‘Wicked’ Movie Deep Dive Review

Summary

BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: ‘Wicked’ Movie Deep Dive Review

Episode Information

• Title: BroadwayRadio
• Host/Author: BroadwayRadio
• Episode Title: ‘Wicked’ Movie Deep Dive Review
• Release Date: November 29, 2024
• Description: Broadway's Premier Podcasts

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Introduction

In the November 29, 2024 episode of BroadwayRadio, the hosts delve into an in-depth review of the highly anticipated Wicked movie adaptation. Skipping the usual advertisements and introductory segments, the conversation focuses exclusively on the critical aspects of the film, analyzing performances, direction, adaptation choices, and overall execution.

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Initial Impressions and Overall Ratings

The discussion kicks off with the hosts sharing their immediate reactions to the Wicked movie.

• Fiero praises the film, stating, “I think we can safely say this is a masterpiece. I think John M. Chu absolutely should be trusted with more musical movie adaptations” [00:55]. He rates it four and a half out of five stars on Letterboxd.

• Grace concurs, describing the adaptation as “excellent and exemplary” in translating the stage musical’s first act to the screen [02:07].

• Matt expresses slight reservations, noting a “disconnect emotionally” compared to the stage version, despite recognizing the film's quality [02:52].

Overall, the consensus is that the movie is a strong adaptation, poised to attract both theater enthusiasts and new audiences.

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Acting and Performances

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the performances of the lead actors, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda.

• Grace highlights Ariana Grande’s dedication: “She loves the text, she loves the role… Glinda is hers” [05:32]. She appreciates Grande’s commitment to the operatic flair intended by Stephen Schwartz, despite some critiques.

• Fiero offers a nuanced perspective on Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal:

  "I felt that Cynthia was not set up for success in building the character of Elphaba in this way... It's just not executed in the introduction of this young woman... They robbed her of her initial optimism." [06:33]

  He criticizes the film's handling of Elphaba’s character development, feeling it lacked the initial hopefulness that is pivotal in the stage version.

• Matt adds that while Ariana Grande's performance might not align perfectly with traditional vocal expectations for Glinda, her portrayal remains heartfelt and true to the source material [05:49].

Notable Quotes:

• Fiero: “They robbed her of it. I thought it was a huge mistake” [09:33]
• Matt: “I don't think anybody who is not obsessively paying attention to that... noticed” [06:11]

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Direction and Adaptation Choices

The hosts delve into the directorial decisions made by John M. Chu and how the adaptation process impacted the film.

• Grace praises the expansion of certain scenes and character motivations but points out that the film doesn’t evoke the same emotional depth as the stage musical [02:29].

• Fiero critiques the direction, suggesting that key character arcs were not fully explored or executed effectively:

  “The whole bit about Wicked is the subversion of expectation of what the Wicked Witch of the West is... Cynthia, to no fault of her own, was not set up for success in building the character of Elphaba in this way.” [06:33]

• Matt and Grace discuss the structural impact of splitting the musical into two films, pondering whether this decision affected the narrative flow and character development [16:37].

Notable Quotes:

• Grace: “It was a little off-putting... I never felt connected to either Glinda or Elphaba” [11:14]
• Fiero: “I don't think it's writing. I think it's direction” [17:15]

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Supporting Cast and Cameos

The episode also examines the performances of the supporting cast and the clever inclusion of cameos.

• Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande receive high praise, but the hosts also discuss other notable performances:

  • Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible is lauded for her elegance, though Fiero feels her character lacked depth: “She didn’t get to have a turn... It was all the adults. No one’s shocked when this woman turns” [13:53].

  • Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard is appreciated for adding a unique flair, though Fiero laments that Goldblum’s distinct style may overshadow the character's intended role [15:30].

  • Peter Dinklage’s voice work as Dr. Dillamond receives specific commendation for adding gravitas to the role [19:33].

• The hosts also celebrate the meaningful cameos from actors like Kristen Wiig and Idina Menzel, noting that their contributions enrich the narrative and provide deeper insights into the story [21:10].

Notable Quotes:

• Fiero: “Peter Dinklage offering voice acting for the ages as Dr. Dillamond” [19:39]
• Grace: “They weren't just little throwaways… These cameos are monumentally important” [21:10]

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Adaptation and Script Analysis

The conversation touches on the adaptation process, particularly the involvement of Winnie Holzman, the original book’s author, in the screenplay.

