The article contains major spoilers for Wicked.
The long awaited Evil the 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 as Glinda and Elphaba in the iconic 2003 Broadway production. Chenoweth and Menzel make a cameo in the Evil film as part of an expanded musical number that pays homage to the stars and adds an extra layer of nostalgia that promises to win the hearts of fans of the original play.
When speaking with Willie Geist by Sunday Session (through TODAY.com), Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the film, described filming alongside the Broadway icons as a surreal moment. She said, “It felt like we were being knighted by queens,” going on to share how the stars supported her and co-star Ariana Grande-Butera, who stars as Glinda. In his own words:
It was a very, very special day for us because it felt like we were being knighted by the queens. They have been so wonderful and supportive. So many words of wisdom. So many words of encouragement, and constantly. I got three video messages from Kristin and a bunch of different voice notes from Idina.
Stephen Schwartz, the composer of the musical and its film adaptations, along with Winnie Holzman, who wrote the original play and the Evil films with Dana Fox, talked about their many ideas for including Chenoweth and Menzel in the film. They explained how the director Jon M. Chu played a key role in connecting the dots between Menzel and Chenoweth and his plans to expand the “One Short Day” number. “Why don’t we make them two wise women from Oz, and they could be Kristin and Idina?” Schwartz remembers Chu saying. Read his story below:
We obviously wanted to honor Kristin and Idina by having them in the film. We wanted to expand ‘One Short Day’ to show more of the propaganda that the Wizard was putting out and really understand better this magical book — the Grimmerie, what is it? Because it appears very significantly in the plot.
And then, of course, we were able to adapt the number to pay homage to the Easter eggs with their performances in the show. Kristin has to do her soprano, she hits a high D-flat.
The two Sages also seem to have a certain rivalry, which satirizes the press at the time when they tried to turn (Chenoweth and Menzel) into rivals. There’s a wonderful moment when Ariana is about to hit a high note and Kristin puts her hand over her mouth. The whole number is a 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 fondly 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 exciting. It was like, ‘Pinch me, is this really happening?’
These four women are extraordinary women and artists and they all truly admire and respect each other deeply.
What this means for Wicked’s legacy
It was a tribute to the past and the 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 interaction 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” heighten the scene’s significance by showing the Wizard’s propaganda machine in action, further exploring the importance of Grimmerie.
Seeing Chenoweth and Menzel interact with Erivo and Grande-Butera It was a powerful symbolic passing of the torch. This moment beautifully bridges the gap between the original theatrical production and the film adaptation, connecting generations of artists and fans. With clever Easter eggs that refer to the 2003 stage musical, the special appearance guarantees a long Evil fans that there will be a lot to celebrate in the film adaptation. The adaptation thus celebrated the past and the present, ensuring that the legacy continues to prosper 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 simply magical. Their cameos as the “Wise Women of Oz” pay loving homage to the Broadway production while also providing much-speculated fan service. When releasing them Evil roles that echo its legacy, the film can bring together fans new and old, making it a celebration of the musical’s past, present and future. With the vision of Jon M. Chu, alongside Schwartz and Holzman, the adaptation successfully honors its roots without sacrificing a new experience for theater and film audiences.
Source: TODAY.com