Prior to Marissa Bode receiving the ReelAbilities Film Festival’s Spotlight Award at the event on Thursday evening, her fellow Oscar-nominated actors, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, unexpectedly showed up in a video call.
In a recorded message, the duo praised Bode for her groundbreaking portrayal and commitment to representation as the first authentically cast disabled actor to play Nessarose – Elphaba’s sister who uses a wheelchair – in the long-running musical “Wicked”. According to Erivo in the pre-recorded video, Bode elevated the role of Nessarose to unprecedented levels and brought an authenticity to it that had not been seen before.
Grande expressed immense joy about being involved in a trailblazing movie, stating that it will pave the way for actors with disabilities for decades. He also mentioned how privileged he felt to collaborate with you, emphasizing that every moment of celebration is well-deserved.
Just a moment ago, backstage before the packed house of The Shed’s opening night, Ethan Slater – another cast member of mine – stepped up to introduce me. He praised the authentic casting that was opening doors for actors with disabilities, not just here in Oz, but also in Hollywood. And let me tell you, his words were echoed throughout the performance as I left him continually awestruck.
During the film’s promotion, I was fortunate enough to listen to Marissa discuss the importance of her genuine casting. She explained how it would have impacted young Marissa, and what it could signify for our industry’s transformation – for the better. To those among you looking for disabled talent to bring your narratives to life, remember the message from ‘Wicked’: everyone deserves a shot at flying. And as demonstrated by Marissa Bode, when provided with opportunities, they truly soar.
The festivities marked the commencement of the first night for the country’s biggest disability film festival, spanning until April 9 at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. During this event, Bode shared insights about her remarkable journey with The Hollywood Reporter, focusing on several aspects related to the Jon M. Chu-directed films.
The sequel to “Wicked”, titled “Wicked: For Good”, is set to alter a section of Nessarose’s storyline in the movie version. In contrast to the Broadway musical based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, Elphaba employs a charm that enables her sister Nessarose to move without needing a wheelchair. However, Bode revealed to THR that “there have been some alterations” in the film, hinting at a more ominous tone than the original. “I can’t reveal what these changes are quite yet,” she mentioned, “but they did make these adjustments so that the magic within ‘Wicked’ remains intact, but the narrative becomes less offensive to individuals with disabilities.
Winnie Holzman, who wrote the book for the musical “Wicked” and co-wrote its screenplay, took care to make a necessary adjustment in the film because she wanted to portray that moment accurately. It wasn’t until just before the movie was made public that actress Bode learned about this modification, when she finally met with Holzman for their first conversation. During their discussion, they discovered that Winnie had listened to feedback from the disabled community about the “fixed” narrative during the Broadway show’s run and realized that it wasn’t always the best portrayal.
As a fellow enthusiast, I wholeheartedly agree with the actor’s sentiment. It’s crucial to emphasize that my personal perspective is not universal among individuals with disabilities. My partner, for instance, grapples with chronic pain, and she often expresses her wish for it to cease. However, it’s important to acknowledge that generalizing all disabled people as yearning for a ‘fix’ can stem from misconceptions.
Representations like the one in Wicked, on a grand scale, could unintentionally perpetuate such misunderstandings, leading to potentially harmful consequences. I’ve personally experienced moments of pity because people assume I lead a less fulfilling life simply due to my wheelchair. These instances where I’m seen as ‘less than’ or in need of being ‘fixed’ or ‘prayed over’ have been decidedly uncomfortable for me.
In order to bring about this transformation, Holzman chose to have a conversation with a disabled companion. According to Bode, this was crucial as it allowed him to truly understand and portray a disabled character by actively listening to someone in that position.
Bode mentioned that everything which occurred in the plot transformation had previously been scripted. She didn’t play a role in altering it, and she felt relieved about this because it meant she didn’t need to worry about it during her acting work. Besides being relieved that the production didn’t require her to take on both consultant and performer roles, the actress who played Nessarose told THR that she was also glad the adjustments weren’t made due to her input. This way, any criticism or disagreement regarding the movie’s departures from the stage musical’s narrative wouldn’t be directed at her or her authentic casting.
Bode expressed his concerns about the upcoming production of “[Wicked: For Good]”. He feels uncomfortable with the persistent depiction of disabled characters seeking repair and fixing, which he believes may not be beneficial. He acknowledges the long-running success of “Wicked” on Broadway but notes that altering something with such a dedicated fan base can be intimidating. Therefore, he is somewhat apprehensive about the potential response to these changes, yet he stands firm in his belief that it’s for the greater good of his community. He clarifies that he doesn’t speak for all disabled individuals but believes the modifications made are generally positive.
Bode’s remarks follow a series of productions and their main actors receiving backlash on social media, as some viewers disapprove of characters being played by more diverse or contemporary actors. These productions have also been criticized for the way they handled updating outdated themes and stereotypes. Notable examples include the Harry Potter TV series, Disney’s live-action Little Mermaid and Snow White, Amazon’s Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power prequel, and Romeo + Juliet on the West End, starring Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers. These productions have had to deal with criticism from self-proclaimed purists.
Wicked, known for its extensive diversity both in front of and behind the camera, featuring a racially mixed cast and numerous LGBTQ+ actors among its ensemble, has sparked controversy among some viewers. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that Bode praised Wicked‘s casting director, Chelsea Egozi, for her decision to include an authentic disabled individual in the cast and for casting a Black actor as Elphaba.
In my opinion, there seems to be an additional dimension when a person of color is cast in that part, Bode points out. Frankly, I can’t fathom why people were upset about a Black woman playing a green character. To begin with, she’s green. Secondly, I believe you might have misunderstood the essence of Wicked. You should rewatch it because you missed the message of discrimination based on skin color. Perhaps take a moment to reflect and recognize that you may be doing the same [thing] by clinging to your preconceived notions about who should play this role.
The selection of Bode and Erivo, along with decades of input regarding the Broadway play, opened up opportunities for the stage adaptation of the musical to choose Jenna Bainbridge, who is the first wheelchair-using actor to portray Nessarose, as well as Lencia Kebede, the first Black actress to play Elphaba on a permanent basis. Bode expressed joy about being involved in setting a new standard for future casting choices within the Broadway production.
The influence of the actor extends beyond the film industry, reaching the media and award ceremonies. Ensuring proper accommodations during the production of Wicked and Wicked: For Good was a significant aspect of Bode’s promotional tour. However, Bode has gone further to ensure such considerations are not limited to themselves but also extended to their disabled colleagues, especially during awards seasons and festivals, where accessibility often varies from event to event.
The actor expressed that on two occasions, they noticed two of their disabled colleagues lacked certain essential items. They approached the organizers discreetly, saying something like, ‘I appreciate your thoughtfulness in considering my accessibility needs, but I encourage you to remember everyone’s requirements for future events, not just mine.’ The actor emphasized that when discussing accessibility, they meant it for everyone, not just themselves, and hoped that in the future, all disabilities would be taken into account.
What truly matters to me is my community and the way they view me. There’s definitely pressure in that regard, but having earned a platform, I can uplift others within the community and amplify their voices. Being recognized tonight by such a diverse group is a testament that my efforts have made a difference, which is all I ever wanted. I aim to continually use any platform I receive to advocate for this community, as there’s still much work needed.” (Bode, discussing her ReelAbilities honor)
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2025-04-04 22:25