The article contains major spoilers for Wicked.
The highly anticipated Wicked film adaptation is bringing a touch of Broadway magic to the silver screen, with the return of its two most beloved stars. Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel originally captivated audiences with their roles of Glinda and Elphaba in the iconic 2003 Broadway production. Chenoweth and Menzel make a cameo in the Wicked movie as part of an expanded musical number, which pays tribute to the stars and adds an extra layer of nostalgia that promises to capture the hearts of fans of the original stage play.
When speaking with Willie Geist for Sunday Sitdown (via TODAY.com), Cynthia Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the film, described filming alongside the Broadway icons as a surreal moment. She said, “It felt like we were being knighted by the queens,” going on to share how the stars supported her and co-star Ariana Grande-Butera, who stars as Glinda. In her own words:
That was a really, really special day for us, because it felt like we were being knighted by the queens. They’ve been so wonderful and supportive. So many words of wisdom. So many words of encouragement, and on a constant basis.I got three video messages from Kristin and a bunch of different voice notes from Idina.
Stephen Schwartz, the composer of both the musical and its film adaptations, along with Winnie Holzman, who wrote the original play and the Wicked films with Dana Fox, spoke about their many ideas for including Chenoweth and Menzel in the film. They explained how director Jon M. Chu played a key role in connecting the dots between Menzel and Chenoweth and their plans to expand the “One Short Day” number. “Why don’t we just make them two wise women of Oz, and it can be Kristin and Idina?” Schwartz recalls Chu saying. Read his account below:
We wanted, obviously, to honor Kristin and Idina by having them be in the movie. We wanted to expand ‘One Short Day’ to show more of the propaganda that the Wizard was disseminating and really understand better this magic book — the Grimmerie, what is that? Because it figures so significantly in the plot.
And then of course we were able to tailor the number to have Easter egg tributes to their performances in the show. Kristin has to do her soprano, she hits a high D flat.
The two Wise Ones also seem to have a bit of a rivalry, which satirizes the press at the time when they tried to make (Chenoweth and Menzel) into rivals. There’s a wonderful moment where Ariana is about to hit a high note, and Kristin puts her hand over her mouth. The whole number is one big Easter egg.
Holzman recalled filming the “One Short Day” sequence, sharing the emotional moments the four actors shared while filming the scene. At the end of the musical number, Chenoweth and Menzel stand next to Grande-Butera and Erivo, respectively, looking affectionately at the actors playing the roles they originated.
Filming “One Short Day” and being part of a scene that had Chenoweth, Grande, Menzel and Erivo all together was emotional. It was that kind of, ‘Pinch me, is this really happening?’
Those four women are very extraordinary women and artists and they all really admire and respect each other deeply.
What This Means For Wicked’s Legacy
It Was Honoring The Past And Future
The decision to feature Chenoweth and Menzel is more than just a cameo. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the original production that changed Broadway and defined a generation of musical theater. The interplay between the duo, which parodies their once-publicized “rivalry,” adds a touch of humor and nuance to the already iconic number. Their roles as the “Wise Women of Oz” in “One Short Day” add to the scene’s significance by showcasing the Wizard’s propaganda machine in action, further exploring the importance of the Grimmerie.
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Seeing Chenoweth and Menzel interact with Erivo and Grande-Butera was a powerful symbolic passing of the torch. This moment beautifully bridges the gap between the original stage production and the film adaptation, connecting generations of performers and fans. With clever Easter eggs that nod back to the 2003 stage musical, the cameo assures longstanding Wicked fans that there will be plenty to celebrate in the film adaptation. The adaptation, thus, celebrated the past and present, guaranteeing that the legacy continues to thrive among new generations.
Our Take On Wicked’s Cameos
It’s The Perfect Balance Between Nostalgia and Innovation
The inclusion of Chenoweth and Menzel is nothing short of magical. Their cameos as the “Wise Women of Oz” pay a loving homage to the Broadway production while cleverly providing a much-speculated fan service. By casting them in Wicked roles that echo their legacy, the film can bring together longtime and new fans, making it a celebration of the musical’s past, present, and future. With Jon M. Chu’s vision, alongside Schwartz and Holzman’s, the adaptation successfully honors its roots without sacrificing a fresh experience for theater and film audiences alike.
Source: TODAY.com
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
- Director
- Jon M. Chu
- Release Date
- November 22, 2024
- Studio(s)
- Marc Platt Productions
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures
- Writers
- Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum
- Cast
- Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd
- Character(s)
- Elphaba Thropp , Glinda Upland , Madame Morrible , The Wizard , Fiyero Tigelaar , Boq , Nessarose Thropp , Pfannee , ShenShen , Miss Coddle , Doctor Dillamond (voice) , Avaric Tenmeadows , Gilligan , Professor Nikidik , Glinda’s Father , Governor Frexspar Thropp , Melena Thropp , The Midwife
- Runtime
- 160 Minutes