Courtesy of: IMP Awards

I am rejoicifying!  And yes, “rejoicify/rejoicifying” is a word.  Look it up in the Ozian Glossararium (and yes, that exists).  I suggest reading the Glossararium before this article; some Ozian vocabulary will help.

Universal Studios released the full trailer for the movie Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, on Wednesday, May 15th.  I must say, there is a definish chance that this movie-musical adaptation will be the best of its kind because it is certainly the most anticipated among Broadway lovers (for the record, I was NOT blaring the soundtrack and NOT dancing around my kitchen while putting the dishes away).

Wicked: The Musical, directed by Stephen Schwartz, is the prequel that follows the witches from the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, published in 1900 (the trailer was released on what would’ve been Baum’s 168th birthday – just a fun fact).  The musical, however, is based off of a book with the same title by Gregory Maguire, published in 1995.  That book is based off of Baum’s first book and the movie, The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland (I know, a lot of layers and names, sorry).  The musical tells the world the untold story of the two famous witches, Glinda the Good Witch of the North and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, before the girl from Kansas stopped by.  As commonly said by the musical, “So much happened before Dorothy dropped in.”

The musical opens in Munchkinland, where the Munchkins are celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch of the West.  Glinda ascends into Munchkindland, by bubble, and tells them that they should not hate the Wicked Witch.  She tells the townspeople that she and Elphaba were once good friends.  The rest of the musical is a flashback to Glinda and Elphaba’s days at Shiz University, where Glinda was the most popular and prettiest girl in school, whereas Elphaba was the new outsider with green skin.  As Elphaba navigates Shiz, trying to fit in with her green skin, she discovers that she has a power that can give her the chance to meet with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  Embarking on this journey with her new friend Glinda, Elphaba realizes there is more to everything than meets the eye.  On a journey of love, friendship, and identity, she learns what it means to be comfortable in her own skin.

Idina Menzel (the original Elphaba on Broadway) and Kristin Chenoweth (the original Glinda) have paved the way for many Elphabas and Glindas to come.  Now, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are taking the reins as the silver screen’s witches of Oz.  The musical wouldn’t be complete without its side characters – Fiyero is portrayed by Jonathan Bailey, Dr. Dillamond is played by Peter Dinklage, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz is played by Jeff Goldblum, and Shiz Univesity’s dean, Madame Morrible, is played by Michelle Yeoh.  This is the first part of the Wicked movie.  If there are two parts, then I’m only assuming that they will cut off the movie at Elphaba’s “Defying Gravity” (Cynthia, I have high expectations), that is, if they are basing the movie off of the musical more than the book.  One thing to add: I love how Ariana’s voice is very much like Kristin’s Glinda voice.  I was very pleased with that.  There was a rumor going around a few months ago that Idina and Kristin were planning on making cameos in the film.  I am PRAYING that this is true.

I encouragerize everyone to watch this trailer with excitement, for it is thrillifying and sends chills throughout my entire body just thinking about it!  Stay tuned for next week’s article where The Viking Times’ Elania Freeman will cover all of the Easter Eggs hidden in the trailer.  Honestly, I cannot wait until November 27th when the movie drops across the country.

“I couldn’t be happier, thank goodness!”