Fifteen years in Wicked collide with grief, queer joy and the quiet rituals that keep a performer brave eight shows a week.

With part two of the Wicked movie now in theaters, John Corella celebrates the moment by revisiting his conversation with Justin Wirick, a longtime dancer with the Broadway National Tour of Wicked. What begins as a lighthearted holiday replay opens into a layered, intimate look at creativity, identity, resilience and the emotional depth woven into performing the same show thousands of times.

Justin shares how ritual, presence and community have sustained him through the demands of touring life, the pressure of staying fresh onstage and the grief of losing his mother. He reflects on the ways Wicked mirrors the lived experiences of queer performers who spend years learning to celebrate the parts of themselves they once hid. This episode is a reminder that the courage to keep showing up for your art and for your truth is its own form of defying gravity.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcome and Wicked Movie Celebration

02:00 Justin Wirick on Nerves and Finding His Voice

05:30 Fifteen Years in Wicked and Touring Life

12:44 How Justin Finally Joined Wicked After Three Offers

17:41 Wicked Choreography: Stage vs Film

23:54 Justin’s Rituals for Calming Nerves Before Every Show

37:04 Choosing Joy and Staying Fresh After Thousands of Performances

41:08 Performing Through Grief After Losing His Mom

41:25 Why Wicked Resonates With LGBTQ+ Audiences

54:32 Staying Kind and Grounded in a Tough Industry

01:04:15 Dance Lightning Round and Where to Follow Justin