"Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo, can relate to being viewed as different.

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Wicked" Star Cynthia Erivo Can Relate to Being Viewed as Different
Consider This from NPR
Release Date: November 25, 2024

In this compelling episode of NPR's Consider This, host Scott Detrow engages in an insightful conversation with Cynthia Erivo, the acclaimed star of the highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway sensation Wicked. Erivo delves deep into her portrayal of Elphaba, the misunderstood "Wicked Witch of the West," drawing parallels between her character's journey and her own experiences of feeling like an outsider.

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Entering the World of Oz

Stepping Onto the Set
Cynthia Erivo shares her initial reaction to joining the Wicked film, describing the overwhelming experience of immersing herself in the meticulously crafted world of Oz.

Cynthia Erivo [03:59]: "I mean, it was really, really overwhelming... Everything is really practical. So Nathan Crowley and his wonderful set designing team created the World of Oz. So when we were on the set, we were on the set. Very little green screen... I loved the feelings. Very overwhelming. That very first day was a lot."

Erivo emphasizes the tangible nature of the set, which allowed her to fully inhabit her character without relying heavily on special effects. This practical approach enhanced her ability to connect emotionally with the environment and her role.

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From Audience to Performer

Personal Connection to Wicked and Outsider Themes
Reflecting on her lifelong connection to The Wizard of Oz and Wicked, Erivo discusses how these stories shaped her understanding of feeling different and marginalized.

Cynthia Erivo [05:43]: "I think there's something about a story about a person who feels like they're on the outside, who's treated like they're different, that just sort of clung to me. I got it immediately."

Erivo recounts her journey from learning the music of Wicked during drama school to finally experiencing the show live. This personal resonance with Elphaba's struggle as an outsider fueled her passion for the role and underscored the universal themes of acceptance and self-discovery.

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Embodying Elphaba’s Struggle

Exploring the Depths of an Outsider
Detrow probes into how Erivo navigated portraying Elphaba's complex emotions, particularly her longing to fit in while simultaneously pushing others away.

Cynthia Erivo [06:35]: "I think it was on the surface for me, like very, very easy to access. Very close to the bone for me. I think I've always seen her as an outsider and I think I've always thought of myself as an outsider."

Erivo reveals that her own feelings of being different provided a profound foundation for her performance. She discusses specific scenes where Elphaba's vulnerability shines through, highlighting moments that were both challenging and cathartic to portray.

Cynthia Erivo [07:03]: "It's a defense mechanism... And when it isn't that, I think it's the first time that she allows everyone to see how hurt she is."

The actress candidly shares the emotional toll of filming these intense scenes, underscoring the authenticity she brings to Elphaba's character.

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Relevance in Today’s World

Themes of Us vs. Them
The conversation shifts to the enduring relevance of Wicked's themes, particularly the dichotomy of 'us versus them' and the scapegoating of marginalized groups.

Cynthia Erivo [09:08]: "We're still shunning certain people. We're still not making space for people. But there is room to change. There is room for empathy, there is room for growth. So I do think it's always going to be relevant."

Erivo draws parallels between the societal issues depicted in Wicked and contemporary struggles with inclusion and acceptance. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and the ongoing need for societal growth to foster a more inclusive environment.

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A Message to the Outsiders

Empowerment Through Difference
Addressing listeners who identify with feelings of being outsiders, Erivo offers words of encouragement and affirmation.

Cynthia Erivo [09:54]: "That thing that makes you feel like an outsider is that thing that also makes you special. I'm definitely not like your cookie cutter normal everyday being... it's very freeing."

Erivo highlights the unique strengths that come from being different, encouraging individuals to embrace their uniqueness as a source of empowerment and potential. She shares her personal journey of accepting her differences as pivotal to her success and fulfillment.

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Conclusion

Cynthia Erivo's discussion on Consider This provides a profound exploration of identity, acceptance, and the transformative power of embracing one's uniqueness. Through her portrayal of Elphaba, Erivo not only brings depth to a beloved character but also offers a universal message of resilience and self-acceptance. This episode serves as both an intimate look into Erivo's artistry and a broader commentary on societal themes that remain as pertinent today as ever.

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Notable Quotes:

• Cynthia Erivo [03:59]: "Everything is really practical. So Nathan Crowley and his wonderful set designing team created the World of Oz."
• Cynthia Erivo [06:35]: "I've always seen her as an outsider and I think I've always thought of myself as an outsider."
• Cynthia Erivo [09:54]: "That thing that makes you feel like an outsider is that thing that also makes you special."

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This episode, produced by Mallory Yu and Mark Rivers and edited by Sarah Handel and Jeanette Woods, offers listeners an enriching perspective on Wicked through the lens of Cynthia Erivo's personal and professional experiences.

