Awesome Female Role Models- Elphaba

For musical theatre nerds like myself, the last few weeks have been pretty exciting.

The musical Wicked has celebrated their 10 year anniversary. Which is crazy to me. Was it really ten years ago when my mom called me into the living room to watch the "Defying Gravity" performance on the Tony Awards?

Wicked has made a huge mark on pop culture. It's opened people's eyes to musical theatre in a new way and in a way began to make it "cool" to like theatre. Even if someone hasn't seen the show, they've probably heard references to "Defying Gravity," "Popular," and "For Good." Some people are sick and tired of it because it's become so popular. Others can't get enough and have gone to see it on stage every time they have the opportunity. While others (like myself) are somewhere in the middle.

Usually when someone talks about the show I slightly roll my eyes. While I appreciate it and enjoy it, I wonder why people won't talk about all of the other awesome shows out there. Then once the song "Defying Gravity" starts to play I'm belting my heart out wishing I was a green witch. As much as I hate to be "part of the crowd"... I really do love this show.

So, today, I am featuring one of Wicked's leading ladies as our awesome female role model of the week. Our favorite green girl - Elphaba.

(And I'll be basing this off of the musical, not the book. Unpopular opinion: I didn't think the book was all that great and was glad the musical was way different.)

When the audience first meets Elphaba it's obvious she's different from everyone else. Well... she's green first of all. She doesn't fit in with everyone else because even on top of being green, she also has magical powers and loves to read and go to museums. (Which gives her bonus points in my book.) Her sister, Nessa, is in a wheelchair and it's Elphaba's job to take care of her. She has never been the "favorite" daughter... just the weird magical green one. Yet, she still has a hope inside of her. A hope that someday the Wizard will notice her and she can do some good in the world without people looking at her like she's a freak.

Due to mix-up with housing at school, Elphaba ends up being roommates with the blond and bouncy (and snobby) Galinda. (WITH A GA!) Immediately, Elphaba hates her. Yet, in spite of their differences and Galinda's snobby ways...they become friends. Elphaba even lets Galinda give her a makeover. She pretends she doesn't want it, but we all know secretly she does. She likes that Galinda wants to be her friend and craves her acceptance. Because if Galinda accepts her, maybe everyone else will too. This friendship is the heart and core of the show. They go through multiple ups and downs. They fight, argue, steal each others boyfriends, and half of the time they hate one another. Yet, through it all, they learn to forgive and make peace. Elphaba knows in spite of everything, their friendship is important and has made a bigger difference in her life than she realized, and is forever grateful.

Elphaba also has an interesting relationship with her professor, Doctor Dillamond. What's interesting is that... he's a goat. But Elphaba doesn't care. There is discrimination against the Animals and are looked down on. But Elphaba doesn't care. She has a soft spot for Animals and wants to help them. It is Doctor Dillamond who inspires Elphaba to try and make a change in the world.

Elphaba has had her share of disappointments and hurts in life. Yet, in spite of that, she still has an awesome dry sense of humor, hopes, and dreams. Even if she doesn't want anyone else to see her thoughts. Yes, she is bitter and angry and hurt most of the time. But she still has a heart of gold on the inside. She doesn't want to admit how great she really is, but other people like Galinda, Fieyro, and Doctor Dillamond see her for who she really is and want her to shine.

Also, she nabbed Fieyro who is awesome & hot. So... clearly she has something going for her. ;)

Elphaba Won't back down from what she believes. Even when the wizard disappoints her and shows his true colors, she isn't about to back down from standing up for the rights of the Animals. Even when Glinda/Galinda won't go with her, she still makes her own path. People will hate her and shun her even more than they already do, but she still sticks to her guns. Ultimately, this does lead to her downfall. Her methodology of going about helping the Animals isn't the bed. She makes choices out of desperation and and overwhelming desire to protect the people she loves. Her heart is in the right place, even if she makes some poor choices as a result. But she will still sacrifice everything for what she believes in and sticks to her guns. She refuses to go by other peoples standards and does what she knows is right. Something we all can learn from.

