Elphaba Thropp(/ˈɛlfəbəˈθrɒp/) is theprotagonistin the 1995 novelWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the WestbyGregory Maguire,itsmusical theatre adaptation,and the musical's two-part film adaptation,Wicked(2024) andWicked: For Good(2025). Elphaba is a reimagining of theWicked Witch of the WestfromL. Frank Baum's 1900 novelThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
| Elphaba | |
|---|---|
| The Wicked Yearscharacter | |
 Myra Ruiz as Elphaba in the musical theatre version ofWicked,Brazil 2016 | |
| First appearance | Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West(1995) |
| Created by | Gregory Maguire |
| Based on | Wicked Witch of the West byL. Frank Baum |
| Portrayed by | |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Elphaba Thropp Third Descending |
| Alias | Wicked Witch of the West, Fae, Sister Saint Ælphaba, Auntie Witch |
| Nickname | Elphie, Fabala |
| Family | Oscar Diggs(father) Melena Thropp (mother) Frexspar The Godly (step-father) Nessarose Thropp (half-sister) Sheltergod "Shell" Thropp (half-brother) Rain (granddaughter) |
| Significantother | Fiyero Tigelaar |
| Children | Liir Thropp (son) |
| Religion | None (atheist) |
| Nationality | OzianMunchkinlanderofAmericandescent |
In the Baum novel, the Witch is unnamed and little is explained about her life;Wickedcreates abackstoryfor her and explores the world ofThe Wizard of Ozfrom her perspective. Elphaba is modeled afterMargaret Hamilton's portrayal in the 1939 filmThe Wizard of Oz:green-skinned, clad entirely in black and wearing a tall peaked hat. Maguire formulated the name "Elphaba" from the pronunciation of Baum's initials— "L.F.B."
Characterization
editAsWinnie Holzmanobserved in an interview withPlaybill,"It wasMaguire'sbrilliant idea to take this hated figure and tell things from her point of view, and to have the two witches be roommates in college, but the way in which their friendship develops – and really the whole plot – is different onstage. "[1]Schwartz justified the deviation, saying "Primarily we were interested in the relationship between Galinda – who becomes Glinda – and Elphaba...the friendship of these two women and how their characters lead them to completely different destinies."[2]In addition to this change in focus, other major plot modifications include Fiyero's appearance as ascarecrow,Elphaba's survival at the end, Nessarose using a wheelchair instead of being born without arms, Boq having a continuing love interest for Glinda – and eventually becoming theTin Woodmaninstead of Nick Chopper, the complete cutting of Elphaba's years in the Vinkus, the deletion of Liir's birth, Fiyero not having a wife and children, and Doctor Dillamond not being murdered.[3]
Portrayals
editThe role was originated onBroadwayandthe West EndbyIdina Menzel,who won the 2004Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
Cynthia Erivoportrayed the character in thefilm adaptation of the first act of the musical,for which she was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Actress,and will reprise the role in the 2025adaptation of the second act.Karis Musongole played the character as a child in the first film.[4]
References
edit- ^Buckley, Michael (June 6, 2004)."Stage to Screens: A Chat with Wicked Nominee and TV Veteran Winnie Holzman".Playbill.Archived fromthe originalon November 21, 2007.RetrievedNovember 8,2007.
- ^"Wicked – Script".MusicalSchwartz.com.RetrievedNovember 8,2007.
- ^Maguire, Gregory (1995).Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.ReganBooks.ISBN978-0-06-039144-7.
- ^Hall, Margaret (15 May 2024)."15 Swankified Easter Eggs in Wicked's Official Trailer".Playbill.Retrieved1 June2024.