Understand the complete timeline of ‘Wicked’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’

The film “Wicked” is already showing in Brazilian cinemas, which premiered last Thursday, 21st, and adapts the renowned Broadway musical of the same name, which takes place in the universe of “The Wizard of Oz”, a literary work written put L. Frank Baum in 1900, focusing on the story of Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, played in the new release by Ariana Grandeand Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, played by Cynthia Erivo.

The plot, which appeared as a book in 1995, and was adapted for musical theater for the first time in 2003, has a huge legion of fans around the world. However, those learning the story for the first time may be a little confused by the links between “Wicked” and “The Wizard of Oz” — but don’t worry, RECREIO explains everything!

The timeline of ‘Wicked’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’

First of all, to understand “Wicked”, you need to know the story of “The Wizard of Oz”. In the work, Dorothy, the protagonist, ends up in a magical world when her house is taken by a strong cyclone, with the house falling on top of the Wicked Witch of the East, sister of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba.

Upon arriving in the new universe, the girl is welcomed by Glinda, the Good Witch of the West, who presents her with the ruby ​​slippers that belonged to the deceased witch, and informs her that, to return home, she will need the help of the Wizard of Oz. .

On her way in search of the Wizard, Dorothy meets a Scarecrow who dreams of gaining a brain, the Tin Woodman who wishes to have a heart, and the Cowardly Lion, who wishes to have more courage, leaving together for the Emerald City.

When they finally meet the Wizard of Oz, the quartet is challenged by the man to steal the Wicked Witch of the West’s broomstick to make their dreams come true — and they manage to accomplish the mission, melting Elphaba, which is the point at which “Wicked” begins. ”.

[CUIDADO! O TEXTO A SEGUIR POSSUI SPOILERS DE ‘WICKED’]

The first act of the play, like the first part of the film, begins with the people of the magical world celebrating Elphaba’s death, when Glinda arrives and is asked by one of the residents if the rumor that the two were friends is true. Surprising everyone, the Good Witch of the North confirms the information, and begins to tell the life story of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Glinda begins by explaining that Elphaba was born green, as it is the result of betrayal by her mother, who had drunk a green elixir and ended up having relations with another man outside of marriage. It is also at this moment that Nessa, the Wicked Witch’s sister, who uses a wheelchair, is introduced.

When they get older, the sisters start attending Shiz University, where much of the story is set. Upon arriving at the institution, Elphaba and Glinda end up being selected as roommates and, at first, they can’t stand each other, but they end up becoming friends after spending a lot of time together.

During the course of the plot, some love triangles emerge that become extremely important for the connection between “Wicked” and “The Wizard of Oz”. In the work, Glinda is in love with Prince Fiyero, who has a secret passion for Elphaba, while her sister Nessa is in love with Boq, who has a strong love for Glinda.

The big drama involved in this first part happens, as the government of Oz wants the animals to stop talking, something that Elphaba is extremely against. In one of her classes at Shiz University, the protagonists’ goat professor ends up being arrested and replaced by a man, who brings a small caged lion to the class. After accidentally putting everyone to sleep, Elphaba manages to free the animal that, in the future, becomes the Cowardly Lion from “The Wizard of Oz”.

The first act ends after she and Glinda finally meet the Wizard of Oz, and discover that he was the mastermind behind the plan to silence the animals, making the green-skinned witch become wanted.

The second part begins years later, when Elphaba goes to visit her sister, Nessa, and takes her as a gift the famous little red shoes that would later belong to Dorothy, and are capable of giving superpowers and making the girl, who was in a wheelchair, able to to walk.

With his new ability, Boq, who was in a relationship with Nessa, decides to leave her because, in addition to never being truly in love with her, he believes that the girl no longer needs him. With the end, Nessa bewitches her ex-lover, leaving him heartless and transforming him into the Tin Man.

The Governor, who continues in search of Elphaba, decides to try to attract her by putting her sister in danger, and sends a cyclone after them — the same one that takes Dorothy’s house to the magical world, causing the house to fall on top of Nessa, marking the beginning of “The Wizard of Oz”.

Desperately trying to protect Fiyero at any cost, Elphaba ends up accidentally bewitching him, transforming the prince into the Scarecrow.

The moment Elphaba captures Dorothy is when the timeline of “Wicked” and “The Wizard of Oz” intersect, and become the same until the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. While the 1900 work ends when the witch passes away, and Dorothy returns home, the 1995 plot continues, showing Glinda finding the hat and the green elixir and discovering that, all this time, Elphaba’s real father was the Wizard of Oz.

The story ends with Fiyero going to the place where Elphaba was melted, and being surprised to find her alive. The two then run away together, without anyone knowing what happened to them, to live their love happily and in peace.

Also read: The surprise appearance in ‘Wicked’ that no one imagined