Yet in the end, Elphaba realizes her shortcomings. She knows where she went wrong. She knows where she has failed and how limited she is. Because we're all limited to an extent. She knows when to pass the torch to Galinda. It's tragic how it has to end and the point Elphaba gets to, but it's also good to know when you need to pass something on to someone else. We all have our shortcomings and limitations and need to accept them. It's when we see them we become strong.

Awesome Quotes:
- Well, we can't all come and go by bubble!
- I clash with everything.
- Okay, let's get this over with. I'm not seasick, yes I've always been green, no I didn't eat grass as a child.
- Now wait just a clock tick! I know it may be difficult for that blissful, blonde brain of yours to comprehend that someone like him could actually choose someone like me! But it's happened... it's real. And you can wave that ridiculous wand all you want, you can't change it! He never belonged to you, he doesn't love you, and he never did! He loves me!
- I'm the other daughter, Elphaba. Beautifully tragic.
- No good deed goes unpunished.
- Toss toss!
- I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game.
- It's time to try defying gravity.
- Was I really seeking good, or only seeking attention? Is that all good deeds are when looked at with an ice cold eye?
- Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have been changed for good.
- Just don't lose sight of who you are.
- 'Cause once you're with the wizard, no one thinks you're strange.
- Don't wish, don't start. Wishing only wounds the heart.
- He could be that boy, but I'm not that girl.
- You shouldn't let ignorant statements like that bother you. I mean I always do, but you shouldn't.
- I want to always remember this moment. Always. Nobody's staring. Nobody's pointing. For the first time, I'm somewhere... I belong.
- You'll be with me like a hand-print on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine, by being my friend.
- And if it turns out it's over too fast, I'll make every last moment last, as long as you're mine.

What are other things that you love about our favorite flying green witch with a heart of gold?

And because I really want to type all of the lyrics from "Defying Gravity" here's the whole song as sung by the AMAZING Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth who happen to be two "real life" awesome role models.

Awesome Female Role Models- Dani Dennison (Hocus Pocus)

With Halloween being tomorrow, for my final Awesome Female Role Model for October, I'll be featuring a fantastic character from my all-time favorite Halloween movie.

Dani Dennison from Hocus Pocus.

It's about time I featured some young female characters anyways. Who says you have to be an adult to be a great role model?

Dani's got attitude and tells it as it is. She's not afraid to tell the truth and put people in their place. When Max crosses the line at the Sanderson sisters cottage she's not afraid to tell him. She knows when people do something dumb and will tell them so to their face. Even when she's facing the witches, she'll tell them exactly what she thinks of them and call them out on how awful they are.

She knows how to get her way. She'll manipulate, sweet talk, and scream if needed. While... this isn't the best way to get what you want, you have to admire her to an extent. She'll be a power house when she's older.

She is dealing with a ton of crap too, just like Max. She's also trying to make new friends and adjust to their new home, but she also accepts the reality and challenges her brother to do the same. That's all something we can learn from.

She cares about her brother Max, more than anyone realizes. They've always been close, but since moving to their new home things have changed. Dani will do anything to get their relationship back to the way it was. Even if it means forcing him to take her trick or treating. She might embarrass him often (but what are little sisters for?) but she will still support him when he's trying to win the girl. When he's in danger or doing something stupid, Dani wants him to be safe and will come to his aid. In fact, when the witches come back to life and wonder who lit the candle, Dani jumps up and takes the blame, even though she's mad at Max for doing it.

She's freakishly brave. When the witches come back to life and find her, she plays along. She puts on a brave face and tries to play along. She's clearly terrified, but does what she needs to in order to stay sane and safe.

Max loves Dani too. It takes nearly the whole movie for him to figure out just how much he loves her, but he does. Even though she is a brat and loves to ruin his life, he's willing to do anything for her. Even die. To me, it always says something about a person when you see how much others are willing to sacrifice for them.

