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Defying Gravity

Have you ever wondered how Elphaba flies in 'Defying Gravity'? It's a fairly simple effect that requires a telescoping hydraulic lift, lots of black fabric, intense lighting, smoke, and fans.

At the end of the hydraulic lift, there is a platform that Elphaba will stand on. When she runs onto the platform, she backs into a lever that will close a set of arms around her waist (Look at the picture to the left within the yellow box, and you will see the arms). The lift will not rise unless Elphaba backs into the lever.

Once she backs into the lever, a computer knows to start moving the lift (the lift moves forward, and up so it looks like Elphaba is walking towards the guards). Attached to the arms that wrap around Elphaba's waist there is a false skirt (or pieces of fabric) that is made of the exact fabric from Elphaba's costume. It is a little longer than the platform she stands on so you can't see what she's standing on.

The reason why the effect looks so realistic and amazing is because the hydraulic lift is covered with gaint black curtains. But even with the curtains it would be easy to see the mechanics of everything. So thats why they use smoke, fans, and the intense lighting.

The smoke makes it harder to see the arms wrapped around Elphaba's waist, and the part of the lift behind her back (another reason why Elphaba must where a cape). Smoke is also used to intensify the lights forming a vortex of lights around Elphaba.

Did you ever notice that the lights remain on Elphaba's torso until she sings "AHHH!"? There's a reason for it. You aren't supposed to see below her torso because that would take away from the ending of the song when you can see Elphaba levitating over the stage. Fans are used to mix up the line where the curtain stops and where the false skirt starts, because they are blowing together, giving the image of one giant curtain.

If you really aren't understanding this you can watch a demonstation on the links page under Videos.