I'm a Theater Kid—Did 'Wicked' Live Up to My Insanely High ...

There are three major things you need to know about me: I’m thoughtfully opinionated, I can be a touch dramatic, and I have been obsessed with Wicked since I saw it on Broadway when I was 11 years old. This week, I walked into the movie theater to see Wicked, terrified that the musical that inspired me to pursue a career in theater was about to be ruined. I’ve never been so grateful to have my doubts proven wrong. From the first iconic toss-toss of Glinda’s hair, I can happily say that this version honors both its roots and drew me into an extraordinary world that no theater magic could bring to life.

Wicked, the musical by Stephen Swartz, opened on October 30, 2003, and just celebrated its 21st anniversary on Broadway. The musical is based on the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and follows the unlikely friendship of two witches, Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), as they navigate university life, romance, and what to do in the face of adversity. Just like the book and the musical, there is a little something for everyone in Wicked the movie. Here are my main takeaways from the film, as a Wicked superfan.

What is Wicked about?

Wicked is a prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Before Dorothy ever put on those ruby slippers, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good had a backstory. Elphaba was born with green skin and rejected by her father at birth. Years later, she arrives at Shiz University and shares a room with the bubbly and popular Glinda. The two girls clash and argue—Elphaba is timid and thoughtful, while Glinda is outgoing. As they work through their differences, Elphaba uncovers a sinister plot set in motion by the Wizard of Oz, which silences all animals throughout Oz. Elphaba’s rebellion against the regime eventually leads to the events of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (with several unexpected twists).

My key takeaways from Wicked Casting “theater kids” in movie musicals pays off

I have to say it: The reason this movie was successful was because theater kids played the main roles. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera are both big stars, but both of them started off in theater—Ariana made her Broadway debut at 13 years old. Ethan Slater, who was the original SpongeBob on Broadway, portrays Boq. And Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero, isn’t just the heartthrob from Bridgerton we know and love—he actually booked his first role at 8 years old playing Gavroche in Les Mis on the West End.

“Theater kids” might get a bad rep for being overly dramatic, but there’s a reason why these actors are the perfect picks for roles like the ones in Wicked. I am so happy I got to watch these actors in the film instead of TV or movie stars who don’t have the same triple-threat qualities or passion for the medium. Wicked is a monumental show for so many reasons, and you can tell the influence and impact it had on all these actors through their emotional interviews. With seasoned theater pros like Grande, Erivo, and Bailey at the helm, I really felt like the artistic integrity of the Wicked story shone through.

Sometimes, delayed releases happen for a reason

I believe that everything happens for a reason, and Wicked was no exception. While it should have been released in 2019, due to delayed filming and the pandemic, the movie musical now meets us in 2024 at a point of political turmoil. This movie was not made to reflect the current happenings in the political landscape of the United States—but for me, it turned out to be a beautiful example of art imitating life.

I know we are all exhausted from the news updates and are ready to throw our phones at the wall with all the constant notifications, which is why Wicked is so important. This movie does what we all need right now. It reinspires hope, a rebellious spirit, and determination through Elphaba’s story. As I watched the movie, I didn’t just feel like I was escaping to another world—I was enjoying a fictional land that also felt relevant to my real life. I was expecting to leave the theater feeling the need to discuss whether Ariana riffed too much. Instead, I left with an overwhelming sense of relief and peace.

Questioning authority is important—IRL and in Oz

As I said before, this movie is a prime example of artistic relevance. Wicked depicts the importance of not just accepting authority blindly and making sure you think for yourself and have your own moral code. The main conflict in Wicked is the silencing of animals and using them as scapegoats whenever something bad happens. Furthermore, there is a powerful scene where Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) tells the guards at the palace that if they want to keep their families safe, they will stay loyal to her and the Wizard rather than do what is right… hits a little close to home. *laughs nervously*

As children, we are reminded to stand up to bullies and do the right thing, but we stop getting that reminder as we grow into adults. Wicked illustrates what it looks like to be brave and do the right thing when your trust in authority cracks. Do not get me wrong, Wicked still sparks joy—What is this Feeling, Dancing Through Life, and Popular had me giggling and kicking my feet with glee. However, I also got the much-needed nudge to do what I know is right rather than stand on the sidelines.

Wicked is a win for girls who never felt beautiful

Raise your hand if you ever liked a boy but knew he wouldn’t like you back because you weren’t “conventionally” attractive! It’s me; I’m raising my hand. When I first saw Wicked at age 11, I made the connection that Elphaba’s greenness was a clear reflection of what it felt like to be POC in a predominantly white area. 11-year-old Bryanna had yet to uncover what it felt like to date as a POC woman. While I’m proud to say I’ve realized chasing frat bros is not worth my time, being told you’re not someone’s type based upon your looks never gets easier.

Even though caring about appearances is totally normal, sometimes we all feel ashamed about those thoughts. While Elphaba is a good example of what true self-love and self-validation are, she too doesn’t always avoid the trap of self-comparison. In Wicked, Erivo gives a heart-wrenching performance of I’m Not That Girl that left me feeling so seen. I can’t wait to see the unconventionally beautiful girl get the romantic attention she deserves in Act 2.

Female friendship never gets old

In my opinion, no one does iconic female duo better than Glinda and Elphaba, and the Wicked movie doesn’t disappoint. Honestly, I don’t think any acting was necessary from Erivo and Grande-Butera based on their heartfelt interviews together. Watching this loving friendship come to life made me call my girlfriends after to remind them how much I love them.

While Wicked starts off with a classic girly girl and tomboy rivalry trope, this movie reminds us that we really are all human (or witches…) at the end of the day. From Glinda finding the strength to go against the status quo and risk her popularity to Elphaba seeing something in Glinda that no one else could and inviting her to the Emerald City, Wicked reminds us of the importance of friendships—specifically female friendships. When girls support girls, we all come out winners. Wicked reminded me to be brave and connect with others, even if they seem like my total opposite.

So, should you see Wicked?

Regardless of whether you’re a theater kid (or a girls’ girl, or a rebel) or not, I cannot recommend this movie enough. Seriously, I’m counting down the days until I see it again with my bestie.

If you do go see Wicked, please allow this film to prove to you that musical theater isn’t lame but instead has the power to connect to contemporary everyday issues. I also hope that you, as I did, leave the theater feeling better than when you entered. Whether that’s from being inspired to make an impact or simply feeling more connected to the people around you, for me, this movie felt like a glimmer of hope in the darkness, and I hope it can be the same for you. I’ll see you in a year for part 2!