Something wicked this way comes: The “Wicked” movie musical adaptation has finally found its Glinda and Elphaba.
Director Jon Chu announced on Instagram today, Nov. 5 that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have bagged the much-coveted roles. The leads also shared the happy news along with photos from the video call where Chu told them that they’re playing the two unlikely friends.
Grande, who is an alum of Broadway’s “13,” captioned her post with a simple “thank goodness”—which is also the title of one of her character Glinda’s songs. Grande has been a longtime fan of the show and has even released a track that sampled “Popular.” Her post included a photo of Erivo’s sweet message sent with a bouquet: “Congratulations, Miss A. The part was made for you. I look forward to sharing this musical journey with you.” We can already imagine Grande as the bubbly, perky, and popular Glinda the Good Witch.
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For Erivo’s post, she wrote the now iconic line, “Pink goes good with green.” She also shared a photo of Grande’s handwritten message attached to a bouquet which read: “Honored doesn’t even begin to cover it. I cannot wait to hug you. See you in Oz.” The Tony-winning actress’s powerful performances in Broadway’s “The Color Purple” and “Harriet” are proof that she’ll most probably make us cry as the tragically misunderstood and fiery Wicked Witch of the West.
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Jon Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “In The Heights”) took the helm after Stephen Daldry (“Billy Elliot”) departed the project which has been in development limbo for years. The musical is based on Gregory Maguire’s unauthorized “The Wizard of Oz” prequel novel titled “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” It follows the story of the rivalry and friendship between Glinda and Elphaba as well as the latter’s fall from grace.
While the performances of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth will always be in our hearts, we can’t wait to see what their successors will bring to the roles. Are you ready to hear “Defying Gravity” everywhere again?
Photo courtesy of Ariana Grande’s Instagram
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