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The thing that bugs me the most about the difference is that the book at least attempts to explain how Elphaba, the delightful, simply misunderstood character of the musical and part of the book, actually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West as we all know her.
The musical merely presents her as completely misunderstood, good to the end, and posits that the Wizard of Oz had it all wrong.
To my mind, this is an unforgiveable cheat.
I guess it could be called a "reboot" in modern terminology. But it doesn't work for me.
Good songs, tho. But since it conflicts directly with that other musical - ya know, the one from 1939 - I can't even say it's the best Oz musical.
Yet, I enjoyed it. Twice. Fine show. Deplorable story.
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