Inside the ‘Wicked’ Surprise Cameos: How [SPOILER] Landed Back in Oz

As a longtime admirer of the stage and screen, I must say that witnessing the magical reunion of the original Elphaba and Glinda in “Wicked” was nothing short of enchanting. The camaraderie between Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, two powerhouse actresses who brought these beloved characters to life over two decades ago, felt like a warm embrace from a cherished friend.

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers for “Wicked,” now playing in theaters.

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth revisit the magical land of Oz, this time playing different characters from their iconic roles as Elphaba and Glinda in “Wicked,” a production helmed by director Jon M. Chu.

In 2003, these two actors first played the main roles and now they’ve added a fresh part to the song “One Short Day,” retelling the story of the enchanting Wizard of Oz. Their characters vie for attention in the Emerald City, causing Menzel’s character to silence the competition with a powerful rendition of her iconic “Defying Gravity” melody.

In a unique twist, the creator Stephen Schwartz (of the music) and Winnie Holzman (the scriptwriter) make brief appearances in the story. Schwartz portrays an Oz soldier who grants Elphaba and Glinda access to the Wizard’s palace, while Holzman is seen within the Emerald City, promoting the Wizard’s talent for reading the Grimmerie.

In extravagant pink and purple voluminous gowns, Menzel and Chenoweth share tender moments with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who reprise the iconic roles they had originated.

Grande found it incredibly unbelievable, almost unreal, to act alongside Broadway icons. Sharing the screen with the women who originally created these characters was an indescribably surreal experience for her. To have them accept and appreciate our portrayals of their characters was deeply emotional. They had been supportive beforehand, but this was the first time they saw or heard our interpretations on set.

Previously, Grande appeared in NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” alongside Chenoweth in 2016. Since then, Chenoweth has repeatedly commended Grande for her casting as Glinda the Good in various interviews. On the occasion of Grande’s 2021 casting, Chenoweth expressed on social media, “I’m not sure I’ve ever been this proud! From the moment I met you, you were meant for this role.

Inside the ‘Wicked’ Surprise Cameos: How [SPOILER] Landed Back in Oz

As a movie enthusiast, let me express my profound admiration for Cynthia Erivo. She’s nothing short of extraordinary, and I firmly believe she’s the perfect candidate to carry the torch forward in our industry. Trust me, you’re going to be captivated by her performance in her upcoming film. During this year’s Tony Awards, where we shared a stage, I couldn’t resist gushing about my anticipation for her stellar act. On stage, I exclaimed, “I can’t help but express my excitement for the extraordinary performance I know is coming from you!” Cheers to green girl power!

Marc Platt, who was responsible for both the stage musical and the movie versions, recounts that the day they filmed their cameos will always stay with him. “When Kristin and Idina joined us on set, there was an overwhelming sense of love and admiration from the film cast, especially Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Jon M. Chu – it seemed as if they were royalty!” he said. “They had grown up listening to these two women sing, and you could feel that awe, along with a sense of legacy. On the other hand, Kristin and Idina themselves were equally awestruck by these younger ladies bringing these roles to life.

At one point, Idina adjusts my hat before sending me off. To avoid sounding overly dramatic, she made me think of a tradition where a broom is passed on. Therefore, receiving what seemed like a blessing from her, the queen, was incredibly touching and lovely for me.

According to Platt, both Menzel and Chenoweth initially felt apprehensive about being in the movie due to concerns they might overshadow Grande and Erivo. “Both Kristin and Idina were a bit anxious about it,” he explains. “Kristin agreed fairly quickly because she had a relationship with Ariana and was excited.” He continues, noting that Menzel didn’t want to disrupt anything related to Cynthia as she felt, “‘This is her time. I want her to have her time.’

Platt managed to sway them with just a bit of persuasion. He told them, “Both of you will feel compelled to interact with this movie. You’ll be forever linked to ‘Wicked’ lore.” Since Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman had written an integral role for them in the storyline, Platt added, “You’re going to want to be part of something larger than yourselves. For the rest of your lives, you’ll always be connected to ‘Wicked,’ even through this film.” And with that, they agreed, saying, “Alright, you make a good point.

Inside the ‘Wicked’ Surprise Cameos: How [SPOILER] Landed Back in Oz

Chenoweth shared that she felt truly valued when they were invited to be part of the project. She wondered if it might seem odd given that Ariana and Cynthia are now involved, but Mark Platt reassured her, “You must join in. What do you mean? It wouldn’t take place without your contribution!

She mentioned that Idina and I had an absolutely fantastic time during our emotional day of filming our guest appearances. Our costumes were incredible, and we simply improvised our parts. We had the best time imaginable. We completed it all in just one day, and getting back together with my sister was extremely meaningful to me,” Chenoweth explains. She also shared that they arrived early on set for dinner and reminisced: “We had a great time there. Elphaba and Glinda have grown up!

Apart from expressing her joy, Chenoweth mentions her satisfaction with the adaptation of the revered musical into a film. She believes this move will allow a larger audience to experience the captivating tale they might have otherwise missed due to financial constraints. As someone who hailed from Oklahoma and couldn’t afford Broadway shows, she recalls the hardship of not being able to attend such performances, but now with the movie, future generations who may find themselves in similar circumstances will be able to enjoy it. She expresses a sense of pride regarding this development.

Kristin and I have crossed paths numerous times over the past 20 years, but Menzel found the recent reunion particularly special. “It was amazing,” she expressed, “to be there, to experience all the emotions, to practice together again, to subtly embody our characters once more, to share this moment with Cynthia and Ari, and simply enjoy the atmosphere in a unique way. It was just perfect.

For Erivo, Menzel, and Chenoweth’s backing (both on and off-screen) has been a reassuring and motivating force for her as she adds her unique touch to the legendary role of Elphaba. “They’ve been truly wonderful with us,” she expresses, “and we’ve received the most heartwarming words of support from both of them. Such gestures hold significant value because they aren’t obligated to do so. They’ve built these roles over time, but for them to take the time to offer their positive sentiments and allow us to interpret these roles in our own ways is truly meaningful, genuinely touching.

Platt expresses his belief that Menzel and Chenoweth’s participation underscores the lasting impact of “Wicked” as a new audience embraces this cherished musical. He explains, “When we came together, it felt like there was something greater than ourselves, and we were part of something that might outlast us all.” He continues, “Bringing together the world of the stage from the original production and the cinematic realm, especially for those four actresses, was an experience nobody present on the day of filming will ever forget. It was truly a moving moment.

2024-11-23 02:47

Inside the ‘Wicked’ Surprise Cameos: How [SPOILER] Landed Back in Oz

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