Wicked Quotations

'Wicked is a Broadway musical that shows the untold story of the witches of Oz, and how two young women named Galinda and Elphaba became Glinda the Good and The Wicked Witch of the West. It shows Elphaba as the misunderstood girl that she is, and tells the story from her perspective.

Book by Winnie Holzman. Based on the best–selling novel "Wicked – The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire. Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

"So much happened before Dorothy dropped in."

Elphaba Thropp

[Noticing the whole student body is staring at her green tint] What? What are you all looking at? OH! Do I have something in my teeth? Wait...is my underskirt showing? [Drops her suitcase] Alright, let's just get this over with. No, I am not seasick. Yes, I've always been green. No, I didn't eat grass as a child…

I don't cause commotions, I am one.

[to Glinda] Well, we can't all come and go by bubble!

[to Nessarose] There's no place like home.

[About Dorothy] I mean, who steals a dead woman's shoes? Must've been raised in a barn!

"There's been some confusion over rooming here at Shiz; but of course, I'll care for Nessa... There's been some confusion, for you see, my room-mate is ... blonde!"

What could he get me? I clash with everything.

[To Dr. Dillamond] You shouldn't let statements like that bother you. I mean, I always do, but you shouldn't.

Galinda Upland

[Upon descending at the Munchkinland celebration of the Witch's demise] It's good to see me, isn't it? No need to respond! That was rhetorical.

[Commenting on one of Elphaba's outbursts] It seems the artichoke is steamed.

[Upon seeing Fiyero for the first time] Do you know who that is? It's that Winkie Prince whose reputation's so scandalacious.

[to Dr. Dillamond] I don't see why you can't just teach us history, instead of always harping on to the past.

[Talking about Fiyero] He's distant and moodified… and he's been thinking, which really worries me!

In solidarity, and to express my... outrage, I will no longer be known as GA-linda, but simply... Glinda.

Let the little girl go, and that poor little dog, Dodo.

I know you don't want to hear this, but someone has got to say it! You are out of control!

[With effort] I mean come on, they're just shoes. Let it go!

It's GA-linda. With a 'Ga'.

I'm Glinda. The 'Ga' is silent.

(after failing to transform Elphaba's dress into a ball gown) Oh, just wear the frock, it's pretty!

[singing]It's really, uh, sharp, don’t you think?
You know—black is this year’s pink!
You deserve each other, this hat and you,
You're both so...smart!
You deserve each other, so here!
Out of the goodness of my heart...

[singing] Popular! You're gonna be pop-u-lar.
You'll hang with the right cohorts!
You'll be good at sports!
Know the slang you've got to know... So let's start
’Cause you've got an awfully long way to go...Don't be offended by my frank analysis!
Think of it as personality dialysis!
Now that I've chosen to become a pal, a sister and adviser,
there's nobody wiser, not when it comes to popular...

I will now transform your simple frock into a magnificent ball gown. [waves wand] Ball gown! [does not work, waves wand again] Ball gown!... [Galinda now slaps wand against her thigh] Hello? Is this thing on?

Oh, look, it's tomorrow!

You just take that one road the whole time...I hope they don’t get lost. I’m so bad at giving directions.

It's dreadful, it is to have a house fall on you...

(To Mme.Morrible) Madame how do you fair in captivity? Cap-tiv-i-ty. Pri-son. Personally I don't think you'll not hold up very well, you see, my personal opinion is that you do not have 'what it takes.' I hope you prove me wrong...I doubt you will.

Fiyero

[after Elphaba casts a spell on their class] Well, whatever you did... how come I'm the only one you didn't do it to?

There's no pretense here. I happen to be genuinely self-absorbed and deeply shallow.

It's not lying, it's just looking at things another way!

Let the green girl go!

"Elphaba ! You've been galindafied !"

[To Elphaba] Maybe the driver saw green and thought it meant go.

Boq

I have a personal score to settle with Elph-- ...with The Witch!
[to Galinda] You're touching me!

Madame Morrible

[Welcoming new students to Shiz University] ...I know I speak for my fellow faculty members when I say we have nothing but the highest hopes for some of you.

[to Elphaba] Careful, dear. You mustn’t get wet.

[To Glinda] Smile, wave... and shut up.

"I hope you prove me wrong ... I doubt you will."

