Galinda gives Elphaba a black witch's hat to wear to the orientation party as a practical joke. Elphaba arrives wearing the hat, only to find the other students laughing and staring while she awkwardly dances alone. Galinda feels regret and starts dancing with her. Soon, everyone joins them, and the two girls see each other in a new light.

In "Popular", Galinda tries to get Elphaba to conform to the accepted standards of beauty and popularity. Lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz has described the lyrics as "empty calories" and shallow, but it is ironically the most popular song in the show.

Elphaba is outraged when she discovers a Lion cub being experimented upon as part of a class exhibit. She and Fiyero steal the Lion and help it escape into the woods.

Elphaba swears revenge on the Wizard for removing speech from the animals. Her opposition to the Wizard's regime earns her the infamous title of "Wicked Witch of the West."

After Nessa accidentally botches a love spell, Boq is left with a shrunken heart. The only way to save his life is for Elphaba to work another spell that transforms him into the Tin Woodman.

In the Emerald City, Glinda confronts the Wizard with Elphaba's bottle of the Green Elixir that her mother drank, which he recognizes as identical to his own. It is revealed that he was Elphaba's biological father, her mother's lover, and the cause of her green skin.

After faking her own death, the "Wicked Witch" runs of with Fiyero, who was transformed into a scarecrow by a spell she cast to save him from the Wizard's guards.

The original Broadway production was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 2004, winning awards for Best Actress, Best Scenic Design, and Best Costume Design.