“Wicked” is a powerful story about friendship, love and above all the will to be yourself. The music, performances, and plot draw us into a compelling show which inspires and reminds us of the importance of courage.

“Wicked” tells the story of Elphaba, a young witch who is ostracized by society because of her dark temper and because she had the bad luck to be born with green skin. Elphaba goes to study at a school for witches, where she meets her complete opposite, the charming and popular Galinda. Though they hate each other at first sight, the two gradually develop a loyal friendship as together they search for love, investigate the mysterious loss of animals’ ability to speak, and learn more about their idol, the Wizard of Oz.

Elphaba must dare to accept that she has greater magical potential than her peers, and learn to use it. She’s already used to withdrawing herself from others, and the closer she gets to the truth, the more the authorities and society stand against her. At some point, she has no choice but to accept that she does not belong among them, and must forge her own destiny.

The song “Defying Gravity” at the end of the first act is the emotional and musical climax of Wicked. It follows the whole journey from “I think I’ll try” to “no one will ever bring me down”. At a moment when Elphaba realizes that all her hopes have been deceived, she finds all the strength she needs within herself. She knows that both she and Glinda would be invincible together, but she owes it to herself to keep going even when her friend isn’t brave enough to do so. What happens allows her to literally and figuratively rise above her old life of fears and limitations and allow herself to reveal her true power.

Elphaba has to deal with many more difficulties ahead and stay true to herself every time. The other characters like Glinda, her sister Nessa and her beloved Fiero also find their own endings as a result of their experiences with her. The plot is interestingly intertwined with that of “The Wizard of Oz” and Dorothy’s story. The ending shows that even when a very high price has been paid, friendship and love have survived and continue to live on in a world that does not allow them to be apparent.

“Wicked” is an emotional story about the strength that lies within each person, and the will to find one’s own freedom, overcoming all difficulties along the way.