‘Sometimes Painful, Sometimes Joyous’: Cynthia Erivo On Filming THIS Wicked Scene, A Turning Point For The Film

by

As a die-hard fan of musicals, particularly Wicked, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming film adaptation! The dynamic between Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is one that truly resonates with me, as it mirrors so many real-life friendships where people from different backgrounds form a bond.

The eagerly awaited movie version of the popular Broadway musical Wicked is getting nearer to its premiere. This story mainly focuses on the growing bond between two witches, Glinda (played by Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (portrayed by Cynthia Erivo), with a sprinkle of magical elements throughout.

Initially, one might find the first girl unusual due to her green complexion, while the second is the beloved student at Shiz University. The pivotal moment in their friendship occurred when Glinda invited Elphaba to the college gathering and suggested she don her grandmother’s witch’s hat. Yet, upon arriving at the party, Elphaba sadly became the target of ridicule instead.

In spite of the jeers, Elphaba remains steadfast in the face of the crowd, which ultimately earns Glinda’s respect. During an interview with the Today show, Erivo reminisced about shooting that poignant scene, describing it as “a particularly significant day… sometimes difficult, sometimes exhilarating.

Erivo expressed that it required great courage, as everything was exposed for all to witness. It was a particularly vulnerable setting, she added. In the ballroom scene, the characters enacted an intense dance routine, with the cast acting as a protective barrier around them, according to the actress.

Erivo felt thankful for having the opportunity to live through and portray the internal struggles her character Elphaba might have faced, and to make these struggles visible to the public. This sequence lasted for 10 minutes straight and was shot in a single take. During every filming of this “12-hour workday,” there was absolute quiet on set, according to Grande.

In the recollection of the Thank You Next singer, every performer in the room – dancers included – shared a connection with us. It seems that part of each of our hearts remains in that room even now. When the day’s work ended, Grande, the director John M Chu, and producer Marc Platt gathered around Erivo, offering comforting embraces as they suggested it was time for her to rest.

In my analysis, Elphaba’s weaknesses were intended to be evident – they were her leading traits, as I observed. You see, Elphaba carries both confidence and self-questioning within her, much like an intricate onion peeled back layer by layer.

Read More

2024-11-20 17:38