After 20 years, three Tony awards, over 8,000 Broadway performances, and 63 million global audience members, “Wicked” is one of the most successful stage musicals of all time—after only “The Lion King” and “The Phantom of the Opera”—and an iconic staple among the theater community. 

“When you ask any theater kid what one of the first musicals they were introduced to was, I would bet you that “Wicked” is one of those shows,” said “Wicked” fan and senior Eleanor Crafton. “’Wicked’ is known for breaking boundaries.”

“Wicked” is based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire, which is inspired by Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz.” 

“Wicked” tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba Thropp, and Glinda the Good in their early days at school until Dorothy’s departure. 

Bringing this legendary musical to the big screen was an enormous and risky endeavor. 

Hollywood has released several movie musical adaptations in recent years to mixed reviews. 

The idea of cinematizing a musical this beloved left many fans skeptical leading up to the film’s release. 

Was it really possible to create a film that could equal the power of the stage musical? 

“It’s been at least 20 years since the musical came out, so there was a long time to make sure they got it right. So they put the money in, they took the time, and they nailed the casting,” music instructor and long-time “Wicked” fan Brianne Hwang said. “This is everything I ever wanted in a movie.”

Everything about the film is big—from budget to length, from sets to scores —and it needed to be this big to win the hearts of millions of “Wicked” fans. 

The production team decided to split the film into two parts. “Wicked: Part 1” came to theaters on Nov. 22 and is only the story from the first act of the stage musical, but screenwriters Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox expanded the script, turning one hour of stage musical into a 2:40 minute movie. “Wicked: Part 2” will be released in November.

The combined budget of the duology was $300 million—not including the $150 million marketing effort for Part 1 alone. 

A large piece of that budget went to the extravagant practical sets designed by Nathan Crowley, who designed other blockbusters like “Interstellar” and “Wonka.” 

“If we’re gonna make “Wicked,” it has to be cinematic. We have to show this incredible world. We have to do something the stage show can’t do. We have to go behind the scenes,” said Crowley.

His designs meant that his team physically built every set—Shiz University, Munchkinland, even the Emerald City. Visual effects enhanced the backgrounds, but nearly everything was real. 

For one shot of the movie, Crowley worked with an English farmer to plant 9  million tulips around what would become Munchkinland. 

“We wanted Oz to be immersive,” said director John M. Chu. “That sense of detail makes you believe that Oz actually exists.”

“Visually, it was an absolute delight,” Hwang said. “When I finally saw the movie, I felt like it actually represented how vibrant the music and the score is better than the stage play.”

Another element that the movie expanded upon was the score. Film orchestrator Jeff Atmajian rewrote the Broadway score—which was already relatively large with 23 musicians—for an 80-piece orchestra. 

“[Director] Jon [M. Chu] told me he wanted it cinematic, so I knew it needed to be full and glorious,” Atmajian said. “It gives me space to add extra counter lines, textures—all these things that are so wonderful to do.”

To honor the musical’s theatricality and integrity, stars Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) chose to sing live throughout the film.

“One of the reasons it was so important to do this live was not only because we’re all theater people who wanted to so badly, but also because of the emotional element,” Grande said. 

While all of the songs in the movie are in the Broadway show, the new actors put their own spins on the popular anthems. 

“Vocally, I loved the choices that they made for true “Wicked” purists who know every note in their head,” Hwang said. “The little changes that they made were perfect. They didn’t change so much that it felt unrecognizable, but they made it their own totally.”

Erivo and Grande have been fans of the musical since they were teenagers and were thrilled to land their dream roles. 

Upon getting cast as Glinda, Grande said, “I love her so much. I’m gonna take such good care of her.” 

Erivo and Grande grew up with this musical the way that millions of watchers have, and their love for the story is infectious. 

The care for their characters and the friendship the co-stars developed through filming was crucial in maintaining the magical emotion of the musical. 

“There’s a palpable energy between Elphaba and Glinda. They clearly love each other as real humans and that shows up in their characters. I was weeping at moments that I did not expect to be weeping at,” Hwang said.

The intense detail, meticulous thought, visual and sonic elegance, and devotion to the story combined to execute the film’s most essential aspects: message and spirit. 

At its core, “Wicked” is a story about acceptance and the dangers of ostracizing each other. 

Elphaba is shunned throughout the entire story for being green, awkward, powerful, and outspoken. 

Because she doesn’t conform to the standard, the citizens of Oz label Elphaba as “wicked” when she takes a stand for a social cause, and they cast her out of society. 

““Wicked” is a perfect depiction of what it feels to be ostracized because you are a little different, which is something the theater realm knows all too well,” Eleanor said. 

Adapting “Wicked” into a film carries its message to a wider audience—beyond Broadway, beyond theater people.

“Bringing a show like this to the big screen is a massive leap for the acceptance and integration of theater into normal life,” Eleanor said. “Bringing musicals to life in movies makes it much more accessible to the general population who may not think they like theater.”

Creating “Wicked” as a film allows for broader audiences to see it.

“I’m just so glad that everyone gets to see it because Broadway shows are not accessible. They’re ridiculously expensive. They don’t come to small towns. Everyone gets to see this now, and everyone gets to love it the way we do,” Hwang said.

Hwang, Eleanor, Erivo, Grande, and millions of others have grown up with and loved this musical for years. 

Now, it finally reaches a new audience and inspires a new generation to belt “Defying Gravity” at the top of their lungs and discover the story’s unique definition of wickedness.

“The message could not come at a better time. It’s a bit of an energizing force for the good in the world,” Hwang said. “Don’t be afraid to fly around on your broom and scream. Be loudly standing for good.”