As we dive into the book, we wonder where did this book even come from with its adult language and its adult themes. This is definitely not Baum's world of Oz but it is exciting and tells us a story that we have not heard before. So, who better to ask than the author himself. Below you will find videos where the author of the book discusses why he wrote the book and how the book has inspired the musical as we continue to celebrate 25 Years of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Also, I have attached a video of the author describing the book and why he wrote it.
0 Comments
Welcome back Wicked fans! Above you will find a fun word search that celebrates the Munchkinlanders section of the Wicked book. What have you really enjoyed at about this section of the book? Comment below!
In the first section of the book, Munchkinlanders, we are introduced to a very new concept in the Oz World: THE CLOCK OF THE TIME DRAGON. Its a clock that puts on a theatrical performance while predicting the future. The book describes the clock in a letter to Frexspar, Elphaba's father, below:
The Clock is mounted on a wagon and stands as high as a giraffe. It is nothing more than a tottering, free-standing theatre, punched on all four sides with alcoves and proscenium arches. On the flat roof is a clockwork dragon, an invention of green painted leather, silvery claws, ruby jeweled eyes. Its skin is made of hundreds of overlapping discs of copper, bronze, and iron. Beneath the flexible folds of its scales is an armature controlled by clockwork. The Time Dragon circles on its pedestal, flexes its narrow leathery wings, and belches out sulfurous balls of flaming orange stink." (Wicked, Maguire, Pg. 11).
The clock uses puppets and marionettes (a stable in the World of Oz) to demonstrate and perform different stories. One story that tell you right off the bat is a story of a corrupt father and mother who bear a monstrous and deformed child. Now, the musical uses this concept of the Time Dragon as a frame for the stage as if we are looking into the Clock of the Time Dragon ourselves. It even rebuilt it to reflect the way it was described in the book on pulleys, wires, and mechanics, as seen below. It even goes as far as to blow smoke out of its nostrils instead of the "balls of flaming orange stink" but the smoke still stinks.
So, to celebrate this wonderfully creative rendition of dragons in Oz, we look to some creatives behind the scene that discuss the infamous Clock of the Time Dragon. This episode comes from a series of videos that Wicked: The Musical put out called Behind the Emerald Curtain. Each episode focused on different elements of bringing the book to life on stage. This one focuses on how they created the Time Dragon as the frame for the stage with working elements.
Also, I have provided this interactive puzzle where you can reconstruct a clock of the time dragon image yourself. Also, If you are feeling extra creative and want to create your own version, you can follow this example video below done by an Wicked fan and build one yourself. So, Have FUN and get creative!
Answers to last week's quiz: 1) Rush Margins; 2) Minister; 3) A goat hybrid; 4) True (both parents do appear in the play); 5) Turtle Heart; 6) Industry is Gillikin's stronghold; 7) Elphaba was born inside the Clock of the Time Dragon; 8) The Wizard's balloon was seen in the glass; 9) Gawnette is the neighbor's name; 10) Horrors is the word she sees in the mirror.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of the first Wicked book, I will be posting quizzes to test your knowledge of the books as well as activities and crafts to inspire your love of the books. Below you will find a quiz regarding the Munchkinlander section of the first Wicked book as well as the influences on the musical. **************************************** |