Did you know that March 27 is World Theatre Day? Established in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the first celebration took place on March 27, 1962, coinciding with the opening of the “Theatre of Nations” festival in Paris. Over the years, World Theatre Day has grown into a global observance, with numerous national and international events organized to celebrate and promote theatre arts. These celebrations aim to raise awareness about the importance of theatre in entertainment and its potential to foster peace and economic development.
Recently, I rewatched the now world renowned “Wicked: Part One” (2024), but what most people don’t know is that the movie is an adaptation of not only the musical of the same title, but also Gregory Maguire’s reimagined novel, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” In honor of World Theatre Day, and the worldwide success of the movie, I figured I would give a bit of a review on the book itself. But before we get started, I must warn you that this book is far more intense than either adaptation and delves into very dark and adult topics, and also, I will be giving a spoiler warning for those who have not seen the second half of the film/musical because I will be discussing this novel in full.
About the Book:
Gregory Maguire is a celebrated author best known for his innovative reimaginings of classic fairy tales. His most famous work, “Wicked,” was published in 1995 and became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring the hit Broadway musical of the same title and now a two-part movie. Maguire’s writing often delves into the moral complexities of well-known villains, transforming them into nuanced and deeply human characters. “Wicked” is a retelling of “The Wizard of Oz” told from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West, offering a fresh and thought-provoking take on L. Frank Baum’s classic tale. Set in the land of Oz, the novel explores political intrigue, social injustice, and the nature of good and evil through the eyes of Elphaba.
The novel follows Elphaba from birth to adulthood, exploring her struggles as an outcast due to her green skin and sharp intellect. Born into a dysfunctional family, she quickly realizes that the world around her is unjust, particularly toward marginalized groups, including talking Animals, who face discrimination under the rule of the Wizard. At Shiz University, Elphaba befriends the privileged but kind-hearted Galinda (later known as Glinda) and discovers her passion for activism. As she grows older, her moral convictions push her toward rebellion against the corrupt government, leading her to become a fugitive. Along the way, Elphaba grapples with questions of destiny, power, and whether true goodness can exist in a flawed world. Her transformation into the “Wicked Witch” is ultimately shaped by misunderstandings, betrayals, and the weight of her own conscience.
Review of the Book:
For this review I am focusing specifically on the book, not the musical (which I love) or the movie (which I think is a well-done adaptation so far). As I stated in the opening, “Wicked” is a very dark twist on the original “Wizard of Oz,” tackling topics that you wouldn’t find in such a family friendly tale. But with that said, the “Wicked” book has much more creative freedom and is able to give deep detail on the world of Oz and each character’s backstory. Maguire’s world-building is intricate, painting Oz as a complex and politically charged society. Elphaba’s character is deeply developed, making her a sympathetic and relatable protagonist that you never see in the original film, heck, she doesn’t even have a name in the original film. But beyond just Elphaba, we get to find out the story of so many other characters who had no real lore in “The Wizard of Oz;” characters like Glinda, the Wicked Witch of the East (Nessa Rose), the scarecrow (Fiyero), the tinman (Boq), and the lion.
Though, as much as I did enjoy this book, I would not recommend it for the light of heart. Again, this is not a children’s story, (p.s. DO NOT GIVE THIS BOOK TO YOUR KIDS LIKE SO MANY OTHER PARENTS HAVE). This tale tackles topics of death, abuse, and various other risqué themes. And even for adults, this book may not be as enjoyable as you may have hoped. It is a very long book, and I won’t lie, it gets quite dense and philosophical at points. If you pick this book up thinking it’ll be just as magical and whimsical as the musical or movie, you’d be dead wrong.
But with all that said, I still highly enjoyed this read. “Wicked” is a thought-provoking and imaginative novel that challenges readers to reconsider traditional notions of good and evil. While its complexity may not appeal to everyone, those who enjoy deep character studies and politically infused fantasy will find it a rewarding read. This book does take time, and you need to be careful with reading it to truly grasp the scope of this fascinating tale, but it is so worth it and I highly recommend giving it a shot! Happy World Theatre Day!
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