The story begins when Elphaba and Glinda first meet at a school called Shiz. Unlike Glinda, popular and well-liked by everyone, Elphaba is made fun of by her classmates because of her green skin and sharp tongue. What’s worse, her father only favors her sister Nessarose. Elphaba is an outsider and feels like she doesn’t fit in with the popular crowd at Shiz.
Act Ⅰ Scene Ⅱ Dear Old Shiz (Scene fades as Shiz students appear.Elphaba enters with them. Frex, Elphaba’s father, wheels Nessarose on stage.)
Elphaba :
What?!What are you looking at? Oh, do I have something in my teeth?Okay, let’s get this over with. No, I’m not seasick. Yes, I’ve always been green. No, I didn’t chew grass as a child.
Frex (Elphaba's father) :
Elphaba!
Elphaba :
Oh, this is my younger sister, Nessarose. As you can see, she is a perfectly normal color.(Their Father angrily pulls Elphaba aside.)
Frex :
Elphaba, stop making a spectacle of yourself! Remember I’m only sending you here for one reason.
Elhaba :
Yes, I know, to look after Nessarose.(Father crosses to Nessarose with a gift.)
Frex :
(Holds out a box.) My precious little girl: a parting gift.
Nessarose :
Father... (He pulls silver shoes from the box.) Jeweled shoes!
Frex :
As befits the future governor of Munchkinland. Elphaba, take care of your sister. And try not to talk so much! (He exits. Elphaba watches him go.)
Elphaba :
Well, what could he have gotten me? I clash with everything! (Morrible enters.)
Morrible(the principal) :
You must be Miss Nessarose, the governor’s daughter.What a tragically beautiful face you have! (Sees Elphaba and snorts.) And you must be...
Elphaba :
I’m the other daughter, Elphaba. I’m beautifully tragic.
Morrible :
Yes, yes, I’m sure you’re very bright.
Glinda :
Bright? She’s phosphorescent.
At the moment the principal, Madame Morrible, asks who would like to volunteer to share a room with Elphaba, Glinda raises her hand to ask a question and accidentally they are assigned as roommates.
Glinda initially doesn’t like Elphaba and thinks that she is strange and unapproachable. The tension between Elphaba and Glinda peaks and becomes extremely intense in their first class, when they are asked to partner up for a project. They are both shocked at the idea of working with each other, and the song “What Is This Feeling?” is a humorous duet in which they express their mutual dislike for each other.
Act Ⅰ Scene Ⅳ What Is This Feeling?
Glinda :
Dearest, Darlingest Momsy and Popsicle...
Elphaba :
My dear father...
Both :
There’s been some confusion over rooming here at Shiz.
Elphaba :
But, of course, I’ll care for Nessa...
Glinda :
But, of course, I’ll rise above it...
Both :
For I know that’s how you’d want me to respond. Yes... There’s been some confusion for you see my roommate is...
Glinda :
Unusually, and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe...
Elphaba :
Blonde.
Glinda :
What is this feeling so sudden and new?
Elphaba :
I felt the moment I laid eyes on you!
Glinda :
My pulse is rushing ...
Elphaba :
My head is reeling ...
Glinda :
My face is flushing ...
Both :
What is this feeling, fervid as a flame. Does it have a name?Yes! Loathing! Unadulterated loathing!
Glinda :
For your face
Elphaba :
Your voice
Glinda :
For your clothing
Both :
Let’s just say, I loathe it all Every little trait, however small Makes my very flesh begin to crawl With simple utter loathing There’s a strange exhilaration In such total detestation It’s so pure, so strong! Though I do admit it came on fast Still, I do believe that it can last And I will be loathing, loathing you, My whole life long!
Students :
Dear Glinda, you are just too good! How do you stand it, I don’t think I could! She’s a terror! She’s a tartar! We don’t mean to show a bias, But Glinda, you’re a martyr!
Glinda :
Well, these things are sent to try us!
Students :
Poor Glinda forced to reside with someone so disgusticified We just want to tell you we’re all on your side!
Both :
For forever, loathing. Truly, deeply loathing you! My whole life long!
One day, Elphaba uses her magic to save Glinda’s life when she accidentally drinks a green elixir. Glinda is initially shocked and frightened by Elphaba’s powers, but after a conversation with her, she begins to understand and accept her.
Act Ⅰ Scene Ⅸ Sharing Secrets
(After the party, both girls have been up all night, talking.)
Glinda :
Your very first party? Ever? Oh, I know! Let’s tell each other something we’ve never told anyone... I’ll go first: Fiyero and I are going to be married.
Elphaba :
Really? He’s asked you already?
Glinda :
Oh, he doesn’t know yet. Now, you tell me a secret.
Elphaba :
Like what?
Glinda :
Like... Why do you sleep with this funny, little, green bottle under your pillow? (Grabs the bottle.)
Elphaba :
Give that back.
Glinda :
C’mon, tell me. Tell me tell me!
Elphaba :
It was my mother’s! That’s all...(Silence)
Glinda :
(Hands her the bottle.)That’s not fair. I told you a really good one.
Elphaba :
My father hates me.
Glinda :
(Gasps.)
Elphaba :
That’s not the secret. The secret is – he has a good reason. It’s my fault.
Glinda :
What is?
Elphaba :
... that my sister is ... the way she is. (Pause)You see, when my mother was carrying Nessa, my father was worried that the new baby might come out...
Both :
Green.
Elphaba :
He was so worried, he made my mother chew milk flowers, day and night.Only it made Nessa come too soon, with her little legs all tangled. And my mother never woke up. None of which ever would have happened if not for me.
Glinda :
But that was the milk flowers’ fault, not yours. You see Elphie... now that we’re friends, I’ve decided to make you my new project!
Elphaba :
You really don’t have to do that.
Glinda :
I know. That’s what makes me so nice!
Act Ⅰ Scene ⅩPopular
Glinda :
Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I (And let’s face it, who isn’t less fortunate than I?) My tender heart tends to start to bleed And when someone needs a makeover I simply have to take over I know, I know exactly what they need
And even in your case Though it’s the toughest case I’ve yet to face Don’t worry, I’m determined to succeed Follow my lead And yes, indeed
You will be Popular! You’re gonna be popular!
I’ll teach you the proper ploys When you talk to boys Little ways to flirt and flounce Ooh! I’ll show you what shoes to wear How to fix your hair Everything that really counts To be popular I’ll help you be popular!
You’ll hang with the right cohorts You’ll be good at sports Know the slang you’ve got to know So let’s start Cause you’ve got an awfully long way to go
Don’t be offended by my frank analysis Think of it as personality dialysis Now that I’ve chosen to become a pal, a sister and adviser There’s nobody wiser Not when it comes to Popular!
I know about popular And with an assist from me To be who you’ll be Instead of dreary who–you-were, well, are
There’s nothing that can stop you From becoming popular... lar.. La la, la la
We’re gonna make you popular! When I see depressing creatures With unprepossessing features I remind them on their own behalf To think of celebrated heads of state Or especially great communicators Did they have brains or knowledge? Don’t make me laugh!
They were popular! Please! It’s all about popular It’s not about aptitude It’s the way you’re viewed So it’s very shrewd to be Very, very popular Like me!