Why are teenage girls obsessed with WICKED?- Page 2

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 7:48pm

I tend to like stuff less when it becomes wildly popular like this. I would love to play Elphaba someday, but hearing 12 year olds say the same thing puts me off a lot.

I was a die hard Wizard of Oz fan when I was under the age of 10, this show offers some awsome female roles (one belt, one soprano, which is rare). I also enjoy the music and enjoy the story (some of it is really cheezy though). I miss some of the books dark moments.

But unlike others, I don't like Idina voice very much. I like Kristin's soprano parts and thats it, I find her very annoying otherwise.

And I just hope that the audience is not packed with scary tiny-boppers when I finally see the show.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 7:54pm

And I just hope that the audience is not packed with scary tiny-boppers when I finally see the show.

Steer clear of the stage door. Oy.

Dummy, a) your avatar scares the bejesus out of me, and that's saying a lot. b) You're absolutely right about the lack of political discussion in the show. I haven't read the book yet but the show does not make much of a political statement aside from that minor subplot about animal cruelty, and if we're really stretching it, perhaps a commentary about the ability of those in power to dictate "truth" and "knowledge" to an unsuspecting audience and suppressing the opposition. But I don't think people would think twice about it.

[Yorkie1276]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 7:59pm

In December, I walked past the stage door just as Idina was coming out....SCREAMS! I almost jumped. The yelling, the screaming; girls were crying, for God's sake. I couldn't believe it.

[Dummy]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 7:59pm

Type_A_Tiff: You should see me spin my head around like Linda Blair.

Too bad the politics are watered down, but I suppose you don't want to scare off half your audience. Perhaps the show's popularity will inspire young folks to pick up the book, but I'm not sure exactly where its age-appropriate line begins.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 8:00pm

Tiff, Oh you better believe that I am staying as far away from the Gershwin stage door as possible.


I agree that the story lost something when coming to stage. I like their idea with the various character twists (ie, scarcrow, tinman) but a lot of the show became fluff.

[Broadwayballerina]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 8:01pm

I agree with Type A Tiff. The themes in this show are pretty basic and elementary, and appeal to young girls because they speak directly to them! Not that many shows in the past have been aimed at this younger currently celebrated "tween" generation (which I tend to relate to even though I am nearly 20).

As another member posted, defying gravity is about SO MUCH more than the obvious wicked themes. "And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free." My god, can I tell you the number of times this mantra has pulled me up? It's about being your own person and realizing that if you can control anything, it's your own life. It's such a beautiful metaphor and really hits home in my personal life. Walking around the track this morning, I was running the lyrics through in my head. The show is so simple yet so empowering.

And in terms of screaming fans...it makes sense. Broadway shows aimed at young girls aren't extremely common. This show is a relative pop culture phenomenon...at least in the tri-state area. Girls develop para-social relationships with actresses in relatable roles like this, and guess what. Broadway offers something unusual: accessible stars! I am not gonna lie, I love Idina and frankly can't really explain it.

Updated On: 4/20/05 at 08:01 PM

[stylinbohemian]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 8:07pm

Because it idenitfies with us and its such a great story dealing with women adn their strengths and honestly there arent many musicals with such strong roles for women, plus its an amazing musical with astonishing broadway stars! sry im a teenage girl and sadlyu obsessed with wicked *hangs head in shame* but im obsessed with broadway as well!

[Chlydomnestra]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 8:38pm

Politics were very watered down, as were the dark moments. I have been a huge fan of the book for a long time, and I kept waiting for Liir to show up, or for there to be a little more than the declaration that is "No Good Deed" In the book, Fiyero is definately dead, and it's the defining moment...the psychological break for Elphaba, and she doesn't speak for years, while being cared for by an organized group, which I equate to nuns. Anyway, a lot was lost in the musical, and it is part of the reason it's not my favorite. As for 12 year olds in the audience, they are there, but there was a very wide variety of people there other than the youngsters. I am and have been a professed Idina fan as well as Kristin, but I will not put them on the same pedastal that Ethel, Bernadette, Patti, Carol Channing and the wonderful Carol Burnett are on...the two Witches have not yet earned that. I do think it's funny that most of the girls that "pray" to Idina, aren't even old enough to remember her debut in Rent and have had to search frantically online for clips of Idina as Maureen. Not that it's their fault they were too young, but Idina has been around the block, as has Kristin and this isn't their first musical.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 8:58pm

I think it was pretty clever with Fiyero and the scarecrow..and stuff. Doesn't make MUCH sense, but still does.

And the lack of political themes in the musical is mainly for advertising purposes. You wouldn't take a show that appeals to a young audience and drench it with politics.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:05pm

Wicked is not the best musical ever written. (It should have won the Tony last year but thats for another thread :) )It is not flawless for, in my opinion, no show ever has been and/or probably will be. It's music is addicting. A guilty pleasure. Idina WAS, you must admit very good in it as was Cheno. They both did a lot for women in musical theater. It (a strong and bold representation of women on Broadway) had disapeared for a while and came back in this show brilliantly. The book, in my opinion, is great. It's sharp, witty, clever, humourous, and moving. Winnie Holtzman did a great job here. The technical features of the show, are also phenomenal. The sets, costumes, lights etc are all uniformly wonderful. The staging is a bit messy during the company numbers but works well with less people on the stage.

Anyway, back to the reason why I posted...
--The music attracts most teens because it is chock full of pop ballads (cmon Defying Gravity is pretty great and even more great in person).
--The performances also attracted many teens. Look how much attention these two women have gotten for this show! And even Shosh and J.LA have been getting a lot of attention lately, especially for replacements.
--Then there's also the idea that most teen girls can relate to Elphaba (which is very true).
--The final reason is the undeniable spectacle of the show. It's truly spellbinding.