Transcript

[Scott Detrow]

Are you a good witch or a bad witch? In the 1939 classic the wizard of Oz, it is very clear who the bad witch is.

[Cynthia Erivo]

I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too.

[Scott Detrow]

Recognize the cackle? That is the Wicked Witch of the west, played by Margaret Hamilton. She was mean and green and remains one of cinema's most iconic villains. In command of her army of flying monkeys, she's terrified generations of children, even some adults, now die. Die. But what if the Wicked Witch of the west wasn't always so wicked? What if she got that way or was seen that way for a reason? That was the premise of the original Broadway hit musical. Wicked focused on the backstory of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the west, and her relationship with Glinda the good witch. The show has won three Tony Awards and has since become Broadway's second highest grossing show, trailing only the Lion King. Consider this. For 20 years, Wicked has been a pop culture phenomenon on stage, and now it is making the leap to the big screen. Coming up, we talk to the Gravity Defying star at its center. From npr, I'm Scott Detrow. This message comes from NPR sponsor Saatva, maker of quality handcrafted mattresses. Founder and CEO Ron Rutzen shares one.

[Ron Rutzen]

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[Cynthia Erivo]

When you wake up and you're totally.

[Ron Rutzen]

Refreshed, you go after things more. And it all starts with being on the right mattress.

[Cynthia Erivo]

And that's what Saatva has been inspired by from the day that we started.

[Scott Detrow]

Visit satva.com NPR and save up to $600.

[Ron Rutzen]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Merrill. Whatever your financial goals are, you want a straightforward path there.

[Scott Detrow]

But.

[Ron Rutzen]

But the real world doesn't usually work that way. Merrill understands that. That's why with a dedicated Merrill advisor, you get a personalized plan and a clear path forward. Go to ML.combullish to learn more. Merrill, a Bank of America company. What would you like the power to do? Investing involves risk. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Inc. Registered broker, dealer, registered investment advisor.

[Scott Detrow]

It's consider this from npr.

[Cynthia Erivo]

Are people born wicked or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?

[Scott Detrow]

Since 2003, many actresses all over the country, all over the world have played the gravity defying Elphaba. Now, the latest powerhouse singer to don green face paint and belt that signature high note is Cynthia Erivo, who just happens to be here in the studio.

[Cynthia Erivo]

Welcome. Hi.

[Scott Detrow]

I mean, to me, from the first few seconds of the film, I was just so Blown away by the visual and the world of Oz.

[Cynthia Erivo]

Oh.

[Scott Detrow]

And I'm just wondering what it felt like to step onto that set in the full costume and makeup and just inhabit that world for the first time.

[Cynthia Erivo]

I mean, it was really, really overwhelming. I think the wonderful thing about doing it the way we have is that everything is really practical. So Nathan Crowley and his wonderful set designing team created the World of Oz. So when we were on the set, we were on the set. Very little green screen, very little blue screen. Everything is. You can touch it, you can feel it. So it felt like you could sort of disappear into the world. I loved the feelings. Very overwhelming. That very first day was a lot. Yeah.

[Scott Detrow]

Going into this, I'm curious how much did. Whether Wicked, the musical or the wizard of Oz, how big did those two loom in your mind growing up? I mean, you're such a big. You're a lifelong theater person, musical person, so I imagine.

[Cynthia Erivo]

But, yeah, so I came. Obviously, the wizard of Oz, for me was first. It was a lot of my childhood. We used to watch it as a family. And in London you have those, like. Used to have, like, Saturday films or weekend films, and they would come on. I think it was like, Channel four. And then when I was at drama school, I think it was about 20 years old, that's when I heard about Wicked, because I started learning the music. A friend of mine would steed away with me to a piano room, and we would sit at the piano and we would learn the libretto and we would just play the music. So by the time I'd left drama school, about 23 years old, I knew the music like the back of my hand and I'd never seen the show. So by the time I was 25, when I could afford a ticket to go to the West End, I bought myself a solo ticket. I took myself on a date, it was my birthday, to see Wicked. And I think there's something about a story about a person who feels like they're on the outside, who's treated like they're different, that just sort of clung to me. I got it immediately. Yeah.

[Scott Detrow]

What do you think you would have thought in that moment if somebody said, and down the line, you'll be starring in the movie version of this, going all over the world, talking about it?

[Cynthia Erivo]

I would probably have said, I'll believe it when I see it. You know, I barely believed that I was going to go to Broadway with the Color Purple, so I don't know if I would have believed them, to be honest.