• Matt and Grace discuss how the screenplay remains true to Holtzman’s vision, despite some creative liberties taken in the film’s execution [16:35].

• Fiero emphasizes that the writing remains strong but critiques the direction, suggesting that the actors were not adequately guided to fully realize their character arcs [17:15].

• The hosts debate whether the film's decision to split into two parts diluted the emotional and narrative impact of the story [16:37].

Notable Quotes:

• Grace: “Winnie Holtzman wrote the screenplay for this. She wrote it, and then somebody else took another pass at it” [17:04]
• Fiero: “They robbed her of it. I thought it was a huge mistake” [09:33]

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Cameos and Easter Eggs

A highlight of the episode is the discussion on the various cameos and Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the film.

• Matt appreciates the meaningful integration of cameos, where actors like Kristen Wiig and Idina Menzel contribute to pivotal plot points rather than mere background appearances [21:38].

• Fiero adds that voiceovers, such as Jeff Goldblum’s repeated “Omaha,” provide humorous and memorable moments [21:46].

• Grace points out additional cameos, including Alice Fern as Elphaba’s mother and Sharon D. Clarke as Dulcibear, enhancing the film’s depth and connection to the stage production [22:19].

Notable Quotes:

• Fiero: “The voiceover is Jeff Goldblum just saying Omaha three different times. It’s very funny” [21:38]
• Matt: “Oh, it's almost like he's a wizard. That's Winnie Holzman” [21:53]

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Final Thoughts and Conclusions

As the episode wraps up, the hosts offer their final reflections on the Wicked movie adaptation.

• Fiero expresses immense gratitude for the film, highlighting its unique place in the Wizard of Oz franchise and its potential impact:

  “This is obviously turned up to a million levels because it's excellent writing. ... I am so grateful. I'll see it 100 more times.” [24:02]

• Grace shares plans to watch the movie multiple times, anticipating its longevity in theaters and eventual release on streaming platforms [25:32].

• Matt and Grace stress the importance of media literacy, defending the film’s narrative choices against negative reviews that misunderstood key plot elements [23:18].

Notable Quotes:

• Fiero: “This is the largest franchise of all time, like, globally. And now they have made it into an incredible film” [24:02]
• Grace: “Media literacy is dead” [23:54]

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Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with the hosts inviting listeners to share their thoughts on the Wicked movie via BroadwayRadio's social media channels and hinting at future discussions and reviews.

• Grace mentions plans to watch the movie multiple times with family, emphasizing her enthusiasm and dedication to the franchise [25:52].

• Final Quote:

  Galinda: “We are done presenting the absolute factual story of our wonderful wizard of Oz, starring the Emerald City.” [26:49]

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Conclusion

The BroadwayRadio episode on the Wicked movie offers a comprehensive and passionate analysis, balancing praise with constructive criticism. The hosts engage deeply with the film’s strengths—particularly its performances and faithful adaptation—while also addressing areas where the movie deviates from the stage musical’s emotional resonance. Listeners gain valuable insights into the adaptation process, character portrayals, and the film’s place within the broader Wizard of Oz legacy.

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Share your thoughts on the Wicked movie and join the conversation on BroadwayRadio's social platforms!

Transcript

[Elphaba]

Every little trick, however small, makes my very flesh begin to crawl with simple, utter rolling. There's a strange exhilaration in such total detestation. It's so pure. It's all strong. Though I do admit it came on fast. Still, I do believe that it can last. And I will be loathing, loathing you my whole life.

[Galinda]

Dear Galinda, you are just too good. How do you stand it? I don't think I could.

[Fiero]

She's a terror.

[Galinda]

She's a tartar. We don't mean to show a bias, but Galinda, you're a martyr.

[Elphaba]

Well, these things are Santa dry on.

[Grace]

Happy Black Friday, everybody. And while black is the color that many people will be thinking about as they brave either online or in person shopping. Grace, we are talking about all things green and pink today because we are diving into our thoughts on the Wicked movie. You teased your thoughts on yesterday's Thanksgiving episode. So I want to start this way.

[Matt]

Let's not do a deep dive just.

[Grace]

Yet, but just give me like your 30,000 foot, 30 second snapshot of your feelings about Wicked Part 1, the movie.

