Failing that, your mind would most likely drift to the lovable airhead that is Glinda Upland, and her famously careless quips.
You might think of Fyiero, or Boq, perhaps even Madame Morrible.
But the character which will always have a special place in my heart, is- surprisingly-
Nessarose Thropp.
Created mainly to serve as a tool for Elphaba's developement, and to fill the "who's the wicked witch of the east?" hole in L.Frank Baum's original novel, she usually passes un-noticed in both the production and the book.
However- while i do admit her presence in the book frustrated me*- on the stage i only had to take one look at her before deciding she was dynamite.
Firstly, it was refreshing to see (even if her portrayer could walk), a handicapible character.
I'm not sure why, the thought of more diversity in the West end just sounded appealing.
On another note, she was simply adorable.
Even though she spent the majority of the play as a handy prop for the main protagonist, it was nice to see her develop in such a sweet way in the first act.
Her infatuation for Boq was, well-- cute. At least in the former stages. (But more on that later)
I felt deeply sorry for her though, Boq leading her up the garden path, while she (at first) believed Boq invited her to the party by choice. Despite this, i actually shipped them, finding their interaction (however one-sided) lovely.
In "Dancing through life" especially, Boq's efforts to keep her happy made me smile.
Too bad it would result in him being enslaved several scenes later.
I was taken aback by act 2.
Gone was the sweet, inoccent, ginger outcast, we witnessed in the first half.
Since Elphaba's little trip to the emerald city, their father had died, naming his youngest daughter govenor of the east.
This was briefly followed by her stripping the rights of Munckinlanders (although apparently just to keep Boq by her side), and in a weak attempt to with-hold him, caused the loss of his heart.
I just couldn't believe it.
It was only half a hour ago the audience saw Nessa, a harmless girl with a hopeless crush, to Govenor Nessarose, a tyrant.
Her abrupt transformation nearly stopped my heart**, but made her tale even more compelling.
The desperation to keep Boq made for one of the many moving things in wicked.
The sister of the play's focus is last mentioned when she is crushed by a house***.
This is, naturally, to lure Elphaba into a trap.
As the scene quickly cuts to a fight between her and Glinda, my mind just can't help but flit back to Nessa.
Her story made of been altered, and shortened- yet it still left a imprint on me.
Her character may of had a dis-similar purpose, but to me she was my highlight.
A misunderstood, happy girl, who turns into a monster over-time?
That's the sort of thing i like.****
-Pandawinx. XOX
(Notes-
*- She actually scared me a little. O.O
**- But then again, everything in wicked made my heart skip a beat. It was incredible. Just saying.
***- This is, in case you don't know, a refrence to an identical scene in "the wonderful wizard of oz".
****- Although, i suppose that's Elphaba's plotline too....I love her, as well!)
