Musical theatre has always been a space where women get to take up room — emotionally, politically, and vocally. From quiet moments of shared understanding to full-throttle declarations of independence, some of the most powerful songs in musicals are driven by women lifting each other up, challenging expectations, and rewriting their own stories. These aren’t always traditional duets, but they are moments where female voices come together — in harmony, solidarity, or defiance — and that’s where the magic really happens!

Wicked – “For Good”

Few musical theatre songs capture female friendship quite like For Good. Sung by Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked, it’s a moment of reflection rather than spectacle — two women acknowledging how deeply they’ve shaped one another. There’s no rivalry here, no need to win. Instead, the song celebrates growth, empathy, and the idea that being changed by another woman is something to treasure, not fear. It’s quietly revolutionary, and a huge part of why Wicked continues to resonate so strongly.

Marie and Rosetta – “Up Above My Head”

Long before rock and roll had a name — and long before Elvis — Sister Rosetta Tharpe was already changing music forever. A gospel singer who plugged in an electric guitar, sped everything up, and blurred the lines between sacred and secular, Rosetta helped invent a sound that the world would later credit to men. Marie and Rosetta places her alongside Marie Knight, a more traditional gospel singer, and Up Above My Head becomes a joyful celebration of partnership and possibility. Together, they embody female empowerment through risk, collaboration, and unapologetic musical ambition.

The Color Purple – “Sister” / “I’m Here”

At the heart of The Color Purple is the idea that survival is easier — and stronger — when women stand together. Whether through the communal energy of Sister or the emotional release of I’m Here, the show centres female resilience, self-worth, and solidarity. These moments may not always be structured as duets, but they are powered by connection: women recognising themselves in one another and refusing to stay silent any longer.

Six - “No Way”

Catherine of Aragon’s defiant anthem kicks off SIX with a refusal to be quietly rewritten. Cast aside for a younger wife, she refuses to accept the narrative she’s been given, asserting her intelligence, resilience and right to be remembered. Set against the stories of Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr, the song establishes the show’s central idea: these women were more than footnotes in Henry VIII’s life — they had voices, agency and stories worth reclaiming.

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