Stereotypes are alive and well in the New York Times:
“Wicked” – which is a prequel and a sequel to “Oz,” both rarities in the theater despite their ubiquity in Hollywood – remains perfectly pitched to teenagers. For that, much credit goes to the book writer, Winnie Holzman, who created the cult 1990’s television series “My So-Called Life,” an unlikely predecessor for “Wicked” that also tapped into a certain kind of teenage angst that seemed refreshingly authentic at the time.
With “Wicked,” she has once again hit upon themes (makeovers, popularity, boys) that obsess girls.
Gee, if only “Wicked” had included tea parties with dolls or had colored everything pink. Or maybe had included a few songs about makeup and hair. Or had more horses – girls like horses, right? Then it would have been even bigger with teen girls!
There is indeed a makeover scene, and a boy, in “Wicked.” But it’s the grand (and yes, angsty) themes of the star-crossed friendship between two strong female characters, and a tragicly misunderstood, doomed main character, that appeals to so many teen girls. (How many modern musicals make a female friendship the center of the plot? Hell, how many even have two strong female characters? I don’t think it’s a puzzle that “Wicked” is more popular with teen girls than other musicals).
The makeover song, “Popular,” is funny and whimsical, and I don’t doubt that a lot of teen girls liked it (I did). But putting “Wicked’s” popularity down to makeovers and boys is a way of trivializing the interests of teen girls. The implication is that teen girls are too scatterbrained and silly to be attracted to themes like tragedy and friendship, even when those themes are obviously at the center of the musical; they must be going to “Wicked” for the makeover scene. Sheesh!
Oh please, Wicked was a hit with girls well before that. When my sister had a band she even put a song in called “Wicked”. It was based on the book, of course, not the musical, and certainly had nothing to do with a makeover scene.
The book “Wicked” is amazing and bring to it strong female characters controlling vast amounts of political power. The women overcome odds of disability and unconventional beauty and manage to help with great social change.
I haven’t seen the musical, but I would like to think young women are smarter than that…
-LMK
I love the music from Wicked. Defying Gravity is definitely the most inspirational song i’ve ever heard of, and it’s a great help to anyone who’s feeling down and out.
Also, broadway is broadway, and this musical was a book before it ever came out. I can’t believe you think this book is just a sham to connect to teenagers. Sure, it’s got the same elements to a teen movie, but in all actuallity, it’s not.
I choose to love it. SO … whatever.
Currently Defying Gravity,
Arlitto Dee
I’ve not seen the musical, but I have heard the music and read the book. The idea that it was somehow written to appeal directly to teenagers is to trivialize the larger themes of the novel (story).
There are some truly philosophical questions tackled in this story. Racism, classism, and the role beauty plays in politics and life. The fact that this revolves around the two strong female characters and that it does in fact deal with a doomed and difficult friendship between the two female leads… to me there is no question that it appeals to teenaged girls more than boys.
Though, in honesty I think that the story itself is a good one for adults to read and mull over.