By: Payton Hudson, Contributing Writer
Feature Graphic by Payton Hudson

In 2003, “Wicked” took Broadway by storm, and over two decades later, it remains a timeless classic. Whether you grew up watching “The Wizard of Oz,” had a mom obsessed with the original musical, or somehow avoided all things green and pink, the story has continued to captivate audiences. With Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande starring in the highly anticipated film adaptation, the magic has found its way to the big screen. Packed with nods to the stage production, subtle changes, and plenty of Easter eggs for fans to discover, the film expands on the magic of the original.

The film opens at the end of the story, with sweeping aerial shots of Oz setting the stage. Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow are briefly seen heading back to the Emerald City after melting the Wicked Witch of the West. A breathtaking field of nine million tulips blooms in a design inspired by L. Frank Baum’s original map of Oz, while faint echoes of “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead,” linger in the background. “For Good,” arguably one of the most emotional songs from the musical, is woven throughout the film. It subtly appears in “No One Mourns the Wicked,” the Ozdust Ballroom scene and “Popular,” reinforcing the deep bond between Glinda and Elphaba.

In the film, Nessarose’s silver heels stay true to Baum’s novel, a contrast to Hollywood’s ruby slippers, with costume designer Paul Tazewell adding a tornado-shaped heel as a hidden nod to Dorothy’s arrival. Meanwhile, the musical number “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” influences “The Wizard and I” as Elphaba leaps beneath a rainbow with bluebirds soaring overhead, visually bringing the classic’s lyrics to life. The melody itself holds a hidden connection. As an added tidbit, the “Unlimited” lyric follows the same chord progression as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

The film cleverly hints at the fates of Oz’s most familiar faces. Elphaba rescuing the caged lion cub foreshadows his transformation into the Cowardly Lion, while Prince Fiyero’s first meeting with her in the forest includes, “Get stuffed,” a sly reference to his future as the Scarecrow. Boq’s fate as the Tin Man is subtly hinted at in “Dancing Through Life,” when Glinda places a red handkerchief over his heart and mentions crying often. Even the Wizard’s origins are alluded to, with a giant mechanical head chanting “Oh-ma-ha!” and magician posters showing his past as Oscar Diggs, a con man from Omaha, Nebraska.

Broadway’s original Glinda and Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, make a nostalgic cameo in “One Short Day” and blend the past and present of “Wicked.” Last but not least, the film’s “Defying Gravity” sequence is breathtaking. The guards shout, “Kill her!” instead of the original lyrics, “Get her!” packing more of an emotional punch. At 2 hours and 40 minutes, “Wicked: Part One,” is nearly as long as the Broadway production, and with “Wicked: For Good,” set for release on November 1, 2025, the magic is far from over.