"One Short Day" is the ninth song in the musical Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz. The song was written and composed by Stephen Schwartz.
It takes place during the "Emerald City" scene, where the two witches Glinda and Elphaba first go to the City to meet the Wizard. While they're in Emerald City the girls see the show within the show Wizomania starring The Flatheads.
The number includes many different costumes and characters but ultimately ends with the two girls going to meet the wizard. It is known as Nur Ein Tag in the German production, Emerarud Shitii in Japan, and Wat Een Dag in the Dutch production. It is also the opening number to Wicked in Universal Studios Japan. The song has a slide whistle and an acme siren whistle as do other songs in "Wicked".
Set Design[]
The set in this scene is very simple. There is a green "OZ" sign at the back surrounded by other green lights. The cast (except for Glinda and Elphaba) are all dressed in green. When Glinda and Elphaba go to see "Wizomania", the show-within-the show, a green curtain descends from the rafters.
Commentary by Stephen Schwartz (as said in "Wicked The Grimmerie")[]
Stephen Schwartz said that this was the third song written for Wicked. He wanted this to be one of the "fun" songs in the musical. It was supposed to be like "two girls spending a day in Paris".
Lyrics[]
Elphaba:
(spoken) Come with me, to the Emerald City.
Tourists:
One short day
In the Emerald City
Glinda
(spoken) Oh, I've always wanted to see the Emerald City!
Tourists:
One short day
In the Emerald City
One short day
In the Emerald City
One short day
Full of so much to do
Every way
That you look in the city
There's something exquisite
You'll want to visit
Before the day's through
Elphaba:
There are buildings as tall
As Quoxwood trees
Glinda:
Dress salons
Elphaba:
And libraries
Glinda:
Palaces!
Elphaba:
Museums!
Both:
A hundred strong
There are wonders like I've never seen
Glinda:
It's all grand
Elphaba:
And it's all green!
Both:
I think we've found the place
Where we belong
I wanna be
In this hoi polloi
Elphaba:
So I'll be back for good someday
Both:
To make my life and make my way
But for today, we'll wander and enjoy
All:
One short day
In the Emerald City
One short day
To have a lifetime of fun
One short day
Both:
And we're warning the city
Now that we're in here
You'll know we've been here
All:
Before we are done!
Glinda:
(spoken) Elphie, come on. We'll be late for Wizomania!
Wizomania Chorus:
Who's the mage
Whose major itinerary
Is making all Oz merrier?
Who's the sage
Who's sagely sailed in to save our posteriors
Whose enthuse for hot air ballooning
Has all of Oz honeymooning
Woo - oo - oo
Wiz-n't he wonderful?
Our wonderful Wizard!
Audience (Wizomania Chorus):
One short day (Who's the mage)
In the Emerald City (Whose major itinerary)
One short day (Is making all Oz merrier)
To have a lifetime (Whose the sage who)
Of fun (Sagely sailed in to save)
(Our posteriors)
What a way
To be seeing the city
Both:
Where so many roam to
We'll call it home, too
And then, just like now
We can say
We're just two friends
Elphaba:
Two good friends
Glinda:
Two best friends
All:
Sharing one wonderful
One short
Guard:
(spoken) The Wizard will see you now!
All:
Day!
Videos[]
One Short Day - WICKED the Musical
Show Clip - Wicked - "One Short Day" - Original Cast
Broadway Company of Wicked on the Today Show "One Short Day"
Stephanie J Block and Kendra Kassebaum perform One Short Day on The Tonight Show
London Cast of Wicked - One Short Day