In 'Wicked,' the power of propaganda takes center stage

(The Forward) — Many pieces have been written comparing the story of the hit-Broadway musical “Wicked” — a riff on the backstory of “The Wizard of Oz” — to that of the Jewish people. The musical, which was just adapted into a blockbuster film by John Chu, explains how Elphaba, who was born with unnaturally green skin, came to be known, unjustly, as the Wicked Witch of the West. And since the movie came out, numerous writers have argued that Elphaba’s story of persecution and discrimination is particularly Jewish.

However, the similarity goes beyond simple persecution; “Wicked” is a parable abo...