Why Every Queer Person Should Watch Wicked (The Musical)

By Rebecca Thompson

We all know the story of Dorothy in Oz... but how much do you know about the Wicked Witch Of The West? Could you even tell me her name?

(Spoiler Alert: this may contain some spoilers but I will do my best to make as few as possible!!)

Well, Wicked the Musical tells the story of how Elphaba Thropp became known as the Wicked Witch Of The West and the unlikely friendship between herself and Glinda the Good Witch of The North. Based off of the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch Of The West by Gregory Maguire, it has recently turned 14 on Broadway and 11 on the West End. I became a fan in October 2016, when I saw it on the West End, and I just fell in love with it. It was also such a huge part in triggering the questioning process I went through to realize that I was Bisexual. Because of the characters and themes, it has a fair size LGBTQ+ following, and I don't think it's just because it's a musical. And so, here is why every Queer person should watch Wicked.

One of the themes covered in the musical (and actually even more so in the book), is discrimination. This is explored through the fact that Elphaba is born with green colored skin, and how people treat her because of it (e.g. bullied, made fun of, neglect of love, excluded etc). The fact that this is such a great theme throughout it I think queer people would connect to. People making assumptions and disliking you for being born with something completely out of your control? I think this sounds somewhat... familiar. And I think this is
one of the biggest things that queer people who watch the musical can connect and relate to most.

The biggest reason think the musical 'left a handprint on my heart', was the strong female characters portrayed. First and foremost, Elphaba herself. Right from the first few lines, she has in the show, she is feisty and sarcastic and strong and quick to stand up for herself. Throughout the story, we see vulnerability show through, but we also see her stand up for her beliefs and take action against evil powers conspiring in Oz. She is an incredible character, who shows immense bravery facing everything put to her. She is absolutely
the main reason I fell so head over heels for this show. Then Galinda. The girliest, pinkest, sparkliest, bubbly sweetheart with such emotional bravery and friendship and change. I think her character is the one who changes most throughout the musical, definitely 'for the better'. I think that it's important to everyone to have strong female role models, and these two certainly fit the criteria.

Shipping. Shipping.
Lord... the ones for this musical are beautiful in every way. The story tells of the incredible closeness and friendship created between two very different sorts of people, yet could it be more? The connection between Galinda and Elphaba is so obvious, and for those of us who want to see it, we can see how their bond may span more than friendship. I mean, we see them just become closer and care so much for each other, had they

told us that they loved each other in a romantic way, I don't think it would be surprising to the audience. However, due to a love triangle between the two female protagonists and the main male character, this is a love we never see. It isn't really explored in the book either, however, due to the difference in the story of the book, I think it is much easier to believe in Gelphie (ship name for them) than it is in the musical. I wouldn't be surprised if this is why Wicked has quite the lesbian following. (That and the fact that the women who tend to play these two tend to be actually gorgeous. Like
actually gorgeous).

The song Defying Gravity.
That song is just an entire reason in itself. It's a powerful big song about overcoming what everyone thinks you should be and embracing who you truly are. To 'stop playing by the rules of someone else's game' and just 'close your eyes and leap' you can do anything. I think this song has such meaning behind it to just remind you to love who you are because once you let go of everyone else's opinions of who you are and be you, you can

Defy Gravity. Jump and the net will appear. I am a believer in the fact that this song should be played at every single pride event because of the message. I think the community love it because of its meaning.

This show has changed me, and my life, and helped me through so much, and given me an incredible community of darling fans and truly spectacular role models. If you get the chance, it's more than worth watching.