“And nobody in all of Oz
No wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!”
—Elphaba, Wicked
The last scene of the play and movie, Wicked, might be the most epic of all time. I was crying as I watched in a movie theater in Falmouth, Maine. Elphaba, who stands only for goodness, has been labeled as wicked. Glinda, soon to be branded as the good witch, has demonstrated the capacity for good yet she follows the wicked in exchange for fame. The Wizard, having seen the true power that resides in Elphaba’s goodness, tries to recruit her to join forces and become his successor. But Elphaba sees through the curtain, literally, and realizes that the all-powerful Oz actually holds neither magic nor majesty. His dominion is a trick, a ruse, and Elphaba has exposed it. Power resides where humans believe it resides and Elphaba, having seen the Wizard for what he is, is now a threat.
“Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I’m through with playing by the rules
Of someone else’s game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It’s time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!”
Elphaba has awakened to her own divine power that dwells within her. And this is the biggest threat of all to the Wizard’s hold over Oz. Symbolically, in the final scene, she soars, defying gravity and false prophets. In doing so she places trust in her own voice and sacredness.
“It’s time to try
Defying gravity
I think I’ll try
Defying gravity
And you can’t pull me down!”
Wicked is a must watch performance for our modern times, and all times really. It’s a story of the classic tale of finding one’s own voice and coming into one’s own truth, power, and path – transcending the reign of an empire that holds only theatrical power. The Wizard, behind the curtain, is hollow. His power, not real – only perceived. The Wizard depends on the submission of others and the illusion of greatness, branded and magnified by the mindless who follow along.
“I’m through accepting limits
‘Cuz someone says they’re so
Som things I cannot change
But till I try, I’ll never know!
Too long I’ve been afraid of
Losing love I guess I’ve lost
Well, if that’s love
It comes at much too high a cost
I’d sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I’m defying gravity
And you can’t pull me down”
Let’s all defy gravity! Coming into our own goodness and power is the only way for a society to truly soar. Human communities can rise the furthest when leadership is shared and power is dispersed. In this way, Elphaba, of Wicked, is a mentor for us all.
Everyone can learn to fly!
Love, light, and blessings to you!
—Kevin