Updated On: 4/20/05 at 10:05 PM

[Lindy2]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:06pm

I'm just going to add to this list. I'm 18 and love Wicked. I just like it. Hairspray was my first Bway musical, and my favorite until Wicked.

My question is, this isn't the first musical to have this kind of theme. Other musicals such as Hairspray celebrate overcoming obstacles of who you are, etc. Why is Wicked so different?

[Raggy Q poo]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:17pm

I just wanted to say how wonderfully impressed I am with this Wicked thread and people not tearing others heads off

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:19pm

Because people are actually responding intelligently.



Lindy, exactly. That's why I think my 3 previous factors are the major selling points. (Particularly #2 and #3.)

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:48pm

Thank you all. These responses are fascinating to me. I'm especially intrigued about the girls who seem to be drawn not only to the character of Elphaba but Idina Menzel, whereas few people have mentioned the character of Glinda and Kristen Chenoweth.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:51pm

I think that has something to do with the fact that many of these girls don't identify with the pretty, bubbly, popular blonde. They identify with the girl who is different.

[jezzebelle]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:57pm

I agree. It seems your less apt to find teenage girls who identify with the Galinda type. Few young girls have it that easy. Especially considering how absolutely miserable high school can be and some of those people who make h.s so rotten, tend to be the Galinda "type".

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 11:08pm

I believe that the magic in Wicked lies in it's spectacle more than anything. Yes, girls relate to Elphaba but they dont hear about the show by someone saying "You will relate to Elphaba! Go!" or they dont read a summary and say "Oh well Elphaba is an outcast kind of like me...maybe I'll relate to her!". Some may but not most. Most listen to the CD or look at pictures or hear from someone how good it is. They GO for the spectacle but leave with much more than that. They leave with more than they expected to, I believe. Which is another factor. Girls are surprised by how much they can get out of the show personally. Although it may take a while for them to think 'wow, I'm a lot like Elphie", it doesnt take a long time for one to like the show for its magic and spectacle.

[KelRel]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 11:18pm

I think that everyone is right, there are very few of us who don't feel like an outsider at one point or another in our lives. Elphaba is who we all wish we could be- different and difiant about it. She accepts that she is different, and while she admits that it hurts, she moves beyond it and finds love and ultimatly finds her own happily ever after- even though it isn't your typical happily ever after, but then again what about Elphie is typical? there are flaws throughout wicked, but the message is there and it speaks to the heart of any girl who has ever doubted herself or hasn't felt special

[DefyGravity23]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 11:53pm

I think another thing that I don't think anyone has metioned that makes Wicked so appealing is it's relation to the Wizard of Oz. They've taken the characters of wizard of Oz and modernized them and made them into people that the audience can relate to.

As much as I like the wizard of oz (notice I didn't say love) the songs can get a bit irritating after a while, and the characters seem very superficial. Glinda is good, and the Wicked Witch of the West in evil. There's no question about it. Wicked makes us think deeper and completely twists our original opinions of the characters around.

Along with that, Wicked has more catchy and modern music than the Wizard of Oz has. Not to mention a story that teenager girls can completely and utterly relate to. I think about 95% or so of teenage girls have felt like Elphaba very often, if not all the time.

But, one more thing. It is not JUST teenage girls that love this show. I've met so many parents/drama teachers/choir teachers etc that absolutely adore this show. But perhaps thats because us teenage girls have drilled the show into their brains.

[Malice]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 4:21pm

Why limit the thread to teenage girls? What about 30something girls obsessed with Wicked? :)

[Courtney17]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 4:58pm

Personally, I've found it really interesting just how obsessed people are not only with wicked, but particularly with Idina. My 16 year old cousin is completly obsessed and can't even explain why. Anyone care to try?

[bwayrunner22]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 5:09pm

I am obsessed with WICKED and am also a 16 year old. I have currently WICKEDED myself out now but I can't wait to go see it in Chicago. The show hits very close to home for girls who love it and it's awesome to listen to someone sing about the same troubles many of us have and get through them with her friends.

[Sporti2005]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 5:16pm

as a non-wicked-obsessed 16-year-old, i can see why some people might really enjoy it.

it's very user-friendly. it has a LOT of themes that teenage girls can deal with, and it has the allure of the high-belted notes that teenage girls seem to love so much. it's cute, it's pop-ish, it has a love story and some funny lines...

other than that, i would have to say there's subliminal messages in the music.

[jenjenjen]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 7:57pm

There are lots of reasons... it was well publicised - moreso than most other new Broadway shows I think as I live in UK and heard a lot about it.
Idina and Kristen had a lot of teenage fans even before the show.
Also I always find storylines about popularity draw me in (duno y)
And the music is very modern, pop-y musical theatre with singable melodies (speaking as a teenage musical theatre fan, I like songs that I can sing along to the cd or learn myself)
Also theres just something kinda...magical and fantasy about it...

Thinking about it, I think it probably appeals to everyone, but teenage girls are just a more vocal community - when we love something you know about it!

[Kelliexo90]

Posted: 4/23/05 at 8:29pm

I just like it. There really wasn't any specific reason I was so drawn to it. I'm 15 and it was the first show I've seen. I can relate to both Glinda and Elphaba on some levels, but I don't think that it is the reason I like the show. It's just fun and likable, as long as you don't look too far into it and don't compare it to the book. I think I liked the book better, even though I was upset after I read it lol.