Before I open the Grimmerie and cast a spell releasing 35 “Wicked” Easter Eggs … MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!!
It’s no secret that Wicked has taken the world by storm, or should I say twister. Most recently, the John Chu masterpiece won the Golden Globe for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.
However, this is not the first time the land of Oz has captured the public’s attention. Before becoming a box office success, and even before the 2003 Broadway show, Galinda/Glinda and Elphaba first met in Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. This novel sold over five million copies. Maguire was, of course, inspired by a forty-book-long series written by L. Frank Baum and a Victor Fleming- directed film adaptation by the same name, The Wizard of Oz.
By the end of this article, you will know more than you ever thought you may know about that magical land somewhere over the rainbow.
- The Caped Crusader
I know my editor-in-chief will love that I made a Batman reference, but unfortunately AJ, no, Batman was not in Wicked. What I am referring to is the opening scene after the flying monkeys burst through the glass window. As the camera pans down, a caped figure is seen riding a horse in the direction of the Emerald City. So, who is this hidden figure? It’s none other than Elphaba Thropp. Yes, despite the catchy tune sung by the munchkins, the Wicked Witch of the West is not dead.
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow
As the camera pans away from Elphaba riding Fiyero’s horse, the audience is taken for a ride literally over a rainbow. The Wizard of Oz reference doesn’t stop there. The first seven notes of music heard as the camera swoops over the rainbow are the same seven notes played at the beginning of Judy Garland’s iconic rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
- New Movie, Same Font
The title card is yet another example of director John Chu’s dedication to towards paying tribute to the source material. Just as Disney has its own font, so does The Wizard of Oz. The title card presented at the beginning of the film is identical to the one shown in the 1939 Victor Fleming film, The Wizard of Oz.
- “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead”
As news of the Wicked Witch’s death spreads across Oz, munchkin children can be seen ringing bells and shouting
“Good news! The witch, she’s dead!” The use of handbells in this scene is a subtle nod to when the munchkins first learned about the witch’s death in 1939. Overcome by joy, the entirety of Munchkinland broke out into song. Hmmm… what was the name of that song? Oh yeah, Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead.
- Have another drink of green elixir… even when giving birth
During the song, No One Mourns the Wicked, Elphaba is born. When Frexspar, the husband of Elphaba’s mother, discovers the baby’s green complexion, he demands that Dulcibear take the child away. This intense feeling of rejection causes baby Elphaba to cry. Throughout the film, the audience learns that Elphaba’s powers are almost intertwined with her emotions. After being cast aside by her supposed father, Elphaba’s telekinetic powers force the medical supplies in the room to fly up to the ceiling. Among the items that flew to the ceiling was the green elixir that is responsible for Elphaba’s verdigris.
- L. Frank Baum silver slippers
Melena Thropp’s shoes in the original books are silver. As this entire film is a love letter to L. Frank Baum’s World of Oz, Chu, yet again, pays homage to the original novels by having Frexspar give Nessarose a pair of silver slippers. This Easter Egg is another two-in-one. Not only was there a reference made to the novels, but the chest the slippers are in was encrusted with rubies, paying tribute to Judy Garland’s famous shoes.
- “…and that’s all that’s left of the Wicked Witch of the East”
If you don’t already know, in Act II, Nessarose will make her transition into the Wicked Witch of the East. The only glimpse the public has ever gotten of the Wicked Witch of the East is when her iconic striped socks are sticking out from underneath Dorothy’s house. Pay close attention to the costume design throughout this film. Paul Tazewell, the head costume designer, did a wicked job at costuming each character (sorry I couldn’t avoid the chance to make this pun). In both Both in childhood flashbacks and the present day, Nessarose can be spotted rocking a pair of striped socks.
- Character Shadow: Boq
When Boq is first introduced, he is resting on a croquet mallet, tilted. Now, flashback with me to 1939. Dorothy is walking down the yellow brick road, Toto and Scarecrow in tow. All of a sudden, she stumbles upon a man made of tin. Jack Haley, the actor who originated the role of the Tin Man sings If I Only Had a Heart. While dancing, his tin becomes stiff, causing him to tilt, leaning on his axe. In the words of Taylor Swift, I think I’ve seen this film before. Additionally, the Tin Man’s full name according to the 1939 film is actually Tin Woodman. This surname was eventually adopted by the musical where we meet Boq Woodsman.
