Defying the Gravity of Going It Alone
Dr. Brian Ammons brings a queer perspective to Wicked, Defying Gravity, and what it means to find your vocation.
The newest episode of Third Things First is now live!
In this episode, I interview Dr. Brian Ammons – minister, educator, and spiritual director at First Church Belfast – about the deeper meanings within the musical Wicked — and especially the iconic song, “Defying Gravity.”
Brian's experience as a religious leader shaped by queer theory intersect with the grounding in mimetic theory here at The Wicked Truth to reveal new spiritual, cultural, and social dimensions of Wicked. Together, we explore how art can open paths for peacebuilding, belonging, and transformation — especially for those who’ve lived as outsiders.
💫 This is Part One of a two-part conversation. In Part Two, we continue reading into Elphaba’s “vocation,” and how the Grimmerie operates as a kind of sacred text within the film. You won't want to miss Brian's reading, which has enormous implications for how we pick up and read our own holy books! Mark your calendars for February 23, when the new episode will air!
- Is "Defying Gravity" really the rebellious anthem it's become in popular culture for the last 20 years?
- How do casting choices (Idina Menzel vs. Cynthia Erivo) reshape our interpretations of film and broadway works?
- Understanding the Wizard of Oz as a "false god," and what that interpretation reveals about power and identity
- Why art matters for peacebuilding and hope
🔗 You can learn more about Dr. Brian Ammons through his work at The Porch!
📹 As always, you can watch this episode on our YouTube channel, or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
👍 Wherever you watch or listen, please like, subscribe, comment, and share if you believe art can help mend our divided world!