The Broadway musical “Wicked” is based on the novel “Wicked” and is simultaneously a prequel and a new rendition of  the 1939 musical “The Wizard of Oz.” The story follows two witches—Glinda, the Good Witch, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The musical details Elphaba’s upbringing and adolescence, eventually explaining her role as the Wicked Witch of the West.

The musical has clear nods towards the story of “The Wizard of Oz,” touching on motifs of the shoes, tornado, and more. And it explains the creation of classic characters such as the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Dorothy.

The musical begins with the celebration of Elphaba’s death. Glinda sings about Elphaba’s past and the musical then starts at the moment in which the two witches met, at school.

The girls are polar opposites. Glinda, popular and beloved by her community, is well-versed in utilizing fame to build an advantage. Elphaba, on the other hand, has always been ostracized due to her green skin, partly contributing to her title of “wicked.” What makes Elphaba stand out even more, is her natural ability with magic.

Though there is a clear parallel between the story of Elphaba and the lives of people of color, there have only been three people of color to play her in the Broadway musical, with Cynthia Erivo, in the 2024 movie, marking the fourth.

The separation of Glinda and Elphaba begins when they meet the Wizard of Oz and—just like the original story—he is exposed as a fraud. The musical follows Elphaba and Glinda’s unlikely friendship through a myriad of challenges, ultimately touching on themes of trust, prejudice, tolerance, government corruption, and more. The story of “Wicked” is much more intricate than “The Wizard of Oz.” Consequently, the movie rendition of “Wicked,” released on November 22, 2024, will be just part one of the story. Part two is expected to come out around the same time in 2025.

But this decision is probably for the best, as the story can seem rushed and overly complicated when fit into the usual movie timing. The movie spotlights the progression of Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship and the development of two drastically different lives, leading audiences to contemplate what truly defines one as wicked, and how the narrator of every story plays a large role in that assertion.