It has been over a century since L. Frank Baum created “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” the sprawling American fairytale that spawned 13 sequels, a Broadway play, and Victor Fleming’s iconic 1939 film adaptation.
Baum took the traditional hero’s journey and gave it a uniquely American twist: a young girl from the heartland becomes a hero in a dazzling, far-off city. It is a story that resonates with anyone who has ever left home—or with the longing to return that follows even the biggest adventures.
But like most American myths, the larger its stature grows, the more it invites reexamination. That is the concept of “Wicked,” the long-awaited film adaptation of the Broadway musical based on Gregory Maguire’s revisionist novels, which opens at The Triplex this week.
“Wicked” shifts the narrative from Dorothy to the Wicked Witch of the West—here named Elphaba—exploring how standing up for justice and reform can lead to being branded an enemy of the state. It is a fun trick: taking a character once considered irredeemable (played to perfection by Margaret Hamilton in 1939) and revealing her as a victim of circumstance and perspective. “Wicked” challenges us to question if there is more to the story, and whether our embrace of Elphaba’s “wickedness” is part of the problem.
The irony, of course, is that over 20 years since its Broadway debut, “Wicked” has achieved iconic status, almost rivaling Baum’s original tale. It makes you wonder if, someday, this story will be reimagined yet again, viewed through another lens, and reinterpreted for a new generation.
Part of the fun of revisiting Oz over the last 100 years is the way we keep finding new meanings in the text. It is a reminder that art continues to evolve after it is created, and that the more we revisit it, the more we will discover about ourselves.
Now Playing
“A Real Pain”
A cathartic comedy from Jesse Eisenberg
From writer and director Jesse Eisenberg comes a powerfully funny exploration of family, grief, and the history that ties us together. Cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite to tour Poland after the death of their grandmother, visiting the home she fled during World War II and resurfacing old tensions along the way.
Continues this week!
“Conclave”
A religious thriller with Ralph Fiennes
A thriller designed to keep you guessing, “Conclave” delves into one of the world’s most secretive events: the election of a new pope. Ralph Fiennes leads an all-star cast, including Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, in this twisty tale of a cardinal who uncovers a conspiracy that could shake the Church to its core.
Ends Tuesday!
Coming Soon
“Moana 2”
Moana, Maui, and a new crew of misfits sail off on an epic adventure in “Moana 2”! The follow-up to Disney Animation’s smash hit musical, “Moana 2” follows Moana and friends as they heed the call from her wayfinding ancestors, setting out into dangerous, long-lost waters that are unlike anything they have ever seen.
Starts November 27.
“Mufasa: The Lion King”
From Barry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning director of “Moonlight,” comes a new take on one of Disney’s most legendary characters. “Mufasa: The Lion King” follows the orphaned lion cub as he leads an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny against a threatening and deadly foe.
Starts December 20.
“A Complete Unknown”
James Mangold, director of “Walk the Line,” brings the electric true story of Bob Dylan to the big screen in “A Complete Unknown.” Timothée Chalamet stars and sings in this depiction of Dylan’s transformation from an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota to the defiant icon who changed music forever.
Starts December 25.
“Nosferatu”
Robert Eggers, the visionary director behind “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” and “The Northman,” reimagines the original horror classic with “Nosferatu.” Featuring an all-star cast of Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Bill Skarsgård, and Willem Dafoe, this stunning adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” is a chilling, visually striking masterpiece that cements its place among the greatest takes on the iconic tale.
Starts December 25.
