Have you seen the stage play Wicked, a prequel to the Wizard of Oz? It “explains” how the Tin Man lost his heart, the Lion lost his courage, the Scarecrow lost his brain, and the Witch of the West came to be called “Wicked”. It’s about myth making in the negative sense - how lies, deceit, and popularity become confused with history. You might see shades of Sara Palin and the Tea Party. Here’s a quick recap.
Elphaba, Witch of the West, is born with green skin. She suffers the sticks and stones hurled at those who are different, especially those who possess extraordinary powers such as she has. When her school’s history teacher, a goat, is caged and forced to stop speaking and teaching, Elphaba gets angry and lets loose some of her power. The headmistress, Madame Morrible, is so impressed that she decides to take Elphaba to meet the Wizard of Oz.
Glinda, Witch of the North, is an egotistical, self-righteous, goody two-shoes whose mission in life is to be the most popular person on the planet. She tags along with Elphaba to meet the Wizard.
The Wizard gives Elphaba a book of spells and goads her into reading and using one of them. Elphaba discovers that the Wizard is all smoke and mirrors and that she has greater powers than either the Wizard or Madame Morrible. The Wizard tries to placate her by telling her there is no truth; history is just what a lot of people agree to believe.
At this point Elphaba decides to leave the Wizard and free the caged and muzzled animals in Oz. The Wizard imprisons her and Glinda. Elphaba decides to defy gravity and fly free. She invites Glinda to join her, but Glinda is afraid and refuses. Elphaba grabs a broom and rises up. She sings my favorite song, “Defying Gravity.” Elphaba flies freely and goes about Oz releasing the animals. This provokes the Wizard, Madame Morrible, and the people of Oz to call her “Wicked.”
Meanwhile Glinda announces to Oz that she and Fiyero are engaged to be married. Fiyero is shocked. He is in love with Elphaba and has not asked Glinda for her hand. When Fiyero goes searching for Elphaba, Glinda gives the Wizard and Madame Morrible information that leads to the death of Elphaba’s sister Nessarose, Witch of the East, (the one with the red slippers) and the capture of Elphaba.
The people of Oz think they have succeeded in killing Elphaba and Fiyero, but the couple actually escape and go underground. Glinda, deceitful but popular, is crowned “Good” Witch of the North. Elphaba, who understood the importance of nature and set about caring for it, is forever known as the “Wicked” Witch of the West.
Truth is often trampled underfoot and forced to go underground. There it gathers energy and erupts in surprising ways, much like current movements for democracy in the Middle East.