[Scott Detrow]

Yeah, you've Talked. I mean, you mentioned a few times that being an outsider is such a central part of Elphaba's character. And there are moments where the movie gets very quiet and really focused on that. And it's almost painful to see how she realizes that she's apart from her peers. And just like I feel like you played that part very quietly and very deeply personally. How much were you actively thinking about this character as an outsider? She's both pushing people away and also desperately wanting to fit in because it just feels like it seeps out of every scene of the movie.

[Cynthia Erivo]

Yeah, yeah, I think it was on the surface for me, like very, very easy to access. Very close to the bone for me. I think I've always seen her as an outsider and I think. I think I've always thought of myself as an outsider. So that was. I say easy to access but not easy to experience. Even in those moments where she gets to the joke before everybody else does.

[Scott Detrow]

You're great.

[Cynthia Erivo]

I am. It's a defense mechanism. So if she gets there before everyone else does, then she can avoid what it feels like if someone gets there before her. One of those scenes for me, when she's in class and Glinda says it seems the artichoke esteemed. Whenever I was in this, and when I watch it back, it always felt deeply uncomfortable because it's just that one moment where it's like, oh, I didn't get there fast enough. And then it, you know, sort of all falls apart because she allows herself to hope, allows herself to believe that she might be included. Galinda, Nessa and I were talking about you just now and. Oh, well, we were just talking about you. How you should join us tonight at the Ozdust. And don't tell me you have nothing to wear because you could wear this. And when it isn't that, I think it's the first time that she allows everyone to see how hurt she is.

[Scott Detrow]

Yeah, you know, it's a painful scene. And you said it was painful to film.

[Cynthia Erivo]

Very painful to film. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was a long, hard, painful day. Cuz those are all real feelings that I've had and, and felt and. And I always allowed that moment to not just be what happens at school, but for what happens in her life with her father and her sister. And I just thought all of those things coming together and as someone who understands what that strange relationship with father can be like, I just think. I think I allowed all of those things to be there and be present, to be able to tell the story.

[Scott Detrow]

When you think about the themes of Wicked. There is a very powerful us versus them current running through the movie.

[Cynthia Erivo]

We animals are now being blamed for everything that goes wrong, forced from our.

[Scott Detrow]

Jobs, told to keep silent. Have you given thought to how relevant that is in this particular moment in time?

[Cynthia Erivo]

Yeah, and it keeps coming up about how relevant it is right now. But I don't think that ever changes. I think that it stays relevant. I think we keep being reminded of it. You know, we're still shunning certain people. We're still not making space for people. But there is room to change. There is room for empathy, there is room for growth. So I do think it's always going to be relevant. I think it was relevant when the wizard of Oz came out, and I think it's relevant right now.

[Scott Detrow]

You know, this is a movie that as a musical, as you well know, so many people have connected with so deeply because so many people have felt in one way or another like an outsider.

[Cynthia Erivo]

Yeah.

[Scott Detrow]

What would you say to somebody who's listened to that soundtrack 7,000 times because they feel like an outsider?

[Cynthia Erivo]

I would say that that thing that makes you feel like an outsider is that thing that also makes you special. I'm definitely not like your cookie cutter normal everyday being. I'm very different, you know, and it takes time to be okay with that. But the moment you are, it's very freeing. There's something about you. You're different and that's okay. And it might be the thing that gets you exactly where you need to be. Because I don't think if I didn't understand what it is like to feel different, what it's like to feel like you're on the outside, that this would have come my way. And this is a massive moment and my dreams are coming true. But I think it definitely has something to do with how different I feel and have been, you know, and be brave. You'll be okay.

[Scott Detrow]

Well, Cynthia Erivo, star of Wicked, thank you so much for joining us.

[Cynthia Erivo]

Thank you for having me.

[Scott Detrow]

This episode was produced by Mallory Yu and Mark Rivers. It was edited by Sarah Handel and Jeanette Woods. Our executive producer is Sammy Ganigan. It's consider this from npr. I'm Scott Detrow.

[Ron Rutzen]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Merrill. Whatever your financial goals are, you want a straightforward path there. But the real world doesn't usually work that way. Merrill understands that. That's why with a dedicated Merrill advisor, you get a personalized plan and a clear path forward. Go to ML.combullish to learn more. Merrill, a Bank of America company. What would you like the Power to do? Investing Involves risk Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Inc. Registered Broker Dealer Registered Investment Advisor Member SIPC Support for NPR and the following message come from Rosetta Stone the perfect app to achieve your language learning goals. No matter how busy your schedule gets, it's designed to maximize study time with immersive 10 minute lessons and audio practice for your commuter. Plus tailor your learning plan for specific objectives like travel. Get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership for 50% off and unlimited access to 25 language courses. Learn more at RosettaStone.com NPR.