No rest for the songs of Wicked
Time|November 25, 2024
THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST HAS BEEN A FIXTURE in American culture for nearly 125 years. After coming to life in 1900 with L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, she rose to prominence onscreen in 1939, portrayed by Margaret Hamilton as a sinister old lady intent on ruining an innocent girl's wish to go home.
ANNABEL GUTTERMAN
No rest for the songs of Wicked

Decades later, Gregory Maguire gave her an origin story, introducing her as Elphaba in his 1995 novel Wicked. That, in turn, was adapted into a hit Broadway musical in 2003-one of the most lucrative and longest running. Now, Elphaba's story is coming to the big screen with director Jon M. Chu's two-part adaptation, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as her perkier counterpart Glinda. The first installment arrives in theaters on Nov. 22.

Wicked is much more than a simple origin story. Told through music and lyrics by the Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz, it explores love, betrayal, and heartbreak as Elphaba navigates her complex relationship with the future Glinda the Good. Schwartz, whose other musical credits include Godspell and Pippin, has been involved with Wicked since its inception onstage. Countless vocalists have interpreted these songs, on Broadway and on tours around the world, but the film brings new opportunities to dive even deeper into the world of Oz. That meant some songs were expanded or restructured-a challenge that Schwartz was excited to tackle with his collaborators.

TIME spoke to Schwartz about key songs in Wicked, from Elphaba's first big number to the dramatic cliffhanger, from their origins to how they translate onscreen.

"The Wizard and I"

Wicked's third song follows Elphaba as she realizes her life is about to change. Madame Morrible (Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh in the movie), the headmistress of Shiz University, has seen Elphaba's magical talents, and announces that she will write to the Wizard so the two can meet. This is perhaps the first time Elphaba is noticed for something that doesn't have to do with the electric green color of her skin. It's one of the most emotional moments in the show as Elphaba stands alone in the middle of the stage and sings.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 25, 2024 من Time.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 25, 2024 من Time.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من TIME مشاهدة الكل
How Trump Won
Time

How Trump Won

THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S RE-ELECTION IS THE NEXT STEP IN A POLITICAL CAREER UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN AMERICAN HISTORY

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 25, 2024
Zak Brown The McLaren Racing CEO on Formula One in the U.S., his team's chase for a championship, and the future propulsion of the automobile
Time

Zak Brown The McLaren Racing CEO on Formula One in the U.S., his team's chase for a championship, and the future propulsion of the automobile

The McLaren F1 team is in the running for its first Formula One constructors' championship since 1998. What's that like? I'm kind of living on the edge of my seat. That's why sport is always going to be one of the most engaging forms of entertainment for people around the world.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
Say Nothing speaks volumes
Time

Say Nothing speaks volumes

IN 1972, AT THE BLOODY HEIGHT OF the Troubles, home invaders abducted a widowed mother of 10 named Jean McConville from her Belfast apartment. Her children never saw her alive again.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 25, 2024
Portrait of the artist in his ninth decade
Time

Portrait of the artist in his ninth decade

AS A CURATOR AT THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART, Eleanor Nairne is very particular about how an artwork should be placed. \"I always say that you have to ask the work if it's sat comfortably,\" she says.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 25, 2024
No rest for the songs of Wicked
Time

No rest for the songs of Wicked

THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST HAS BEEN A FIXTURE in American culture for nearly 125 years. After coming to life in 1900 with L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, she rose to prominence onscreen in 1939, portrayed by Margaret Hamilton as a sinister old lady intent on ruining an innocent girl's wish to go home.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 25, 2024
SENTIMENTAL VALUE
Time

SENTIMENTAL VALUE

With Here, Robert Zemeckis stays true to his unlikely blend of new technologies and old-fashioned storytelling

time-read
6 mins  |
November 25, 2024
TIME 100 CLIMATE
Time

TIME 100 CLIMATE

These are the 100 most influential leaders driving business climate action

time-read
10 mins  |
November 25, 2024
BABY TALK
Time

BABY TALK

UNSURE ABOUT HAVING KIDS? THERAPIST MERLE BOMBARDIERI CAN HELP YOU FIGURE IT OUT

time-read
10 mins  |
November 25, 2024
The many horrors of the Pelicot rape trial
Time

The many horrors of the Pelicot rape trial

THE TRIAL OF DOMINIQUE PELICOT, THE MAN IN THE South of France who pleaded guilty in September to charges of secretly drugging his wife of 50 years, Gisele, and, over the course of about a decade, filming dozens of men as they had sex with her while she was sedated, would have been disturbing enough just as the story of an epically vile husband.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 25, 2024
Health Matters
Time

Health Matters

COVID-19 MAY NOT BE A PUBLIChealth emergency anymore, but you still need your yearly shot. In fact, it seems to peak about twice a year: once during the traditional respiratory-disease season in the fall and winter, and once during summer.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 25, 2024