‘A Beautiful, Emotional Journey’: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Share Insight on Their ‘Wicked’ Set Bond

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As a musical theater enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I am beyond excited for the upcoming cinematic adaptation of Wicked! The prospect of witnessing this beloved tale unfold on the big screen, directed by the talented Jon M. Chu, promises an unforgettable spectacle.

This beloved and timeless musical, Wicked, is set to hit the silver screen this festive season, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience. Directed by the esteemed Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked delves into the untold tale of the witches from Oz. Leading the cast is Cyntia Erivo, a multi-award winner (Emmy, Grammy, Tony) and Oscar nominee (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple), playing Elphaba – a young woman with unique green skin who remains unrecognized for her true power. Alongside her is Ariana Grande, a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum singer and worldwide sensation, portraying Glinda, a young woman of privilege and ambition still searching for her genuine heart.

At Shiz University in the magical realm of Oz, these two individuals first cross paths as students and form an unexpected yet deep bond. A meeting with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz tests the strength of their friendship, causing their lives to diverge significantly. Their extraordinary journeys through Oz will eventually lead them to realize their destinies as Glinda the Kind and the Malevolent Witch of the West.

In the magical land of Oz, Elphaba Thropp, portrayed by Cynthia Erivo, serves as the eldest daughter of Governor Thropp (Andy Nyman) of Munchkinland. Born with shimmering green skin and extraordinary talents she cannot fully manage, she finds herself estranged from most others, with the exception of her sister, Nessarose, and their caring nanny Dulcibear. This character demands a deep emotional resonance, as she carries the burden of her tumultuous life experiences.

Discussing our collaboration on Wicked with Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande expresses, “I honestly can’t imagine going through this journey without her. It’s truly an honor to create a bond of safety and love while working so closely together. The atmosphere could have been tense, but everyone made it feel incredibly comforting instead. We never struggled to reach the emotional depth required for our roles, and looking back, everything seems to have fallen perfectly into place. It was an emotionally moving journey, and by the end of long days, we’d joke about feeling like ‘husks,’ having given so much to our performances. Having her by my side throughout and afterward, exchanging supportive messages, has been the most cherished aspect of this experience.

The upcoming Broadway stage musical is being co-produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, the Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone. This production will be distributed by Universal Pictures (under Warner Bros. Discovery) for its release in India on November 22, 2024. The language of the release will be English.

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2024-11-06 13:37