- “The slippers!! Give me the slippers, dearie!!”
As a Wizard of Oz wiz (yes I know, another cheap pun), I was shocked that I didn’t catch this Easter Egg until my fourth watch. Throughout the film, Madame Morrible lovingly refers to Elphaba as “dearie” or “my dear.” Where else have we heard a witch call someone “dearie” or “my dear?”
During the 1939 film, the Wicked Witch of the West rarely used Dorothy’s name, instead, she calls the Kansas native names like “my pretty,” “dear,” and “dearie.” This is symbolic because it shows just how heavily influenced she was by Madame Morrible. Perhaps she views that word as a way to show her power over Dorothy.
- Almira Gulch
I cannot applaud John Chu enough for his respect for The Wizard of Oz. When Nessarose first arrives at Shiz University, Frexspar tells Elphaba to watch over her sister until she settles into her room. As Elphaba follows Nessarose through Shiz, they meet the Head Mistress of Shiz University, Miss Coddle. At the sight of Elphaba, Miss Coddle exclaims,
“Not to fret – just a slight gulch!” Now, for Wizard of Oz novices, this may sound like just another made-up Ozian word like “congratulotions” or “linguification,” but no. Gulch is actually the last name of Dorothy’s neighbor, Almira Gulch, who she later envisions as the Wicked Witch of the West in Dorothy’s dream.
- Read between the lyrics: “The Wizard and I”
Stephen Schwartz is the mastermind behind the music of Wicked. While writing the musical, he was extremely particular when it came to the lyrics. Some lines are more subtle than others. In The Wizard and I, there are several references to what will happen to Elphaba in the future. When she discovers the sand sculpture of The Wizard of Oz she sings the lines,
“And I’ve just had a vision almost like a prophecy / I know, it sounds truly crazy / And true, the vision’s hazy / But I swear, someday there’ll be / A celebration throughout Oz / That’s all to do with me!” This, of course, alludes to the opening scene in both the film and musical when Munchkinland is erupting with joy, celebrating the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Additionally, she exclaims, “I’d be so happy I could melt,” another hint to how her future will unfold.
- An ode to Margaret Hamilton
While I know we are all holding space for Ariana Grande-Butera and Cynthia Erivo, we cannot forget the incredible work of the talented women who came before them. I’m not even talking about Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who ultimately originated the roles of Elphaba Thropp and Galinda/Glinda Upland. I’m talking about Margaret Hamilton and Billie Burke. Billie Burke is the original face behind Glinda the Good, and Margaret Hamilton was an educator and actress most known for her performance as the Wicked Witch of the West in the original film, The Wizard of Oz. Recognizing the path that Hamilton paved, Erivo paid tribute to her role’s creator by recreating a signature Margaret Hamilton gesture. When Madame Morrible and Elphaba began their magic lessons, Elphaba’s hand contorted into a claw-like shape. This is in reference to a famed picture of Hamilton dressed in her Ozian role.
- Read between the lyrics: “Dancing Through Life”
I already warned you at the start of this article so I hope this doesn’t come as a surprise. In Act II, Prince Fiyero Tigelaar is transformed into the Scarecrow. As I previously mentioned, the lyrics in this musical are all intentional. Just like with The Wizard and I, Dancing Through Life is another song that alludes to the fate of the singer. Lines such as “Life’s more painless / For the brainless,” “Life is fraught-less / When you’re thoughtless,” and “Dancing through life / Mindless and careless.” All of these lines hint that Fiyero has no brains, he doesn’t think, and that life is painless, which is true as the scarecrow can never die.
