Hi! It's time for another blog about another musical. Today's musical is all going to be Wicked. Normally, I should discuss the different casts of the musical, but then I realized it's actually kind of draggy and boring. So, I shall change the rules! This time, I'm going to tackle all the major characters of the musical. I'll just talk about Wicked's characters, not the people who acted that role (or maybe only some actors). Capiche?
First off, I'm going to talk about Wicked. The musical is written by Stephen Schwartz. You might know him from different Disney movies (i.e Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted). If that doesn't ring the bell, he also wrote the music of The Prince of Egypt (this was not a Disney movie, right?) If you're not into cartoons, he also wrote the music for Godspell and Pippin. Yep, he did. A round of applause for this awesome talented guy!
Stephen Schwartz
He adapted this musical from Gregory Maguire's novel in the same name. Gregory Maguire adapted his novel from L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz. So, technically, it's an adaptation of an adaptation of an adaptation. I don't know if that sounds right haha.
I've read Gregory Maguire's novel and if you're going to compare that to the stage musical, you're going to have a very hard time. A lot of stuff was different but the same feeling is still there. Though the main character, Elphaba, is much wickeder in the novel compared to the musical.
The musical was first performed in San Francisco as a tryout in 2003. The critics liked it, but they also brought up the subject about the relation of the book saying it was not connected. See? So, anyway, the musical was open for about a month and they polished some things up like the choreography before they opened it in Broadway just in time for Halloween in October 30, 2003.
Are you ready to get to know all the pop-uuu-lar characters of Wicked? You better sit tight and relax because you're going to meet characters that will blow your musical mind!
1.) Elphaba
The most misunderstood person of all. Elphaba's character is supposed to be smart, compassionate, kind but turned into, well, something wicked. I actually really love her character, and for me, she's my favorite character in the whole musical. It might sound cliche, but she truly is. I could relate to her character: from unrequited love to being discriminated just because of something that is not your fault.
Elphaba wanted to make things right but every time she does so, she always turned out to be the bad person. No wonder she turned so wicked, don't you think?
You could easily spot who Elphaba is whenever you watch the musical. She's the girl with green skin. She always was discriminated just because of her skin. Yep, people are racists in this musical.
The first person who originated the role is Idina Menzel. She's mostly known because she provided the voice of Elsa in the hit Disney movie Frozen. I guess Elphaba was the character that really made her popular. Stephanie J. Block was supposed to play Elphaba, but she was rejected because they said they needed someone "more experienced" to be Elphaba. Stephanie was hurt, but eventually, she got to play the role years after.
The other popular actresses who got to play Elphaba are Eden Espinosa, Willemijn Verkaik, Shoshana Bean, Louise Dearman and Rachel Tucker. The women mentioned plus Idina and Stephanie are my favorite Elphabas because they are such good actresses and singers. You should watch some of the bootlegs that are posted in YouTube.
2.) G[a]linda
The most funniest character in the whole musical: Miss Galinda Upland. In the first parts of the story, her name was Galinda but she later changed it to Glinda, deleting the first "a" because of certain reasons.
In the first part of the musical, when she was still in school with Elphaba, she played the role of a dumb blonde and a social climber. But when she get to know Elphaba, her true colors were seen: she was actually a compassionate person and a really kind one, too. It was up to Glinda to lift the spirits of the people whenever they're down.
I like Glinda, but not as much as I like Elphaba. She's a good person but sometimes I feel like she's a selfish person. She always loved the spotlight on her. She knew Elphaba and was very close to her, but then everybody kept saying she's wicked. But because she doesn't want the people to think that she's on her side since she knew everybody would hate her if she does that, she pretends that she believed Elphaba is wicked.
The amazing Kristin Chenoweth originated the role, and I believe the role is truly for her. She's my favorite Glinda, and she made the role so effortless! Other girls who played the role seemed to try so hard to make people laugh, whereas Kristin just do it so effortlessly.
Along with Kristin, I love Katie Rose Clarke, Alli Mauzey and Gina Beck's interpretation for Glinda. They're all amazing and for me, they're the best Glindas in the whole wide world.
3.) Fiyero
Every girl's fantasy. Haha or only mine? I love Fiyero's character like sooo much. In the first part of the musical, he's this happy-go-lucky guy who influences his fellow classmates how boring school stuff is. Then when he began to develop his feelings for Elphaba, he turned into a completely new person.
The only thing that I don't like about him is that he takes Glinda for granted. Even though he doesn't really care about Glinda, she was always there for her and I really felt sorry for her when he chose Elphaba right in front of her. And when he saved Elphaba in front of the guards, he pointed his gun towards Glinda. Yeah, that must be something. The guy you always loved pointing his gun to you.
But, overall, Fiyero is a fun person. He's self-absorbed and deeply shallow and I love that about him. That thing that he always do with his driver in the scene just before Dancing Through Life never failed to make me laugh. If ever I'm going to have a son in the future, I'm going to name him Fiyero whether my husband likes it or not. That name is just so awesome!
