Comedy

Like a horde of winged monkeys, Wicked fans flocked to theaters last November to see the screen adaptation of the first half of this Ozian witches saga. Most of them knew each of the plot progressions, music, lyrics and character journeys as if they were their very own history. They saw themselves in this narrative that starts in sorrow, powerlessness and isolation and moves toward freedom from oppression and crossing an impossible chasm, at great personal peril, via a leap of faith.

In the traditional seder text, Dayenu expresses the different steps — each a miracle, or a convergence, or a plot point — through which the Hebrews (that’s what they called Jewish people back then) went when they left Egypt through arriving at the Promised Land. After naming each stage — the Exodus itself, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna as food, giving of the Torah, et al — we sing the refrain/ear worm known as “Dayenu.” It means “it would have been enough,” but is sometimes translated as “it would have been more than we deserve.”

Now it’s up to you…where do you see yourself in this narrative? What about the narrative of the exodus?

[Chorus, sung as needed]: Dai, Dayenu, Dai, Dayenu, Dai Dayenu, Dayenu Dayenu!

If Elphie’d come to Shiz with Nessa, but hadn’t met her pal Galinda, dayenu

If Elphie’d met her pal Galinda, but hadn’t learned with Madam Morrible, dayenu

If Madam Morrible had taught her magic, but hadn't sent her to the Wizard, dayenu

If she’d sent Elphie to the wizard, but Galinda hadn’t joined the journey, dayenu

If Galinda’d joined the journey, but Elphie hadn’t used her magic, dayenu

If Elphaba had used her magic, but hadn’t seen the Wizard scheming, dayenu

If Elphie’d seen the Wizard scheming, but hadn’t fled with pal Galinda, dayenu

If Elphie’d fled with pal Galinda, but hadn’t found broom-sportation, dayenu

If Elphie’d found her broom-sportation, but hadn’t made a leap of faith, dayenu

If Elphie’d made her leap of faith, but hadn’t found her inner strength, dayenu

If Elphie’d found her inner strength, but hadn’t hit those wicked high notes, dayenu! 

Day, Dayenu…