What's with all of the teens obsessed Wicked and RENT!?

Sometimes it isn't a matter of 'what is better,' but instead how appealing something is. Wicked has catchy music and a simple, lovable story for people who might not be into musicals. Rent is a musical that people aren't ashamed to say they like if they also are not a fan of musicals. They are very marketable and have widespread appeal to most people.

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It is a rather dumb question. The first answer is the simple fact of the Age of people when I show they like opens. The same thing happened when Grease opened, the same with Hair. A lot of your "Rent" obsessed fans are now 25-30 years old. But both Rent and Wicked are the types of shows that will always have that teen appeal. Which to be quite honest is a good thing. To get the next generation passionate about theate because of a single show is great. It makes shows like Rent and Wicked even more important to the continued history of Broadway and Musical Theatre.

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Some will only see Wicked on Rent...but for many Wicked and or Rent is going to be their introduction to theate, they will love the show, obsess about the show, and go see more shows because they are looking for another show to love. The majority of teenagers will do something again if they like it the first time, thus if they like Wicked they may go see Lion King next time or Hairspray or something in at the professional regional theatre.

The same theory actually works with adults as well. Regional theatre's all of the country will find what their audience loves put that in the schedule with what the Artistic Director wants and use a specific show or style of show to bait in new audience members. It's all about audience development. I will salute any show that brings in young theatregoers

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Lizzie is right. There is a difference between obsession and not willing to see anything else. I am 17 and a passionate theatre lover. I had seen Rent when I was about nine and hated it then. I saw it agan about a year ago and LOVED it. So I had seen it a BUNCH of times since. But, there is a difference between loving one particular show and not being willing to see anything else. Also, it seems that the RENT teenyboppers started to pop up when the movie came out and have started to come ever since then.


As for wicked. I don't think you can say that it's successful cus it has a fan base. That in my mind is only a small part of it. Keep in mind that the show sells tickets for 110 bucks a pop. i don't think the average teenager has that kind of money to blow on a broadway show.

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I wasn't saying that all Wicked and Rent fans didn't know anything about musical theatre.

I meant to direct this toward the ones who go to see nothing but these two shows. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear in my original post.

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Seeing as I am a Wicked obsessed teen I will answer!

I find the plot very engaging, characters very relateable, and kick butt music!

It isn't by far the only show I love though... I am also obsessed with Les Miz, Hairspray, Chicago, The Wedding Singer, The Drowsy Chaperone, Tarzan, Beauty and the Beast almost equally! Wicked just happens to be my favourite show! = ) Go to a WICKED fan board thing such as www.witchesofoz.com and you'll see that WICKED fans do love more than just Wicked! = )

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Oh geez...not again.

For me Wicked was really the gateway into musical theatre. I had a friend 2 years ago at school talking about it. I got the cd and became obsessed. Then I saw the movie of the Phantom of the opera and had to see it live. I saw it in Cincinnati and it just blew me away. Then I started listening to new shows such as Rent, Hairspray. Then I began to really dig into musical theatre and started on Les Mis, Chicago, My Fair Lady, and then when I was introduced to Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music then was in it, I was just gone! Then Sweeney Tood and Wicked was just my gateway into this musical theatre World!

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I applaud you, ilovemegan.
Yes, I am obsessed as well, but I like other shows...

I am not a teen, but I do happen to love Wicked and Rent. However, I think many of you are missing a crucial point. Obviously, something about these two musicals speak to kids of this age. I'm not saying they speak ONLY to teens; I feel like many of the themes in this musical are universal . Both of the shows have stories focusing on people that are different from those around them or different than what people consider "normal." They both focus on the importance of good friends and unconditional love. They also focus on the consequence of actions and choices in one's life. I am assuming that the majority of these teen fans are female. Both shows have strong, young, unique female characters.

When I find something that moves me or that I relate, I know I love to experience that feeling over and over again. Usually, this DOES expand into an appreciation for theatre in general. The teens might see another show to follow a favorite star and find something else they love.

There does come a point when it will get old. It won't mean as much, or they will find something else they relate to more. However, there will always be another group of teeny boppers discovering these shows.

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You're assuming "obsession" means "see nothing but."

This isn't always the case.

I was just about to say that. I definitely like both of these shows, in fact, they were the first two shows I loved. I don't like either of them quite as much anymore, but I owe them a lot. They introduced me into theater, and I listen to all kinds of other things now. They both speak to people of my age, and thats why teens like them.

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Nothing like today's shows. The 70's were so awful.


- HELL! I wish I got to live through the original Company, Follies, Night Music, Chicago, Chorus Line, Pacific Ovetures, Sweeney Todd.

Real awful!