When Should You Take Your Bathroom Breaks During Wicked?

As a seasoned theatergoer who has braved the bladder-testing trials of Broadway’s longest productions, I can confidently say that the bathroom situation during Wicked is no laughing matter – unless you find yourself chuckling at the prospect of a prematurely soaked seat during the climactic finale. However, fear not, fellow thespian aficionados! The film adaptation, while retaining its two-hour-and-forty-one-minute run time, mercifully condenses the source material, allowing for strategic bathroom breaks without missing key moments or that magical Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande duet.


Light spoilers ahead for Wicked.

Regardless if you grab an Elphaba cold brew before heading to the theater or not, the two-hour-and-forty-one-minute runtime of “Wicked” presents a challenge for those who value staying well-hydrated. If you’re a devoted fan of the Broadway musical this film is based on, you might be tempted to endure and not take breaks, lest you miss even a moment of the enchantment that is Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s voices. However, any fan with an unpredictable bladder control should be aware of one crucial fact: without careful bathroom planning, you are at risk of needing to relieve yourself during the finale.

Luckily for everyone, the stage adaptation of “Wicked” only includes Act 1 from its original source, providing ample room for short breaks without skipping crucial scenes, delightful twists, or additional backstories exclusive to the musical.

Don’t worry if you can’t get to the restroom before the movie starts due to a long line from the recent showing of “Gladiator II” nearby; you’ll have another opportunity within the first 20 minutes. During this time, you’ll witness the highly anticipated characters’ grand entrances and then watch Elphaba’s family, the Thropps, arrive at Shiz University. It’s around this point that Elphaba’s father gives her younger sister, Nessarose, a pair of shoes that resemble those belonging to a familiar Kansas farm girl. If you exit for approximately 4 minutes during this scene, you won’t miss any crucial plot developments.

45 minutes into the lesson about animal history in Oz taught by Dr. Dillamond, take a break when he has safely stored the poppies again. During this time, Madame Morrible will be conducting her private magic workshop. You’ll briefly miss Elphaba trying to levitate a coin, expressing her anger from the earlier class incident and demonstrating that she hasn’t yet mastered her magical abilities.

Considering the Popular scene is a standout moment in the movie “Wicked”, it might be tempting to take a bathroom break at that point, but if you can wait for about ten more minutes, you’ll witness an important update on the animals and a significant interaction between Elphaba and Fiyero. Afterward, you can swiftly leave during Elphaba’s following song, “I’m Not That Girl,” which lasts around four minutes. It’s unfortunate to miss any of Cynthia Erivo’s songs, but if necessity calls, this seems like the best compromise. In “I’m Not That Girl”, we learn more about Elphaba’s growing feelings for Fiyero, and Erivo’s voice is simply stunning.

Option 4: Bathroom Break Opportunity

If you haven’t taken any bathroom breaks suggested earlier and find yourself in a dire situation, you have one more opportunity to dash to the restroom before your absence becomes impolite. From the instant Elphaba discovers the Wizard’s true nature and Madame Morrible (particularly when she exclaims, “It’s you!”), there are approximately six minutes of thrilling action before the commencement of “Defying Gravity,” the renowned number that marks the end of Act I in the play and concludes the movie. You will forfeit a chase sequence as Elphaba attempts to escape the palace, some escalating emotional turmoil between Glinda and Elphaba, and chaos unfolding in Oz, but it’s all worthwhile for the climactic conclusion of Wicked. I hope you’re content — you’ve managed to defy gravity not just metaphorically, but also the repercussions of your hasty hydration choices.

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2024-11-22 02:54