Since 2003, the musical adaption of Gregory Maguire’s hit novel “Wicked: the Lives and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” has mystified fans worldwide. The musical tells the story of Elphaba (future Wicked Witch) and how she became “wicked.” G(a)linda has a prominent role as well as Elphaba’s roommate and reluctant friend. The roles were originated by Idina Menzel (who won the Tony for Best Actress) and Kristin Chenoweth. The show is currently the sixth longest-running show on Broadway, grossing over $1.3 billion.

For years, rumors have circulated that a film adaption is in the works. Back in 2015, Lea Michelle and Harry Styles were listed as Elphaba and Fiyero on the IMDB page for the movie. In 2017, former Pussycat Dolls lead singer, Nicole Scherzinger was rumored to be vying for the leading role of Elphaba.

Also in 2017, the show writer Stephen Schwartz confirmed that a film adaption is in the works and gave fans a release date: December 20, 2019! However, after the announcement that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical “Cats” is getting the feature film treatment, the “Wicked” movie once again fell by the wayside…until February 8th, 2019, when it was announced that at last (hopefully) the film will be released on December 22, 2021.

Little is known about the film except that Stephen Daldry will direct, Winnie Holtzman (who wrote the book for the musical) will pen the script along with Stephen Schwartz, and Mark Platt is set to produce.

I am so excited for this movie! “Wicked” is one of my all-time favorite musicals. Ideally, I would love for Idina and Kristin to reprise their roles, but I understand that they are both too old to play college-aged girls. However, the second act could be set 20 years down the road, and then the door could be open for them to come back. I have some ideas for the main cast as I would have it. Given my deep affection for the show, I am incredibly protective and critical of the unreleased casting. Some musicals can succeed with leads that act better than sing, but “Wicked” is not one of those shows. From Elphaba belting out “Defying Gravity” and “No Good Deed” and G(a)linda’s operatic notes, powerhouse vocalists are required to do the show justice.

First off, I definitely think the vocals should be live in the movie. With the success of other live musicals such as the 2012 “Les Miserables” film and “Across the Universe” in 2007, the idea of using live vocals as opposed to the traditional prerecorded tracks has become slightly more popular. Personally, I feel that using the actor’s live vocals adds intimacy and rawness to a movie that can’t be accomplished by lip-synching. That’s why I’m hoping that real singers are cast instead of actresses.

Here are my top picks for the movie cast, as well as some honorable mentions.

1. Elphaba: Samantha Barks

This British songstress got her start on the musical reality series “I’d Do Anything” in 2008, where she competed for the role of Nancy in a new production of “Oliver.” She performed “Defying Gravity” on the show, and came in third, but after playing the role of Eponine in the West End as well as the 25th Anniversary concert, she went on to play Nancy, before reprising her role of Eponine for the “Les Mis” movie. Currently starring as Vivian in the Broadway production of “Pretty Woman the Musical,” Barks’ other theatre credits include Velma Kelly in the Hollywood Bowl production of “Chicago,” and Kathy” in the West End production of “The Last Five Years.” She’s an incredibly talented vocalist and actress and has proven more than once that she has the pipes to wear Elphaba’s hat.

2. G(a)linda: Perrie Edwards

A 1/4 of British girl group Little Mix, Perrie Edwards is known for her stellar voice. Though she does not often get to showcase her operatic skills, Edwards is capable of hitting impressive high notes. I don’t know how good of an actress she is, but I think with a dialect coach’s help to mask her British accent, she could make a wonderful G(a)linda.

3. Fiyero: Brendon Urie

The Panic! at the Disco frontman is known for his versatile voice, impressive vocal range, love of dance, and dashing good looks. I think that if anyone could pull off Fiyero’s swagger and bring his “Dancing Through Life” number to new levels of amazing, Urie is a perfect choice. At 31, he’s a little old to play the role, but he looks a lot younger, and I’d love to see him play a bad boy. During his stint in “Kinky Boots” on Broadway, he impressed fans with his acting and vocals.

4. Madame Morrible: Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is undeniably the greatest actress in the business. While she is less known for singing ability, Streep did get her start on Broadway and had starred in three musical film adaptions: “Mamma Mia!,” “Into the Woods,” and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” as well as singing in such films as “Postcards From the Edge” and “Ricki and the Flash.” The role of Madame Morrible is not huge, but Meryl would definitely be able to steal the show in the role, channeling her character of Miranda from “The Devil Wears Prada” with Morrible’s icy demeanor and caustic insults.