Dani is an animal lover - and who can't love a girl who loves a cat the way Dani loves Binx? She attaches to him quickly and wants to take him in after their awful night is over. By the end of the movie when Binx reunites with his own sister, you can't help but feel broken hearted along with Dani that she has lost her new friend.

Awesome quotes:
- I love you jerkface.
- Okay, okay. But next year we go trick-or-treating as Wendy and Peter Pan... with tights or no deal!
- What do you call 'em Max? Yabbos? Max loves your yabbos. In fact... he loves them.
- It's a full moon tonight. That's when all the weirdos are out.
- A virgin lit the candle.
- It doesn't matter how old you are. You sold your soul! You're the ugliest thing that's ever lived and you know it!
- The cat here, Binx, right? He can talk. My brother's a virgin: he lit the black flame candle. The witches are back from the dead and they're after us. We need help.
- Drop dead, moron.
- I scared you I scared you, hahahahaha.
- I'm Allison! Kiss me I'm Allison!
- Come on Max. Couldn't you just forget about being a cool teenager for just one night? Please?
- Well, this is your home now. So get used to it.
- I'm going to take care of you forever. Then my children, and theirs after that, and theirs after that, forever... and ever...

Awesome Female Role Models- Evelyn The Librarian

With Halloween next week - I'm continuing my theme of Halloween type of female role models.

Today, we have Evelyn (Evy) from  the movie, The Mummy.

Growing up, this was one of my sister's favorite movies. At first it terrified me because I was a wimp, but it grew on me. (Although I didn't want to admit it.) Now, I don't know why I resisted loving this movie. It's fantastic and I love Evy.

Evelyn is clumsy and relate-able. She didn't get into the Bembridge Scholars but she's still brilliant, even if others don't see it right away. Granted - who would when she knocks over some very large bookshelves in the first five minutes of meeting her?

She has big dreams. When she finds the map and does her research, she wants to go for it. Not just a "someday that would be awesome" but she wants to go for it now. Let's find a way and go. She's willing to meet and work with awful people and put herself in danger for the sake of history and adventure. She will pay a lot of money to save Mr. O'Connell's life (even though at the moment she hates him) in order to go on this adventure and deal with the terrible jail keeper guy in order to do so.

Evelyn is a complete nerd. It comes along with the whole librarian thing. But she loves Egyptian history with a passion. She doesn't care about the treasure or the adventure. She wants to preserve history and honor the people of the past. Even through all of the danger she encounters through the movie, this is still important to her. I love all of the times she geeks out about some historical artifact. Evy is proud of who she is. Even if she is drunk when she admits it.

Evelyn recognizes where her strengths lie... but also where they don't. She knows she's not a fighter or an adventurer or anything along those lines. What's great about her is that she doesn't have to be in order to be awesome. Many times we see "strong women" as those who can pick up a gun and shoot (or use archery if your Katniss) or she can tell people off and be crude. Evy isn't any of those things. She puts people in their place, but she does it with intelligence and tact. She doesn't have to resort to violence to be strong. All Evy needs is her intellect and charm.

Eveyln is willing to go out of her comfort zone. She's not one for the outdoors, and toughing it out, and being surrounded by crude men. Yet, she does it anyways. She deals with all of the Americans and the other men she's surrounded by, and holds her own. She doesn't treat them disrespectfully or look down on them because she has a more formal education. Except for perhaps her brother... but what are siblings for?

She never wanted to raise a cursed mummy back from the dead, but she deals with it. She puts herself in danger even though she's terrified out of her mind and helps to save the day. The men protect her, but she protects herself and them too. While she may have been the one to read from the book and bring the mummy to life and is always getting herself into trouble (even if she's just locked in her room), she is also the one who saves everyone because of her bravery and knowledge of Egyptian history.

When Imhotep takes Evy away, she doesn't argue. She goes in order to save the others. The others (particularly Rick) want her to stay with them and protect her, but she goes anyways. They go to help her, but it is not because she's a helpless person who can't do anything. It's because she chose to go and help them. They do things for each other. 

Who are some of your favorite Halloween type women? Is there anything about our favorite librarian that I missed?

