Wicked!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece Of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today to celebrate the release of the “Wicked: For Good” film, we are taking a closer look into the book that started it all with author Gregory Maguire!

In 1995, author Gregory Maguire flipped the world of “The Wizard of Oz” on its head with his novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West”. A lifelong lover of literature and fairy tales, Maguire was intrigued by the idea that stories we consider “canon” are often told from a single point of view. What if the so-called “Wicked Witch” was actually misunderstood? His novel reimagined L. Frank Baum’s classic through the eyes of Elphaba, a green-skinned girl born into prejudice, politics, and power struggles. By blending dark fantasy, satire, and social commentary, Maguire created a morally complex world that gave voice to the villain.

Maguire’s twist on the familiar “Oz” mythos was groundbreaking. While Baum’s original books and the iconic 1939 film presented a clear-cut good vs. evil narrative, “Wicked” delved into gray areas: nature vs. nurture, identity, and the cost of activism. Elphaba was no longer a cackling caricature but a fully realized protagonist grappling with corruption and injustice. Maguire’s literary background; he held a PhD in English and American literature; beamed through in the novel’s dense prose and philosophical underpinnings. The book quickly became a cult favorite, praised for its inventive world-building and for challenging readers to reconsider the stories they’d long taken at face value.

The story’s leap from page to stage proved just as transformative. In 2003, Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman adapted “Wicked” into a Broadway musical, streamlining the darker elements of Maguire’s novel while amplifying the emotional core of Elphaba’s friendship with Glinda. The show struck a powerful chord with audiences, becoming one of the most successful musicals of all time. Songs like “Defying Gravity” and “For Good” became anthems for individuality, rebellion, and female friendship. While the musical softened some of the novel’s political edge, it stayed true to Maguire’s essential question: what makes someone “wicked”?

The impact of “Wicked” extended far beyond the stage. It reinvigorated public interest in the “Oz” universe, inspired a wave of villain-centered storytelling, and, most recently, led to a two-part film adaptation directed by Jon M. Chu, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The movie aims to honor both the musical and Maguire’s original vision, blending spectacle with the story’s emotional and moral complexity. From a radical novel to a pop culture juggernaut, “Wicked” has proven that every villain has a backstory; and sometimes, the so-called Wicked Witch is just a misunderstood hero in disguise.

Bonus Question:

Giancarlo: How does the success of your work and it being so beloved impact you personally?

Gregory Maguire: It’s been a bit of a curse while likely benefiting me in many happy ways. So much attention! I am a quiet guy.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Gregory Maguire: Read. Read everything. Love your life. Take care of it!

Thank you for tuning in and I hope you have a great weekend! We’ll catch you with another fun one on Monday!

-Giancarlo