- Character Shadow: Fiyero
After Fiyero is introduced, he can be seen standing in doorways with his arms stretched out. This stance is important because it’s the same position a scarecrow sits in. Even some of the choreography mimics scarecrow-like movements such as him putting his arms at a 90-degree angle facing downwards, as if hung up on a post. Not to mention, the Scarecrow in the 1939 film is an incredible dancer…
- “You would do that for meee”
After Boq tells Galinda/Glinda that he’ll be waiting all night for a chance to dance with her, she places his handkerchief under his vest. There are two Easter Eggs that appear at this moment. The first is where she puts his handkerchief, right on his heart, which we all know he eventually loses after transforming into the Tin Man. The second Easter Egg is when Boq shares that he cries a lot. Who else cries a lot? The Tin Man. His tears are why he constantly rusts and needs to be oiled.
- Victor Fleming’s red ruby slippers
As Popular begins to play, Galinda/Glinda starts pulling out shoes from her closet. Among the shoe selection is a familiar set of ruby red slippers w. Which she gives to Elphaba before taking them away, emphasizing that she’ll never get the slippers.
- “There’s no place like home”
When Galinda/Glina presents the ruby red slippers she clicks the heels together three times just like Dorothy Gale did at the end of The Wizard of Oz.
- “Pink goes good with green”
This is another callback to the 2003 stage play. After Kristin Chenoweth finishes singing Popular, she places a pink flower in Idina’s hair. After stepping back, she admires how complementary pink is to green, uttering the line, “pink goes good with green.” In my opinion, this a beautiful example of how this story has stood the test of time because some lines of dialogue never changed between Schwartz’s show and Chu’s film.
- The field of poppies
After Dr. Dillamond is abducted from the classroom, Elphaba slams a bouquet of poppies on the desk out of frustration. When the flowers make contact with the table a puff of pollen fills the room, causing everyone to fall into a deep sleep. Everyone except for Elphaba and Fiyero. Now, bring yourself back to the 1939 film, Dorothy and the gang, at last, see the Emerald City gleaming in the distance. The only thing that stands between them and The Wizard of Oz is a field of poppies. As the group frolics through the vivid floral display, Dorothy begins to feel sleepy. The potency of the pollen forces her to fall unconscious. The Scarecrow is not phased by the poppies, however, as he spends all of his time in fields such as these.
- It’s just like riding a bike
As Elphaba and Fiyero rush off with the lion cub (who later becomes the Cowardly Lion), they hide the cub in a bike basket. More specifically, Elphaba, a character inspired by Almira Gulch, places the animal into a bike basket, just as Almira Gulch placed Toto into her bike basket and rode off in The Wizard of Oz.
- Give the art department a raise
The set of this film is magnificent, that’s no secret. Everything from the tulip fields, Shiz, the Emerald City and its train, The Wizard’s metal head, and even the moat were constructed just for this film. While these are incredibly impressive, none of them are Easter Eggs. What I enjoyed and was especially impressed by was how the art department managed to incorporate pink and green into almost every shot. For example, when Elphaba is walking through the forest during I’m Not That Girl, pink flowers can be seen all around her. The same goes for when Glinda and Elphaba go to meet The Wizard, pink flowers are seen in emerald- green vases.
- Emerald City Salon
This is another example of paying tribute to the source material. As Galinda/Glinda and Elphaba are exploring the Emerald City, the two find themselves in a salon getting pampered. This scene is mirroring when Dorothy and the gang go to the Emerald City Beauty Parlor before seeing The Wizard.
- One Short Day (LITERALLY)
This one makes me tear up a bit. If you take these lyrics literally, you can discover a whole new meaning.
“One short day / In the Emerald City / One short day / To have a lifetime of fun” “One short day / And we’re warning the city / Now that we’re in here / You’ll know we’ve been here.” These lines are telling the truth of the situation. Galinda/Glinda and Elphaba quite literally only have one short day to be friends in the Emerald City before their lives change forever. After today, after they’ve been there, everyone in Oz will know who they are.
- You’ve been Elphabafied
When the two witches arrive in the Emerald City, Galinda/Glinda is wearing a dress and jacket that closely resembles the outfit Elphaba wore when she first arrived at Shiz. Of course, the outfit was changed to be the signature pink color, associated with Galinda/Glinda.
- 2003 Broadway revival
In an extremely meta way, there is a musical within this musical movie when the Emerald City Players are introduced. While the song plays, the Wise Ones are brought on stage to explain how The Wizard came to Oz. Who is playing these Wise Ones? None other than Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. This scene highlighted that Wicked is something that will span generations and that this fandom will never cease as the stage actresses sing to their screen counterparts.
