Witches Be Crazy

I was watching Frozen the other day (despite Let it Go being stuck in my head to the extent that I've considered trying to get it out with a cheese grater) when I realized that it's pretty much Wicked. I'm not sure what took me like 5 months to realize the similarities between the two. They're both notable for telling the story of their two female leads who become close, grow apart, then overcome obstacles to become close once again.

Wicked stars Kristin (Chenoweth), a short, plucky blonde, as G(a)linda, a girl who has a good heart (but no special powers) and sees the world from a bright, optimistic perspective, though she is somewhat naive and shallow. Opposite Kristin is Idina Menzel, a brunette veteran of the stage with a powerful voice, as Elphaba, a girl who is a bit of a loner, in large part because of her unique powers.

On the other hand, Frozen stars Kristen (Bell), a short, plucky blonde, as Anna, a girl who has a good heart (but no special powers) and sees the world from a bright, optimistic perspective, though she is somewhat naive and shallow. Opposite Kristen is Idina Menzel, a brunette veteran of the stage with a powerful voice, as Elsa a girl who is a bit of a loner, in large part because of her unique powers.

If that's all there was, it might be an interesting bit of coincidence. But does it stop there? Oh no no. To wit:

The Krist(i/e)ns



As mentioned, Chenoweth's Glinda and Bell's Anna have a passing resemblance. Galinda arrives at Shiz University ready to make friends, just as Anna is once the gates of Arendelle are opened. They don't have the special powers of their costars, fall for the wrong guy, and are forced to represent the people against the (perceived) villainy of Menzel's characters. Speaking of which...

Idina's Witches



Elphaba and Elsa are both big sisters with magical powers who would do anything for their little sister, although sometimes it backfires. Because of their abilities, they alienate others and live in isolation. Neither of them are all that Popular. They're so similar, I'm somewhat surprised "Elsaba" hasn't become a thing yet. ...what's that? It is? Nevermind.



Developing Friendship

 
In the beginning of the stories, neither pair spends a whole lot of time together. In Galinda and Elphaba's case, it's due to unadulterated loathing, while Elsa has isolated herself because she can't control her powers, no matter how much she might want to build a snowman. Meeting again at a party (at the Ozdust Ballroom in Wicked, Elsa's coronation in Frozen), they begin to (re)kindle a friendship.

The Wrong Guy



Wicked's Fiyero, a prince, shows up out of nowhere and charms Kristin's naive Galinda. They sing a catchy, carefree song expressing their love and how they are an ideal match (Now that we've met one another/It's clear we deserve each other/You're perfect/You're perfect/So we're perfect together/Meant to be forever). They later become engaged, but it doesn't work out as Fiyero falls in love with Elphaba.

Frozen's Hans, a prince, shows up out of nowhere and charms Kristen's naive Anna. They sing a catchy, carefree song expressing their love and how they are an ideal match (Our mental synchronization/Can have but one explanation/You and I were just meant to be). They later become engaged, but it doesn't work out as Hans tries to take over Arendelle and kill Anna and Elsa.

The Animal Song

Completely dissimilar in subject matter and quality, but you know I had to stretch a little bit right? You know what they say. Reindeer are Better than Something Bad (though both are among the shortest on their respective soundtracks).

The "Screw it, I'ma do me" Song



The wickedly talented Idina Menzel is well known for her vocal prowess. Unlike Enchanted, a musical Disney movie in which Menzel, the most tested singer in the cast, had her one song cut, both Wicked and Frozen let her loose in their signature and arguably best songs. Defying Gravity and Let it Go slowly pick up and allow Menzel to show off her pipes while also being extremely similar thematically.

I'm not doing what they told me to do anymore

Something has changed within me/Something is not the same/I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game

Don't let them in, don't let them see/Be the good girl you always have to be/Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know/Well now they know/Let it go, let it go/Can't hold it back anymore

 I'm soaring over my fear

Too late for second guessing/Too late to go back to sleep/It's time to trust my instincts/Close my eyes and leap

It's funny how some distances/Makes everything seem small/And the fears that once controlled me/Can't get to me at all 

No really, I'm literally flying

It's time to try/Defying gravity/Kiss me goodbye/I'm defying gravity/And you can't pull me down

Let it go, let it go/I'm one with the wind and sky

I should have been in Mean Girls because the limit does not exist (rough paraphrasing)

I'm through accepting limits/Cause someone says they're so/Some things I cannot change/But til I try I'll never know

It's time to see what I can do/To test the limits and break through/No right, no wrong, no rules for me/I'm free 

 I'm right here, come and get me

So if you care to find me/Look to the western sky/As someone told me lately/"Everyone deserves a chance to fly"

Here I stand/And here I'll stay/Let the storm rage on

You get the idea.

That took up way too much space. Let's shorten it up for the rest of this.

Demise of the little sisters
 
Not sure if it's worse to have a house fall on you or to be turned into an ice sculpture, but I think I'll do my best to avoid both.

The "WTF are those" creatures

Not pictured: Olaf, big ice monster, Dr. Dillamond, Tin Man Boq, Scarecrow Fiyero

The forgettable ensemble song


You have to be a pretty big fan to remember that March of the Witch Hunters and Frozen Heart exist, an even bigger one to know their titles without looking them up, and a massive one to know how they go.

As a fan of both works, it was fun to revisit the parallels in the two, intended or not. And with Disney developing a stage adaptation of Frozen and a film version of Wicked possibly "gearing up," we'll have many more opportunities to appreciate the two franchises.