[Fiero]

Let us be glad. Let us be grateful. I think this is excellent. Gave it four out of five, four and a half out of five stars on letterbox. I stand by it. People are calling it a masterpiece. I can think. I think we can safely say this is a masterpiece. I think John M. Chu absolutely should be trusted with more musical movie adaptations. And I am very. I received it in the best way possible and I think that it warranted its runtime. Can you believe? All right, you go.

[Grace]

Okay. I believe that this is an excellent and exemplary adaptation of the first act of a stage musical.

[Matt]

I am a little concerned with Act.

[Grace]

2 because there is not nearly as.

[Matt]

Much content to Adapt for Act 2 because it's shorter. But I think the runtime is going to be similar.

[Grace]

So I'm a little interested to see how they flesh that out. Obviously they're going to have new songs in Part two, but I think in.

[Matt]

Terms of adapting the first act of.

[Grace]

Wicked, this was as beautifully done as you possibly could. I thought the expansion of certain scenes and character motivations and stuff like that was very well done. Ultimately, I don't know that I loved it as much as you did. I did feel a bit of a.

[Matt]

Disconnect emotionally from it that I don't normally feel from the stage musical.

[Grace]

But big picture, I thought that this was done incredibly well. And I think it is going to bring so many people either into the.

[Matt]

Theater circle or bring them closer to.

[Grace]

The Theater circle or rejuvenate their love for theater. Because I think it was very, very, very well done. Grace. Let's start with the stars.

[Matt]

Let's start at the top.

[Grace]

Let's start with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana.

[Matt]

Grande Butera, which is how she is listed in this film, which I thought.

[Grace]

Was kind of a lovely thing. And she's talked about the fact that she wanted to go by her full.

[Matt]

Given name because that is who she.

[Grace]

Was when she started in theater.

[Fiero]

If we're going by her full given name, it's grandy. Like if we're going. If we're going for her real name. Yes.

[Grace]

I didn't know that. That's hilarious. Well, okay, well, let's start with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande because I am.

[Matt]

Fascinated by your take on these witches.

[Grace]

Because there's been a lot of debate.

[Matt]

There's been a lot of, oh, they're.

[Grace]

Too old or Ari's not the right vocal type or whatever. I'm interested to hear how you thought.

[Matt]

That these two people embodied these incredibly well known characters.

[Fiero]

Yeah, I think as much as people have a debate over either, it didn't matter who it was, by the way, everyone would have a take. Everybody would have a take. And I think what I love about Ariana, in my opinion, you can tell by watching her performance, whether you like it or not, she loves the text, she loves the role. Like, it's so evident to me that this is a person who genuinely wanted to play her Glinda. And like her Glinda is hers. And it is still also honoring the piece that was written by Winnie Holtzman and Stephen Schwartz. Like, I, I firmly, firmly believed that. And there were times when I was like, oh, vocally, like I really enjoy it when Glinda's do blank or whatever, but it doesn't really matter because that's very, very opiniony. And I think that just like factually considering the, that she is doing that role, I really, really loved. And I think that, you know, her basically being dramaturgy on set was kind of nuts. Like, there's been a lot of like, you know, the video reports of her being like, actually like this line is canon. We can't cut this like that. You can tell you it absolutely reads on camera. And I think that people are going to be fans of the show, I think are also going to be excited by that.

[Grace]

Yeah. And I really, really appreciated the fact that she sang it as written. Like, I know that it might not be the straight channel, coloratura type approach to Some of the Glinda stuff, but.

[Matt]

Like, she didn't have to. She's Ariana Grande. She could have popped it up.

[Grace]

She could have mixed it a lot more than she did. But, like, she came in and did the notes with the operatic flair that.

[Matt]

Stephen Schwartz originally intended.

[Grace]

And I think that again goes to.

[Matt]

How much she loves this show and loves this parts.

[Grace]

And I think it is to her credit.

[Matt]

Was it perfect? No.

[Grace]

But I don't think that. I mean, honestly, I don't think that it mattered. And I don't think that anybody who.

[Matt]

Is not like obsessively paying attention to that and maybe even just looking for things to nitpick, really matter or really even noticed.

[Grace]

So I agree with you.

[Matt]

Now, what about the green girl?

[Grace]

How did you feel about Tony, Grammy and Emmy award winner Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba?

[Fiero]

Let me start with this. It's 2016, I'm at the Hamiltonies, and this woman, after I've just seen her in the Color Purple, delivers an earth shattering. And I'm here and I'm like, all right, well, we'll never see her again. Like, she's done. She's going to be a film and TV star. Like, it's over. And then she has done that, obviously. Like, she's, she's gone on to do a hundred other things as well.

