Are You a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?

With the production of Wicked, which hit Broadway in 2003 the debate began, "Which Witch was Better?" Elphaba was the witch who became the Wicked Witch of the West and her roommate and friend Glinda who became the Good Witch of the North.—

These roles were originated by Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West along with L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the 1939 Movie.

Since these roles were based on the 1939 movie, "The Wizard of Oz," another debate is "Which Witch is the Best Witch from the Wizard of Oz?" the Good Witch or the Bad Witch.

Of course, perhaps one of the other great debates is "Which is better the Wizard of Oz or the musical prequel Wicked?"

Make sure you vote in the three different debates, the Witches in Wicked, the Witches in Oz and the debate over the versions of Oz, as you learn more about the Good Witch, the Bad Witch and the Wicked Witch.

Image from Wicked.

Which Witch is the Best Witch from Wicked?

Good Witch vs. Wicked Witch

A clip from the original Wizard of Oz where Dorothy meets Glinda and is asked the all important question.

Which Oz interpretation do you like better?

Elphaba Thropp is the character that ultimately becomes the Wicked Witch of the West in Wicked the Musical. The role was originated by Idina Menzel, who won the Tony Award for Best Actress for the role.

The character was created by author Gregory Maguire in his 1995 book, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West that was used in the Broadway and West End adaptations of Wicked the Musical. Maguire based his Elphaba on the Wicked Witch of the West from the 1939 Wizard of Oz, who was green-skinned, wore black and a tall peaked witch hat.

In Wicked Elphaba is Glinda's roommate and eventual best friend at Shiz University. While at the university Elphaga studies life sciences and sorcery, eventually becoming a powerful witch, the Wicked Witch of the West, who eventually has a run-in with Dorothy Gale.

Image of Idina Menzel as Elphaba in Wicked

Defying Gravity by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth from the Tony Awards.

Glinda Upland, initially Galinda, is the character who ultimately becomes Glinda, the Good Witch in Wicked the Musica. The role was originated by Kristin Chenoweth, who lost out on the Tony Award for Best Actress to Idina Menzel for her role as Elphaba.

The character was created by author Gregory Maguire in his 1995 book, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West that was used in the Broadway and West End adaptations of Wicked the Musical. Maguire based his Glinda, originally Galinda, on Glinda the Good Witch of the South from L. Frank Baum's the Land of Oz, Glinda of Oz and the 1939 Wizard of Oz.

Glinda, the Good Witch made her appearance in the Wizard of Oz movie by arriving a large soap bubble and wore large billowing dresses.

In Wicked Glinda is Elphaba's reluctant roommate at Shiz University. They eventually become good friends. Galinda is very bubbly, popular and ambitious. She eventually becomes Glinda, the Good Witch who helps protect the inhabitants of Oz and travels by bubble.

Image of Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda in Wicked.

Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel doing Popular on NBC's Today.

Dorothy and Glinda meet the Wicked Witch of the West

Which Witch is the Best Witch from the Wizard of Oz?

Bad Witch vs. Good Witch

Which one would you rather be?