Every Way The Wicked Movie Changes The Original Musical Songs

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Wicked.It’s standard for a film adaptation of a Broadway musical to either add new songs to the script or alter songs from the stage production in some way, and Wicked is no exception. While no new songs have been added to 2024’s Wicked, changes have been made to some of the musical’s most iconic songs. While this can be jarring for longtime fans, the changes make sense for this cinematic adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical.

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“Dancing Through Life,” “Popular,” and “A Sentimental Man” are expanded to varying degrees in the movie, highlighting certain stars and set pieces within the performances. “One Short Day” has the most drastic addition, which adds to the lore of the Land of Oz while spotlighting Wicked royalty. And finally, “Defying Gravity” is spaced out differently to accommodate the on-screen action and circle back to Elphaba’s first song. The changes in Wicked‘s jaw-dropping musical adaptation are not drastic, and most of them better suit the cinematic medium.

5 “Dancing Through Life”

“Dancing Through Life” Is Extended To Showcase Wicked’s Choreography

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The first noticeable change to Wicked’s music is in “Dancing Through Life.” This song serves as Fiyero’s big introduction to the rest of Shiz University, and its lyrics highlight a massive issue within Oz. Fiyero is one of many citizens who prefers to be complacent and ignorant, as long as it means they can maintain a happy, carefree life. While that complacency seems nice, it comes at a cost: many citizens of Oz look the other way while others — like the animals who are disappearing in Wicked — suffer.

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This message stays the same in Wicked Part One’s rendition of the song, but it takes a little more time to highlight Fiyero’s dancing in the library, specifically when it comes to the intricate moving bookshelves. It makes sense the film would want to highlight the set pieces, as well as Jonathan Bailey’s fancy footwork.

It establishes what the norm is, so when Elphaba enters the picture, it’s clear she is an outcast.

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This carries over to the Ozdust Ballroom itself, where Fiyero’s dancing is again highlighted — but it is not just his dancing that gets attention. Everyone who is anyone is at the Ozdust Ballroom, and spending more time here allows audiences to see another side of Oz. It establishes what the norm is, so when Elphaba enters the picture, it’s clear she is an outcast.

Upon entering the Ozdust Ballroom, Elphaba is a laughingstock, but she proceeds to dance by herself in silence. However, when Glinda joins her, a slower, instrumental version of “Dancing Through Life” plays as Elphaba’s dance with Glinda continues. In the stage version, the song ends when Elphaba enters — and Elphaba’s dance is in silence, even when Glinda joins. In the 2024 film, “Dancing Through Life” continues throughout the Ozdust Ballroom scene, right up to when Elphaba and Glinda leave.

4 “Popular”

“Popular” Gives Glinda a Little More Time To Herself

Glinda and Elphaba looking at themselves in the mirror in Wicked
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The next song in Wicked is also the next song with a slight change. Glinda the Good Witch’s big solo number, “Popular,” has the smallest amount of changes made. After leaving the Ozdust Ballroom, Elphaba and Glinda stay up all night together, getting closer. With this being the beginning of their friendship, Glinda believes the best way to show her affection for Elphaba is to give her a makeover. While this may seem like a surface-level gesture, this means everything to Glinda.

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Additionally, this song is one of the only times anyone has ever tried to befriend Elphaba, as well as one of the few times someone has called her beautiful. Elphaba may act like she is above this, but as Glinda notices, this is just an act. Elphaba is insecure about her appearance, especially since it so often leads to people judging her before they get to know her.

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“Popular,” for the most part, stays true to the play’s version of the song. However, there is a bit more spectacle thanks to movie magic. And as observed by Playbill, there are a few slight changes to “Popular,” likely made to complement Ariana Grande’s vocals. Along with that, the ending is a bit longer, with some extra “la la’s” tacked on.

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Throughout the song “Popular,” Grande delivers a stunning performance filled with fantastic choreography, as well as plenty of comedy. It makes sense that 2024’s Wicked would want to end big when Grande delivers big throughout this performance. Grande’s iteration of Glinda gets a little bit more time to show off her dance skills, as well as her stunning vocals, ending the song almost as if she were performing at a concert — complete with a makeshift stage and spotlights.

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3 “One Short Day”

“One Short Day” Explores The Lore Of Oz And The Emerald City

People in Wizomania dancing in Wicked

The biggest change to the music of Wicked is seen within “One Short Day.” There’s a longer introduction, which works well for the film adaptation. In the stage musical, Elphaba and Glinda jump straight into the Emerald City, but there is a little bit of travel time on screen, building the anticipation for the Emerald City, the crown jewel of the Land of Oz.