Awesome Quotes:
- Evy: "I may not be an explorer, or an adventurer, or a treasure-seeker, or a gun-fighter, Mr. O'Connell, but I am proud of what I am."
Rick: "And what is that?" 
Evy: "I . . . am a librarian."
- You know, nasty little fellows like you always get their comeuppance.
- You better think of something fast, because if I become a mummy you're the first one I'm coming after.
- You're wondering what is a place like me, doing in a girl like this?
- According to you and my brother it's called "borrowing."
- The only thing that scares me Mr. O'Connell is your manners.
- They take a red hot poker, stick it up your nose, scramble things about a bit, and rip it all out through your nostrils!
- It's just a book. No harm ever came from reading a book.
- Personally, I think he's filthy, rude, a complete scoundrel. I don't like him one bit.
- Well, I wish you would do it sooner rather than later before you ruin my career the way you've ruined yours.
- Oh for heavens sake girl, it wasn't that good of a kiss!
- Mister O'Connell, can you look me in the eye and and guarantee me this isn't all some kind of flimflam?
- Oh my God. It's a sarcophagus. Buried at the feet of Anubis. He must have been a man of great importance. Or he had done something very naughty.
- Take that Bembridge Scholars!
- Oops.

Awesome Female Role Models- Sally

It's time for a special Halloween edition of Awesome Female Role Models! The next three weeks I'll feature a female character from a Halloween story and to kick things off, we have Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

While watching the movie and researching her best quotes, I found that Sally really doesn't do a whole lot of talking. She sings a little, and has a few conversations, but she doesn't have much dialogue. However, someone watching the movie can still clearly see her character. I love this about Sally. She doesn't need long monologues, witty phrases, or wise words for us to love her. We can see through her facial expressions and her actions where her heart is and what she's all about. The audience can tell she's clever by how she tricks Dr. Finklestien and the ways she helps Jack.

Speaking of Dr. Finklestien, we know that Sally is in an awful situation. She wants to be free, but he refuses to let her go. She's ready to experience life, but he just won't let her. Sally will do anything to escape and be free from him. No matter how many times she has failed at escape, she refuses to give up.

Sally wants adventure. She's not happy staying cooped up in Dr. Finklestien's home. Sally wants to see the world and all that it has to offer. Even if it is the strangeness of Halloween.

Sally also has an interesting relationship with Jack. Right away, the audience knows she admires him and has a crush. (I mean... in their Halloween town... he's the cream of the crop. I'm sure all the girls have crushes on him.) But she connects to Jack. She understands how he wants to experience more, and she's fascinated by his discovery of Christmas. However, she also can tell when something is wrong. She is there to support her friend and be there for him, but she also tries to warn him that taking over Christmas isn't what he should be doing. She sees Jack for how awesome he really is, and wants him to be true to that. Even when he doesn't listen, Sally tries to do something about it. She's willing to sacrifice a potential relationship with Jack and stand out from the crowd to make things right. Sally might have a crush, but she knows when he's doing something wrong. Yet, when he's in trouble, instead of being all "I told you so," she's there at his side.

Sally also is the one to do the "wooing" in her relationship with Jack. She's the one to make the first move by sending him a gift basket. She's willing to be there for him and make herself known. Yet, she does it in a way which doesn't force herself on him. She makes the first move, while also letting him meet her part way. As the movie goes on, Jack soon sees how fantastic Sally is through all she has done for him.

In spite of appearing to be small and fragile, Sally can take care of herself. One of the perks of being a rag doll, she can simply sew herself back up when she falls. She's not afraid to take the big leaps because she can get back up and try again.

Also, Santa Claus likes Sally. He says "The next time you get the urge to steal someone else's holiday, you should listen to her! She's the only one who makes sense in this insane asylum!" And if Santa likes someone... you know they've got to be pretty awesome.

