Are the Ruby Slippers in Wicked

Are the Ruby Slippers in Wicked

The short answer is no: the ruby slippers do not appear in the musical or narrative of Wicked. They belong to The Wizard of Oz (1900 book and 1939 film), where Dorothy famously wears them. This article explains the slippers’ origin, their role in Oz adaptations, why they are not part of Wicked, and how the two stories relate without conflating their distinct properties and timelines.

The Ruby Slippers in The Wizard of Oz

Origin in L. Frank Baum’s Book

In L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the slippers are silver, not ruby. Dorothy wears silver shoes that have the power to carry her anywhere she wishes to go. The silver shoes are enchanted, remain on her feet throughout her journey, and are lost when she returns to Kansas by twirling in the cyclone.

Change to Ruby in the 1939 Film

Victor Fleming’s 1939 film The Wizard of Oz changed the slippers to ruby to take advantage of Technicolor. The glowing ruby slippers became an enduring icon, designed by Adrian (Norman Hollywood) and crafted by the studio prop department. Their look and function were tailored for cinematic spectacle.

Notable Details and Value

The surviving screen-used pairs are among the most valuable and storied costumes in film history. One pair sold at auction for several million dollars. They are stored, insured, and displayed under strict conservation conditions, reflecting their cultural significance and rarity.

Wicked’s Setting and Props

Where Wicked Takes Place

Wicked is set in the Land of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival. It follows Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch, focusing on their friendship, political struggles, and moral conflicts in the Emerald City and beyond.

Props and Iconic Items in Wicked

The show features distinct items tied to its characters: Elphaca’s signature hat, broom, and animal companions; Glinda’s bubble wand and gowns; the Grimmerie (a mysterious spellbook). No ruby slippers appear as props or narrative elements in the musical or in Gregory Maguire’s source novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Relationship Between The Wizard of Oz and Wicked

Shared Universe, Separate Stories

Both works inhabit the broader Oz canon but tell different stories at different points in the timeline. The Wizard of Oz centers on Dorothy’s journey and the slippers’ magic. Wicked reimagines Oz from the witches’ perspective, creating backstory and political drama that do not involve the ruby slippers.

Why People Conflate the Two

Because both are Oz stories, audiences sometimes merge details. The ruby slippers are so iconic that some assume they must appear across Oz media. However, Wicked deliberately focuses on its own visual and thematic language, avoiding direct references to Dorothy’s artifacts to preserve narrative independence.

Adaptations and Crossovers

While official stage and film productions of Wicked do not incorporate the slippers, fan works, parodies, and informal mashups may blend imagery. It’s important to distinguish official canon from derivative creations when discussing properties and their items.

Behind the Ruby Slippers

Design and Construction

The film slippers were hand-made with leather, red silk, and thousands of red glass beads. A key pair contained hidden mechanisms to allow close-up sparkle effects. Their creation involved multiple departments, including costume, props, and special effects.

Screen Appearances and Legacy

Dorothy wears the slippers throughout much of The Wizard of Oz, clicking her heels to return home. The imagery influenced later media, parodies, and homages, but remains specific to Dorothy’s story and does not transfer to other Oz narratives like Wicked.

Summary: The Ruby Slippers and Wicked

The ruby slippers are not in Wicked. They originate in The Wizard of Oz as silver shoes (book) or ruby sequined slippers (film), serving as Dorothy’s magical transport home. Wicked tells an earlier, separate story about Elphaba and Glinda, with its own set of props and symbols. Understanding each work’s distinct items and timelines clarifies their relationship without crossover confusion.