5. The Wizard: Hugh Jackman

The Aussie heartthrob is best known for his role as Wolverine in the “X-Men” franchise films, but he is also a song and dance man. He starred as Jean Valjean in the “Les Mis” film, as well as P. T. Barnum in “The Greatest Showman.” His theatre credits include originating the role of Peter Allen in “The Boy From Oz” on Broadway as well as his one-man show, in which he sang pop tunes as well as old theatre favorites. It would be nice to see Jackman not play the hero for once, though the role of the Wizard is more an anti-hero than a traditional villain.

6. Nessarose: Barrett Wilbert Weed

This theatre actress is best known for originating the roles of Veronica in “Heathers: the Musical” off-Broadway and Janice in “Mean Girls” on Broadway. Possessing solid rock ‘n roll vocal abilities, Weed would nail the minor role of Nessarose. I’d bet she could pull off vindictive spoiled brat very well, but convey a hint of Nessarose’s inner fragility.

Honorable Mentions:

Elphaba: Ciara Renée,  Naya Rivera, Cynthia Erivo, Emili Sandé,  Leona Lewis, Rita Ora, Anna Kendrick, Demi Lovato, Lea Michele, Jessie J.

G(a)linda: Amanda Seyfried, Megan Hilty, Kristen Bell.

Fiyero: Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Jonathan Groff (only with Lea Michele,) Darren Criss, Shawn Mendes.

Madame Morrible: Helena Bonham Carter, Jessica Lange, Michelle Pfeiffer.

The Wizard: Joel Grey, Christopher Walken, Sir Patrick Stewart, Matthew Broderick,

Nessarose: Lea Michele

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To commemorate the Broadway smash hit, NBC announced a well-timed Halloween special “A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 years on Broadway” that will air on Monday, October 29th.

Here’s what Wicked fans can expect for the musical special:

Beloved Songs

The one-hour television special is set to be a celebration of song, with acts performing the beloved tunes from the hit Broadway show. A full list of included songs has yet to be released, but that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating and hoping that their favorites will be on deck that evening. Fan footage shot of Ariana Grande at the recent taping confirms her as the performer of the powerhouse number “The Wizard and I.”

Reprising the Roles

You can’t say “Wicked” without thinking of the ladies who made Elphaba and Galinda household names in the Broadway world. Acclaimed Broadway legends Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth will reunite for the night and treat audiences to a reprise of the friendship we’ve all been missing.

Past and Present

Chenoweth and Menzel won’t be the only leading ladies onstage for the evening. Glindas and Elphabas from previous shows will join in the celebration, taking the stage with the OGs. Fans can even score a sneak peek of the current production, as Broadway’s Glinda, Amanda Jane Cooper, and Elphaba, Jessica Vosk, will be amongst the group. Other members of the current Broadway company will make appearances through the evening as well.

From Fans to Featured Performers

Wicked has garnered fans of all ages over the years, including those with famous names and faces. Never shy about expressing her love for the show, Ariana Grande is confirmed to perform and fan footage of her performance created buzz when it recently made the rounds online. And Grande isn’t the only big name to pay homage to the show. Popular acapella group Pentatonix is set to perform, as well as “Wicked” alumni Adam Lambert, and multi-talented actress/singer Ledisi.

Behind the Scenes

There would be nothing to celebrate without composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, so naturally, he will grace the stage during the show. Filmed at the famous Marquis Theater in New York, the night is sure to be hit with Emmy and Tony-winning Producer Mark Platt at the helm, as well as additional members of the original Broadway team, Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss.

So grab all of your favorite witches, light a few jack-o-lanterns, and celebrate a return to the land of ruby slippers, the yellow brick road, and magical possibility. There’s no place like home.

Channel: NBC Time: 10/9c

You May Like: Quiz: Which Wicked Character Are You?

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1. Animation.

Although several fans have anticipated the movie to be live action, how cool would it be to see a fully or partially animated Wicked film?! One of the great things about animation is that it enhances excitement and emotion that would be impossible to capture in the live-action format. Animation would also bring out more depth to the visual effects, especially in scenes that would require a green screen. With the development of several fan-made storyboards for various scenes, anything seems possible for this film to be animated.

2. Original Cast Cameos.

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth won the worlds’ hearts as the dynamic duo of Elphaba and Glinda. While the two actresses have left their mark as part of the Original Broadway Cast, Menzel and Chenoweth will be too old to reprise their roles if the film is live action. However, there is always the possibility for them to make cameos, whether as a Munchkin, a Flying Monkey, or as a parent to Elphaba or Glinda.

3. A New Song.

Stephen Schwartz has established himself as a force to be reckoned with, writing music for original Broadway shows as well as for Disney films. The soundtracks for the film versions of The Phantom of the Opera and Evita each included a new song written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Likewise, the producers should consider Schwartz adding a new song for the movie, particularly one that would expand character development.