Awesome Quotes:
- What's wrong? I thought you liked frog's breath.
- What will become of my dear friend? Where will his actions lead us then? Oh, how I'd like to join the crowd in their enthusiastic cloud. Try as I may, it doesn't last. And will we ever end up together? No, I think not. It's never to become, for I am not the one.
- But it seems wrong to me, very wrong.
- Mmmmm. See? Scrumptious.
- And sit together, now and forever. For it is plain, as anyone can see, we're simply meant to be.

Awesome Female Role Models- Cher Horowitz

With Emma Approved premiering on YouTube this week, I knew exactly who I had to feature today for my Awesome Female Role Models series.

Cher from the movie Clueless.

Clueless is my favorite adaptation of Emma, and has been one of my all time favorite movies since I was 9. (Granted... I didn't understand half of what was happening when I was 9... but still.) Clueless definitely makes my 10 Ten Movies Ever List- if not Top 5. It's funny, clever, has a fantastic cast, it's based on an Jane Austen novel, and full of wonderful characters. I have seen this movie countless times and I've never gotten tired of it.

One of the first things you notice about Cher is that she takes care of her dad and cares about him more than anything. They have a great relationship. She's willing to help him with his big case and helps him be sure he's eating well. She can talk to him about boy troubles and he would do anything for her. It says something about a person when they have such a great relationship with their parents.

Cher is also very organized. She's only fifteen, and not the greatest student, but how she helps her dad out with events and things around the house is impressive for someone her age.

She ends up with Paul Rudd before anyone knew who he was. Clearly she has good taste in men. Also, Josh is just all around awesome.Yes, he's older than she is. But I think I had read Josh was supposed to be a freshman in college, and that makes it better. Besides, they're cute together and it worked for the whole Emma/Mr. Knightly relationship. At least in my opinion.

While she isn't the best student, she is smart. Her comebacks are clever and she  has awesome problem solving skills. The way she phrases things make total sense, but said in a creative way no one else would have thought of. Or at least I wouldn't have.

Cher makes friends with Tai. At first her motivations aren't totally right, but you have to admit she was a good influence (ex. encouraging Tai to NOT do drugs) and they stayed friends. Cher could have given Tai her makeover and then left. She didn't. She stayed friends with Tai even though she would be looked down on and in spite of the other girls making fun of Tai. Even after they fight, she wants to make up and be friends again.

Even beyond Tai, she's friends with everyone - even the people she probably "shouldn't" be. The best example would be Travis. At first she does kinda of look down on him, but through the movie she never treats him badly and learns to appreciate who he is. She also supports him as he's cleaning up his act and soon learns that it's okay for Tai to date him.

She reads. It's not always school books, but at least she's reading and tries to improve her vocabulary. That's way more than most teenagers do. The way I see it, reading is reading and it's way better than not picking up a book at all. She also has a far better vocabulary than I do.

Her arguments aren't the best, or researched, and she completely deserves her "C" in debate. However... she does make some good points in her own creative valley-girl way. I feel like Cher would be an awesome blogger. If not just for entertainment and quotability.

Cher recognizes a bad guy when she sees one. At first she thinks of Elton as a friend and wants to set up Tai with him. Then when she sees his true colors and how he really views himself and other people, she knows it's time to kick him to the curb. I think this is a big part of her own journey as well because she starts to learn how she shouldn't look down on others.

While the movie doesn't promote abstinence or anything, it's refreshing to see Cher waiting for a special guy. As she says "I'm not prude, just highly selective. You've seen how picky I am about my shoes, and they only go on my feet." You go girl!

When she meets Christian and forms a crush... you just want to go "Oh... Honey... no..." But in spite of the awkwardness of realizing he's gay and she didn't know it, she doesn't want to stop being his friend. Besides... we've all been in her shoes in some way or another. Whether it has been mistaking someone's sexual preferences, or hopelessly failing while trying to impress someone we like.

