Podcast Summary: Sentimental Men - Episode 64: “This Story Deserves the Best of Us” (with Cynthia Erivo)

Podcast Information

• Title: Sentimental Men
• Host/Authors: Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi
• Description: Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi discuss and celebrate their favorite women in musical theatre.
• Episode: 64
• Title: “This Story Deserves the Best of Us” (with Cynthia Erivo)
• Release Date: November 15, 2024

Introduction

The episode begins with a lively introduction featuring Cynthia Erivo, Kristin Chenoweth, Sara Bareilles, Gloria Steflin, Patti LuPone, and Lin Manuel Miranda, setting an enthusiastic tone for the conversation about Cynthia Erivo’s pivotal role in the upcoming Wicked movie adaptation.

Cynthia Erivo’s Journey to Wicked

Cynthia Erivo shares her deep connection with Wicked and how it influenced her career from an early age.

• Early Connection (00:05 - 06:09): Cynthia recounts discovering Wicked at drama school when she was 20 years old. She and her friend Michael Peoy would practice the entire musical, immersing themselves in the music before ever seeing the show live. This early dedication laid the foundation for her passion for the role of Elphaba.

  Cynthia Erivo [06:09]: "So when I say I knew the music, I learned the libretto. We just went through Day by Day and went back and went all the way through it often. So I knew everything."

• First Live Experience (06:55 - 07:59): At 25, Cynthia saw Wicked in London, which solidified her desire to be part of the musical theatre world. The immersive experience left her inspired and determined to contribute to such a powerful story.

  Cynthia Erivo [07:10]: "I immediately took to Elphaba because I understood what it was like to just sort of, like, be, like, different or not fitting in."

Securing the Role in the Movie (09:08 - 17:05)

Cynthia discusses her unexpected audition process for the Wicked movie.

• Audition Process (09:08 - 15:23): Despite her experience and preparedness, the opportunity to play Elphaba never materialized until the film audition. Cynthia preferred not to be aware of the casting process, hoping to shield herself from potential disappointment.

  Cynthia Erivo [09:23]: "I knew that they were seeing people for the film, and I told my team to not say anything to me at all."

• The Pitch (17:05 - 19:58): Cynthia describes the emotional moment when she received the call to audition. The respectful and thorough audition process involved extensive preparation, including a three-hour session where she performed multiple scenes and songs.

  Cynthia Erivo [17:05]: "I was just like, ready, let's go. Let's do this. I think it was early we went through the music..."

Behind the Scenes: Building the Relationship with Co-Stars (22:04 - 30:30)

Cynthia highlights the collaborative efforts in creating a meaningful connection with Ariana DeBose, her co-star.

• Initial Collaboration (22:04 - 26:31): Cynthia emphasizes the importance of building trust and understanding with Ariana from the outset. Their first joint performance underscored their harmonious vocal chemistry and mutual respect.

  Cynthia Erivo [26:31]: "There is nothing more wonderful than realizing that your voice works with someone else's. It is really special."

• Mutual Support (27:55 - 30:30): The duo made a pact to support each other throughout the filming process, ensuring that both could maintain their emotional well-being while navigating the demanding schedule of a major film production.

  Cynthia Erivo [27:55]: "We're always moving together. So it's never, I'm never over there and she's over here."

Filming Challenges and Logistics (32:30 - 63:06)

Cynthia delves into the practical and emotional challenges of portraying Elphaba on screen.

• The Greens and Make-Up Process (32:30 - 45:10): Cynthia explains the meticulous process of transforming into Elphaba, including airbrushing with specially formulated green makeup, applying prosthetics, and maintaining the look throughout long shooting hours.

  Cynthia Erivo [43:53]: "Freckles were a choice. Immediately I was like, I think she should have freckles. I think because there's something about the freckles that make her really endearing."

• Stunt Work and Flying Sequences (55:38 - 63:06): Discussing the physical demands of the role, Cynthia describes the harness systems used for flying scenes, the rigorous training involved, and the emotional toll of performing complex stunts.

  Cynthia Erivo [58:47]: "He decided that he wanted defying gravity to feel like a combination of all of the iconic superhero moves that you've seen."

  Cynthia Erivo [60:02]: "All of these elements coming together... is it the wizard of Night? That's not a small day. It's like, what."

Emotional Depth and Character Portrayal (66:16 - 68:46)

Cynthia shares her approach to portraying Elphaba’s emotional journey, focusing on vulnerability and resilience.

• Character’s Inner Strength (66:16 - 68:46): She explains that Elphaba’s lack of anger towards the world stems from her acceptance and love, allowing her to forge meaningful connections despite feeling different.

  Cynthia Erivo [68:46]: "I think what we did know intrinsically was how special this thing was. We were both really clear on the fact that we wanted to not just do a good job, but really take care of this."

Rapid Fire Segment (71:42 - 73:40)

In a playful rapid-fire round, Cynthia and her co-stars answer fun questions, highlighting their camaraderie and emotional investment in the project.

• Most Likely Moments:

  • First to Set: Ariana
  • Last to Leave: Allison (She hinted at Ariana’s tendency to stay longer)
  • Most Likely to Cry on Set: Both Cynthia and Ariana

  Cynthia Erivo [72:44]: "We cried a lot. She cried immediately. And I would be like, we have things to do. But then it would come, I would resist for a little bit, and then it would all fall to pieces."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with heartfelt thanks and reflections on the intense but rewarding experience of bringing Wicked to the big screen. Cynthia expresses her gratitude and excitement for the future projects.

Cynthia Erivo [74:44]: "Thank you very much. This is wonderful. I'm so glad I got to do this with you."

Notable Quotes

• Cynthia Erivo [07:10]: "I immediately took to Elphaba because I understood what it was like to just sort of, like, be, like, different or not fitting in."
• Cynthia Erivo [26:31]: "There is nothing more wonderful than realizing that your voice works with someone else's. It is really special."
• Cynthia Erivo [32:30]: "Freckles were a choice... because there's something about the freckles that make her really endearing."
• Cynthia Erivo [65:01]: "She does love her sister and she does love Dulcibear."

Key Insights and Takeaways

• Passion and Preparation: Cynthia’s early and deep connection with Wicked demonstrates the importance of passion and thorough preparation in securing significant roles.
• Collaborative Spirit: Building strong relationships with co-stars and crew members is crucial in creating a cohesive and emotionally resonant performance.
• Physical and Emotional Challenges: The role of Elphaba requires both physical stamina and emotional resilience, highlighting the multifaceted demands of film acting.
• Character Depth: Cynthia’s portrayal of Elphaba emphasizes acceptance and love over anger, offering a nuanced take on a traditionally misunderstood character.

Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections from the transcript were excluded to maintain focus on the substantive discussions and insights shared by Cynthia Erivo and her co-hosts.