The Wicked Witch of the West, also known as Elphaba Thropp, is a prominent character in the book "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire. This novel is a retelling of the famous "The Wizard of Oz" story from the perspective of the Witch. Elphaba is depicted as a complex and misunderstood character, challenging the traditional image of the Wicked Witch. She is born with green skin and is often ostracized and ridiculed because of her appearance. Despite facing discrimination, Elphaba is highly intelligent and politically driven, advocating for the rights of Animals, sentient beings in the Land of Oz. Throughout the novel, Elphaba's story intertwines with other iconic characters from "The Wizard of Oz," such as Glinda the Good Witch and the scarecrow.
While running your team name by others in your league is unnecessary, it can be fun to bounce ideas off each other and get suggestions for your team name.
While running your team name by others in your league is unnecessary, it can be fun to bounce ideas off each other and get suggestions for your team name. Striking the perfect balance between these elements can elevate your team s identity in the eyes of your fellow league members and inject some fun into the competition.
Throughout the novel, Elphaba's story intertwines with other iconic characters from "The Wizard of Oz," such as Glinda the Good Witch and the scarecrow. With these encounters, the book explores themes of friendship, identity, power, and the corrupting influence of authority. As the story progresses, Elphaba's alliance with a religious sect known as the Clock of the Time Dragon leads her on a path of resistance against the oppressive rule of the Wizard of Oz.
Mascot Mandate: Has the Original Rocky Retired From the Denver Nuggets?
For decades, Rocky, the mountain-lion mascot of the Denver Nuggets, has amazed fans with his awesomeness. Spunky and acrobatic, Rocky always hypes up the crowd, entertaining kids and adults alike with his half-court shots and epic dance moves and skits.
In fact, Rocky was recently named the NBA's best mascot in a survey of 1,500 basketball fans.
But even though the Nuggets mascot is still a crowd-pleaser, he seems somehow different these days: He doesn't have quite the same mannerisms, doesn't exude quite the same vibes. And as a result, fans have been talking on social media, asking whether this is the same Rocky they've applauded for more than three decades.
Rocky was born in the Rocky Mountains on December 15, 1990, with former Utah State University college mascot Kenn Solomon, who'd interned at the Rocky Mountain News that year, inside the original "preposterous puma" get-up.
"Rocky, outfitted in a black suit with yellow lightning bolts, danced around the court to the beat of 'Soul Man' and performed one gymnastics routine, jumping successfully off a trampoline over three Nuggets ballboys, even though he landed flat on his lightning bolt tail," a Denver Post writer reported.
Carl Scheer, the Nuggets president at the time, discussed the choice of Solomon to play Rocky with the Post reporter. "I don't like to go overboard on draft picks or players," he said. "But this kid is a future star in this business."
And he sparkled for over thirty years. Solomon was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2008 , and a scary moment in 2013, when an equipment malfunction caused Rocky to lose consciousness while being lowered to the court by a rope, went on to inspire a hilarious meme.
But has Solomon now stepped aside? At the beginning of November, Solomon posted pictures of himself standing on the court at Ball Arena after a recent Nuggets game.
A friend wrote: "That's awesome. So cool to see you in Street clothes at a Nugget game. I hope you are enjoying retirement- what is next?"
Solomon responded: "Still roaming the games a bit but more Kickboxing now at my gym in Littleton and other business! Oh and more playing!!"
The evidence that Solomon has retired as Rocky doesn't end there. Back in mid-June, one of Solomon's sons, Cade, who works for the Denver Nuggets and makes sure the mascot is always in the right place at the right time, posted a tribute on Facebook to the man who'd worn the Rocky suit 31 years:
"I will always cherish the memories we've made not only in the arena but in the community and around the world. Growing up, he taught us so much on and off the court, showing his hard work and dedication but most of all he taught us to always have fun! He has an amazing ability to make people smile in and out of costume, he is a true hero to my family and his fans. You will always be looked up to for the impact you have on the NBA!"
Kenn Solomon has two other sons. One of them, Garett Solomon, works for the Detroit Pistons, according to his Facebook profile. A February 2020 article in The Athletic, co-authored by the Nuggets and Pistons beat writers for the publication, reported that the man inside the Rocky costume at that time was the father of the man inside the costume of Hooper, the mascot for the Pistons. Like father, like son.
"The men who perform as Rocky and Hooper are believed to be the first father-and-son mascot duo in NBA history. Their story is largely unknown to the public because of the strict code of secrecy the mascot world demands. But with assurances their identities would be sealed, both men agreed to speak with The Athletic and share how their unique, anonymous trade became a family business," The Athletic reported.
That business is strong: Solomon's third son, Drake, has worked for the Nuggets for years, including a stint as one of the entertainers who dunks from a trampoline during breaks in play.
So when Kenn Solomon started considering retirement, the Nuggets wouldn't have to look far for his replacement.
While a father-son mascot story could be a PR winner for a sports team, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, the company that owns the Nuggets, declines to discuss whether one of Solomon's sons has replaced him as Rocky.
"It is our approach not to discuss the person in the suit for Rocky, Bernie, Woolly or Rapid Man. The character of Rocky remains the same," says Kroenke's Declan Bolger.
Kenn Solomon has also declined to comment on his mascot status.
Fans will have to decide for themselves whether Rocky has passed the torch. The next opportunity for fans to do so will be the Nuggets vs. Bucks game at 7 p.m. Friday, November 26, at Ball Arena.
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Conor McCormick-Cavanagh is a former staff writer at Westword, where he covered a range of beats, including local politics, immigration and homelessness. He previously worked as a journalist in Tunisia and loves to talk New York sports; he now lives in upstate New York.
These names have been popular choices among NFL fans for years due to their clever wordplay, humor, and references to popular culture or players within the league. As you prepare your fantasy football lineup for the 2023 season, consider choosing one of these classic team names to keep your company entertained and engaged throughout the season!
This rebellion adds depth to the complex character as Elphaba grapples with her own motivations and the consequences of her actions. By delving into Elphaba's backstory and offering a different perspective, Maguire presents readers with a more nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West. Through Elphaba's struggles, the novel raises questions about the nature of good and evil, challenging the simplistic dichotomy presented in the original story. Overall, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" provides readers with a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of morality and the consequences of our actions. It offers a fresh and compelling take on the iconic character, allowing readers to see beyond the popular caricature and understand the motivations and struggles of the Wicked Witch..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch of the West Wickes: A Mythical Figure with Modern Relevance"
1. Jane - 1 star - I had high hopes for "Wicked Witch of the West Wickes," but I left the show feeling incredibly disappointed. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters lacked depth and development. The acting was mediocre at best, and I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters. Overall, the production fell flat and failed to live up to its potential.
2. Mark - 2 stars - "Wicked Witch of the West Wickes" had an interesting concept, but the execution was far from impressive. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the pacing was painfully slow. The set design was lackluster and didn't add much to the overall experience. While there were a few moments of humor, they were overshadowed by the overall lack of cohesion in the story. Unfortunately, this show failed to live up to the hype.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Wicked Witch of the West Wickes" to be a complete waste of time and money. The acting was amateurish, and the performances lacked emotion and depth. The costumes were cheap-looking, and it seemed like no effort was put into the production design. The plot was convoluted and confusing, and it was hard to stay engaged throughout the show. Overall, this was a disappointing and forgettable experience that I would not recommend to anyone.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Wicked Witch of the West Wickes" had potential, but it failed to deliver a compelling story or memorable performances. The script felt cliché and predictable, and the characters lacked depth and complexity. The staging and choreography were uninspiring, and I found myself growing bored as the show progressed. Ultimately, this production was forgettable and did not leave a lasting impact.