Cher makes an awesome emotional journey through the movie. She's sweet and fun and charming, but a snob. She puts her nose into other people's business and is well... as the movie says... clueless. However, as she matures, experiences LA teenage life, and is always being challenged by Josh, she sees her own shortcomings and tries to become better. She begins to look outside of herself and her own little world and beings to help and support other people - genuinely - not just because she thinks it would be fun to give them a makeover or get her a better grade.She sees how each of her friends and family members are wonderful and unique in their own ways, and how she wants to be more like them. She makes an genuine effort to become a better person while still being herself.

Quotes:
- Miss Stoeger, I would just like to say that physical education in this school is a disgrace. I mean, standing in line for forty minutes is hardly aerobically effective. I doubt I've worked off the calories in a stick of Carefee gum.
- Anything that can draw attention to your mouth is good.
- That's Ren and Stimpy. They're way existential.
- So you're probably going, "Is this like a Noxzema commercial or what?" But seriously, I have a way normal life for a teenage girl.
- Christian said he's call the next day, but in boy time that meant Thursday.
- So like, right now for example. The Haitians need to come to America. but some people are all, "What about the strain on our resources?" Well, it's like when I had this garden party for my father's birthday, right? I put RSVP 'cause it was a sit-down dinner. But some people came that like did not RSVP. I was like totally buggin'. I had to haul ass to the kitchen, redistribute the food, and squish in extra place settings. But by the end of the day it was like, the more the merrier. And so if the government could just get to the kitchen, rearrange some thing, we could certainly party with the Haitians. And in conclusion, may I please remind you it does not say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty. Thank you very much.
- She's a full on Monet. It's like a painting, see? From far away it's OK, but up close it's a big old mess.
- As if!
- Thank you Josh. I so need lessons from you on how to be cool. Tell me the part about Kenny G again?
- So okay I don't want to be a traitor to my generation and all but I don't get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair - ew- and cover it  up with a backwards cape and like, we're expected to swoon? I don't think so.
- I am totally butt crazy in love with Josh.
- Oh my God I am totally buggin'.

Are you all fans of Cher and Clueless too? Did I miss anything?

Also - as much as I love Cher, please don't ever take driving lessons from her. 

Awesome Female Role Models - The Bakers Wife

As I look back at my childhood, I realize I was a weird kid.

I remember when I was in fourth grade I first listened to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack and made my best friend listen to it at her house. She was all...

"That one song is cool I guess..."

So, it shouldn't be much of a surprise to you all that I used to spend afternoons with my sister watching an old VHS tape of the musical Into the Woods. 

When I would see Bernadette Peters on TV I would be all "That's the witch!" It is one of my all time favorite musicals ever. Between this show and Disney movies, it most likely explains why I love fairy tales so much. 

Lately, this musical has been popping up in conversations with my director and friend Kasey recently and how we both desperately want to do this show someday. She was in it (as Sleeping Beauty who has one whole line!) in college, but didn't get a larger role because she screwed up the audition. I did the same thing in college - but I didn't get any role at all. Basically we're the same person.

I want to play Red Riding Hood in case any of you want to know. However, the other roles would be amazing as well. Cause... they're just all so great.

Today, I want to introduce you to the Bakers Wife. Who is basically all around amazing.

For those of you unfamiliar with Into the Woods - here's the basic premise.

The first act is a bunch of fairy tales thrown together. Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel. However, for the show the story of The Baker and His Wife is added, and they tie everything together. One day, a witch (Bernadette Peters!) comes to their door revealing that years ago she had placed a curse on their family making them unable to have children. In order to break the curse, they need the cow as white as milk (Jack's cow), the cape as red as blood (Red Riding Hood's cloak), the hair as yellow as corn (Rapunzel's hair), and the slipper as pure as gold (Cinderella's shoe. And no, her shoe was not originally glass go read a book). They have three midnight's to do this task. So, they set off into the woods to find the items and run into all of the other fairy tale characters. 

The second act is what happens after "happily ever after."

The whole musical is on Instant Play on Netflix. If you haven't seen it - go change that right now. It ran against Phantom of the Opera in 1986 for best musical. While it didn't win overall, Johanna Gleason (The Bakers Wife) did win best actress in a musical. Which is pretty amazing. 

