As the mastermind behind the beloved '90s teen drama My So-Called Life and the author of the screenplay for the enduringly popular Broadway success Wicked and co-wrote its recently released blockbuster movie adaptation, Winnie Holzman definitely possesses a talent for imbuing both minor and grand narratives with lasting emotional impact. Despite their initial dissimilarity, these projects have each won over numerous generations, and owing to their success, Wicked The author reflects, "I am filled with immense gratitude, sensing that the efforts I have invested over many years are finally paying off. This is a profoundly significant moment in my life."
On April 7, Holzman will receive recognition from NYU Tisch School of the Arts as part of their festivities. annual gala As a graduate from the esteemed Graduate Musical Theatre Writing program back in 1983, she shares, "It deeply moves me. The program was everything to me, and I truly adored it." Moreover, this accolade will be bestowed upon her by none other than Claire Danes , who gained prominence with her leading role as the star of My So-Called Life The entire ensemble of the show is simply incredible," states Holzman. "We feel greatly honored to have created this together.
BeforeHolzman's award, thewriterchattedwith First for Women To explore the unexpected parallels among her most recognizable works, drawing inspiration from music legends such as Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, the essence of '90s nostalgia, and additional topics.
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Discover who took home an Academy Award and who attained royal status!First for Women On the face of it, television series and musical productions appear quite distinct. Do you think they share any common ground?
Winnie Holzman: Others may consider these distinct, yet they share an actual connection. Composing song lyrics, crafting scripts for musicals, and screenplay writing all bear significant similarities. Their link lies in their focus on character portrayal. My work isn’t centered around literary narrative; nor am I engaged in novel-writing. Instead, my emphasis is entirely on evolving characters and unearthing various facets of truth about them through narratives.
Winnie Holzman at the L.A. launch event for
Wicked
in 2005
Everything revolves around distilling things to their core. Whether you’re penning prose for a stage show, crafting verses for lyrics, or scripting scenes for a film, verbosity should be avoided. Instead of rambling endlessly, focus on conveying your message succinctly. While this isn’t meant to come off rigid—since creativity knows no bounds—the aim remains clear: capture the essence using minimal elements. A single sentence can encapsulate an idea; so too can a solitary lyric or term. In screenwriting, brevity reigns supreme—you must convey much through concise wording.
Writing a musical is also very collaborative, but so is writing for the screen. Everything I've ever been involved with has been very like that. I've always been the kind of writer who spends some time alone, but then has to come together with others and find answers. Everything has to be a great ongoing conversation.
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Warning: This path leads through some wicked spoilers ahead. Residents of Oz, "The Wicked" movie has arrived at last, and following an advanced viewing, First For Women can assure you that this production is the creamiest pumpkin spice latte in the witches' brew! With Cynthia Erivo’s remarkable voice and Ariana Grande’s radiant and cheerful depiction of Glinda, it really stands out as [...]FFW Do you notice any shared themes between 'Wicked' and 'My So-Called Life'?
WH: With both Wicked and My So-Called Life It’s less about tales centered around female characters, since they can embody various roles that propel narratives forward. Instead, it revolves more around embracing qualities like compassion and empathy. By "feminine principles," these attributes aren’t limited solely to women; rather, they pertain to navigating a world that tends to be quite brutal, often favoring violence for resolution and dismissing emotions and tenderness.
This is the environment we inhabit, yet I am convinced not everyone conforms to this norm. In a society that values such ideals, encountering instances filled with optimism, empathy, generosity, care, uplifting one another, and tales of standing against oppression and harassment—I feel individuals crave these elements. People might discover comfort in narratives that honor these virtues instead of belittling them.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in
Wicked
(2024)
FFW How does it feel to witness the intense emotional bonds people have with 'Wicked' and 'My So-Called Life'?
WH: I am thankful that both initiatives connected with audiences in such a manner. I hesitate to attempt explaining this phenomenon since it holds an element of enigma, and I am certainly not one to be put in the position of elucidating it.
My approach is simply to focus on living in the here and now and giving my all to what I’m working on at any given time. When putting something out into the world, I aim to have minimal expectations and release myself from worrying about outcomes, which allows me to better manage whatever comes next. Over the years, I’ve created numerous pieces that were never brought to life or failed to resonate with others as intended. A significant part of my role involves staying relatively indifferent and avoiding excessive mental exertion over reception.
From left to right: Claire Danes, Wilson Cruz, A.J. Langer, and Devon Gummersall appear in
My So-Called Life
(1994)
FFW What type of creative inspiration did you discover through your musical theater studies?
