By Ashley Antezana ‘25
Friendship, a bit of romance, and a whole lot of magic (thanks to our imaginations and technology) are a few key elements that sum up the story of Wicked. Originally coming out as a book in 1995 and then released as a musical in 2003, this story has taken the hearts of many musical lovers around the world.
For those who don’t know, Wicked is the prequel of The Wizard of Oz, telling the story of Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West, before she turned evil.
Although it was popular before, the new movie release of Wicked: Part I has increased the story’s popularity and expanded its fan base, primarily due to some of the celebrities playing these well-beloved characters. Some key roles to note are Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, Galinda or Glinda, played by Ariana Grande-Butera, and Prince Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey.
Partially due to these celebrities’ previous fan bases, Wicked has already grossed $472 million worldwide and is a serious contender for the highest-grossing movie adaptation of a musical.
Of course, social media is buzzing about this musical as well. A new TikTok trend has risen due to Wicked, with the goal of ranking different songs from the movie soundtrack. Some compare it to the original cast recording, others just simply number them from favorite to least favorite, and sometimes people rank it by how close their face is to the camera. Some consistent popular songs from what I have seen from this trend tend to be “The Wizard and I,” “What is this Feeling?” “No One Mourns the Wicked,” and “Defying Gravity,” while songs like “A Sentimental Man,” “Dear Old Shiz,” and “Something Bad” seem to have fallen short and not quite hit the mark. One of the most popular songs, and personally my favorite, “Dancing Through Life,” has become extremely popular for its lively dance choreography and tune.
Another TikTok trend from Wicked has been learning the dances, specifically to “What is this Feeling” and “Dancing Through Life,” and posting them.
Wicked: Part I has taken over everyone’s social media feeds, and the songs have been on constant rotation in all of our heads. There was a perfect balance of acting scenes and songs, which kept me entertained all throughout the movie. People who do not like musicals should definitely watch Wicked: Part I for the worthwhile acting and iconic plot, apart from the music. Even if it isn’t to your typical taste, Wicked: Part I shows that it is an adaptable movie for everyone to enjoy, no matter your preference. I 100% recommend that everyone take their family and friends to watch this fantastic movie over the break.