We talk about the cultural phenomenon of Wicked with star Ariana Grande. She's nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Grande talks about some of the underlying messages in the film about belonging and good versus evil, and how growing up as a theatre nerd prepared her for this role.Also, writer and professional dominatrix Brittany Newell joins us to talk about her new novel Soft Core, which explores the underworld of San Francisco's dive bars, strip clubs, and BDSM dungeons. Maureen Corrigan reviews two quintessential New York City books.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
What cultural phenomenon is discussed in this episode?
Thank you, Tanya, for having me. Thank you so much.
You know, this movie has become a cultural phenomenon. And it's so interesting how the subtext really speaks to the time period that we're in. It's a timeless story, but it also is very timely. Yeah, very timely. You first saw Wicked on Broadway at 10.
Yes, I was 10 years old and I got to see the original Broadway cast with Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel and Norbert Leo Butz and Chris Fitzgerald. And it was very life changing.
What was it about Wicked? Because I know that you were somewhat of a theater kid. You were seeing lots of musicals, but this one in particular really spoke to you.
Yes. I mean, I think, you know, I was so young. Of course, I loved the music. I loved the comedy. I remember Glinda's impact on the audience and that infectious laughter and how it made me feel and everyone around me feel. I think that was just like so impactful, but also the themes of sisterhood.
I don't think I ever saw a show or anything at that point that revolved around these two women who are so different, learning each other and really falling in love with each other through their differences and kind of Learning how to protect and accept and celebrate each other, even when it meant that they disagreed.
It was just kind of like this embodiment of like true unconditional love and friendship in a way that I hadn't seen portrayed in a story before. And I think it really spoke to me. Is it true that you auditioned five times? Okay, so I auditioned three times. My first audition, I sang actually for both roles. Even though I came in in all pink, I knew I was Glinda.
I knew that was what I was supposed to be doing. I think they just asked me to sing for both parts. For Elphaba and for... Yes, for both witches. So I was, of course, down to do whatever was asked of me, of course. And
I had started training with my vocal coach, Eric Vitro, three months before my first audition to train my voice to sing in a coloratura soprano placement, which is quite different from what I usually do. Even though my voice naturally sits in a high register, it's a totally different style of singing.
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