A Relational Cultural Approach to the Broadway Musical Wicked

Abstract

Relational-Cultural Theory (Miller, 1976, 1986) is based on the tenet that people grow through and toward relationships with others, rather than through separation and individuation. In this article, the characters and song lyrics of the Broadway musical, Wicked (Schwartz, Holzman, Mantello, & Platt, 2003), are viewed through the lens of Relational-Cultural Theory. The characters and songs are used to illustrate growth-fostering relationships, mutuality, authenticity, and the therapeutic relationship within the context of a Relational-Cultural counseling approach.

KEYWORDS:

• Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT)
• growth-fostering relationships
• mutuality
• authenticity
• counseling
• creativity
• music
• lyrics
• Broadway musical
• literature
• cinema