Recently, I was able to experience the thrill of a lifetime as I finally got to see "Wicked: the Musical" on Broadway. I knew that I was in for a transcendent experience; however, I wasn't aware of a major theme in the production that can easily go overlooked. If you've never seen "Wicked" and have plans to see it, spoiler alert!

In the first act of the production, Elphaba has earned the right to meet to Wizard of Oz and brings Glinda as her guest to the Emerald City. The Wizard and Madame Morrible of Schiz School have been working in tandem to not only silence the animals of Oz but also lure in Elphaba to use her magic to give all of The Wizards monkeys the ability to fly. Disgusted by the behavior and agenda of Madame Morrible and The Wizard, Elphaba flees the royal chamber. Aware of the knowledge the young witch has, Morrible and The Wizard send royal guards to seize Elphaba, labeling her as a fugitive and wicked. In order to continue with the execution of their plan, keep their names clean and maintain the trust of the people of Oz, Madame Morrible, and The Wizard create a narrative that works to their advantage and ruins the reputation of Elphaba.

Madame Morrible and The Wizard of Oz represent leaders who have built glorious reputations on pretense and are therefore worshiped by the citizen of Oz. The evil works of Morrible and The Wizard are a direct commentary on politics in America, having included a selfish political plot that works to their advantage while using their power and influence to paint an inaccurate picture of another to keep their names clean, shifting the attention of the Ozians to Elphaba with an effective false narrative proved to also work towards keeping any possible attention off of Morrible and The Wizard. The people of Oz represent American citizens who have been led to wholeheartedly believe in a lie created by corrupt leadership. Dr. Dillamond, the sole animal teacher on staff, represents a race of people in an oppressed state who are literally having their voices taken away, looking to inform the people of what is happening behind the scenes. As for Glinda and Elphaba, Glinda represents the pawn of the establishment; having previously held the respect of her peers at Schiz and being hailed as a divine figure, she is held up by The Wizard and Madame Morrible as a public figure to address the people and instill hope. Elphaba is, unfortunately, the victim of a corrupt political agenda, used for her ability and then exiled when she tries to expose the true agenda of the Oz hierarchy.

Truly, "Wicked" is not simply a marvelous production, but also a message to the American people and its hierarchy. I am sure many of those who have seen the musical did not expect to have a political sketch presented to them, just as I did not. Nevertheless, what better way to attempt to enlighten the people than with a musical? "Wicked" serves not only as a musical with the intent of entertaining but also as an unexpected agent with the goal of waking up society.