A Whimsical Reunion in the Emerald City
In a stunning surprise for Wicked fans, Broadway legends Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth have reentered the magical world of Oz. The iconic duo, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, make a dazzling cameo appearance in director Jon M. Chu’s highly anticipated film adaptation.
While they may not be reprising their leading roles, Menzel and Chenoweth bring their signature flair to a new verse in “One Short Day,” offering a humorous take on the Wizard of Oz’s backstory. Their characters, vying for the spotlight in the Emerald City, lead to a hilarious showdown that culminates in Menzel’s powerful rendition of “Defying Gravity.”
Joining the fun, composer Stephen Schwartz and book writer Winnie Holzman also make cameo appearances as Oz soldiers, adding a touch of meta-magic to the film.
The reunion of the original witches with the new generation of Elphaba and Glinda, portrayed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, was a truly magical moment. Grande, who previously shared the stage with Chenoweth in Hairspray Live!, expressed her awe at working alongside her idol. “To have the women who helped write and create and birth these characters embrace us and embrace our versions of them, was just so incredibly surreal,” she shared.
Menzel and Chenoweth have been equally supportive of Erivo and Grande, praising their talent and dedication. “She’s just incredible,” Menzel said of Erivo. “I feel like she’s the one to hand the torch off to.”
Producer Marc Platt revealed that the duo initially had reservations about appearing in the film, fearing they might overshadow the new leads. However, with a little persuasion, they agreed to embrace the opportunity to be part of the Wicked legacy.
“Both the girls, Kristin and Idina, were a little bit nervous about it,” Platt said. “I said, ‘Both of you are going to want to touch the film. You’re part of the “Wicked” lore forever.'”
Chenoweth expressed her excitement about the film adaptation, recognizing the opportunity to introduce Wicked to a wider audience. “I’m so happy they made the movie, because I grew up in Oklahoma, and it wasn’t like we could have afforded to go see a Broadway show,” she shared.
As Wicked prepares to enchant audiences on the big screen, the cameo appearances of Menzel and Chenoweth serve as a heartwarming reminder of the show’s enduring legacy and the magic that continues to captivate generations.