When Stories Bind Us, For Good

“I continue to find it amazing how much people are going crazy over a movie that is based on a play that opened 22 years ago that is based on a book that was published 30 years ago that was based on a movie that premiered 86 years ago that was based on a book that was published 125 years ago.” – Facebook Comment 

Author Gregory McGuire’s work revealed entirely new ideas about the themes behind The Wizard of Oz and all the hidden stories woven within. When L. Frank Baum’s story first made its way into theatres, the lessons were simple and comforting. However, in Wicked, McGuire pulled back the veneer of the characters, creating continuously evolving thoughts in readers (and now, viewers) about respecting the value of every creature, the meaning of friendship and the strength of family ties. 

Across the world, homes have been transformed into mini-recording studios featuring an age-defying immersion spurred on by Hamilton, Wicked, and K-Pop Demon Hunters. At a time in history when no one can agree on anything, how is it that these musical theatre sensations have nudged the needle toward a solid universal movement? 

Lin-Manuel Miranda says he was inspired to create Hamilton, An American Musical, by the writing of Ron Chernow, who made the facts and connections so vivid that he knew it was a story that had to be told: a backstory behind the textbook story that all Americans needed to know intimately. The lyrics, dialogue, and soundtrack created an invitation to a new kind of theatre audience. The story offered a look into America as we would all want it to be, by using names and moments in our history that we have long been aware of, but presented in a way that encouraged pride and inspiration. 

The world is now rocking to the sounds of K-Pop Demon Hunters, who have used the sacred folklore of South Korea to teleport hundreds of thousands of young viewers into a land with which they are unfamiliar. They now want to know more about the country, the beliefs of the people, and the meaning behind the symbolism they experience in the movie. They want to connect with the storyline that encourages them to stand together for friendship, love, and honor. It absolutely is about good vs evil, but opens the door to an understanding that for most of us, the battle goes on within, albeit on differing scales. In other words, it is possible to be as good as we can be—something that is easier for some than for others. 

Certainly, Wicked and Wicked for Good have created a commercial phenomenon that has never been seen. But is the message getting through to the audiences that are prepared to return to Oz time and again to relive the story? 

“I feel like people can connect to something that transcends them beyond what is happening, wherever they may live in the world. Everyone can relate to feeling like an outsider like Elphaba, or hurting someone else’s feelings because you were trying to be cool with your friends. And at this moment in history, there is so much division in the world that it’s nice that you can walk into a department store and there’s a teenager, an older adult, and an 8-year-old, all shopping for the same merchandise,” says Shayna Amato, an actress and mother of three who lives in New England. We attend many professional, regional, and community productions together. To our conversation on this subject, she adds, “Art and more specifically, musical theatre are places where people can connect in a shared experience.” 

Having the ability to examine situations from all perspectives of the story provides viewers the confidence to side with a character as they make the decisions that lead to their destiny. Theatre allows you to spin the world in 360°, analyzing what the characters think, feel, and the reasoning behind their decisions. Sitting in the theatre, What about ‘we can agree with their decisions or not, based on ….’ their decisions based on what we’ve seen and the experiences we’ve had in our own lives. We grow confident that those who “deserve” the happy ending will reach their goal because they have made the choices that make it so. We, as audience members, then experience that shared happiness knowing that we have been a part of making all the wrongs “right” again. 

For some of us, this may be the only time we have that experience. Having all the information allows the path to happiness to become accessible. It is then that we believe it is possible, and we all “collectively” let the tears flow as we sense the connection in the audience with each other. That is the power of theatre. It connects us all. For good.