We’re Off to See the Wizard: The History of The Wizard of Oz
By Ava Nguyen
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In 1900, author L. Frank Baum published the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; the story of a little girl from Kansas that travels to the magical land of Oz. This book captured the imagination of people all over the world, selling more than 3 million copies by 1956. Baum wrote a total of fourteen books in the Oz series, and adapted his original book into a Broadway musical that toured the country.
Baum died in 1919, but his story lived on. There have been countless adaptations of this classic story; like The Wizard of Oz movie starring Judy Garland, the Broadway musical The Wiz, and eventually, another book titled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.
That story was later adapted by Stephen Schwartz into the hit Broadway musical, Wicked. The story’s main themes are the power of friendship, accepting people for who they are, and government propaganda. Wicked is the classic story of the Wizard of Oz, but told from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West. “You should always attempt to look at things from other perspectives,” says long-time Wicked enthusiast, Megan Hagedorn. “To try your best to understand big picture ideas and how everyone is affected.”
Last year, the movie adaptation of Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, was released. One year later, on November 21, 2025, a second movie, titled Wicked: For Good, was released. The movies are the story of Elphaba, a young woman with mysteriously green skin and magical abilities and her best friend, Galinda; a popular blonde girl.
Their friendship is tested when they find out that the Wizard of Oz is not who he says he is. One of the major themes of Wicked is the dangers of propaganda. “Fear is a placeholder to push change when there aren't enough facts to support an idea or an agenda,” states Hadedorn. “It’s an easy way out for those who aren’t prepared or can’t find facts that support their point of view.”
The simple story of a girl from Kansas has become a worldwide phenomenon that millions of people love. The more modern story of Wicked relates to current events and the messages of the story are still relevant today.
“Wicked is a direct reflection of current events where a leader without qualifications tries to dazzle the public with distractions,” says Hadedorn. From a book, to a musical, to a movie, to another book, to an even better musical, to two more movies, the story of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz has withstood the test of time as a story of acceptance and friendship.
Wicked - Box Office Mojo. (n.d.). Box Office Mojo. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1199474177/#:~:text=Grosses,Widest%20Release3%2C888%20theaters
Wicked: For good - Box office mojo. (n.d.). Box Office Mojo. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt19847976/?ref_=bo_se_r_1
Apple, C. (2020, May 13). ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ turns 120. The Spokesman-Review. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/may/13/wonderful-wizard-oz-turns-120/
Pictures:
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, December 2). Wicked (musical). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_%28musical%29?scrlybrkr=015ae041#/media/File:Wicked-poster.jpg
99 ways to celebrate 'Wicked' like a superfan. (2024, November 19). NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA. https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/99-ways-celebrate-wicked-movie-like-a-superfan
Appell Center for the Performing Arts. (2024, September 3). CAPFILM: THE WIZARD OF OZ - Appell Center for the Performing Arts. https://appellcenter.org/show/capfilm-the-wizard-of-oz/
Wikipedia contributors. (2025a, November 15). L. Frank Baum. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Frank_Baum#/media/File:L._Frank_Baum_(1911).jpg
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