Did you spot these Easter eggs and references in ‘Wicked’? Differences between the original movie and the musical
References that are magical.
‘Wicked’, the highly anticipated film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, has finally arrived, and fans are already buzzing about its clever nods and winks to the original Wizard of Oz book, film and the Broadway musical. In this article, we’ll dive into the most interesting Easter eggs and references that fans may have missed, as well as explore some of the key differences between the new movie and the original Broadway production.
5 easter eggs
- Dorothy and Friends Cameo - During the opening sequence of “No One Mourns the Wicked”, the camera pans across Oz to briefly show Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow walking down the Yellow Brick Road.
- The Twisted Silver Shoes - Nessarose, Elphaba’s sister, is given a pair of silver shoes - an homage to L. Frank Baum’s original novel. The design features a tornado-shaped detail on the heel, referencing the whirlwind that brought Dorothy to Oz.
- Ruby slippers in “Popular” - During “Popular”, Glinda presents Elphaba with a pair of sparkling red heels, a playful nod to Dorothy’s famous ruby slippers. They’re even clicked three times, but no trip back to Kansas is activated.
- “Mustn’t let you get wet“ - Madame Morrible shields Elphaba from the rain with an umbrella, warning, ”We mustn’t let you get wet." This line cleverly foreshadows the Wicked Witch of the West’s watery demise in The Wizard of Oz.
- Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel - Although reluctant at first, original Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel appear in One Short Day as the narrators of the Wizard’s rise to power.
5 interesting changes
- Dulcibear’s Introduction - Elphaba’s kind-hearted nanny, Dulcibear, is a new addition not featured in the stage musical. As one of the few who treats Elphaba with kindness, Dulcibear highlights the film’s emphasis on the misunderstood role of animals in society.
- Elphaba’s New Childhood Backstory - The movie delves into Elphaba’s childhood, showing her powers from birth, including levitating objects and responding to bullies with magical outbursts. These scenes add depth to her struggles and explain her defensive nature.
- Elphaba’s Not a Student - Unlike the stage version, where Elphaba is a student, the movie introduces her as the guardian of her sister Nessarose. A magical accident causes Madame Morrible to insist that she enroll in Shiz herself, setting the stage for her journey.
- Elphaba’s Advanced Magical Abilities - Elphaba’s powers are more prominent in the movie, with her performing advanced magic such as levitation, flight, and visions of the future. These moments build on the musical’s subtle hints and make her abilities a central focus.
- Dr. Dillamond’s Animal Colleagues - The film expands Dr. Dillamond’s role, showing him meeting with other animal colleagues to address their diminishing ability to speak - a subtle exploration of the social oppression in Oz.
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