Clutching pink-and-green-themed drink cups, moviegoers flocked to Gainesville theaters as early as Wednesday and Thursday to catch advance screenings of “Wicked” before its official Friday premiere.
The movie, based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel and the beloved Broadway stage production, delves into the untold story of Elphaba, the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West, and her unlikely friendship with Glinda, the Good Witch. The adaptation stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with Jon M. Chu directing.
For some Gainesville residents, the chance to see the magical tale early was an unexpected treat.
Allison Gornto, a Santa Fe College dental hygiene senior and a long-time “Wicked” fan, was invited by the family she nannies for to an early screening at Regal Celebration Pointe 10 & RPX. Gornto said she cried at least 10 times during the movie.
“I said, ‘I’m sold. Let’s do it. I need to see it early,’” she said, beaming. “It was amazing.”
Fans of the musical can expect the movie to deliver the heart and spectacle of the stage production, complete with iconic numbers like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular.”
“I’m a theater geek,” Gornto said. “So that just made my theater heart happy.”
As “Wicked” continues to captivate audiences nationwide, local businesses are adding their own twist to the magic.
At 108 Vine, two “Wicked”-themed drinks with house-made syrups hit the shop’s espresso bar menu. The limited edition drinks include a strawberry matcha latte and a white chocolate latte with green spirulina cold foam, according to the coffee shop’s Instagram story.
“The strawberry one has pink colors in it,” said Bren Strickland, the 108 Vine director, “and the other one has green, so representing Elfie and Glinda. We love ‘Wicked’.”
The drinks were a hit with customers, she said, especially the strawberry latte. Strickland has seen “Wicked” twice in the four days it has been showing.
“It’s fantastic. It’s definitely a must-watch,” she said. “I'll go see it again.”
Blending her passion for theater and coffee, Strickland's “Wicked”-themed drinks infuse the 108 Vine experience with a touch of Broadway magic, giving Gainesville residents a flavorful way to celebrate the film’s release.
The “Wicked” buzz isn’t just limited to theaters and cafes, but bookstores too.
Joy Merrill, the store manager for Gainesville’s Barnes & Noble, said the excitement has charmed a vibrant wall display of “Wicked”-themed merchandise.
Fans browsing the bookstore’s display are greeted by shelves adorned with everything from the novel that inspired the musical to collectibles, toys and exclusive “Wicked” memorabilia. The display is a treasure trove for fans eager to take a piece of Oz home with them.
“There's something for everybody on the wall,” Merrill said. “We've seen a lot of people definitely buying stuff off of it, looking at it and having interest to come back for holiday season gifts. So it's been extremely popular.”
Contact Sabrina Castro at scastro@alligator.org. Follow her on X @sabs_wurld.
Sabrina Castro is a rising senior studying journalism at the University of Florida and a Summer 2024 reporter for The Avenue. In her free time you can find her scrolling TikTok or searching for hidden gems at local thrift stores.
