wicked


Novels Musical Films



“ Everyone deserves a chance to fly. ”
— The Wizard's signature utterance[src]

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the main antagonist in the Broadway musical, Wicked. He is a humbug ruler who uses deceit and trickery to hide his own mortal shortcomings.

Life

After a day of sightseeing in the Emerald City, Elphaba and Glinda meet the Wizard. At first, he didn't know who it was visiting him as he was behind his machine, frightening them, but when Elphaba revealed her name, he realised who had come to see him. He immediately reveals his true self to them and invites Elphaba to join him as his personal assistant. He uses Madame Morrible, the Headmistress of Shiz University and a woman whom Elphaba dearly trusts, to get her to join him. As a test, he asks that she give his Monkey servant, Chistery, the ability to fly using the Grimmerie, an ancient book of spells. Elphaba demonstrates her innate magical talent and successfully gives Chistery wings.

Stephanie J

Stephanie J. Block and David Garrison as Elphaba and The Wizard in the Original First National Tour

The Wizard later reveals an entire cage full of monkeys who now also have wings because of Elphaba's spell, and remarks that they will make good spies to report any subversive Animal activity. Realizing that she has been used and that the Wizard has no real power of his own and that her childhood hero is nothing but a fraud, Elphaba runs away with the Grimmerie, pursued by the palace guards, after he tries to convince her and Glinda to work for him. Elphaba and Glinda run into the attic of the tallest tower, where they witness Madame Morrible, revealed to be the Wizard's press secretary, declaring to all of Oz that Elphaba is a "Wicked Witch" who is not to be trusted, and was so cruel as to curse monkeys by giving them wings. This sets the stage for the show-stopping Act I finale, Defying Gravity.

Some time later, Elphaba returns to the Wizard's palace to free the rest of the winged monkeys. The Wizard attempts to regain her favor by agreeing to set them free. Upon discovering a now-speechless Doctor Dillamond among the monkeys, Elphaba rejects his offer and attempts to escape, running into Fiyero and taking him with her. The Wizard agrees with Glinda on using Elphaba's sister to lure her out of hiding, and then Madame Morrible when she suggests something strong as Elphaba will not fall for Glinda's plan.

In recapitulation, it is revealed that the Wizard is actually Elphaba's father. Glinda orders the Wizard to leave Oz in his balloon, and indeed he does, returning to the world where he belongs.

David Garrison as The Wizard-Original 1st Tour Cast

David Garrison as The Wizard-Original 1st Tour Cast

Differences in the book and musical

No more than a conman with knowledge of how to work with human emotion and beliefs, this version of the Wizard works to maintain his own position and prestige, regardless of the pain and grief it causes to others, and is not beyond subversion or mandated murder.

The Wizard is portrayed in a slightly better light in the musical, Wicked. Instead of being very amoral, he is carried away by the belief of the people of Oz that he is "wonderful." In the musical, the Wizard is also more of a figurehead controlled by Madame Morrible and though he is responsible for some of the things that happen in the play he is truly not made fully aware of how his actions affect others. This portrayal is however slightly different based upon the actor portraying him, with some depicting him more as a ruthless manipulator, or slimy con artist, whilst others depict him as honestly benevolent but misguided. When he learns that Elphaba is his daughter, he expresses visible sorrow when he learns of her supposed death, agreeing with Glinda to leave Oz in his balloon.

In the musical, when he sang the reprise of 'A Sentimental Man', it is revealed he always wanted to be a father, so the sorrow of Elphaba's death hits him more as he finds out he is actually her father, and thus in part, the cause of his own daughter's death.

Musical Numbers

Susan Hilferty's sketch of the Wizard's costume.

Susan Hilferty's sketch of the Wizard's costume.

Solos

Solos (In A Duet)

Solos (In A Group Number)

Portrayers

Broadway Production

Tom McGowan as The Wizard

Tom McGowan as The Wizard

Broadway Understudies

1st National Tour

Chicago Production

West End (London) Production

Rachel Tucker as Elphaba and Clive Carter as The Wizard in the London Production 2010

Rachel Tucker as Elphaba and Clive Carter as The Wizard in the London Production 2010

West End (London) Understudies

Los Angeles Production

Stuttgart Production

Melbourne Production

San Francisco Production

2nd National Tour

Auckland, New Zealand

Sydney Production

Oberhausen Production

Asian Tour

Scheveningen Production

Scheveningen Understudies

Mexico City

Australian Revival

UK/Ireland Tour

Brazilian Production

Brazilian Understudies

External Links