The Wizard

Where I come from, we believe all sorts of things that aren't true. We call it history.

[after Elphaba discovers he's behind the anti-Animalism] Where I'm from, the best way to bring people together... is to give them a common enemy.

Dialogue

Madame Morrible: You must be Nessarose, what a tragically beautiful face. And who is- Turns to Elphaba and screams

Elphaba: I'm the other daughter, Elphaba. I'm beautifully tragic.

Nessarose: Mmm…What's in the punch?

Boq: Lemons and melons and pears.

Nessarose: Oh my!

Fiyero: Boy, you must think I'm really stupid, don't you?

Elphaba: No, not really stupid.

Elphaba: Oh look, you're bleeding; it must have scratched you.

Fiyero: Yeah...or maybe it scratched me.

Fiyero: You know, I've been thinking—

Elphaba: Yes, I've heard.

Elphaba: You're the only friend I've ever had.

Glinda: And I've had so many friends. But only one—that mattered.

Galinda: Elphie – do you mind if I call you "Elphie"?

Elphaba: Well, it's a little perky.

Galinda: And you can call me –- Galinda!

Galinda: Now, let's tell each other a secret that we've never told anyone else before. I'll go first. Fiyero and I are getting married!

Elphaba: He's asked you already?

Galinda: Oh, he doesn't know yet.

Galinda: Your first party ever?

Elphaba: Do funerals count?

Galinda: Unusually, and exceedingly, Peculiar, and altogether, quite impossible to describe

Elphaba: (pauses a beat) Blonde!

(Glinda slaps Elphaba, who looks shocked for a moment, then cackles.)

Elphaba: Feel better?

Glinda: Yes I do.

Elphaba: Good...(slap!) So do I.

Dr. Dillamond: Miss Elphaba, don't worry about me, go along and enjoy your friends.

Elphaba: Oh, that's alright, I have no friends.

Songs

NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED

Ensemble: No one mourns the Wicked!
Now at last, she's dead and gone!
Now at last, there's joy throughout the land!

Glinda: Are people born Wicked? Or do they have Wickedness thrust upon them?

DEAR OLD SHIZ

Ensamble: Ooooh hallowed halls and vine-draped walls
The proudliest sight there is!
When grey and sere our hair hath turned
We shall still revere the lessons learned
In our days at dear old Shiz!
Our daaaaays at dear ooold
Galinda: Oooooooooooooooold Shiz!
Ensamble: Dear Old Shiiizzzzzzzzzzzzz

THE WIZARD AND I

Elphaba: When I meet the Wizard
Once I prove my worth
And then I meet the Wizard
What I've waited for since...since birth
And with all his wizard wisdom
By my looks he won’t be blinded
Do you think the Wizard is dumb?
Or like Munchkins so small minded
No!
He'll say to me I see who you truly are
A girl on whom I can rely
And that's how we'll begin
The Wizard and I!

Once I'm with the Wizard
My whole life will change
'Cause once you're with the Wizard
No one thinks you're strange
No father is not proud of you
No sister acts ashamed
And all of Oz has to love you
When by the Wizard you're acclaimed!
And this gift or this curse I have inside
Maybe at last I'll know why
When we are hand in hand
The Wizard and I

Elphaba: And one day he'll say to me, 'Elphaba,
Girl who is so superior,
Shouldn't a girl who's so good inside
Have a matching exterior?
And since folks here, to an absurd degree,
Seem fixated on your verdigris,
Would it be all right by you
If I "degreenify" you?'
But of course that's not important to me
'Well all right why not!?'
I'll reply
Oh what a pair we'll be
The Wizard and I
Yes what a pair we'll be
The Wizard and--

Unlimited
My future is unlimited
And I've just had a vision almost like a prophecy
I know
It sounds truly crazy
And true the vision's hazy
But I swear some day there'll be
A celebration throughout Oz
That's all to do with me!

And I'll stand there with the Wizard
Feeling things I've never felt
And though I'd never show it
I'd be so happy I could melt
And so it will be for the rest of my life
And I'll want nothing else 'til I die
Held in such high esteem
When people see me they will scream
For half of Oz's fav'rite team
The Wizard
And I!

WHAT IS THIS FEELING?