This introduction is not the most drastic change made to “One Short Day,” however. That accomplishment belongs to Wizomania. In the Broadway musical, Wizomania is a play within a play that is meant to highlight how wonderful the Wizard of Oz is. In Wicked 2024, audiences are treated to an extended lore dump about the history of Oz from none other than the original Elphaba and Glinda actors, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. They are actors in-universe portraying the elders of Oz, and they explain the prophecy of Oz and the Grimmerie, Wicked’s magical book.

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There is a lot more lore in Wicked’s novel than the Broadway musical could cover, but with Wicked Part One being about the length of the entire Wicked musical, director Jon M. Chu had time to explore some of that lore in more depth. Doing so gives additional context to the significance of the Grimmerie, as well as Madame Morrible’s interest in Elphaba, the likely chosen one in the prophecy.

Along with expanding on the lore, this section gives the original actors behind Glinda and Elphaba a chance to make a cameo in the new film. Not only do they get to show off their musical chops, but the moment almost feels as if they are passing the torch to Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

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2 “A Sentimental Man”

The Wizard of Oz Gets The Chance To Dance Through Life

The Wizard is in front of the golden Wizard head in the Wicked poster

While Wicked makes very few changes to the lyrics of “A Sentimental Man,” the pacing of the song is a little bit different. The film version of Wicked gives Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard of Oz a chance to show off his dancing skills, something that is teased earlier with his fancy footwork.

Showing off to Elphaba and Glinda, the Wizard of Oz does a ballet-like dance behind the curtain, making it look like he holds the moon in his hands. It’s all an act, highlighting how the Wizard is an entertainer who is most comfortable hiding behind spectacle. His little dance, as well as his model of Oz, also highlight how he is a clever inventor and storyteller — but not an actual wizard. He just has the charisma and toys to make it seem like he is more powerful than he actually is.

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What’s ironic is the song “A Sentimental Man” is the Wizard of Oz’s attempt to show a vulnerable side of himself to Elphaba. It’s about how he does not need the glitz and glam. All he wants, at the end of the day, is to be a father figure with loved ones who can rely on him. However, his actions, as well as all the smoke and mirrors, say otherwise. For such a “sentimental man,” the Wizard of Oz has no qualms about lying to Oz, turning citizens against one another, and spying on innocents through the flying monkeys.

Despite wanting to be a supportive father figure others can turn to, the Wizard fails to actually be someone his followers can rely on. But only Elphaba sees through his well-constructed act, and she may be the only one the Wizard of Oz truly wants to be a sentimental father figure to.

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1 “Defying Gravity”

“Defying Gravity” Circles Back To “The Wizard And I”

Elphaba during Defying Gravity in Wicked

The final song in Wicked Part One is the Broadway show’s most iconic song, “Defying Gravity.” On-stage, the song is sung with few interruptions. Along with that, the spectacle is when Elphaba hits her power ballad while rising into the air. On-screen, however, there is a lot more action to be seen as the guards pursue Elphaba. Along with that, the film does not need to rely on stage magic to convince audiences that Elphaba is flying. As such, viewers see Elphaba fall before she flies, taking a short breather before she begins her ballad.

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The movie’s take on “Defying Gravity” also circles back to Elphaba’s first song, “The Wizard and I.” During that first number, she fantasizes about working alongside the Wizard of Oz. She even has a vision, where she believes her future is unlimited. Fast-forward to now, and Elphaba’s dreams of working with the Wizard of Oz have been abandoned; however, Elphaba is still unlimited. It’s a clever way to highlight how far Elphaba has come, while also showcasing how the film can pull off its “Defying Gravity” spectacle differently from the stage production.

Furthermore, Elphaba’s mini-reprise of “The Wizard and I” builds up to the grand finale, where Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba delivers a powerful, climactic end to “Defying Gravity.” This is the big finish, and it’s a note that any Wicked fan is excited for. Taking the time to build up to that, while also using that time to show how the rest of Oz is reacting to the news about The Wicked Witch, is an excellent way to build the anticipation.

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ScreenRant logo 9/10 135 8.7/10 Wicked AdventureFantasyMusical

Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Director Jon M. Chu Writers Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum Cast Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd Character(s) Elphaba Thropp , Glinda Upland , Madame Morrible , The Wizard , Fiyero Tigelaar , Boq , Nessarose Thropp , Pfannee , ShenShen , Miss Coddle , Doctor Dillamond (voice) , Avaric Tenmeadows , Gilligan , Professor Nikidik , Glinda’s Father , Governor Frexspar Thropp , Melena Thropp , The Midwife Runtime 160 Minutes Main Genre Musical Expand

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