Wicked is popular! The film adaptation of the musical adaptation of the literary reimagining of the Wicked Witch of the West is surpassing all box office expectations. Composer Stephen Schwartz already announced a 3rd and 4th film in the works. 

The Wickedverse is expanding.

But why does this story resonate so deeply right now? As the world faces a resurgence of fascism, audiences yearn for a trip over the rainbow and they find inspiration in Elphaba's fight against the oppression of the talking animals in Oz which feels eerily timely, reminding us all of the importance to speak out, act up and fight back. 

Today we hold space and each other's well manicured hands for Wicked with theater kid and pop culture expert Robyn Pennacchia, a writer for the news magazine Wonkette.

Join us as we look at all the intoxicating green elixirs surrounding Wicked, The Wiz, Return to Oz and the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and the exciting rise of Cynthia Erivo as a once in a lifetime vocalist.

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Plus-- 
• One of the most infamous pairs of the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 'The Wizard of Oz' sells for $32.5 million at auction.

• Village People’s lead singer Victor Willis says YMCA is not a gay anthem and threatens to sue anyone who says so. 

• Mariah Carey responds to claims her fan video was made with AI.

• Nobody mourns the Wicked: the assassination of United Health CEO reveals a lot of Americans really, really hate our healthcare system.