The release of the new Wicked film has sparked a major uproar on social media, with interviews featuring the cast - particularly Cynthia Erivo, who portrays lead character Elphaba, and Ariana Grande who plays the witty and lively Glinda - going viral. Many of these clips have gained notoriety on Tiktok, and other social media platforms due to both actors bursting into tears in almost every interview on their press tour. While these emotional moments have become a viral comedic trend, I’m curious to explore why, for these actors and the rest of the theatre community, Wicked and other huge Broadway shows have such emotional significance.
Pictured Ariana Grande (left) and Cynthia Erivo (right) "holding space" interview - Image (Vulture Mag - https://www.vulture.com/article/cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-holding-space-defying-gravity.html)
The plot of Wicked revolves around a young green witch, Elphaba, who is consistently overlooked, forcing her to suppress her true powers. Despite this, through an unlikely friendship with the seemingly perfect Glinda, Elphaba learns to defy societal expectations and embrace her true self. Naturally, this grounded storyline, paired with the characters’ growth, resonates deeply with viewers. Therefore, creating a strong connection with its fans.
Many might assume it’s the incomparable ‘in the moment’ experience of theatre that creates such strong emotional ties, however, the extreme success of the recent film would suggest it’s in fact, more to do with the stories themselves and how they are told through music and spectacle. When we look at musical classics like West Side Story, Les Misérables, and The Phantom of the Opera, we see that they all explore deeply human themes - love, jealousy, and grief - all of which are relatable and profoundly moving.
Though these musicals encompass such grand themes, many tend to follow the classic “unsung hero” arc. The narrative of the unlikely hero is one of the most enduring storylines in literature and film, with notable mentions like the hobbits of the Shire, Jesse Pinkman, and Jo March - each of which resonates deeply with audiences. This clear trajectory, however, can sometimes be less apparent in more recent films due to their complexity and desire to focus on multiple characters. Theatre, on the other hand, is bound by the limitations of reality in the types of stories it can tell, unlike movies with their limitless CGI and post-production editing.
Original Wicked Broadway cast (2003) Idina Menzel (left) Kristin Chenoweth (right), Image (the Entertainment Weekly ) - https://ew.com/tv/2018/09/27/kristin-chenoweth-idina-menzel-wicked-concert-nbc/
Thus, for musicals, this arc remains the foundation of many shows’ stories. There is always that one character who receives the loudest applause at the end of the performance, the character with all of the major hits - who is almost always an unsung hero. In Wicked, that character is, of course, Elphaba. As Samuel French writes for Medium: ‘Many a musical champions an unlikely protagonist, but in exploring the unusual, a cult musical goes one step further in propelling the oddest of characters to the rank of hero.’
Wicked, while following this classic character arc, actually tells a fairly straightforward story. There’s no ambiguity about who is good or bad, no complex endings that require complex analysis, and no completely unexpected plot twists. To an extent, what you see is what you get. This simplicity is likely why fans find it so easy to connect with the clear messages of the story and the strong role models it presents.
The songs, dance and witty moments in musicals provide consistent, light-hearted entertainment that complements a less complex yet incredibly strong and clear plot. In addition, indulging in the song and dance of it all, just makes us feel good, leaving us feeling positive about the moral of the tale and with a desire to revisit the story.
Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked pt1 (2024) Image (Cosmopolitan) - https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a62938358/wicked-elphaba-fiyero-galinda-love-triange-essay/
The transparency of emotions and boldness of lively dance seem to bleed into the “theatre kid” culture of bursting into song. This may also explain why some cinemas have begun issuing warnings to viewers singing during the singing along to the film - though Erivo challenged this, stating that people should sing along. Then, when asked about the emotion she was expressing in her interviews she provided a clear answer, simply stating: “theatre kids”.
In short, musicals have a humble yet powerful simplicity. Much like old fairy tales, their plots are designed to convey a message, and the journey along the way should just be fun. In a maze of darker themed documentaries, dystopian sci-fi'+s, and endless low emotion action films, it is no surprise that Wicked’s refreshing, positive tale has been such a success.
So, whether you’re a theatre kid or just enjoyed watching the film, it’s heartening to see the classic unsung hero trope brought to life once more on screen. With the loyal theatre fanbase, we can rest assured that the success of the film won’t diminish the success of the stage show. With any luck, it will only contribute to its popularity.
Here's to holding space for the underdog this festive season.
Edited by Charlotte Lewis
Tracey E Gilchrist in the "Holding Space" interview - https://www.vulture.com/article/wicked-holding-space-interview-journalist.html
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