[Grace]

Oscar nominee.

[Fiero]

Yeah, yeah. And I think that she is providing so much power and so much elegance and grace on screen and off in the press tours. I think that people are, as they should, really moved by her performance as kind of they always are. Like, it's, it's kind of this unfortunate, like, exceptionalism that people attribute to her and lots of women of color. Right. That you're like, you always have to be like the greatest, the best, et cetera. And I think that she, she is, she is moving mountains with this performance. And I think that young people are going to be very inspired to not only pursue this, but like feel very seen and heard. Having said, also all of that, one of the. And then, by the way, this isn't even just my opinion. This is literally like, you know, the way that Joe Mantello directed it and the way that Idina also talks about it when she was first doing the role, which is that the whole bit about Wicked, right, is that you're. It's the subversion of expectation of what the Wicked Witch of the west is. Right. All of a sudden, the first time you ever see Elphaba in the stage show is when she runs down center stage and you See this young, hopeful young woman. You see this woman who just. She's a young girl, she's going to college, and she's like, hey, I've been treated like shit for the color of my skin. I've been, you know, villainized because I'm different. But here, everything's going to be different. Everything's going to be cool and funny, okay? And she kind of, like, cracks jokes. Like, the first thing she does is like, oh, is there something in my teeth? Like, you know. Because she knows it's a comedy, right? I feel like Cynthia, to no fault of her own, was not set up for success in building the character of Elphaba in this way. And that I want to stress that I do not believe that that is her fault. I am not sure that Jon directed her. It felt like she was playing the end of the play first. And that was kind of a bummer. Like, the first time we're introduced to her, it's this strong, like, you know, shoe take. And then it's this immediate, like, combative moment, right? And I was.

[Grace]

And they give. And they give her optimism.

[Matt]

They give their. Her optimism for a renewed start to.

[Grace]

Nessa, which is also understandable and valid based on the text. But, like, they did rob Elphaba.

[Fiero]

They robbed her of it. I thought it was a huge mistake. I thought it was a huge, huge mistake. And it really. Especially seeing it the second time, it broke my heart even more because I was like, the thing is, is that we're all supposed to be rooting for you. We're all supposed to. And I kind of like, until, like, the wizard. And I. I was like, please, just, like, have a moment of joy and hopefulness because I know it's there. I've seen her do it. It's not like, you know. You know, this actor is not capable of these things, but for whatever reason, it's just not. It was not executed in the introduction of this young woman. And I also think it was strange that they didn't let her be enrolled in shiz in the film. Like, that's weird to me. And a lot of people have said that they liked it. I'm not one of those people. The whole thing is that her dad sends her there not because he wants her to go to college, but because he's sending her to go take care of her mean, horrible sister. And yes, Nessa fucking sucks, and we'll get into it. But I. Yeah, I think that it's really. It's a real disservice to the writing and the character that she was not set up in that way. Like, I had a really big problem.

[Grace]

Yeah, it was. It was a little off putting. And I said this the other day when we first talked about it. Like, I never felt connected to either Glinda or Elphaba, and I never felt the emotional weight of their arcs or their performances like I do on stage. And they both have arcs, and Glinda's is different than Elphaba's.

[Matt]

They are not the same arc.

[Grace]

And I guess maybe I felt Glinda's a little bit more, but I don't think that had anything to do with Grande's performance.

[Matt]

I think that had more to do.

[Grace]

With, like, the fact that she is kowtowing to a fascist and the world.

[Matt]

As we know it.

[Grace]

So that did bug me. And I think that's a really good point. I don't know that I locked.

[Matt]

I fully tracked that as you said it.

[Grace]

But the one thing I totally noticed was when she was doing that.

[Matt]

Do I have something in my teeth?

[Grace]

You know, No.

[Matt]

I didn't eat grass growing up. No, I'm not seasick. Like, she was looking for a fight. And that bothered me, too.

[Grace]

I didn't remember necessarily that she said.

[Matt]

It as jokingly as you reminded me.

[Grace]

From the stage show, but that certainly makes sense.

[Matt]

And I think that probably goes a.

[Grace]

Long way to why I didn't feel.

[Matt]

As invested in these characters as I would have normally expected to. Especially because I cry every time I see it on stage.