The man who originated the role is Norbert Leo Butz. He is such an underrated Fiyero. He's a funny Fiyero and his chemistry with Idina is really good. He met his wife in the original Wicked cast, Michelle Federer who played the role of Nessarose. Not much people know him. You should listen to the original cast album for him.
Other Fiyeros that I like is the original Fiyero, Aaron Tveit, Kyle Dean Massey and Ben Freeman. They're all awesome Fiyeros and you should check them out.
4.) Madame Morrible
Madame Morrible is the headmistress of Shiz University where Elphaba, Glinda and the others went. She's an annoying character, and the only thing I like about her is her big bottom.
For me, she's the real villain of Wicked, not The Wizard. In the novel, she was okay. But in the stage musical, she makes me want to go up the stage and smack her face. I guess the actress who's portraying the role is really just a good one. I've always believed that she's in love with The Wizard or something. Or maybe it's just me.
Carole Shelley originated the role. And so far, she's the only Madame Morrible that I could remember because of her wonderful acting. I'm not sure if there's any available bootlegs of her in YouTube. But if there is, you should check her out.
5.) The Wizard
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz might not be as wonderful as you think he might be in the original film/novel. Either way, he's an amazing character though another annoying one in the musical.
In the musical, The Wizard is pretending to be a good person just so stay in power. He lied to Elphaba and to Glinda a lot just so he could get what he want. Plus, he also tried to flirt with Glinda! That moment where Fiyero left her to be with Elphaba and he offered that "green bottle" to her? It's disgusting since Elphaba's his daughter and he's, like, old.
The original Wizard of Wicked is Joel Grey and he is AMAZING. I'm not sure, but I think he was nominated and won a Tony Award for his portrayal. He is a truly awesome actor, and I hope people knew more about him. My other favorite Wizard has got to be Mark Jacoby.
6.) Nessarose
Or also known as Elphaba's sister. Nessarose is a pretty girl but couldn't walk. As Elphaba had explained to Glinda, it was her fault why Nessa ended up that way. She stated that her father made their mother chew milkflowers day and night so that their next baby won't end up green, like her. But it only made Nessa come to soon with her legs all tangled up. And their mother died in the process.
To be honest, I could also relate to Nessa. Not because of her physical features or anything, but because of her needs. She's very dependent to other people and she's used to other people being there for her. Like when Elphaba suddenly left, she's all alone and when Elphaba came back, she blamed Elphaba for making her so cold and bitter.
Nessa's in love with Boq, one of their fellow schoolmates in Shiz University but got bitter when she realized that Boq doesn't love her. She's also known as the "Wicked Witch of the East" opposite her sister. Honestly, if I'm ever going to be given a chance to play one role in Wicked, my first answer would be Elphaba. But there are lots of pressure and tons of singing in that role. So I'm just going for Nessa haha.
Michelle Federer played the original Nessarose in the original production and she's my favorite one. She's an amazing singer and actress. My next favorite got to be Marcie Dodd. I think I've seen one bootleg of Marcie in YouTube, so you better check her out. You could check out Michelle in the original cast recording.
7.) Boq
This adorable Munchkin boy! I read the novel before I watched the musical, so when I realized that Boq was not that an important character in the musical, I was shocked. I really liked him in the novel and I was hoping he'd have more characteristics aside as being lovesick admirer of Glinda.
Boq has always been in love with Glinda, but she tricked him into asking Nessarose out, instead of her. This simple gesture made Nessa fall in love to Boq, but Boq doesn't love her. He wanted Glinda and when she announced her engagement with Fiyero, he wanted go and get her. But Nessa, who just started walking, got angry and cursed him. Elphaba tried to save him, but it got all wrong and Nessa blamed Elphaba of everything. Yeah, my explanation is really vague but I don't want to spoil you!
The original Boq is Kirk McDonald and he's an okay Boq. I don't have a favorite Boq because I haven't found the right one. Haha that actually made me laugh in my head. Anyway, I haven't found the right Boq for me. Hopefully, he's out there haha.
8.) Doctor Dillamond
The teacher that Elphaba looked up to from Shiz University, but was fired and held as a capture of The Wizard. He was the one who helped Elphaba to see the light that there are dangers and that she must trust no one.
Doctor Dillamond's an Animal. That means he's an animal who could talk. But The Wizard is making the talking animals mute and dumb. Dillamond was the one who told Elphaba about this. He also feared to be something like that, but Elphaba assured him that The Wizard would help. But she was wrong.
He was also the reason why Glinda deleted the "a" on her name to "honor" him.
The original Doctor Dillamond is John Horton. He's a great actor, and a good singer but like Boq, I don't have a favorite Doctor Dillamond.
So, I guess that's all! I have mentioned the different major characters of Wicked. Now you know who they are, who's yours?
Next blog is all going to be about the songs of Wicked and I'm pretty excited with this one. The highlight of this musical is their songs. They're so awesome! See you in the next blog, people!
Original Broadway Cast of Wicked
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