Critics at Large | The New Yorker
Episode: After “Wicked,” What Do We Want from the Musical?
Release Date: December 12, 2024

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Critics at Large from The New Yorker, host Cho Minardi, along with co-hosts Nomi Fry and Vincent Cunningham, delve into the evolving landscape of musical theater, sparked by the recent release of the highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked. The conversation weaves through their personal experiences with musicals, critiques of current trends, and speculations on the future trajectory of the genre.

Wicked Part 1 Review

Performances and Reception

The discussion begins with an analysis of the Wicked movie adaptation, starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Cho Minardi introduces the film as a two-hour and forty-minute Part One, highlighting its significant cultural impact despite its length.

Cho Minardi [02:09]: "Wicked is, of course, the much anticipated movie adaptation of the Broadway musical."

Nomi Fry shares her initial reservations due to her historical disinterest in musicals but acknowledges being pleasantly surprised by the performances.

Nomi Fry [07:14]: "I was pleasantly surprised, first of all, at the performances... both delivered pretty sensitive performances."

Vincent Cunningham praises the emotional depth of the film, noting the strong chemistry between Grande and Erivo.

Vincent Cunningham [17:22]: "They have incredible chemistry together. They are a great comedy team."

Length and Pacing

A significant point of critique revolves around the film's extended runtime. Nomi Fry emphasizes the movie's length as a detracting factor, suggesting that forty minutes could have been trimmed without missing essential content.

Nomi Fry [06:26]: "I think it's just, like, objectively, way too long. Like, like 40 minutes could have lopped off like a no miss."

Cho Minardi concurs, expressing frustration with the film's pacing and structural decisions.

Cho Minardi [15:28]: "...people are loving Wicked. They're on Team Vincent."

Themes and Analytical Insights

The hosts explore the underlying themes of Wicked, particularly the portrayal of deranged leaders and the film's engagement with political motifs.

Cho Minardi [01:35]: "...they do both feature kind of deranged leaders. But that's a story for another time."

Nomi Fry discusses the character of Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat professor, highlighting the film's subtle commentary on fascism and victimization.

Nomi Fry [09:39]: "...the talking animals kind of being targeted. And Dr. Dillamond... is the victim of this kind of fascism."

Vincent Cunningham appreciates how the movie transforms the psychological aspects of musical theater into visual and auditory elements, enhancing the emotional resonance.

Vincent Cunningham [10:32]: "What Chu does so skillfully, I think is... turn that into landscape and turn that into image... defining a character through song."

Comparison to Other Musicals

Disneyfication vs. Realism

The conversation shifts to compare Wicked with other musicals like Frozen and The Sound of Music, examining the balance between fantastical elements and emotional authenticity.

Vincent Cunningham [22:23]: "...the Sound of Music, like just those hillsides and all these things that just deeply echo the emotional atmospherics."

Nomi Fry draws parallels between the emotional storytelling in Wicked and Frozen, noting how both explore complex relationships and identity formation.

Nomi Fry [21:15]: "...the strength of emotion, and the kind of ability to follow the course of a relationship between two very different women."

Future Directions in Musicals

The hosts discuss emerging trends in musicals, touching on productions like Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop and Teeth, which push the boundaries of traditional musical theater by incorporating explicit themes and diverse narratives.

Vincent Cunningham [46:10]: "...it's like an R-rated musical, the musical that is not only like an issue musical but is trying to be a tool of like a cultural vanguard."

Cho Minardi underscores the importance of maintaining the emotional and artistic integrity of musicals while embracing innovation.

Cho Minardi [37:25]: "Maybe the reason why you feel that way about the particular musicals you do is because... the songs put you directly inside a character."

Emilia Perez Review

The episode also features a critique of Emilia Perez, a musical film centered on a Mexican cartel leader undergoing gender transition. Directed by Jacques Odiar, the film blends Spanish dialogue with musical elements, drawing comparisons to telenovelas and exploring the complexities of identity and transformation.

Vincent Cunningham [25:38]: "...composers how the sing a song directly on life and emotional expression."

Challenging the traditional American musical format, the hosts appreciate Emilia Perez for its raw portrayal of intense emotional experiences.

Cho Minardi [38:13]: "...the songs become crucial to character, to character development, to plot development... deeper insight into what is happening."

Discussion on the Future of Musicals

The trio debates the direction in which musicals are headed, weighing the influence of blockbuster adaptations like Hamilton against more avant-garde productions. They ponder whether future musicals will continue to blend mainstream appeal with niche, subcultural elements or veer towards experimental storytelling.

Vincent Cunningham [44:31]: "...A Strange Loop... graphic sex scene... revenge thriller of the vagina against these predatory men."

Nomi Fry emphasizes the potential for musicals to serve as platforms for cultural dialogue and innovation, moving beyond conventional narratives.

Nomi Fry [36:23]: "...all of them have some kind of subcultural element to them... could be more generally said about the musical form."

Final Thoughts and Conclusions

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on their personal connections to musicals and the genre's capacity to evoke profound emotional responses. They express a desire for musicals that balance sweetness with complexity, allowing for both soaring heights and poignant depths.

Nomi Fry [35:56]: "...the musical Hair... capturing specific moments in time with heightened realism."

Cho Minardi concludes by underscoring the enduring appeal of musicals that resonate on both personal and societal levels, hinting at future discussions on the genre's evolution.

Cho Minardi [38:13]: "...the reason why you feel that way about the particular musicals you do is because the songs put you directly inside a character."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Cho Minardi [02:09]: "Wicked is, of course, the much anticipated movie adaptation of the Broadway musical."

• Nomi Fry [07:14]: "I was pleasantly surprised, first of all, at the performances... both delivered pretty sensitive performances."

• Vincent Cunningham [17:22]: "They have incredible chemistry together. They are a great comedy team."

• Nomi Fry [06:26]: "I think it's just, like, objectively, way too long. Like, like 40 minutes could have lopped off like a no miss."

• Vincent Cunningham [10:32]: "What Chu does so skillfully, I think is... turn that into landscape and turn that into image... defining a character through song."

Conclusion

This episode of Critics at Large offers a comprehensive exploration of the current state and future possibilities of musical theater. Through thoughtful analysis and spirited discussion, Cho Minardi, Nomi Fry, and Vincent Cunningham provide listeners with insightful perspectives on what audiences desire from musicals today and how the genre can continue to evolve and thrive in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.