Virginia Guerra Saldivar| staff writer

Continuing the trend of turning Broadway musicals into films, “Wicked” — one of the most successful and longest-running shows — has finally hit theatres, bringing in $163 million during its opening weekend, according to NBC.

Inspired by the “The Wizard of Oz” novel (1900) and film (1939), Gregory Maguire penned a prequel focused on Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West in 1995.  It wasn’t until 2003 that its musical adaptation premiered. Now, we get to see director Jon M. Chu bring the tale back to cinemas. 

“I saw ‘Wicked’ … when it was first being workshopped in San Francisco,” Chu said in an interview for Picturehouse. “My mom invited me to see the new Steven Schwartz musical based around the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ and I remember being blown away when I was there. I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is such a new way to see that story that we all know.’”

The movie begins after Elphaba’s (Cynthia Erivo) death, as Glinda The Good Witch (Ariana Grande) arrives in a pink bubble recalling how she met and befriended the villain at Shiz University years prior.

Glinda asks the audience a fundamental question: “Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?” 

The movie covers many intersectional themes: the inability to reconcile Oz’s troubled past, discrimination against and fear of the unknown groups and Elphaba’s own struggle as an outcast, as she is the only character with green skin.

“This was a wonderful way to put a light on everybody who feels like they aren’t seen, for anybody who feels like they don’t belong. [This role] gives you an opportunity to process those feelings, share them and also give people a perspective on what it feels like,” Erivo told Buzzfeed UK.

Erivo navigates the viewer seamlessly through Elphaba’s underdog story. “Defying Gravity,” one of the most popular songs on the soundtrack, carries a combination of power and vulnerability. 

On the other hand, Grande charms audiences with her vocal range and comedic timing. Her song, “Popular,” delves deep into Glinda’s motivations and is the first step for what eventually blossoms into the witches’ friendship.

“Through spending this time with [Erivo] and with a character that believes in herself, I feel like I’ve been able to heal certain parts of myself that were in deep need of having a friend like Cynthia and a friend like Glinda,” Grande told The New York Times.

In addition to their palpable bond on and off-screen, Grande and Erivo’s acting and singing abilities are complimented by the cinematic experience, made possible by a dedicated art department.

Wardrobe, makeup, props and set design combined to bring the Land of Oz to life with a distinct look. 

Led by production designer Nathan Crowley, the movie uses classic Americana as a driving inspiration. 

According to Crowley, Chu wanted the film visuals to be as colorful and magical as possible, which was accomplished through physical sets rather than relying on special effects.

“Jon said, ‘I need color — I want a rainbow,’” Crowley told Elle Decor. “And I said, ‘Let’s go find a tulip farmer.’”

To keep the set dressing as authentic as possible, the team planted a field of nine million tulips for the opening scene, unlike the original 1939 movie, which used asbestos as snow. However, the movie does contain nods to the “The Wizard of Oz,” like the film’s title card, for fans old and new.

After the scenes were shot, the team repurposed the flowers, using the tulip heads to make “living roofs” for the Munchkins’ homes, according to Architectural Digest. 

Over the last week, the film adaptation has morphed from a Broadway musical to a double-act pop culture sensation in cinemas. Positive criticism and online praise have already paved the yellow-brick road for its second installment, set to hit theaters next November.