Wicked (2024) Jon M. Chu has a difficult task ahead of him. And this, of course, amazes both fans of the musical work and readers who love the original book. Plus, find your place in the mythology of the kingdom of Oz. This includes films, TV series and a large literary work full of cross-references to the original novel by L. Frank Baum. As such, the film poses a challenge for both the production team and the actors responsible for bringing the iconic characters to life. Which raised significant expectations.
There are reasons. Like production, long legacy Wicked It dates back to 1995, when author Gregory Maguire reimagined the classic children’s book from a completely new perspective, telling the story of the Witches of Oz. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the Westand the world he described became an immediate hit. Moreover, it revived interest in the original plot. After everything Wicked thoroughly explored the magical kingdom of Oz. Including its inhabitants, features and everything that the writer retold as a battle of good and evil.
Later in 2003, producers Marc Platt and David Stone, along with writers Vinny Holtzman and Stephen Schwartz, adapted the story into a musical. And also in the series, which combines both the famous children’s book and Maguire’s work. The result was Wickedwhich was a critical and popular success upon its release. The production, starring Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, was not only imaginative and staged, but also sensitive to issues such as prejudice and racism. An extreme that the film now promises to expand and deepen.
A favorite story for a new audience
The story behind Wicked is one of the most important in the world of entertainment. The musical, produced by Marc Platt (who is also producing the film), in many ways reinvented the way fantasy stories were told on the stage. The play, premiered in San Francisco on June 10, 2003 to test its effectiveness, amazed the audience and the critics invited to the presentations. TO its premiere at the Gershwin Theater on Broadway was an unprecedented success.
For the occasion, the production was a combination of Baum and Maguire’s book. So the script told the lives of Elphaba, the bad witch of the west, and Glinda, the good witch, from completely different perspectives than usual. It allowed her to reflect on racism, female empowerment, kindness and determination in a complex and funny story. This included costumes and staging, innovations in the use of lighting, and practical acting special effects. Wicked soon became one one of the most beloved plays in American theater.
What is the novel “The Wicked” about?
Gregory Maguire’s story begins with the events leading up to Elphaba’s death due to Dorothy’s arrival in Oz. But rather than exploring just one side of the truth, Glinda’s presence allows us to delve deeper into the green-skinned witch’s personality. And, moreover, to discover that it was a woman who was rejected, discriminated against and who at first did not know the limits of her power.
So, Glinda, the good witch, takes the floor to talk about their shared past and everything that happened to make Elphaba become a treacherous creature. The story then flashes back to explore the characters’ youth, but more interestingly, how the kingdom of Oz becomes a complex territory full of intrigue. One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is that it goes beyond magic and fantasy to tell an honest and sensitive story about discrimination.
One that also explores prejudice, corruption of power, and even the search for spiritual goals. And this is through the tragic Elphaba, who from a very young age had to endure criticism and ridicule because of the green shade of her skin. What would lead her to become the evil and powerful witch she would become much later, and what Dorothy He ended up killing, almost by accident.
Great success on stage
Presented continuously for 21 years, the work has achieved enormous success. To date, he has received three Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards, a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, and 10 Outer Critics Circle Awards. By 2017, the volume of work exceeded Phantom of the Opera like a second musical highest grossing on Broadway. It only surpasses Lion King.
As if all of the above weren’t enough, the spectacle Wicked Over two decades, he traveled to 100 cities in 16 countries. Which made him a phenomenon of worldwide popularity. To date, it is estimated that the work has been viewed by 65 million people. Figure demonstrating the capabilities of the show update and become more and more interesting over time.
Let’s hurry to the cinema for the long-awaited film adaptation
To bring the beloved work to cinema, Marc Platt’s work brought together creators who had been working on the theatrical work for decades. On the one hand, a candidate for Emmy and so that Tony Vinnie Holtzman, writer of the original show. The other extreme is the person responsible for the beloved and popular musical repertoire, Grammy and Oscar winning composer Stephen Schwartz.
So the team, along with director Jon M. Chu, an avid fan of the play, worked to ensure that the big-screen show would not envy the theatrical one. In an interview for ScreenRantthe creative explained that his intention was to create a new experience it, like the original work, had its own individuality.
This led him to decide to film the story in two parts (the second will be released next November) and with some original music. A real achievement that makes the upcoming film more than just a tribute to the famous Broadway play. Also, fans who love the timeless tale of the Witches of Oz.
Source: Hiper Textual
