WICKED A Musical in 2 acts. based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Gershwin Theatre, New York - 30 October, 2003 Apollo Victoria, London - 27 September, 2006 SYNOPSIS Years before Dorothy and her dog crash-land, another little girl makes her presence known in Oz. This girl, Elphaba, is born with emerald-green skin -- no easy burden in a land as mean and poor as Oz, where superstition and magic are not strong enough to explain or to overcome the natural disasters of flood and famine. But Elphaba is smart, and by the time she enters the university in Shiz, she becomes a member of a charmed circle of Oz' most promising young citizens. Elphaba's Oz is no utopia. The Wizard's secret police are everywhere. Animals -- those creatures with voices, souls and minds -- are threatened with exile. Young Elphaba, green and wild and misunderstood, is determined to protect the Animals -- even it means combating the mysterious Wizard, even if it means risking her single chance at romance. Even wiser in guilt and sorrow, she can find herself grateful when the world declares her a witch. And she can even make herself glad for that young girl from Kansas. THE STORY Act I In the Land of Oz, the Ozians celebrate the death of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda the Good, formerly Galinda, floats in to reveal Elphaba’s past: her mother had an affair with a traveling salesman while her father, the governor of Munchkinland, was away. She gave birth to a girl with green skin, whom her father resented; he showered his affection on her younger sister Nessarose, who uses a wheelchair (“No One Mourns the Wicked”). Years earlier, Elphaba and Nessarose arrive to begin studies at Shiz University (“Dear Old Shiz”). Their father gives Nessa a pair of jewelled shoes. The headmistress of Shiz, Madame Morrible, decides to take Nessa under her wing, assigning the nerdy Elphaba and the popular Galinda (later Glinda) to be roommates. Elphaba, anxious, uses magic to pull Nessarose’s wheelchair back after Morrible attempts to depart with her sister. Morrible recognizes Elphaba’s potential and decides to teach her sorcery. She tells Elphaba her powers might allow her to one day work with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, something Elphaba has dreamed of her whole life (“The Wizard and I”). Galinda and Elphaba clash with each other (“What Is This Feeling?”) even in classes such as history, with Doctor Dillamond, a goat who, as the only Animal professor at Shiz, is beginning to suffer from discrimination. He tells Elphaba about a conspiracy to stop animals from speaking, and she wants to let the Wizard know (“Something Bad”). The Winkie Prince Fiyero arrives at Shiz and introduces the other students to his philosophy (“Dancing Through Life”). He throws a party at the Ozdust Ballroom that evening. A Munchkin named Boq asks Galinda to go with him, but she convinces him to take Nessarose so she can go with Fiyero. At the party, Madame Morrible tells Galinda she can join her sorcery class, at Elphaba’s request, and gives her a wand. Elphaba arrives wearing a witch’s hat Galinda gave her as a practical joke, only to find the other students laughing and staring while she dances alone. Galinda dances with her, and soon everyone joins them, allowing the girls to finally bond. Later in their room, they continue to bond with secrets. Galinda decides to give her new friend a personality makeover (“Popular”). The next day, Dr. Dillamond tells the class that he has been dismissed. Elphaba wants to help, but no one will stand up to her. Afterward, the students see the cage, which will control the Animals. Elphaba is furious; in the ensuing chaos, she and Fiyero steal a lion cub. They share a private moment. Elphaba, alone, laments (“I’m Not That Girl”). Madame Morrible tells Elphaba that the Wizard will meet her. Nessa, Fiyero, and Galinda see her off at the train station. Galinda tries to impress Fiyero by changing her
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