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We all need a little magic in our lives, which is why we’re so excited for the Wicked films to come out. The first part debuts in November 2024, but the stage musical has been a mainstay in cities around the world for more than 20 years. The music. The elaborate staging. The twisted take on the classic Wizard of Oz story. If you haven’t seen Wicked on the stage, you’re missing out.

However, the Wicked stage show has a very different ending to The Wizard of Oz. Because it frames the story from the point of view of The Wicked Witch of the West, things are remarkably different this time around. Elphaba, the aforementioned Wicked Witch, is a young student with green skin trying to find her way in Oz. Her best friend at the magical school is Galinda, who becomes Glinda the Good Witch of the East from the original book and film.

However, their roles are reversed here; Elphaba is now a rebel trying to free Oz from the tyranny of the Wizard while Galinda is the government spokesperson who helps spread propaganda and misinformation. Many characters from The Wizard of Oz appear, including the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and (as a silhouette) Dorothy. They aren’t always what you expect, though.

What happens at the end of the Wicked musical?

The second half of Wicked follows Elphaba’s rebellion against the Wizard for his mistreatment and enslavement of Oz’s talking animal population. With all of Oz convinced she is a danger to themselves and their way of life, Elphaba is forced into a dangerous gambit – she decides to fake her own death. Her method of choice is the rumor floating around that a splash of water would make her melt.

Elphaba has a heartfelt goodbye with Galinda where the two realize they will always be best friends even when they are unable to see each other. Then, the climactic fight in The Wizard of Oz plays out in the background, with Dorothy hurling water on the Wicked Witch and causing her to “melt” into a puddle. Fortunately, it is a ruse to allow Elphaba to escape from the public eye and convince the people of Oz that she is no longer a threat.

With her newfound freedom – and the knowledge that Galinda will convince the Wizard to leave Oz forever – Elphaba has a touching reunion with Fiyero, her lover who she turned into the Scarecrow to keep him safe from harm. Meanwhile, Galinda has become Glinda the Good Witch of the North and is helping to lead the people of Oz in the Wizard’s absence. She is pleased that her friend is safe but sad that they will never be able to see each other again.

Of course, these scenes won’t play out until Wicked Part II comes out in November 2025. Wicked Part I, which will presumably end with the showstopping Defying Gravity just like the first half of the stage show, is out on November 22, 2024.

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