Wicked: Part I (2024) review

Here's another instance of Hollywood influencing Broadway ... and then vice-versa: with the people of Oz celebrating the demise of the green-skinned Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), otherwise known as the Wicked Witch of the West, Sorceress Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera) tells the crowd about their "friendship" together, starting with meeting at Shiz University (where Elphaba was ostracized by the student body for her "weirdness") and then going over how she rejected the advances of Munchkin Boq (Ethan Slater) in favor of Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), the way the animal professors were unfairly dismissed from their teaching positions and when her and Elphaba finally spoke with the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum), who's neither wise nor wonderful.  I actually saw the show in NYC many years ago with my parents and, despite not being a fan of musicals, was unexpectedly drawn in by it - this, on the other hand, is more influenced by big screen fantasy efforts like the Harry Potter and Narnia movies and makes the wildly successful Broadway production seem direct and streamlined in comparison.  For those willing to sit through it, the songs (by Stephen Schwartz) are memorable (it helps that Ariana is a pop star) and Erivo excels as the misunderstood misfit - if it really is "your thing," you're in luck because the second part is arriving at the end of 2025.  Feel free to sing in the theatre: surely everyone wants to hear your voice!