Warning: This article contains spoilers for some scenes in Wicked.Wicked‘s performances and songs have made it one of the most popular movies of 2024, and Prince Fiyero’s song “Dancing Through Life” is certainly one of the best. Wicked‘s box office success has raised it to the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation of all time; the film is even able to expand on what made the musical so great. The cast of Wicked effortlessly makes the characters their own, while the songs and choreography are adapted perfectly for the movie format.
While still enjoying its sensational theatrical run, Wicked‘s record-breaking at-home release with deleted scenes and bonus features means that audiences have even more to enjoy, as the additional segments provide even more context. Importantly, the feature called “Welcome to Shiz” explores Fiyero’s arrival and how he shakes things up for the other students. Fiyero himself, actor Jonathan Bailey, states that he sees Shiz as “Fiyero’s playground,” with “Dancing Through Life” marking a major change for the students at Shiz University.
Wicked’s “Dancing Through Life” Shows How Much Fiyero’s Presence Changes Shiz University
The Shiz Students Are All Excited For Fiyero’s Arrival
When the students of Shiz learn that Fiyero is going to be enrolling, there is an instant change in the atmosphere. Because Fiyero is a notable figure in Oz and the other students find him attractive and charismatic, the majority of his peers are happy to hang on to his every word. While Ariana Grande’s Glinda hopes to get Fiyero’s attention as soon as he arrives, the most noticeable change occurs during Fiyero’s song “Dancing Through Life”. Before this bombastic musical number, the students were quite somber, but when Fiyero begins to explain his philosophy, the others loosen up.
During the song, Fiyero convinces Shiz’s students that taking the easy way through life is always best because it will allow them to be happy rather than worrying all the time. This message is immediately taken to heart by Glinda, Boq (Ethan Slater), and Nessarose (Marissa Bode), who are all convinced to sneak out that evening to go dancing, but Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is unimpressed with Fiyero’s charms. Though later in the film Wicked sets up a love triangle between Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero to create tension, Bailey’s character largely has a relaxing effect on Shiz.
How The Choreography For “Dancing Through Life” Stands Out In Wicked
“Dancing Through Life” Is One Of The Most Memorable Dance Sequences In The Film
While many of Wicked‘s songs have undeniably great dance sequences accompanying them, “Dancing Through Life” showcases Wicked‘s most impressive choreography. Just as Fiyero’s arrival prompts students to be more carefree in their studies and personal lives, his nonchalant message has a similar impact on how they dance. Earlier songs in Wicked, such as “No One Mourns the Wicked” and “What Is This Feeling,” are marked by their constricted, sharp blocking that helps set the tone for the people of Oz and emphasizes their anger, highlighting the opposite of “Dancing Through Life”.
The students all begin to sway with the music and move far less rigidly than they had previously, creating an effect that is much less harsh than in previous songs.
What makes the choreography of “Dancing Through Life” so genius is how perfectly it mirrors the relaxation of the students through their dancing. The students all begin to sway with the music and move far less rigidly than they had previously, creating an effect that is much less harsh than in previous songs. Wicked’s amazing sets add to this effect as the students begin to swing from bars in their rotating library and dance on top of tables. With the amazing choreography and emotional freedom of Bailey’s character, Wicked does indeed make Shiz “Fiyero’s playground.“