Galinda Dearest, darlingest Momsie and Popsical…

Elphaba My dear Father…

Both There's been some confusion over rooming here at Shiz...

Elphaba But of course, I'll care for Nessa...

Galinda But of course, I'll rise above it...

Both For I know that's how you'd want me to respond; yes, there's been some confusion, for you see, my roommate is...

Galinda ...unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe...

Elphaba [Looks out at audience with a pained look]...BLONDE.

Elphaba and Galinda: Loathing!
Unadulterated Loathing!
For your face, your voice, your clothing.
Let's just say I loathe it all!
Every little trait how ever small,
Makes my very flesh begin to crawl!
With simple utter loathing
There's a strange exhilaration
In such total detestation
It's so pure, so strong!
Though I do admit it came on fast,
Still I do believe that it can last,
And I will be loathing, for forever,
Loathing, truly deeply
Loathing you,
My whole life long!

DANCING THROUGH LIFE

Fiyero: The trouble with schools is they always try to teach the wrong lesson
Believe me, I've been kicked out of enough of them to know...

Galinda: It's really, uh, sharp, don't you think?
You know black is this year's pink!

Boq: Listen, Nessa?

Nessa: Yes?

Boq: Uh, Nessa? I've got something to confess,
a reason why, well, why
I asked you hear tonight.
Now I know it isn't fair...

Nessa: Oh, Boq, I know why.

Boq: You do?

Nessa: It's because I'm in this chair,
and you felt sorry for me.
Well isn't that right?

Boq: No! No! It's because, uh because...
Because you are so beautiful!

Nessa: Oh, Boq! I think you're wonderful!
And we deserve each other,
don't you see this is our chance?
And we deserve each other, don't we, Boq?

Boq: You know what? Let's dance!

Nessa: What?!

Boq: Let's dance!

POPULAR

Glinda: Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I,
And let's face it - who isn't less fortunate than I?
My tender heart tends to start to bleed
And when someone needs a makeover, I simply have to take over
I know, I know, exactly what they need.
And even in your case
Though it's the toughest case I've yet to face
Don't worry, I'm determined to succeed!
Follow my lead, and yes indeed
You will be

Popular!
You're gonna be Popular!
You'll hang with the right cohort,
You'll be good at sports,
Know the slang you've got to know.
So let's start cuz you've got an awfully long way to go!
When I see depressing creatures
With unprepossessing features
I remind them on their own behalf to think of
Celebrated heads of state or especially great communicators -
Did they have brains or knowledge? Don't make me laugh!
They were Popular! Please!
It's all about Popular!
It's not about aptitude, it's the way you're viewed
So it's very shrewd to be
Very very Popular, like me." -

Glinda: Why, Miss Elphaba, look at you! You're... beautiful!

Elphaba: [obviously uncomfortable] ...I have to go. [rushes out]

Galinda: You're welcome.

Glinda: And though you protest your disinterest
I know clandestinely
You're gonna grin and bear it
Your newfound popularity!

I'M NOT THAT GIRL

Elphaba: I wasn't born for the rose and pearl
There's a girl I know,
He loves her so...
I'm not that girl.

Elphaba: Don't wish. Don't start.
Wishing only wounds the heart.

A SENTIMENTAL MAN

The Wizard: I am a sentimental man, who always longed to be a father

The Wizard: So Elphaba, I'd like to raise you high
'Cause I think everyone deserves the chance to fly
And helping you with your ascent allows me to feel so parental
For I am...
A sentimental man

DEFYING GRAVITY

Elphaba: Something has changed within me.
Something is not the same.
I'm through with playing by the rules
of someone else's game.
Too late for second-guessing -
Too late to go back to sleep.
It's time to trust my instincts,
close my eyes, and leap...

Elphaba: It's time to try defying gravity
I think I’ll try defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!

Glinda: Can't I make you understand?
You're having delusions of grandeur

Elphaba: I'm through accepting limits
'Cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!

Elphaba: So if you care to find me, look to the western sky!
As somebody told me lately, everyone deserves the chance to FLY!
And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free;
To those who ground me, take a message back from me...
...tell them how I am Defying Gravity!

Elphaba: And nobody in all of Oz,
No Wizard that there is or was,
Is ever gonna bring me down!

