Boq
Encyclopedia
Boq is a minor character in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum
. He becomes a more prominent character in Gregory Maguire
's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
, which purports to show the lives of some of Baum's characters from another perspective, and more prominent still in the Broadway musical
Wicked
which is based on Maguire's novel.
In Baum's novel, Boq is a rich Munchkin who provides shelter for Dorothy
on her journey to the Emerald City
. While the novel initially depicts Dorothy meeting only three Munchkins when she meets the Good Witch of the North
, there is a small party at Boq's mansion (consisting of his closest friends and five fiddlers) celebrating the witch's demise that welcomes Dorothy as guest of honor. Boq waits upon her himself, offering her fruit, nuts, cakes, and pies. He is also the one who informs her that only witches and sorceresses wear white, and that combined with Munchkin blue in her gingham dress, this implies to them that she is a friendly witch. He tells Dorothy that he has never been to the Emerald City and does not know exactly how far away that it is, for he believes that one should never go there unless one has business with the great Oz.
In Wicked, Boq is a Munchkin
who attends Shiz University with Elphaba
and Galinda (who would grow up to become The Wicked Witch of the West
and Glinda the Good Witch respectively). In the musical adaptation of Wicked (but not in Baum's or Maguire's books), Boq becomes the Tin Woodman
.
, and while he does fancy Galinda, he does not become involved with either girl. Boq narrates a whole section of the book in the Shiz University section of the novel. However, Boq befriends Elphaba, as they were childhood playmates, and assists her in doing research for Doctor Dillamond. Boq becomes friends with Crope, Tibbett, and Avaric, although he appears to be jealous of Avaric, due to his good looks, charm, and money. His infatuation with Galinda, which never comes to more than a brief kiss, gradually lifts and they become friends. Boq eventually marries Milla, one of Galinda's classmates at Crage Hall. The two wed and return to Boq's Munchkindland farm. Elphaba encounters Boq not long after Nessarose's funeral, as she inquires after Dorothy, and again after her assault on Madame Morrible.
(who would later become The Wicked Witch of the East
). However, the feeling is not mutual; Boq only became involved with Nessarose in hopes of impressing Galinda, on whom he truly has his heart set. Unfortunately, Galinda has so little regard for him that she cannot remember his name (calling him Biq). When Nessarose eventually becomes the governor of Munchkinland
, she uses her power to enslave Boq as her personal servant. When Boq confesses his love for Glinda, Nessarose becomes extremely angry with him. At that point, she casts a spell on him from Elphaba's spell book, the Grimmrie, but mispronounces it. This causes Boq's heart to shrink until it is completely gone. In a desperate attempt to save Boq's life, Elphaba turns Boq into the Tin Woodman
. Unlike in the novel, Boq plays a considerably condensed role in the stage production.
In the original Broadway production, he was played by Christopher Fitzgerald
.
Other notable actors to star in the role include Randy Harrison
and Robb Sapp
(Broadway), James Gillan
, Jeremy Legat and George Ure (West End) and Anthony Callea
(Australia).
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. Originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago on May 17, 1900, it has since been reprinted numerous times, most often under the name The Wizard of Oz, which is the name of...
by L. Frank Baum
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
. He becomes a more prominent character in Gregory Maguire
Gregory Maguire
Gregory Maguire is an American writer. He is the author of the novels Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, and many other novels for adults and children...
's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, is a parallel novel published in 1995 written by Gregory Maguire and illustrated by Douglas Smith. It is a revisionist look at the land and characters of Oz from L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, its sequels, and the...
, which purports to show the lives of some of Baum's characters from another perspective, and more prominent still in the Broadway musical
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
Wicked
Wicked (musical)
Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
which is based on Maguire's novel.
In Baum's novel, Boq is a rich Munchkin who provides shelter for Dorothy
Dorothy Gale
Dorothy Gale is the protagonist of many of the Oz novels by American author L. Frank Baum, and the best friend of Oz's ruler Princess Ozma. Dorothy first appears in Baum's classic children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reappears in most of its sequels...
on her journey to the Emerald City
Emerald City
The Emerald City is the fictional capital city of the Land of Oz in L. Frank Baum's Oz books, first described in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
. While the novel initially depicts Dorothy meeting only three Munchkins when she meets the Good Witch of the North
Good Witch of the North
The Good Witch of the North is a fictional character in the Land of Oz, created by American author L. Frank Baum. She is the elderly and mild-mannered Ruler of the Gillikin Country...
, there is a small party at Boq's mansion (consisting of his closest friends and five fiddlers) celebrating the witch's demise that welcomes Dorothy as guest of honor. Boq waits upon her himself, offering her fruit, nuts, cakes, and pies. He is also the one who informs her that only witches and sorceresses wear white, and that combined with Munchkin blue in her gingham dress, this implies to them that she is a friendly witch. He tells Dorothy that he has never been to the Emerald City and does not know exactly how far away that it is, for he believes that one should never go there unless one has business with the great Oz.
