Wicked Character List

In all my months writing about Wicked the Musical, I have never come across such an innovative way to produce a vast description of the characters in Wicked and their growth from Gregory Maguire’s story to the one we are all familiar with in the film “The Wizard of Oz.”

The Wicked Witch of the West: An instant outcast for her green skin, Elphaba slowly acquires the trappings of witchdom throughout the first act - the magic, the hat, the broom, even the flying monkeys. But as for the wicked part, well, that’s pure propaganda, because she’s willing to fight the power (”Defying Gravity” is her big showstopper). The role was originated on Broadway by Idina Menzel, who also starred in the original production of “Rent.”

Glinda: A mispronunciation of Galinda, the perky blonde at Shiz U who’s still good, but a little bit witchier than we remember her from the classic movie. She takes a dislike to Elphaba but has a change of heart, giving her a makeover during her signature tune, “Popular.” The original Glinda was Kristen Chenoweth, who moved on to Hollywood with roles in “The West Wing” and the recent film comedy “Four Christmases.”

The Wizard: Oz’s scheming tyrant, who’s responsible for the oppression of the kingdom’s talking animals. The legendary Joel Grey originated the role on Broadway.

The Cowardly Lion: We meet him as a cub in a cage. Elphaba breaks him out because she learns that cages keep magical animals from learning how to talk. “Wicked” also serves up creative origin stories for the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, but revealing those would spoil things.

Dorothy: As for little Miss “Over the Rainbow,” her house still kills the Wicked Witch of the East - Elphaba’s sister - but she doesn’t even get onstage. Instead, she’s just a faceless pawn manipulated by forces she can’t possibly understand. And is that how the current generation views its parents? Sorry, Judy!

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