Last fall, Wicked: Part I was all the rage. The film adaptation of the Broadway musical garnered tons of attention last year on social media, as many fans followed the whirlwind of a press tour leading up to the film’s release. This year, audiences are looking forward to the release of the sequel, Wicked: For Good, which hits theaters on November 21, 2025.

In anticipation for the release, two costumes from the 2024 film were displayed in the Kent State University Museum from September 11 to November 9. The costumes, worn by Cynthia Erivo (as Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (as Glinda), were designed by Akron native, Paul Tazewell. 

As a Wicked fan, I had to visit the museum and see the costumes for myself. The first time I saw the costumes was by complete accident — I was visiting the museum to film something for my Production Fundamentals class, and the costumes were right inside the lobby. Naturally, my classmates and I had to stop in front of the display and take photos. 

While the costumes were much smaller than I expected them to be, I could tell the designs were put together with much care and attention to detail. Surprisingly, one of the first details to catch my eye were Elphaba’s shoes. The toe of the short black heel was square-shaped and reminiscent of an animal’s hooves. To me, it seemed symbolic of one of the main plot points of the first movie: Elphaba’s alliance with Dr. Dillamond and the other animals at Shiz. 

The second time I visited the exhibit was intentional. When Wicked: Part I came out last year, my mom and I went to see it in theaters. Of course, I had to tell her when I found out that the costumes would be at Kent. 

We went together to see them, and it was way more special than the first time. Musicals have been a special part of my family’s life for a long time. When we were younger, my grandparents always took my parents, my brother and I to see a show at Cleveland Playhouse around Christmas time. 

One of the first musicals I saw with them was Wicked. I remember loving the music, the costumes, and especially the characters. I think Tazewell’s adaptation and design of Glinda and Elphaba’s outfits honored the original characters while still putting his own modern spin on them. 

I am honored to have had the opportunity to see the costumes on display twice at my own university, and I am so excited to see what Tazewell has in store for the next movie.