“Wicked” is the latest Broadway musical to be adapted into a movie, joining the ranks of modern films like “Les Misérables” (2012), “Into the Woods” (2014) and “In the Heights” (2021). Theater kids across the globe were both apprehensive and in awe of the potential of this movie. This is unsurprising as “Wicked” is an iconic and beloved musical, and if one thing is certain about theater kids, having been one myself, they grow very emotionally invested in theater productions.

With John M. Chu (“In the Heights”) directing, there was hope and faith in his ability to bring the stage magic of one of the most successful musicals of all time to the big screen. Chu was particularly suited to direct the colorful spectacle of “Wicked” given his incredible directing capabilities with “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights.”

Chu did not disappoint. “Wicked” was a magical experience from the moment the film started. There was raw emotion to be felt from Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”) as Elphaba, and Arianna Grande (“Don’t Look Up”) as Galinda. Both women are Grammy award winners, so it is no surprise that they had incredible singing talent, but these roles are much more than just singing. “Wicked” is a powerful story of friendship and the struggle to fit into society and do what is expected of you.

Two very different girls, Galinda, born into privilege and popularity, and Elphaba, born green and an outcast, meet at Shiz University, an elite school in Oz, and are thrust into each other’s paths. The girls are constantly at odds, utterly loathing one another. Galinda struggles with jealousy over Madame Morrible’s (Michelle Yeoh “Everything Everywhere All at Once”), favoritism and recognition of Elphaba’s talent with magic. Elphaba struggles with Galinda’s blonde, overbearing popularity and condescension. That is until they learn that even though they are different there is something wonderful in each other. This builds over time into a friendship that feels more like sisterhood. The ability of these women to convey this message in a way that is artful and meaningful is something that should not be taken lightly.

The story is not only about the bond of two very different girls but also the deep and terrible problem building in Oz. Animals, who in this world have intelligent mindsets and the ability to speak, are being targeted as an evil in Oz that needs to be controlled. Animals are disappearing and losing their ability to talk for some unknown reason. Dr. Dillamond, (Peter Dinklage “Game of Thrones”), is the last animal teacher at Shiz, and he refuses to stay quiet about the plight his fellow speaking animals are facing. This sparks passion and turmoil in Elphaba who feels that what is occurring is wrong and that the Wizard, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum (“Jurassic Park”), would never stand for such injustice if he knew. As the story goes on, Elphaba learns how wrong she was. She discovers that corruption and deceit are a powerful force throughout Oz, going deeper than she could ever imagine. With the surprising help of the school’s pretty boy, Prince Fiyero, portrayed by Johnathan Bailey (“Bridgerton”), she takes flight to fight for the marginalized and disenfranchised.

Cynthia Erivo was an amazing choice for Elphaba, despite naysayers believing she was too old to play Elphaba. Erivo, 37, is portraying a high school student in the film, but Hollywood has been casting 30-somethings to play teenagers as long as the industry has been around. She looks youthful and innocent at the beginning of the film, growing into a strong woman who stands up against bullying and prejudice.

In an interview with Variety magazine, Erivo discusses how she had conversations with director Chu before filming to discuss Elphaba’s look. Erivo’s first question was about her hair; she wanted to use Elphaba’s hair to connect to who she was underneath the green. The choice of microbraids was a nod to herself and her culture. She also pushed for long nails on Elphaba, not only as a lover of long nails but as a tribute to Margaret Hamilton (“The Wizard of Oz”), the original Wicked Witch. Erivo treated Elphaba with respect and care, protecting the integrity of the role. Erivo went through over two hours of makeup to bring the character to life and an hour to remove the makeup on each day of filming.

For those who doubted Erivo’s ability to pull off the role, there could be no doubts left after her incredible performance in the film’s anthem, “Defying Gravity.” One might have been able to pick out the theater kids in the audience who held their breath trying not to join in as Erivo belted out the song, which brought this former theater kid to tears.

Some were worried about Grande’s ability to tackle such a monumental role as Galinda. Grande surpassed all the worries and truly brought the role to life, infusing her own youthful spark while paying homage to Kristen Chenoweth (“Our Little Secret”), the original actress who brought the role to Tony-nominated fame. For Grande, playing Galinda has been a dream role of hers ever since she saw the play with her grandmother when she was ten years old and had the opportunity to go backstage and meet the cast, including Chenoweth. Grande told People Magazine that seeing the musical changed her life; she separated her life into two chapters: before and after seeing “Wicked.”

Erivo and Grande took the time and effort to build their relationship off-screen so that their on-screen chemistry could shine. In an interview with CBS Mornings, Erivo stated that despite not knowing each other before filming, her friendship with Grande became vital to the film. The two made a promise to take care of one another and throughout the filming, that promise bloomed into a strong bond.

Erivo and Grande’s musical chemistry can be felt as they sang all the songs live while filming to convey the real and raw feeling of a stage production. The power of their voices brought many of the film crew to tears.

Many in the theaters on opening weekend did join in the singing. This led to mixed feelings from patrons and theater staff. Some theaters removed those who could not resist the temptation to sing.

Some fans chose to paint themselves green to emulate Elphaba. Fans dressing up as characters to go to the theater is not a new phenomenon, but AMC theaters required patrons to remove their green face paint before being allowed admittance. AMC’s website says that while costumes are allowed, face paint, masks, and face coverings are not permitted. These restrictions were enforced after the horrifying mass shooting in 2012 at a Colorado theater during a screening of “The Dark Knight Rises.”

The film is not a carbon copy of the musical. Some additional characters were added, such as Miss Coddle (Keala Settle “The Greatest Showman”), the head “Shiztress,” who is striving to be like her superior, Madame Morrible, but may be more transparent in her disdain for speaking animals. The song “One Short Day,” which takes place when Elphaba and Galinda (who shortened her name to Glinda) tour the Emerald City, now includes a show called “Wizomania” where the story is told of how the Wizard came into power in Oz.

In a stylistic change, in the film, Glinda’s gown during “No One Mourns the Wicked” is a bubblegum pink instead of blue as it was in the musical. This choice was added to pay homage to Billie Burke who played Glinda in the original 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz.”

Due to the expansive abilities of film compared to theater, the writers were able to delve deeper into Elphaba’s childhood and backstory. One flashback shows how her father, Governor Thropp (Andy Nyman “Judy”), had a clear preference for Elphaba’s sister Nessarose, portrayed by newcomer Marissa Bode, and how the Governor’s preference resulted in Elphaba assuming the role of Nessarose’s protector.

Elphaba’s passion for animal rights has been given a backstory as well. While growing up as an outcast because of her green complexion, Elphaba was raised and treated kindly by her Nanny Dulcibear, a talking bear voiced by Sharon D. Clarke (“Rocketman”).

As an avid fan of “Wicked,” I can’t sing enough praises of Chu’s film adaptation, and I can’t wait for part two, which is scheduled to be in theaters this time next year.

“Wicked” is currently playing in theaters and is rated PG for some scary action, thematic elements and brief suggestive material.