Welcome to the Musicals Thread, the Avocado’s space for anything and everything related to musical theatre! Every month I’ll post a discussion prompt, but please feel free to comment on other topics, from new discoveries to old favorites. If you have ideas for future prompts or would like to write a feature for the thread, let me know!
“There’s a strange exhilaration
In such total detestation
It’s so pure, so strong!
Though I do admit it came on fast,
Still I do believe that it can last
And I will be loathing, loathing you
My whole life long!”
– Galinda Upland (of the upper Uplands) and Elphaba Thropp (Wicked, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz)
In a 180 from last month’s prompt, today we’re talking about musical theatre enemies! Well, “enemies” may be too strong a word for some of these characters. Maybe they’re rivals in competition for something (or, given the evergreen popularity of love triangles, someone). Maybe they weren’t on bad terms until one of them hurt the other deeply. Maybe they just have the misfortune of symbolizing of diametrically opposed worldviews. Whatever the context, what are your favorite/the most memorable antagonistic relationships from musicals and why?
A dynamic I find fascinating is that of Orpheus and Hades from Hadestown, who are similar and different in ways noted countless times in the lyrics and that shift over the course of the show. Orpheus sees that they are both men in love, Hades sees them both as men abandoned by the women they love. Each man has allowed something else – for Hades the amassing of wealth and for Orpheus his artistic aspirations – to distract him from being a good partner to his beloved. Ironically, each to some degree believes that this something else is what will keep her close, but Persephone is sick of Hades’ cold practicality while Eurydice grows frustrated with Orpheus’ neglect of their material needs. Most beautifully tragic (and tragically beautiful) is the way they switch viewpoints about these relationships. Orpheus argues for simple love and trust and reminds Hades of their value. Hades forces Orpheus to test his belief in them, but after their encounter has planted seeds of doubt in Orpheus’ mind, Hades’ craving for control proves contagious – a circularity appropriate for this show about the cycle of the seasons and a sad love song sung again and again.