[Fiero]

But that's why. And this also. So think about the moment that you're talking about right then, right when they go to the Ozda's Ballroom. And then there's that moment that Glinda clock's like, no, this does hurt her. And I have hurt her. When I gave her that hat, it's. It was intentional bullying. She joins her in the fun of the making of the dance, and they geek out because they realize they're more similar than they are different. And because, guess what? They're both Nepo babies. Okay, let's say it. One is the governess, you know, you know, she's the daughter of the governor. And then the other girl is just like a rich, blonde white girl. So, like, actually, these two, you know, whatever. But it was strange to me, albeit very powerful, I did cry. But it was strange that in the film, that moment was so heavy and long and drawn out. It's like a four, four minute. Like, let's do our own panto choreo. And in the show, what's funny is. She goes, no, I'm going to be a dork with you because we're fucking freshmen in college and we're, you know, I've made a friend. And that's why popular absolutely hits because we're all on board. We are all each other's girlfriends. And that was that, to me, was, again, a moment where I was like, why so heavy here? Why?

[Matt]

They were playing the subtext rather than leaving it as subtext.

[Fiero]

Yeah, but let it be there. The writing's good, babes. The writing's good enough.

[Matt]

Yeah, yeah. Well, let's.

[Grace]

Let's move off of them and talk.

[Matt]

About some of the other folks.

[Grace]

Jonathan Bailey as Fiero has gotten a lot of praise. Also have Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible.

[Matt]

Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Ethan Slater.

[Grace]

As Bach, Marissa Bode as Nessa Rose, and Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond. I feel like, other than the fact that I'm not sure that Michelle and Jeff are great singers, which I don't.

[Matt]

Think really matters in those parts necessarily.

[Grace]

But, like, beyond from that, like, I don't know that I have a ton of complaints from anything from those folks.

[Fiero]

Okay, well, I'll say this. Michelle, as in, you know, I love her. I don't think that she was directed either to be the silly. She didn't get to have a turn. She was delivering the end of the plot. She was delivering Act 2 at the top of the show to me. And I thought that was kind of a bummer because the whole bit from my vantage point of Madame Morrible is that she is, like, just this whimsical, fun lady that's like, oh, I see myself in you. Like, you're fun and you're not thinking anything of it. You're just like, oh, cool. Someone believes in her. Another person that believes in her. And then when she has that turn, you're like, oh, no, it's all the adults. Like, it's supposed to be shocking. And no one's shocked when this woman turns nobody. And that's kind of a bummer to me. Like, I feel like if you had, like, you know, Kristen Wiig, and all of a sudden you're like, wait, what? She's a bad too. I think that it would be, again, a lot more storytelling and power there. But Michelle is beautiful and incredible, and I think she does a very good job. I feel the same way about Jeff Goldblum. I said something unfortunate that I will repeat on this show, and I apologize. But to say that if Robin Williams were still alive, that would be a different moment. And I feel really strongly about that. Like, I think of him. I think of Phil S. Hoff. I feel, you know, Philip Seymour Hoffman. I feel like Steve Martin, who was considered for that role, Billy Crystal, Martin Short. There are a lot of people that can deliver whimsy and showmanship, honestly. Call Hugh Jackman. What was he doing? I know he wanted to do it, but like, that, and then the sinisterness that can be delivered there. Jeff cannot help but be Jeff Goldblum. Like, I love him so much.

[Grace]

Oh, yeah.

[Fiero]

But he can't not do that. Yeah. As in Elphaba. Wait a second. You know what I mean? Like, there. There's. I thought that we were gonna get a Green Finds a Way. Like, I thought we were gonna get that in there somehow. It didn't happen when Holtzman, you know, found dead. But I think that that was the only thing with those two that I was like, oh. Like. But there's a character arc here, too, you know, And I don't know that they were directed to do that.

[Matt]

Do you think that that might have.

[Grace]

Something to do with the fact that.

[Matt]

The show was split into two movies?

[Grace]

Like, do you feel like because the.

[Matt]

Arc is interrupted in some way, I.

[Grace]

Mean, we essentially get to their turns.

[Matt]

At the end of Act 1.

[Grace]

But do you feel like that might.

[Matt]

Have something to do with the structure of this versus the stage show?

[Grace]

I'm not sure if it does, but I'm just kind of thinking, like, why that might be. Because Winnie Holtzman wrote the screenplay for this. She wrote it, and then somebody else took another pass at it.

[Matt]

Dana Fox.

