If you asked me to name all the musicals I’ve heard of, I could probably only name two — Wicked and Hamilton. As someone who knows nothing about theater, I still know how important Wicked is to the musical theatre community. Take it from Broken Box: 

“There are so many good parts,” Broken Box member senior Sawyer Eaton said. “I really liked the song Popular and the pink lighting at the end of it where the entire hallway was lit up. The costumes were so cool and unique, and I really loved Glinda’s dresses.” 

“I really analyze shows from a technical perspective,” Assistant Technical Director senior Nathan Coleman said. “I really like how the movie is designed. They did their best to stay true to the Broadway show, and you should really see that in the set, lighting, and musical aspects.”

Although it is a staple today, when the Broadway production of Wicked released in theaters in 2003, it was groundbreaking. When Broken Box adviser Lisa Battle first saw it in college, she was stunned.

“When I watched it, I was so floored by the concept of two leading ladies that loved each other,” Battle said. “The idea of two leading women’s love for each other through the ups and downs of their friendship and their constant support was something that we had never seen before on Broadway.”

“Wicked was the first musical I ever saw,” senior Sawyer Eaton said. “I was seven so I don’t remember much, but I remember thinking it was so cool.”

Prior to Wicked, women in major Broadway shows only existed in the context of men.

“Even the main ladies were defined by their relationships to the leading men,” Battle said. “It’s like what can you do to enhance the plot of the leading man? How much do you love the leading man?”

In a traditionally misogynistic sphere, Wicked finally represents women as multidimensional characters.

“It’s no secret that theater can be sexist and toxic, but in Wicked, the women were complicated,” Battle said. “They betrayed each other, they loved each other, the dude was just an afterthought. They actually stand alone and have their own plot, and as a young woman who grew up in theater it meant so much to me.”

Many members think the Wicked movie will further help bring musical theater into the mainstream. 

“Wicked is a famous musical, but the movie will help bring it to an even bigger audience,” Broken Box member senior Parker McCabe said. “It’s nice because a lot of people get to know more about theater, and it’s nice to see other people appreciate something that you enjoy.”

“Wicked is just such a fun movie,” Sawyer said. “Seeing theater on a screen is such a cool experience, and everybody should go to watch it.”