Some musical theater videos are exciting because they show one great performance.
Others are exciting because they feel like a whole celebration.
This Wicked 20th anniversary version of “Defying Gravity” is one of those big celebration moments.
The song is already one of the most famous musical theater numbers of the last 25 years. Fans know the build. They know the big notes. They know the feeling of Elphaba finally stepping into her power.
But this version adds something special.
It brings together the history, emotion, and fan love behind Wicked in one powerful performance. It feels like a thank-you to everyone who has loved the show, sung the song, or felt seen by Elphaba’s story.
That is what makes this video such a perfect fit for Big City Broadway.
It is not just a song. It is a full-on theater moment.
Watch “Defying Gravity” From Wicked’s 20th Anniversary Celebration
Why This Wicked Anniversary Performance Feels So Powerful
This clip works because “Defying Gravity” already carries so much meaning.
In Wicked, this is the moment when Elphaba stops trying to fit into the world other people built for her. She chooses her own path. She accepts that people may misunderstand her. She rises anyway.
That is why the song has stayed so popular.
It is not only about flying.
It is about freedom.
It is about courage.
It is about deciding that you are done making yourself smaller.
In this 20th anniversary version, that message feels even bigger. After two decades of Wicked, the song is not just Elphaba’s anthem anymore. It has become an anthem for fans too.
How “Defying Gravity” Became a Musical Theater Anthem
Some Broadway songs are famous because they are catchy.
“Defying Gravity” is famous because it feels like a personal victory.
The song starts with pressure, fear, and conflict. Then it grows. The music rises. The energy builds. The choice becomes clear. By the end, Elphaba is not asking for permission anymore.
She is claiming her own story.
That is the kind of moment musical theater does so well.
A character reaches a breaking point. Ordinary speech is not enough. So the song takes over.
That is why people come back to this number again and again. They may not be green. They may not have a broom. They may not live in Oz. But they understand the feeling of wanting to rise above what others expect of them.
The Fan Reaction Shows Why Wicked Still Matters
One of the best things about this video is how strongly fans respond to it.
People share it because it feels empowering. Some viewers talk about watching it on repeat. Others describe it as the kind of performance that gives them chills or makes them feel ready to face the day.
That reaction makes sense.
“Defying Gravity” is the kind of song that can meet people in many different places. For one fan, it may feel like a coming-of-age anthem. For another, it may feel like a song about standing up for yourself. For someone else, it may simply be a thrilling Broadway showstopper with one of the biggest endings in modern musical theater.
That is the beauty of it.
The song gives people room to bring their own story to it.
The Broadway Magic Behind the Big Moment
This performance works because it understands the size of the song.
“Defying Gravity” cannot be tossed off casually. It needs build. It needs focus. It needs that feeling that something major is happening right now.
That is what gives the clip its theater energy.
A great musical number is not just about the final note. It is about the climb. The audience has to feel each step. The hesitation. The decision. The lift. The release.
By the time the song reaches its highest point, the viewer is ready to rise with it.
That is why this number hits so hard, even on a screen.
For a few minutes, the video becomes more than a performance. It becomes a shared moment of lift-off.
Why Wicked Fans Still Love Elphaba’s Big Choice
Elphaba is one of musical theater’s most beloved characters because she is complicated.
She is smart, strong, emotional, and often treated unfairly. She wants to do the right thing, even when the world around her twists the truth. She is not perfect, but she is brave.
“Defying Gravity” is the moment when all of that comes together.
She stops waiting to be accepted.
She stops trying to explain herself to people who refuse to listen.
She chooses to fly.
That choice is why the song has lasted for so long. It gives audiences a clear, thrilling image of self-belief. Even if the story is set in a fantasy world, the feeling is very real.
What to Watch For in the Performance
When you watch the clip, pay attention to the build.
“Defying Gravity” is not only about the ending. The early moments matter just as much. Listen to how the music gathers energy. Watch how the mood shifts from uncertainty to power.
Also notice the way the song keeps raising the stakes.
Each section feels bigger than the last. That is what makes the final lift so exciting. The song earns its big finish because it has taken the audience on a journey first.
And of course, listen for the big release.
That final stretch is what fans wait for. It is the moment when everything opens up and the song becomes a true Broadway showstopper.
Why This Wicked Clip Belongs on Big City Broadway
Big City Broadway celebrates musical moments wherever they appear.
Sometimes that means a Broadway stage. Sometimes it means a movie musical, a concert, a live TV special, or an anniversary performance that brings years of fan love into one video.
This Wicked clip belongs here because it shows why musical theater can stay with people for decades.
It has a powerful song.
It has a beloved character.
It has a message that still feels fresh.
And it gives casual viewers an easy way into the world of Broadway. You do not need to know every detail of Wicked to understand why this song matters. You just need to feel the moment when Elphaba decides she is done being held down.
That is the good stuff.
A Wicked Anniversary Performance Worth Watching Again
This 20th anniversary version of “Defying Gravity” is worth watching because it is bold, emotional, and full of theater power.
It celebrates one of Broadway’s biggest modern songs.
It also reminds us why Wicked has meant so much to so many people for so long. At its heart, this is a song about courage. It is about rising higher than fear. It is about finding the strength to become who you are meant to be.
Watch the video above, enjoy the lift, and see why “Defying Gravity” still sends Wicked fans flying.