Once upon a time in the autumn of 2005, I was in Toronto presenting at my first conference and decided that while I was out East a weekend trip to New York City was in order. A new musical had recently opened on Broadway that told the story of the friendship between Glinda The Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West, and I was so excited to see it, I literally could have melted. And yes, I just went there.

For context I grew up loving The Wizard of Oz film and performed in a Grade 10 production that brought together iconic moments from both The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz. At the end of my undergrad, I also TA’d a children’s literature course where we did a deep dive into L. Frank Baum’s narrative, an important point I’ll come back to. Right before my trip I had just finished reading Gregory Maguire’s Wicked, the book the musical I was about to see was based on. So, I guess you could say it’s a story that by that point had been engrained in my DNA.

After a quick jump to Manhattan, show night arrived and there I was sitting in the Gershwin Theatre with no idea whatsoever that the experience I was about to have would leave a significant impact on me that continues through to who I am as a person and an educator today. As the storytelling began that night, I knew I was watching something special, and by the end of Act 1, I so strongly resonated with Elphaba’s story that I knew in that moment I would never view her as the Wicked Witch again.

And by the end of Act 2? It’s the first of only two times I’ve left a musical absolutely speechless (and if you know me, you know it’s rare that I don’t have something to say)! For those who haven’t seen Wicked, Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda comments: “Wicked looks at what happens in the land of Oz, but from a different perspective.”

The thing is, Elphaba’s story is about a young person growing up being labeled different. Reaching a point where she begins to realize that what she once thought made her broken are actually the gifts that make her special. It’s a story about friendship, growing up, being comfortable in her own skin, and ultimately standing up for what she believes in to fight injustice. The same is true for Glinda who also learns the importance of choosing to do what is right over what’s easy. That night I saw parts of my 24-year-old self in Elphaba’s story, and for the last 14 years I’ve seen the students I’ve worked with experience many of those same moments. Her story is universal and especially for anyone who has ever felt different, misunderstood, like they don’t fit in or has ever been marginalized because of who they are.

Wicked is a powerful example of storytelling and has for two decades been a strong example of how stories can be used as a teaching tool. The same is true of L. Frank Baum’s original book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which was written in 1900. In the deep dive I mentioned earlier, there were many themes under the surface that point to the political climate of that time, including commentary about a corrupt politician lying to his citizens and racism. The same is true in Wicked but includes how those in power can lie with fake news and create mobs at a fever pitch. Sound familiar? In my work, I also use Wicked as an example of how we often make assumptions about other people, especially in teamwork, and how we need to consider the bias of our own perspectives.

At its core Wicked, as Chenoweth comments “demands that we see past the surface, past looks, and past color, in determining what is good or bad. It’s about the friendship between women, defying the limited and limiting roles the world has carved out for them.” As Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba adds: “despite all their differences” Glinda and Elphaba “learn so much from one another and they can finally admit that they love and respect each other for these differences.” Our world could learn many important lessons from their story.