‘Prophetic In A Way’: Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Explains How The Wizard Of Oz Brought ‘Transition’ In America

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As a dedicated follower of the evolution of Oz, I find it fascinating to witness how each adaptation mirrors societal shifts and transitions in America. Jon M. Chu‘s perspective, grounded in his extensive knowledge and understanding of these iconic stories, is captivating.

Jon M. Chu, preparing to bring a major Broadway show to the cinema and expand L. Frank Baum’s world of Oz, muses on the societal changes spurred by Oz adaptations. Directing “Wicked,” he noted that the Yellow Brick Road – a famous tune from Oz – has been their journey since Baum published The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900.

The 1939 film adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” featuring Judy Garland, evolved into a timeless classic and served as inspiration for subsequent movies. As Chu explained to NBC News, the film seemed almost prophetic in some ways because it was written during a time when America was undergoing significant change. Specifically, the Great Depression had recently ended, and people were on the brink of war.

During that time, there was much discussion about what the American Dream might become “once the journey concludes and what new opportunities may arise,” he explained, referring to the shift in perspective brought about by the release of The Wizard of Oz.

As stated by Chu, the country experienced another period of transformation in the year 2003, coinciding with the premiere of the Tony-award winning Broadway musical Wicked. He suggested that this was a moment for introspection, given the context: America was still dealing with the aftermath of 9/11 and on the brink of going to war. Thus, it marked another time in our history where America was undergoing transition.

The highly anticipated Wicked musical starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will be released during Donald Trump’s presidential re-election campaign, another significant period for the nation. As Chu explained, in reality there are no “yellow brick roads” or wizards or other magical elements associated with the story.

In a reflective tone, I shared that navigating through discomfort, possibly letting tempers flare but ultimately forgiving and extending some understanding towards one another seemed to be the path forward. This resonated with me as the musical unexpectedly appeared during the 2019 pandemic, which remarkably mirrored historical events. Intriguingly, I couldn’t help but feel that this work was incredibly prescient when I exclaimed, “Wow, how prophetic!

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2024-11-17 22:52