Unraveling the Finale: Comprehensive Explanation of Wicked’s Dramatic Ending
Broadway musicals have earned their niche as a vital part of the global entertainment industry, with their alluring tale, pulsating tunes, and profound symbolism. Wicked, a noticeable name amid the Broadway pantheon, has captivated audiences across the world with its extraordinary twist on ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ However, the dramatic ending of this applauded musical often leaves spectators in a state of reflective perplexity. Therefore, this article aims at debunking the complexity and explaining the striking finale of Wicked.
Understanding the Wicked Musical
Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz is essentially a reinterpretation of the classic ‘Wizard of Oz’. It dives deeper into the story and provides a unique perspective on the witches of Oz. Born from Gregory Maguire’s creativity, the musical narrates the story of Elphaba, the misunderstood green-skinned girl, who later becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, and her unlikely friendship with Glinda.
Deciphering the Wicked’s Dramatic Ending
The Truth About Elphaba
In the dramatic climax of Wicked, Glinda discovers that Elphaba is not dead, foiling the widespread assumption. Contrary to popular belief, Elphaba survives Dorothy’s water attack with a clever ploy. With everyone believing she is deceased, Elphaba seizes this as an opportunity to disappear and lead a peaceful life away from Oz’s chaos.
Glinda’s Ascension
Glinda finally realizes that the Wizard of Oz is not the grand ruler he claims to be. The Wizard, being revealed as a powerless old man manipulating public perception, leaves Oz. After his departure, Glinda takes over as the ruler in an attempt to rectify the Wizard’s wrongs and bring positive change to Oz.
Elphaba and Fiyero
Fiyero goes on an unsettling transformation journey, changing from Scarecrow to Elphaba’s love interest. Elphaba’s parting with Glinda concludes with Fiyero, now turned Scarecrow, coming to whisk her away to a place where they can live far from scrutiny, prejudice, and harm.
The Promise
Before disappearing with Fiyero, Elphaba makes Glinda promise to lead the realm with kindness and fairness. This poignant moment marks the end of their friendship within Oz boundaries and the emergence of Glinda as a fair and just ruler.
Interpreting the Symbolism
The ending of Wicked is awash with symbolism and hidden meanings, here are few significant ones:
Elphaba’s fake death – representation of redemption
Elphaba faking her death signifies redemption and symbolizes her breaking free from the oppressive image forced on her. It brings to light the contrasting parallels with her public perception – vilified when alive but revered as a martyr when believed to be dead.
Glinda’s ascension – embodiment of hope and change
Glinda’s ascension represents a beacon of hope for the residents of Oz. It’s symbolic of the changes she hopes to bring about in Oz, paving the path towards equality, justice, and righteousness.
Conclusion
Wicked’s dramatic ending forces the audience to rethink their perspective on villains and heroes, compassionately challenging the superficial notion of good and evil. It leaves its spectators with a thought-provoking aftertaste - a potent blend of hope, redemption, and renewed understanding. Unraveling the ending of Wicked uncovers rich layers of human emotions and the power of friendships, eventually leading us to introspect societal norms and prejudices.
Be it the heartwarming reconciliation of Glinda and Elphaba, or the symbolic ascension of Glinda, Wicked’s finale casts a spell on its audience that lingers long after the curtain falls. While the spectacle of songs and spellbinding performances capture your imagination, it’s the underlying themes and potent symbolism that etch Wicked deeply into our hearts.