WH: Participating in NYU’s musical theater program marked a pivotal moment for me. The instructors were eminent figures in the field, and I had the privilege of collaborating with leading lights of musical theater, such as Arthur Laurents , who wrote Gypsy and West Side Story and Leonard Bernstein a legendary figure among American composers. Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince attended a seminar here, which was fantastic, and Jule Styne , Betty Comden and Adolph Green taught a class.
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From Broadway to Stars Hollow: Kelly Bishop Discusses Her Memoir and 'Gilmore Girls'
The renowned actress Kelly Bishop has gained recognition for her memorable performances in the stage production of "A Chorus Line," the popular film "Dirty Dancing," and the much-loved television show "Gilmore Girls" where she played Emily Gilmore. However, this wasn’t initially part of her blueprint; Bishop originally embarked on a journey in the entertainment world as a dancer before transitioning into acting. She steadily worked towards achieving greater heights within the field.We felt incredibly fortunate. Having those remarkable artists share their insights and critiques with us, along with dedicating time to genuinely engage, taught us so much about what truly counts in life. Each individual aimed to contribute something valuable, despite none of them being retired; they were actively pursuing successful careers yet still found the opportunity to make a significant impression on everyone involved. Despite their legendary status, they showed immense respect towards us. They openly shared their honest opinions and demonstrated real concern for our growth. It was their authentic care and serious approach toward helping us develop that left a lasting effect.
Participating in that program significantly shaped my approach to writing because it made me realize that I had the potential to become a writer. Many individuals pursuing writing frequently grapple with self-doubt about their identity as writers. Non-writers may assert confidently, “Yes, I can write.” However, those who identify themselves as writers tend to constantly wonder, “Do I truly qualify as a writer?” This internal conflict resonated deeply with me at the beginning. Nonetheless, meeting exceptional instructors, mentors, and peers transformed my perspective and encouraged me to view myself more earnestly as an aspiring author.
Winnie Holzman
FFW :'My So-Called Life' beautifully encapsulated the youth culture of the early '90s. Were those times and themes at the forefront of your mind during the creation process, and do you feel a sense of nostalgia for that period?
WH: When crafting a screenplay, my focus tends to be on interpersonal dynamics, human feelings, and the hidden aspects that individuals keep close—the usual subjects I ponder when scripting. The time period didn’t particularly capture my attention; rather, I simply existed within it.
I do feel nostalgic for those days. When I was still involved in it, My So-Called Life Back then, there was no social media and no cell phones. While I don’t mean to romanticize it too much, things felt far more private back then. During the production of that show, we essentially lived in an isolated world. Nobody knew what we were up to; there were no paparazzi lurking around, nor anyone tweeting about us. Our activities did not get constant coverage online either. Interestingly enough, the internet itself started taking shape just as we began working on the series. One day, someone burst into my office exclaiming, “They’ve got these places called chat rooms where they’re discussing our show!” This discovery was both novel and thrilling for all of us who responded with puzzled looks—“What now?”
Claire Danes and Jared Leto
My So-Called Life
In numerous aspects, I needed to push it aside, despite the fact that the response was heartwarming, as many individuals expressed their deep affection for the series. I aimed to avoid getting overly engrossed. My intention was to concentrate solely on our work rather than dwell excessively on public reactions since ultimately, I believe that doesn’t contribute significantly to my progress.
When nostalgia strikes me, it’s often for an era where phones were not always within reach. They used to be stationary objects sitting on tables at home rather than a continuous connection to people worldwide.
I am well aware that numerous impressive developments have emerged thanks to technology, and the reaction on the internet to the situation has been positive. Wicked The movie has deeply moved and excited us. People have reacted with immense creativity, and we enjoy the hilarious memes and reactions they’ve produced. These creations are fantastic, and we share them among ourselves, which I appreciate. However, every aspect comes with both advantages and disadvantages.
Cynthia Erivo in
Wicked
FFW Thirty years since 'My So-Called Life,' you're now involved in another television project alongside Claire Danes. How has that experience been for you?
WH: Claire continues to be someone extremely important to me. Both of us are quite thrilled about the possibility of collaborating once more. Production hasn’t started yet, which means everything could still change. This industry is filled with uncertainties—there were plenty before, but perhaps there’s an increased level now. Still, we remain optimistic. I’ve been doing all the writing for it, and as long as others tell me it won’t become reality only because they’re stopping me from continuing, and ideally, it does come into fruition—I’ll keep pushing forward. Claire and I share great enthusiasm; our bond makes this venture particularly meaningful.
In 1994, Winnie Holzman and Claire Danes collaborated.
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