‘Wicked’ Broadway Stars’ Cameos Were Almost Very Different

by

As a devoted admirer of the musical theater scene, I must say that Jon M. Chu’s handling of the iconic roles from “Wicked” has been nothing short of magical. His dedication to preserving the essence of the original Broadway stars, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, is truly commendable.

For longtime “Wicked” enthusiasts, the concept of a movie version that didn’t acknowledge at least some tribute to the original Broadway performers – Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as Elphaba and Glinda – was almost unimaginable. Fortunately, the director (and self-admitted musical aficionado) Jon M. Chu shared this sentiment.

How did the significant appearances of Menzel and Chenoweth as Glinda and Elphaba (respective) materialize in the movie version featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo? This question has been answered through a recent interview with Sean O’Connell, managing editor at CinemaBlend, offering insights into the development of their roles during the most anticipated film of the year.

Of course, if you haven’t had a chance to watch the movie yet and wish to avoid any spoilers, it would be best to stop reading here!

How Did Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth’s ‘Wicked’ Cameos Come To Be?

In the interview, Chu discussed the multiple variations considered for the duo’s role in the movie, starting from the 17-minute point. Originally, they were planned as brief appearances, but as the director and his team, including Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, pondered ideas like them being Glinda’s parents or having other roles, everything seemed acceptable initially. However, each time they delved deeper into thoughts, it didn’t seem fitting.

Chu further mentioned that he desired the women to have the opportunity to both sing and act, as they aren’t elderly individuals from past generations who are past their prime. Essentially, he said, “They’re at the height of their abilities now! They haven’t stopped doing it like some others do. You want them to continue excelling.” In other words, let them perform to the best of their abilities.

He added:

In my enthusiasm as a fan, I thought if they appeared in this film, they’d need to showcase their talents! Consequently, we had a segment planned, named Wizomania. It wasn’t an exact phrase, but more like a journey they embark on. Wizomania was going to be similar to ‘It’s a Small World,’ where you board a boat and traverse the history of Oz. The performance would occur around them, then we’d guide you back to the Wizard Palace.

As a die-hard movie fan, let me share an exciting behind-the-scenes story. When the clock was ticking and the musical seemed to be in trouble, none other than Stephen Schwartz stepped in at the last minute. He said, “Give me one night,” then miraculously reworked the entire script into a captivating performance for these young actresses. With his magic touch, he infused it with joy, and I couldn’t help but think, “This is it! This moment feels like a perfect send-off.

Initially, after capturing the scene, there was uncertainty regarding the best way to present the women on screen. During editing, we went back and forth discussing how much to reveal about them, when and where to show them, even questioning what might be too much for the audience. We grappled with this a bit and tried to strike a balance in our presentation.

Of course, it’s evident that the audience found their performance impressive, and we are eagerly anticipating the conclusion of the Wicked tale when the sequel premieres in theaters next year.

Read More

2024-12-09 01:31