wicked book common sense media

2 min read 21-11-2024

Meta Description: Is Wicked appropriate for your kids? This Common Sense Media review delves into the musical's themes of good vs. evil, romance, and prejudice, offering a parent's guide to help you decide. Explore age appropriateness, mature themes, and potential discussion points for families.

Is Wicked Right for Your Child? A Common Sense Media Perspective

Deciding whether your child is ready for Wicked requires careful consideration. While the musical is undeniably captivating, its themes and content require a mature approach. This review, inspired by Common Sense Media's approach, aims to help parents navigate this decision.

Understanding the Story: Beyond the Surface

Wicked reimagines the Wizard of Oz story, focusing on the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda (later Glinda the Good). The musical explores complex issues, far beyond a simple good versus evil narrative.

Key Themes to Consider:

Good vs. Evil: The musical challenges the simplistic portrayal of good and evil, portraying both Elphaba and Glinda as complex individuals with flaws and strengths. This nuanced perspective can spark great discussions about morality.
Prejudice and Discrimination: Elphaba faces significant prejudice due to her appearance and perceived wickedness. This theme provides an opportunity to discuss social justice and intolerance.
Romance and Relationships: The musical features romantic relationships, including Elphaba's relationship with Fiyero. These scenes can be emotionally intense and may raise questions about love, loss, and heartbreak.
Political Intrigue and Power: The Wizard's reign and the political landscape of Oz explore themes of power, corruption, and manipulation. These elements can be quite mature and require some context for younger viewers.

Common Sense Media's Implicit Rating (and why it matters)

While Common Sense Media doesn't offer a numerical rating, their implicit rating would likely reflect the complexities within Wicked. Elements like the emotional intensity, mature themes, and potential for frightening imagery (depending on the production) mean it's not suitable for very young children.

Age Appropriateness: A Parental Guide

Younger Children (under 10): Wicked likely contains too much complexity and potentially frightening imagery for younger children. The themes might be confusing and overwhelming.
Tweens and Teens (10-14): This age group can likely appreciate the more nuanced themes. Parental guidance is still essential to discuss the mature content and help them process the emotional depth.
Teens and Adults (15+): This age group will likely find the musical engaging and thought-provoking. They are better equipped to handle the complexity of the themes and the emotional intensity.

Talking Points for Families:

Before and after seeing Wicked, engaging in discussion can enhance the experience and help your child process the themes. Here are some discussion prompts:

What did you think about Elphaba's portrayal? Was she truly wicked?
How did the musical challenge your perceptions of good and evil?
How does prejudice affect people's lives?
What are your thoughts on the romantic relationships in the story?

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

Wicked is a powerful and thought-provoking musical. However, its mature themes and emotional intensity require careful consideration before deciding if it's appropriate for your child. Use this Common Sense Media-inspired review as a guide, and remember to engage in open discussion with your child before and after the show to maximize their understanding and appreciation of the production. Consider the specific production you are attending, as staging and presentation can influence the appropriateness for different age groups.