In Wicked, Boq is a Munchkin
Munchkin
The Munchkins are the natives of the fictional Munchkin Country in the Oz books by L. Frank Baum. They first appeared in the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, in which they are described as being somewhat short of stature, and wear only blue...
who attends Shiz University with Elphaba
Elphaba
Elphaba Thropp is a fictional character in Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, as well as in the Broadway and West End adaptations, Wicked. In the original L. Frank Baum book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is unnamed and little...
and Galinda (who would grow up to become The Wicked Witch of the West
Wicked Witch of the West
The Wicked Witch of the West is a fictional character and the most significant antagonist in L. Frank Baum's children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
and Glinda the Good Witch respectively). In the musical adaptation of Wicked (but not in Baum's or Maguire's books), Boq becomes the Tin Woodman
Tin Woodman
The Tin Woodman, sometimes referred to as the Tin Man or the Tin Woodsman , is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum...
.
Boq in the novel Wicked
In Maguire's novel, Boq has very little interaction with NessaroseNessarose
Nessarose Thropp is the name of the woman who becomes the Wicked Witch of the East in Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, as well as in the Broadway adaptation, Wicked...
, and while he does fancy Galinda, he does not become involved with either girl. Boq narrates a whole section of the book in the Shiz University section of the novel. However, Boq befriends Elphaba, as they were childhood playmates, and assists her in doing research for Doctor Dillamond. Boq becomes friends with Crope, Tibbett, and Avaric, although he appears to be jealous of Avaric, due to his good looks, charm, and money. His infatuation with Galinda, which never comes to more than a brief kiss, gradually lifts and they become friends. Boq eventually marries Milla, one of Galinda's classmates at Crage Hall. The two wed and return to Boq's Munchkindland farm. Elphaba encounters Boq not long after Nessarose's funeral, as she inquires after Dorothy, and again after her assault on Madame Morrible.
Boq in the musical Wicked
In the musical, Boq is the love interest of Elphaba's younger sister, NessaroseNessarose
Nessarose Thropp is the name of the woman who becomes the Wicked Witch of the East in Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, as well as in the Broadway adaptation, Wicked...
(who would later become The Wicked Witch of the East
Wicked Witch of the East
The Wicked Witch of the East is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum in his Oz series of books....
). However, the feeling is not mutual; Boq only became involved with Nessarose in hopes of impressing Galinda, on whom he truly has his heart set. Unfortunately, Galinda has so little regard for him that she cannot remember his name (calling him Biq). When Nessarose eventually becomes the governor of Munchkinland
Munchkin Country
Munchkin Country is the Eastern region in the fictional Land of Oz in L. Frank Baum's Oz books, first described in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In Wizard it was originally called "the land of Munchkins", and "Munchkin Country" in all subsequent Oz books...
, she uses her power to enslave Boq as her personal servant. When Boq confesses his love for Glinda, Nessarose becomes extremely angry with him. At that point, she casts a spell on him from Elphaba's spell book, the Grimmrie, but mispronounces it. This causes Boq's heart to shrink until it is completely gone. In a desperate attempt to save Boq's life, Elphaba turns Boq into the Tin Woodman
Tin Woodman
The Tin Woodman, sometimes referred to as the Tin Man or the Tin Woodsman , is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum...
. Unlike in the novel, Boq plays a considerably condensed role in the stage production.
In the original Broadway production, he was played by Christopher Fitzgerald
Christopher Fitzgerald (actor)
Christopher Cantwell Fitzgerald is an American actor, singer, mime, clown, juggler, and acrobat. He is best known for his role as Boq in the musical Wicked and his role of Igor in Young Frankenstein, for which he earned Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and Tony Award...
.
Other notable actors to star in the role include Randy Harrison
Randy Harrison
Randolph Clarke Harrison is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Justin Taylor on the Showtime drama Queer as Folk.-Early life and college:...
and Robb Sapp
Robb Sapp
Robb Sapp is an American actor and singer who has appeared in musicals, both on Broadway and Off-Broadway as well as in regional theatre.-Early life:...
(Broadway), James Gillan
James Gillan
James Gillan may refer to:*James Angus Gillan, see Angus Gillan, Scottish rower, gold medallist at the 1908 and 1912 Olympics*James Gillan , Scottish actor...
, Jeremy Legat and George Ure (West End) and Anthony Callea
Anthony Callea
Anthony Cosmo Callea is an Australian singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in the 2004 season of Australian Idol when he became runner up. He was signed to Sony Music Australia until 2009 and is now an independent artist...
(Australia).