[Grace]

But, like, this is not.

[Matt]

Like, somebody else came and, like, redid the script. Winnie Holtzman, who wrote the original book, wrote this. So it's not like it's a completely different take on the material.

[Fiero]

I agree. I don't think it's writing. I think it's direction. Like, I don't know that these actors were directed with these arcs in a strong way, and maybe they were, but, like, I wasn't getting to read that watching it. And that was. What was disappointing, was, like, you know, it was kind of, like the top layer of what we remember of the characters, but not how I think that those characters are written to be portrayed. Like, you think about, like, Bach and Nessa, they're bad people. So when they sing We Deserve each Other, they're a different kind of bad. And I'm like, yeah, you do. You do deserve each other. You're both bad people. I think we're just supposed to feel bad for them in this first one, which is good. But there's. I don't. I don't know. You know what I mean? So it's just interesting. I am looking forward to seeing however these things pay off in the second one. But I don't think that. I don't think it's because they were split up because it still was filmed at the same time and we still, you know, get act one, act two, right?

[Grace]

Yeah, yeah. I don't know. I was just thinking like maybe because they knew that you'd have to wait, they didn't want to leave that much.

[Matt]

I don't know.

[Grace]

It's just a thought. But I will say that the thing.

[Matt]

That I found the most joy in.

[Grace]

Are the lines that. I don't know if they were scripted.

[Matt]

I don't know if they were ad libbed.

[Grace]

I don't know if they did a.

[Matt]

Bunch of takes and picked the best ones.

[Grace]

But the lines that felt kind of like throwaways.

[Matt]

I took so much joy in them the first time I paid attention to more of them the second time I saw the movie.

[Grace]

And things like once Elphaba gets there.

[Matt]

Bo and Yang saying I don't see.

[Grace]

Color or after Galinda introduces herself to the. To the wizard as Glinda the gut is silent. He calls her Belinda. The little like stuff that Ariana does.

[Matt]

With the glasses during Popular taking them off.

[Grace]

Very funny. She, when she did the line in Popular Celebrated Heads of State, she does the Evita pose. Like little things that are like thrown in or thrown throwaways. That was very fun for me. And I don't know if that. That's not like a big thing on like how good the movie is. But like those added a lot more level of enjoyment. But also like character realism to me where it's just like they're little jokes but they.

[Matt]

It shows that there's something else going.

[Grace]

On in these characters that could just be big and broad.

[Fiero]

Oh, I loved all of that. I loved all of it. I think that two shining stars of this film that are. I mean some are being talked about, whatever, but Peter Danglidge offering voice acting for the ages as Dr. Dillamond. The way that they portray that character, I freaking loved it. And Bowen, they made Fanny and Chin Chin so much more in this film because they could. And I loved it. I loved all the additions there. And also the moment where they select the hat to gift Elphaba as a prank was so much more sinister in the film. Because on stage it's just kind of like, tee hee. Like, whatever. Like, we're all just kind of like, playing. But in the film, it was so much more pointed and direct of, like, who else do you hate this badly? Like, there's. It's so much worse. And so then it makes what happens in the Ozda's ballroom even heavier. So I actually really loved that.

[Grace]

Yeah.

[Matt]

Well, let's wrap up here and talk.

[Grace]

About the cameos, because we all knew that they were going to be cameos.

[Matt]

But what I loved about the opportunity.

[Grace]

For us to see Kristen and Adina.

[Matt]

Was that they weren't just little throwaways.

[Grace]

They weren't walking by in the background of a scene.

[Matt]

Not only did they have an opportunity.

[Grace]

To sing, but, like, the stuff that they sing is monumentally important to the understanding of what's happening in this version of Wicked. And I'm assuming this is all based off of the book and this all.

[Matt]

Comes from the Gregory Maguire novel.

[Grace]

But, like, the fact that they are telling us that the Grimory, which really doesn't get explained a whole lot in.

[Matt]

The stage version, was meant to be.

[Grace]

Read by, like, this prophesized person, the only person who could read it. And then we find out that that's Elphaba. Like, that's incredible. Incredibly heavy and important information that I'm glad that it was Chino and Adina delivering.

[Fiero]

Also, if you notice the voiceover is Jeff Goldblum just saying Omaha three different times. It's very funny.

[Matt]

No, wait, what?

[Fiero]

Yeah, he keeps going, o Ma ha, O Maha.

