Boq
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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, 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 Munchkinlander serving who provides shelter for Dorothy on her journey to the Emerald City.
In Wicked, Boq is a munchkin who attends school at Shiz University with Elphaba and Galinda (who would grow up to become The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch respectively).
[edit] Wicked The Musical
In the musical, he is the love interest of Elphaba's younger sister, Nessarose (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, whom he truly has his heart set on. Unfortunately for him, though, Galinda disregards him so much that she cannot remember his name (calling him Bick). When Nessarose eventually becomes the governor of Munchkinland, she uses her power to enslave Boq as her personal servant. When trying to cast a spell that would make him fall in love with her, she accidentally causes his heart to stop and vanish completely. In a desperate attempt to save Boq's life, Elphaba turns Boq into the Tin Woodsman. Unlike in the novel, Boq play's quite a condensed role in the staged production.
He was originally played by Christopher Fitzgerald. He is currently played by Logan Lipton in the New York production.
[edit] Book
In both the Wicked novel and Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Boq and the Tin Man are separate characters.
In Maguire's novel, Boq has very little interaction with both Nessarose and Galinda, and while he does fancy Galinda, he essentially does not become involved with either. 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. Boq assists Elphaba in doing research for Doctor Dillamond. Boq becomes friends with Crope, Tibbett, and Avaric. Boq appears to be jealous of Avaric, due to his good looks, charm, and money. Boq also is in love with Miss Galinda of the Arduennas. She pushes him off, but he kisses her over the Summer. His infatuation lifts and they become friends. As the time goes onward, Boq marries Miss Milla (another school-mate who plays a minor role.) Boq changes near the end of the book, in a way turning on Elphaba.