You also should watch it because this post will have spoilers. Don't say I didn't warn you. 

At first... the Baker goes off into the woods on his own to accomplish the task. However, the Bakers Wife, being the awesome person she is, decides to help out. 

This is one of the first times you see how amazing she is. She wants to partner with her husband, not just let him run off and doing everything for her. She realizes that marriage is a team effort and challenges her husband to see it the same way. She knows he just wants to protect her and take care of her, but eventually they learn, that "It Takes Two."  

The Bakers Wife is also clearly the brains of the whole operation. She is the one most successful in obtaining the four items and has a way with convincing the other characters to give them to her. 

She also takes care of everyone along the way. She and Cinderella become good friends and gives her a chance to process and "ooooo" and "aaahhhh" over the ball and Prince Charming. 

She has a fantastic sense of humor. It's dry and witty, and she delivers the best one-liners.

She isn't afraid to be girly and to dream big dreams. She loves to hear about the ball from Cinderella and plays with her dress. She can get lost in a good story - almost too lost. 

The Baker's Wife becomes mother to the younger characters in the second act. When Red Riding Hood and Jack loose everything, it's the Baker's Wife who is there for them. When tragedy strikes the kingdom, she keeps it together and helps lead the way. At least for the time being...

She is the glue who holds everyone together. As the show goes on, everyone learns to lean on her guidance and confidence. She helps everyone get through "the woods" and accomplish what they need and want. She's one of the only characters who has a decent head on her shoulders. 

The Baker's Wife will do anything for her family and to achieve their dreams of having a child. Sometimes she does things in a bit... unorthodox manner (like pretending to be a prince and pull a girls hair out of her head)... but it's all for the love of her husband and unborn child.

The Baker's Wife learns that you have to go through trials to grow. You need to experience new things, challenges, and hard times to get what you want and grow closer to the people you love.

However... the Baker's Wife is not short of faults. She always dreams of more. She loves her husband, but dreams of what could be. Which gets her in trouble with Cinderella's prince, and in a way leads to her demise. (I told you there would be spoilers... if you haven't seen the musical and just read that, well... I warned you.)

Cheating on your husband for a one night stand with a prince is not a good life choice.

However, she does learn from it. In the end, she appreciates everything she has even more. If she didn't die a minute later - I'm confident she never would have done it again and lived a long happy life with her husband. (Again... I told you there were spoilers.)

Then, even when she's gone, the other characters can still draw upon her strength to defeat the giant who has invaded their kingdom. They follow her example and become their own little unique family. Even the Baker learns how to take care of his child on his own by trying to think of what she would do. 

The Baker's Wife is far from perfect - but I think she's still an awesome role model.

Awesome quotes:

- "I've never lied to royalty before."

- "We can't do this! You have a princess and I have... a baker."

- "You may know what you need, but to get what you want, better see that you keep what you have."

- "I need that shoe to have a child!"

- "Oh these are no ordinary beans. These beans carry magic."

- "This is ridiculous. What am I doing here? I'm in the wrong story!"

- "Oh if life were made of moments, then you'd never know you had one."

- (To Cinderella) "Is that all? Did you dance? Is he charming? You know they say that he's charming."

- "Let the moment go, don't forget it for a moment though. Just remembering you've had an 'and' when you're back to 'or' make the 'or' mean more than it did before. Now I understand and it's time to leave the woods."

- "If the end is right it justifies the beans."

- "Oh my husband is in the woods somewhere. He's undoing a spell."

- (Singing with the Baker) "We've changed, we're strangers, I'm meeting you in the woods. Who minds, what dangers? I know we'll get past the woods. And once we're past, let's hope the changes last. Beyond woods, beyond witches, and slippers, and hoods. Just the two of us - beyond lies, safe at home with our beautiful prize. Just the few of us. It takes trust. It takes just a bit more and we're done. We want four, we had none, we've got three! We need one. It takes two."

Have you seen Into the Woods? Do you love the Baker's Wife as well? Who is your favorite character? I can't decide! They're all awesome!