[Grace]

Yeah, I didn't recognize that. That's great. And then also other cameos when there's, like, somebody during that scene is like.

[Matt]

Oh, it's almost like he's a wizard. That's Winnie Holzman.

[Grace]

And then the person who says, and which most people know this would have recognized this one. The one who says the wizard will see you now, That's Stephen Schwartz. So more cameos than just Kristen and Adina. But anyway, did you have any? I cut you off. I'm sorry about Cheno and Adina.

[Fiero]

No, it's just to say that if you notice, though, in the scene where Glinda is being delivered to Shiz University, Alice Fern, who played Elphaba on the West End, plays her mother. And I think that that's really sweet as well. And also another one that might go under the radar, Sharon D. Clark is the voice of Dulcibear.

[Grace]

I know. I was going to mention that, too. Yeah, I love that.

[Matt]

I love that. And of course Keala Settle is in.

[Grace]

There as Ms. Cottle. I'm not sure that she has anything to do in Act 2 or in Act 2, in Part 2, now that they're leaving. Shiz. But who knows? Maybe she'll end up being, like, some sort of fascist military leader in Act 2. Who knows? I will say, just to wrap it up, I know a lot of people are very conf. Thought it was unnecessary to expand the whole Dr. Dilliman thing with going to their safe house, whatever. But I can't stress how important that is in this story.

[Fiero]

Oh, it was great. Yeah.

[Grace]

Yeah. I mean, it is so vital.

[Fiero]

Whoever said that you're wrong.

[Matt]

There was.

[Grace]

And if you go to Adam Feldman's Twitter, he quoted a review, a movie, a review of the movie, and cut.

[Matt]

Off who said it, which is probably.

[Grace]

Very nice of him. But this review complained about not only that part, but thought that they should have cut Nessa Rose altogether.

[Matt]

And I'm like, dude, take five minutes to think about who Nessa Rose is and why having her mother's shoes might be important in the future of this story. And I was like, how are people this dumb?

[Fiero]

Open the schools. Open the schools. What are we doing?

[Grace]

Awful. Media literacy is dead. All right, Grace, any final thoughts before we wrap up our wicked conversation?

[Fiero]

I really think that they did an incredible job. I'm so grateful for it. I think that it is going to help. I also don't think we will ever have anything like this. Like, think about. The wizard of Oz is one of the most famous and iconic visual films of all time, 100%. Then someone wrote a book and in 1995, and then they said, you know what? We're going to take that prequel, that fan fiction, basically. But. But it's obviously turned up to a million levels because it's excellent writing. And then we're going to make that into a musical. It's the largest franchise of all time, like, globally. And then it's still on Broadway, and now they have made it into an incredible film. We will never experience anything like this. And I'm just. I'm so grateful. I'll see it 100 more times. I love it so much. But thank you for sitting through some of my critiques, because I do mean them with love, because I thought it was that excellent that it warranted some. Some things that I felt like were opportunities that were missed or, you know, ways to expand because there was so much to love, which I think that Matt and I could spend hours. I've already spent, like, four and a half hours talking with friends about it, all the things we loved. So. But also kudos to this entire cast for genuinely loving the material and loving talking about the show and holding space for the lyrics and defying gravity.

[Matt]

Oh, genius.

[Grace]

I had to ask, I had to ask Ashley Hufford what that meant. Like, I understood what holding space meant, but I was like, is that a.

[Matt]

Meme that I missed?

[Grace]

So she had to explain to me.

[Matt]

Yes, it was a meme from an.

[Grace]

Interview that they did. And I'm glad I now understand. But.

[Galinda]

Short day in the Emerald City. One short day full of so much to do every way.

[Grace]

Let us know your thoughts on Wicked the movie. You can find us on social media, at Broadway Radio, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And I said all my family, as I talked about on yesterday's episode, is out of town, but when they get back, we're going to go see Wicked together. So I know that I'll see it at least a third time, if not a fourth and fifth, before it leaves movie theaters, because I think it's going to be in movie theaters for quite a while before it ends up on Peacock. So. All right, everybody, have a wonderful rest of your Black Friday, a wonderful weekend. We'll be back to talk to you on Monday.

[Galinda]

Short day.

[Elphaba]

And we're warning the city. Now that we're in here, you'll know.

[Fiero]

We'Ve been here before.

[Galinda]

We are done presenting the absolute factual story of our wonderful wizard of Oz, starring the Emerald City.