Wicked features the song “Defying Gravity.” The musical presents an imagined backstory for the witches of L. Frank Baum’s Oz stories, focusing on Elphaba and Glinda before Dorothy arrives in Oz.
The book was written by Winnie Holzman, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. It is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The Broadway production opened at the Gershwin Theatre in October 2003, starring Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda.
“Defying Gravity” is the Act 1 finale. In the song, Elphaba rejects political pressure and decides to use her powers according to her own principles. The number is known for its demanding vocal writing and large-scale flying sequence.
Wicked became one of Broadway’s most commercially successful productions. It is often confused with The Wizard of Oz, but Wicked is a separate musical with new songs, characters, and story events rather than a stage adaptation of the 1939 film.