4. A Mix of Broadway and Hollywood Figures.

One of the reasons why the Les Miserables movie was successful was because of its casting. The film joined Hollywood figures such as Amanda Seyfried and Anne Hathaway with Broadway stars such as Aaron Tveit and Colm Wilkinson. Doing the same with the Wicked movie will excite Broadway fans as well as those who are not as familiar with the musical. With the vast selection of sopranos and belters in the music industry, the casting choices are plentiful.

5. Flashbacks.

While Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked dedicates the whole first part to Elphaba’s childhood, the musical Wicked only briefly references the witch’s youth. I would love for the film’s writers to include passages from the novel to form a more solid backstory for not only Elphaba, but also for Glinda and other characters.

6. Vocals Recorded on Set.

Instead of recording the music and then lip-syncing to it during filming, the Les Miserables film had their performers sing on set with earpieces of the piano accompaniment. I loved this method because it is easier to see the actors’ emotions when they are actually singing live. With the right singers and arrangements, the method should work perfectly for the Wicked film.

Agree or disagree? What do you want to see in the Wicked Movie? Leave a reply below…

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Try Another Quiz: What % Glinda The Good Witch Are You?

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We thought it would be fun to put together a list of the top 19 roles Theatre Nerds want to play…

19. Maria – West Side Story – 25 Nerds

18. Rizzo – Grease – 26 Nerds

17. Phantom – The Phantom of the Opera – 27 Nerds

16. Eliza Doolittle – My Fair Lady – 27 Nerds

15. Sweeney Todd – Sweeney Todd – 29 Nerds

14. Elder Price – The Book of Mormon – 31 Nerds

13. Mimi – Rent – 32 Nerds

12. The Witch – Into The Woods – 35 Nerds

11. Fiona – Shrek The Musical – 36 Nerds

10. Fantine – Les Misérables – 40 Nerds

9. Glinda – Wicked – 42 Nerds

8. Maureen – Rent – 46 Nerds

7. Mrs. Lovett – Sweeney Todd – 48

6. Eliza – Hamilton – 50 Nerds

5. Javert – Les Misérables – 54 Nerds

4. Belle – Beauty and the Beast – 58 Nerds

3. Éponine – Les Misérables – 62 Nerds

2. Christine – The Phantom of the Opera – 67 Nerds

1. Elphaba – Wicked – 72 Nerds

What is your dream role on stage? Leave a reply below…

The post The Top 19 Roles Theatre Nerds Want To Play On Stage appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

Once again this dynamic duo reminds us how powerful & timeless this particular story of OZ is, and brings nostalgia to those of us who remember witnessing the original Glinda and Elphaba on stage. The song was part of the channels OutOfOz series, a delightful array of studio recordings from the musical.

The post Watch Kristin Chenoweth And Idina Menzel Sing Together For The First Time In 12 Years appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

No-one was expecting this powerful voice to come out of a 12-year-old, not to mention the vocally challenging song from one of Broadway’s biggest hits ever. The performance moved judge Amanda Holden so much, she hit her “golden buzzer”, which automatically sent Beau to the live semi-final round. Even Simon Cowell showed a grin of approval along with a standing ovation.

Since the broadcast a couple days ago, we have learned Beau received professional vocal training and has won a few other lesser-known competitions. Its fair to point out however, doing this on such a big stage at age 12, is an amazing feat no matter where you come from. Who knows, with pipes like that, maybe we will see her name on a marquee on Broadway or the West End in the near future.

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With its Broadway debut in 2003, the nation was undergoing several changes. We were all still recovering and trying to understand 9/11, catching up to the digital age, and undergoing a new renaissance of tolerance with peoples race, religion, and sexual preference. Young women, raised on a diet of empowerment were hungry for strong and dynamic female role models in popular culture.

Wicked was an instant hit, and 13 years later it is one of the most successful shows to ever hit Broadway, recently hitting $1 Billion in total box office revenue. The ingredients that made this delicious long lasting hit are the lessons and reminders continuously echoed in the Gershwin Theatre 8 times a week.

To celebrate 13 years on Broadway, here are 13 lessons Wicked taught a generation:

1. It taught us that our “differences” are often our biggest assets…

2. And that “popular” is relative.

3. It taught us to live in the moment…

4. Because many good things come to an end.

5. It taught us things (& people) aren’t always the way they seem…

6. And even a wizard is still only human.

7. It taught us unlikely friendships can be made…

8. And reminded girls they could defy gravity.

9. It taught us to dance through life…

10. But don’t forget the important issues in society.

11. It taught us to help each other in times of need…

12. And often, being “good” is a choice we make.

13. But at times, we are all just a little bit…WICKED.

Have one of you’re own? We’d love to hear it, just leave a reply below…

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