THE WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST

Nessarose: First of all, I can't harbor a fugitive; I'm an unelected official! And secondly, why should I help you? You fly around Oz, trying to rescue Animals you've never even met, and not once have you ever thought to use your powers to rescue ME!

Nessarose: All of my life I've depended on you, how do you think that feels?
All my life I've depended on you and this hideous chair with wheels!
Scrounging for scraps of pity to pick up,
and longing to kick up my heels.

Nessarose: [to Boq] Lost your heart? Well we'll see about that!
Did you think I'd let you leave me here flat?
You're going to lose your heart to me, I tell you!
If I have to... I have to, magic spell you!

Nessarose: Save him, please, just save him.
My poor Boq, my sweet, my brave him.
Don't leave me 'till my sorry life has ceased.
Alone and loveless here,
With just the girl in the mirror!
Just her and me,
the Wicked Witch of the East!
We deserve each other!

WONDERFUL

The Wizard: Elphaba, where I come from, we believe all sorts of things that aren't true. We call it history.

The Wizard: A man's called a traitor, or a liberator.
A rich man's a thief, or a philanthropist.
Is one a crusader, or ruthless invader,
it's all in which label is able to persist.

The Wizard: They call me wonderful, so I am wonderful. In fact, it's so much who I am, it's part of my name...

Elphaba: [to The Wizard] You and I are nothing alike and I will fight you until the day I die!

AS LONG AS YOU'RE MINE

Fiyero: Maybe I'm brainless,
Maybe I'm wise
But you've got me seeing
Through different eyes.

Elphaba and Fiyero: Just for this moment
As long as you're mine
Come be how you want to
And see how bright we shine

Fiyero: What is it?

Elphaba: It's just for the first time I feel...(whispered) WICKED

NO GOOD DEED

Elphaba: Fiyero!

Elphaba: Eleka nahmen ahmen atum atum eleka nahmen..

Elphaba: One question haunts and hurts,
too much, too much to mention
was I really seeking good?
or just seeking attention?
Is that all good deeds are
when looked at with an ice cold eye
if that's all good deeds are
maybe that's the reason why
no good deed goes unpunished.

Elphaba: Let all Oz be agreed, I'm wicked through and through!
Since I cannot succeed, Fiyero, saving you,
I promise no good deed, will I attempt to do AGAIN! Ever again!
No good deed, will I do again!

FOR GOOD

Glinda: I've heard it said
that people come into our lives for a reason,
bringing something we must learn,
and we are led
to those who help us most to grow
if we let them, and we help them in return.
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true,
but I know I'm who I am today,
because I knew you.

Glinda: Like a comet pulled from orbit, as it passes a sun.
Like a stream that meets a boulder half way through the woods.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better,
but, because I knew you,
I have been changed for good.

Elphaba: It well may be,
that we will never meet again, in this lifetime.
So let me say before we part,
so much of me
is made from what I've learned from you.
You'll be with me like a hand print on my heart.
And now what ever way our stories end,
I know you have rewritten mine,
by being my friend.

Elphaba: Like a ship blown from its moorings, by a wind of the sea.
Like a seed dropepd by a sky bird in a distant wood.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But, because I knew you

Glinda: Because I knew you

Elphaba and Glinda: I have been changed for good.

Elphaba: And just to clear the air,
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for.

Glinda: But then, I guess
We know there's blame to share.

Elphaba and Glinda: And none of it seems to matter anymore...

Elphaba and Glinda: Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better

Glinda: And, because I knew you,

Elphaba: Because I knew you

Elphaba and Glinda: Because I knew you
I have been changed... for good.

FINALE

Fiyero: It worked!

Elphaba: You're still beautiful.

Fiyero: You don't have to lie to me.

Elphaba: It's not lying. It’s just looking at things a different way.

All: Good news! Good news!

Glinda: Fellow Ozians, we have been through a frightening time. And there will be other times, and other places that frighten us. But if you'll let me, I'd like to try to help. I'd like to try to be - Glinda... the Good.

Original Broadway Cast

Idina Menzel - Elphaba Thropp
Kristin Chenoweth - Galinda Upland
Norbert Leo Butz - Fiyero
Carole Shelley - Madame Morrible
Joel Grey - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Michelle Federer – Nessarose Thropp
Christopher Fitzgerald - Boq
William Youmans - Doctor Dillamond