5 Takeaways from Wicked Part 1

I have a confession.

Wicked: Part 1 – the box office juggernaut that just won a 2025 Golden Globe for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement – cast a magical spell over me this holiday season.

It was inevitable, really. After all, my love affair with this beautiful work of art (which was, of course, a book by Gregory Maguire and, later, a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical) began in 2006. In between rehearsals for a local production of another well-loved show, upon hearing the first few notes of “Overture/No One Mourns the Wicked” from the original Broadway cast recording where the wind and strings sections start things off with a bang, I was immediately captivated by the story of Elphaba and Glinda as they danced through college life together and, ultimately, chose very different destinies (or, rather, had them thrust upon each of them).

Hearing Ariana Grande flex her multi-octave vocals and seeing Cynthia Erivo soar in the western sky – twice on the silver screen and once more on Apple TV – put this love affair in overdrive!

Beyond the magnificent performances of the talented actors and crew that helped execute this Jon Chu-directed masterpiece, the film offered some important takeaways that I think would serve us all to consider as we embark upon a new year. Here are five that really stuck out:

1. Embrace every part of your story – Success in life is hardly ever a straight line.? Oftentimes, it’s the challenges we’ve lived through (and lessons learned as a result) that make us who we are and help us discover our superpowers.?
2. Hone your power – Gifts and talents are wonderful things to have; however, they become even more effective when they are studied, nurtured, mastered, and then applied in a worthwhile manner.? It does us – or the world at large – no good when we overthink, second-guess or hide what we were given, or rather, appointed and anointed, to share.
3. Master Your Emotions?– When we are able to respond - rather than react - to life’s challenges, we retain control of our narrative and, ultimately, our destiny.
4. Prove Yourself…But Do It Wisely – Though there is definitely something to be said for paying dues and doing what must be done to earn and maintain credibility, we must always take care to ensure that we’re exerting effort in the right way and for the right reasons. What will we really gain after all this work? Is the approval we’re seeking actually worth it in the end?
5. Your Successes are Not Just for You – One of the most poignant parts of the movie – just before the big finale – is when Elphaba sees a glimpse of her younger self; the one that was teased, bullied, isolated and ignored.? When we win, I think we not only honor the people we’ve ultimately become; we also give our younger selves (or, perhaps, our inner child) something to cheer about, too.

No matter how old we get, those celebrations matter.

As I await the arrival of Part 2, it is my hope that this “radical act of optimism” does inspires and lights a fire within the next generation of theatre kids to pursue their dreams with both reckless abandon and laser focus.? Moreover, for the adults that saw the film and, suddenly, have an urge to take that acting class they’ve been dreaming about but keep putting it off…just lean in and do it! Remember that, even now, your spirit deserves a chance to fly.? (Plus, not for nothin’, it could do wonders for your public speaking skills and future presentations!)

Happy New Year, Everyone – May You Fly High!

-Coach “Tiphaba” ??