As a devoted fan of musical theater, I find myself utterly captivated by the behind-the-scenes insights into the creation of the original Wicked Broadway musical. Hearing Stephen Schwartz and Arranger Stephen Oremus share their experiences with Variety was like peeking backstage at a magical production, illuminating the intricate dance between creativity and performance that breathes life into every note and character.
Kristin Chenoweth’s desire to sing in her pure soprano range led Schwartz to craft Glinda’s voice to encompass her full range while addressing the audience. It’s fascinating to consider how an actor’s unique vocal abilities can shape the final version of a song, much like a potter molding clay into a masterpiece.
The creative process in musical theater is a delicate balance between artistic vision and individual talent. As Stephen noted, actors have a significant influence on the final product because they must hit every note, rhythm, and tempo while making it look effortless. This requires a level of trust and collaboration that I believe sets musical theater apart from other forms of performance.
Stephen Oremus mentioned pushing Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to explore beyond their initial offerings, much like a chef urging an apprentice to add a pinch more salt or a dash more pepper to perfect the dish. It’s clear that these artists were not only willing but excited to “inhabit” their characters and find their unique interpretations of Elphaba and Glinda.
The pressure to live up to two decades of adoration for the original musical was certainly no small feat, yet they approached it with a sense of honor and adventure. As they explored new ideas and pushed boundaries, Schwartz and Oremus encouraged their team to “keep exploring…have some fun with it.” This attitude of creative freedom and playfulness is what makes the world of musical theater so enchanting.
In closing, I must admit that as I watched the latest Wicked musical unfold on the big screen, I couldn’t help but wonder: if the characters were singing in their own unique voices, what would Glinda’s secret ballad sound like in Kristin Chenoweth’s pure soprano range? Perhaps something akin to a sugar-coated canary serenading a stormy sky. Or maybe it would be more fitting for her to belt out a powerhouse number that would leave even the Wicked Witch of the West green with envy! After all, in the world of musical theater, anything is possible…even a sugar-coated canary!
In conversation with Variety, creators Stephen Schwartz and arranger Stephen Oremus divulged entertaining behind-the-scenes facts about the original Broadway production of Wicked. They disclosed that a modification was made to Glinda’s voice as Kristin Chenoweth expressed her desire to sing in her natural, high soprano register.
It was then that Schwartz conceived the notion for her to sing using her entire vocal range as she interacted with the audience. He found this aspect of musical theater quite intriguing, explaining, “It’s fascinating how an actor’s voice can shape a song’s final rendition.
He shared that although it’s unclear to what extent actors shape a play, they exert significant control over musicals. This is because in musicals, actors must not only deliver each note, rhythm, and beat flawlessly but also make their performance appear effortless.
In addition to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who portrayed Glinda and Elphaba in the latest film version of the popular Broadway musical, Oremus mentioned that they were often challenged by him. He humorously recounted asking, “And… what’s next? Can we have more?” to which they responded, “Oh, we can do other things too?
Additionally, he disclosed that the performers held the content in high regard and were “eager” to lend their voices to it. They were prepared to “embody these roles and discover where they needed to take them individually.
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but feel the immense weight of expectations. We’re not just creating another musical; we’re reviving a beloved classic that has resonated with people for two decades. Our goal is to pay homage while also giving it a fresh, stunning makeover – a new, “beautiful” take on the original masterpiece. Truly, this task is what makes our work exciting!
Oremus shared that whenever someone on the music team proposed a fresh idea, he and Stephen would encourage them to continue experimenting and suggested, “Let’s venture further. Let’s make it enjoyable.” He went on to say this.
The recently released movie adaptation of Wicked proved to be a massive success, earning a staggering $635 million at global box offices. Alongside Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the film featured performances by Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Dinklage, among others. At present, Wicked is still playing in cinemas.
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2025-01-01 00:37