realization that Morrible is not to be trusted, and Glinda has her taken into prison. Alone, Glinda gets into her bubble and the monkeys give her the Grimmerie. She then sets off to face the citizens of Oz, who are now celebrating the death of the Witch as they were at the beginning of the show.

Back at the castle at the site of Elphaba's melting, the Scarecrow runs in. He bends over and picks up Elphaba's hat, looks around, then quickly knocks on the floor, exclaiming, "it worked!" He opens a trap door and Elphaba climbs out, reunited with Fiyero at last. This surprise twist in the show's ending has been considered a well- kept secret, as few who have seen the show are willing to disclose it to those who have not. Fiyero thanks Elphaba for saving his life, saying that she did the best she could. In another part of Oz, a heartbroken though happy-faced Glinda gives the news that the frightening time has ended, and although there will be other times and other things that frighten us, she would like to try to help and truly be "Glinda the Good." The citizens of Oz sing of good news. In the castle, Fiyero makes Elphaba swear that she will not tell Glinda of their existence, and Elphaba sadly realizes that they will never be able to return to Oz. As they are about to leave, unbeknownst to one another, Elphaba and Glinda say goodbye one last time amidst the rejoicing of the citizens of Oz. ("Finale")

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