Immerse yourself as we delve into the dynamic tapestry of relationships and identities in the Broadway sensation, “Wicked”. This isn’t just an exploration of the captivating interplay between Fiyero, Glinda, and Elphaba, but also a toast to the groundbreaking casting of Alexandra Billings, a renowned stage veteran and the first openly transgender actress to step […]
Blog Post #6 – Reimagining Green
Elphaba’s brilliantly green skin isn’t just a clever plot device in the musical “Wicked” – it’s a powerful allegory for race. It colors her journey (quite literally) and impacts her experiences, highlighting intersectionality, the fluidity of racial categories, and institutionalized racism in a deeply resonating way. Green as the Intersection Intersectionality is a concept that […]
Blog Post #5 – Unfair Dehumanization of Animals in Oz
In Stephen Schwartz’s acclaimed musical ‘Wicked’, a tale of social stratification unfolds that is as thought-provoking as it is enchanting. Using the vibrant and magical Land of Oz as its backdrop, ‘Wicked’ presents societal structures that strongly resonate with our world’s inequality. Underneath the grandeur of magic and song, ‘Wicked’ tackles real-world social issues, including […]
Blog Post #4 – Green Skin, Magical Skills, and Social Dynamics: Elphaba’s Cultural Journey in ‘Wicked’
For this week’s blog post, I have chosen to analyze the song “The Wizard and I”, from the renowned musical ‘Wicked.’ This piece provides a vivid illustration of the sociological concepts we’ve been studying, particularly those pertaining to norms, culture, and counterculture. “Did that really just happen?Have I actually understood?This weird quirk I’ve tried to […]
Blog Post #3 – The Wizard’s Experiments: Unpacking Research Ethics in ‘Wicked’
The narrative fabric of musical theater offers more than just captivating performances; it opens up unique perspectives on societal issues. Let’s delve into the complex storyline of ‘Wicked,’ the critically acclaimed prequel to ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ and use its rich narrative to dissect the sociological concept of research ethics. Central to ‘Wicked’s plot is […]
Blog Post #2 – Defying Gravity, Class Consciousness, and Rationalization
In this week’s blog post, we soar into the world of Oz, as depicted in the musical ‘Wicked,’ to explore the themes of class consciousness and rationalization. Inspired by the powerful quote “Defying Gravity,” we delve into the sociological dynamics of Oz and draw connections to the concepts covered in our course. By analyzing the […]
Blog Post #1 – Come With Me to the Emerald City
Hi all! My name is Jordan (he/him) and I am a second-year double major in Environmental Studies, on the Communication and Planning Track, and Interdisciplinary Studies on the Diversity Studies Leadership Track. I have a pretty diverse set of interests and hobbies ranging from social justice organizing to competing in the Pokémon Trading Card game […]