- Omaha, Nebraska
As One Short Day plays, a holographic depiction of The Wizard appears in the sky. The holograph begins to chant, “Oh-ma-ha. Oh-ma-ha”. No, that is not more Ozian gibberish, this is one of the deepest cuts in the entire film. In the original L. Frank Baum book series, The Wizard is a man named Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmanuel Ambroise Diggs, which spells out O.Z.P.I.N.H.E.A.D. As he was embarrassed by his last seven initials, Oscar chose to simply go by Oz. Before he became The Wizard of Oz, Oscar Diggs was a ventriloquist, a ventriloquist from Omaha, NE. His previous profession is the reason why he hides behind a facade, whether it be through a projector and smoke machine (1939) or a metal mask (2024).
- Tribute to Stephen Schwartz
Just before Galinda/Glinda and Elphaba meet The Wizard, a man in a tower shouts down to the duo,
“The Wizard will see you now!” This is a line pulled straight out of Victor Fleming’s film. The man who delivers this line is actually none other than the mind behind the music of Wicked, Stephen Schwartz. Another fun fact, the other writer of Wicked, Winnie Holzman, is featured during One Short Day as the woman who says,
“He can read. He must be a wizard!”
- Meeting The Wizard
When Galinda/Glinda and Elphaba finally come face to face ummm, well, face to big metal face with The Wizard, fire shoots out from the walls. This is nearly a shot-for-shot remake of when Dorothy and the gang first enter The Wizard’s quarters.Picture courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Just follow the road
As The Wizard gives a tour of his palace, he guides Elphaba and Galinda/Glinda to a model of the Land of Oz. The brick road is white and The Wizard explains that he’s having difficulty selecting a color for the bricks. After flipping through the colors, Galinda/Glinda suggests painting the bricks yellow.
- The Man Behind the Curtain
During Jeff Goldblum’s solo, A Sentimental Man, there is a dancing solo behind a thin sheet, projecting his silhouette. This scene is a salute to “the man behind the curtain.”
- “We’ve been working on levitation”
When Elphaba approaches the Grimmerie, The Wizard asks her what type of spell she wants to cast. Madame Morrible mentions that she has been working with Elphaba on levitation. It’s no coincidence that Madame Morrible and The Wizard’s agenda was to have Elphaba create flying monkeys, and she happened to be studying levitation.
- The beginning of the end
After learning The Wizard has no real power, Elphaba runs away. Galinda/Glinda chases after her when all of athe sudden, a flying monkey breaks through a window and grabs Galinda/Glinda’s jacket. In order to escape, she sheds the jacket and continues after Elphaba. This scene is incredibly symbolic as the jacket she was wearing was the defining feature of this outfit. The jacket is what made the look resemble Elphaba’s debut outfit. Now, Galinda/Glinda is physically losing Elphaba to her choices and her creations.
- The Wise and Magnificent
Before Defying Gravity, Elphaba tries to collect herself. While pacing around the room, a banner can be seen in the background. The banner is of a man in a green suit surrounded by lions. If you think back to the book Elphaba read in her childhood flashbacks, it is the same man. The banner reads, “Oscar Diggs The Wise and Magnificent.” This again shows that Oz has always been a showman.
- Paying an homage to live theater
When belting out the iconic, and now updated version of Elphaba’s battle cry, Cynthia Erivo’s cape takes up almost the entirety of the screen. Viewers of the film have been confused as to why the cape changes in length. For fans of the stage show, you already know where I am headed. In order to make it appear that Idina Menzel was flying, it was decided to add extra fabric and make the cape look massive. This illusion is one of the most famous moments in musical theater history, and it was so breathtaking and beautiful that John Chu acknowledges the hard work that was put into making Wicked a production in 2003.
- The Namesake
If your mind isn’t already blown, maybe this will do the trick. Have you ever wondered where the name Elphaba came from? Quite an obscure choice wouldn’t you say? The reality is, Elphaba’s name is derived from the name of the creator of Oz, Lyman Frank Baum, otherwise known as L. Frank Baum.
Picture courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
