Wicked Soars to Popularity Among Walls Students

Wicked was one of the most anticipated movie releases of 2024. The film is based on the 2003 musical Wicked, which was adapted from the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. That novel, in turn, drew inspiration from the Oz books and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The movie stars Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp. 

The movie opens in Munchkinland, where its citizens and Glinda the Good celebrate the death of the Wicked Witch of the West, also known as Elphaba. While reflecting on Elphaba’s childhood and her experiences growing up green, Glinda is asked whether she was friends with Elphaba. The movie then shifts to her recounting their friendship at Shiz University.

As Wicked offers a fresh take on a well-known story, the movie was expected to appeal to both newcomers and fans familiar with the land of Oz—a challenging balance to achieve.

This adaptation of the famous Oz musical, books, and novel stands out due to its impressive CGI and sets, talented casting, and catchy songs. An anonymous viewer noted, “Some people think that Ariana Grande just got the role because of her previous fame, but she is actually very talented and suits the role really well. Cynthia Erivo has a very powerful voice, and Elphaba is definitely the best role for her to play in the movie.” Both actors stepped into iconic roles and brought the characters to life, generating publicity and excitement even after the film’s initial release. Maeve Cunningham (‘26) agreed, explaining that “Cynthia and Ariana’s voices were the stars of the show.” 

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are both outstanding singers, each earning Grammy awards. Though they have distinct and well-known personas, they embodied their roles effectively. Grande is recognized for her Disney Channel appearances and whistle notes, while Erivo is celebrated for her role in The Color Purple. Many viewers were curious to see how each actor would approach such well-established roles. Daphne Raviv (‘28) remarked, “I think Ariana was amazing. She played Glinda similar to how she was meant to be played and brought so much energy to the character.”

The sets also showcased meticulous planning. For example, the opening set in Munchkinland spanned 6.8 acres in the British countryside, where the camera pans over 9 million real tulips grown by a local flower farmer.

The movie features 14 musical numbers, though "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" stand out due to their cultural relevance, challenging vocals, and familiarity. Rocio Marin-Hormigo (‘28) shared, “I loved the scene where Ariana sang 'Popular.' So iconic!” Casper added that the main lesson from the movie is to “Stay true to yourself.” So, if you’re looking for something fun to do in the afternoon or during the weekend, seeing Wicked could be the perfect option!