Two of Evilof The biggest and most surprising actors finally reveal their cameos in the 2024 adaptation in a series of new photos alongside the film's leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera. The film is based on the 2003 stage musical that gave a sympathetic origin to the Wicked Witch of the West from L Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz tales. In EvilErivo takes on the role of Elphaba, while Grande-Butera plays Galinda, the future Wicked Witch and Good Witch of Oz.
As Evil rises at the box office, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth each shares their own Instagram posts detailing their experiences filming their appearances in the musical number "One Short Day." The two performers who played Elphaba and Glinda respectively appeared during the sequence as two main stars of the Wizomania show, each sharing a selection of photos from filming the number set in the Emerald City.
In Menzel's post, the star can be seen in costume in photos alongside Erivo and Chenoweth on the Emerald City set during filming, as well as photos with Boq actor Ethan Slater and his 2003 co-star during earlier moments on set, outside of filming.
About that, Chenoweth's posts presented a glimpse into the original Galinda actress' interactions with Grande-Butera and Erivoas well as glimpses of herself preparing her costume.
What Menzel and Chenoweth's appearances represent in Wicked
The two pay homage to their original roles
Menzel and Chenoweth's appearances in Evil are one of the film's best-kept surprises. When Elphaba and Galinda arrive in the Emerald City in "One Short Day," the pair find themselves watching Wizomania, a musical reimagining of the Wizard's (Jeff Goldblum) supposed origins. Despite not playing their original characters, the two 2003 leads' performances evoke their early onstage dynamics.
In the sequence, the two stars exit the stage and interact with their counterparts from the 2024 film. While their roles don't overshadow their original involvement too much, the moment is nevertheless one of the several heartfelt tributes to the stage show and can be seen as a loving passing of the torch between two iterations of the musical.
Our thoughts on Menzel and Chenoweth's behind-the-scenes glimpse
The duo's presence is a moving tribute to the program's legacy
With EvilWith pre-release promotional material ensuring that Menzel and Chenoweth's involvement remained hidden, both stars' posts are the best glimpses of the pair on set during production. It's clear that both stars approve of their involvement in the long-awaited film adaptation and have established a good relationship with director John M. Chu and the cast and crew.
Additionally, many will simply be pleased to see the original Elphaba and Glinda interact with the two stars who would help bring the characters to the big screen. As such, Menzel and Chenoweth Evil Behind-the-scenes photos are a perfect way to celebrate the show's broader impact following a successful cinematic translation.
Source: Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth