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Wicked Musical: Oz's Social Influencer & Cancel Culture
16 Mar
Summary
- Musical 'Wicked' is performing in Mumbai until March 29.
- Director highlights social media parallels: Glinda as influencer, Elphaba in cancel culture.
- Live orchestration enhances emotional impact with unique character themes.
The acclaimed musical 'Wicked' is currently captivating audiences in Mumbai, with performances scheduled until March 29 at The Grand Theatre, NMACC. Directed by John Stefaniuk, the show delves into themes of othering, power, and propaganda, which resonate strongly with contemporary society.
Director Stefaniuk draws striking parallels to the modern digital age, portraying Glinda as Oz's first social influencer and Elphaba as a target of cancel culture. He notes that the Wizard's actions stem from a narcissistic desire to reshape society in his image, a tyranny only Elphaba dares to challenge, highlighting the show's core message that even the least popular can change the world.
A significant element of this production is its brand-new live orchestration, a fresh arrangement by composer Stephen Schwartz. This enhances the musical's emotional depth, with distinct musical themes for characters like Glinda and Elphaba, allowing audiences to recognize them through their unique melodies. The performance of "Defying Gravity" at the end of Act One is noted as a particularly challenging yet exhilarating moment, both technically and emotionally.
