65. "Glinda Controls the Weather" (with Marty Lauter)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Sentimental Men Episode 65 – "Glinda Controls the Weather" (with Marty Lauter)

Release Date: December 27, 2024
Host: Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi
Guest: Marty Lauter

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Introduction and Yearly Reflections [02:46 - 07:14]

As the hosts, Quincy and Kevin, usher in the new year, they reflect on the tumultuousness of 2024 and express anticipation for what 2025 might bring. Quincy humorously states, "I also am ready to leave 2024 in the fucking dust" (02:11), while Kevin anticipates an equally chaotic New Year (02:22). They acknowledge the solace found in their shared love for music and theater amid global uncertainties, suggesting a recap of their podcast’s journey through the year.

Guest Introduction: Marty Lauter [09:09 - 09:35]

Quincy introduces Marty Lauter, a familiar friend of the podcast and a dedicated supporter since its inception. Marty is currently understudying the Emcee in Cabaret on Broadway, alongside former Fiyero Adam Lambert. Kevin adds, “It was one of my favorites of all time” when referencing a past episode featuring Marty (06:27).

Journey with Wicked: Stage to Screen [11:44 - 17:44]

Marty’s Introduction to Wicked [11:44 - 13:28]

Marty recounts her introduction to Wicked through a family friend who encouraged her to watch the musical during her middle school years. Despite initial reluctance—“my parents felt I was too young to go see it”—her obsession with the show took hold after her first viewing (12:00). Marty highlights her enthusiasm, noting she has seen Wicked five times (12:02).

Iconic Performances and Global Experiences [13:35 - 17:44]

Marty shares memories of witnessing various iconic duos in Wicked, including Nicole Parker and Ali Mozzie, Lindsay Mendez and Katie Rose Clark, and Lindsay Pierce and Brittney Johnson. A standout moment for Marty was watching Alyssa and Mackenzie during the 20th anniversary (13:35). Additionally, Marty recounts attending a non-replica production in Brazil, emphasizing the unique elements that distinguished it from the traditional format. She describes innovative costume designs and unique set pieces, such as the wig reveal where Glinda transforms from Elphaba into a blonde, highlighting her amazement at the inventive production techniques (14:37 - 16:15).

Deep Dive into Wicked Movie Adaptation [17:44 - 36:49]

First Impressions and Oscar Premiere [17:44 - 25:38]

Marty discusses her first experience watching the Wicked movie during a Universal screening in New York, sharing her initial silent observation and subsequent excitement to discuss it with friend Ari. She praises Ariana Grande’s comedic prowess and Cynthia Erivo’s emotional depth, particularly noting standout scenes like "Defying Gravity" (22:53 - 25:38).

Comparing Stage and Film [25:43 - 35:42]

The conversation transitions to comparing the stage musical with the film adaptation. Marty appreciates the film's faithfulness to the original, mentioning enhancements such as deeper character development and nuanced emotional moments. Kevin and Quincy discuss specific scenes, like the portrayal of Madame Morrible and the inclusion of visual elements like Oz dust, which added depth to the film’s storytelling. Marty highlights how certain changes, such as Elphaba’s power activation being tied to emotional responses, added sophistication to the narrative (29:09 - 35:42).

Enhanced Cinematography and Storytelling [35:42 - 36:49]

Marty praises the film’s cinematography, particularly how it elevated pivotal moments like "Defying Gravity." She notes the intentional directorial choices that deepened the emotional impact, contrasting them with the stage production’s more straightforward execution (35:42 - 36:49).

Premiere Experiences and Behind-the-Scenes Insights [36:49 - 43:54]

Attending the New York Premiere [50:45 - 52:22]

Marty shares her experience attending the New York premiere of Wicked, detailing the intimate atmosphere and the excitement of being surrounded by fellow enthusiasts. She recounts interactions with Stephen Schwartz and the collective appreciation of the cast’s performances (50:45 - 52:22).

Fashion and Style on the Press Tour [55:05 - 56:49]

A vibrant discussion ensues about the fashion choices during the press tour, with Marty and Kevin admiring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s stylish premieres in various cities. They highlight the collaboration and individual creativity of the cast members in their attire, enhancing their on-screen presence (55:05 - 56:49).

Theories, Interpretations, and Future Prospects [43:54 - 57:14]

Theorizing Character Motivations and Plot Developments [64:02 - 66:17]

Marty delves into character theories, suggesting that Madame Morrible may be manipulating weather patterns to create conflict. Quincy and Kevin contribute their interpretations, discussing how these elements might influence future plotlines in the anticipated sequel (64:02 - 66:17).

Anticipation for the Sequel [57:14 - 66:17]

The hosts express excitement for the upcoming Wicked sequel, speculating on its potential to expand the universe and deepen character arcs. Marty remains optimistic about the creative direction, citing the first film’s success as a foundation for more ambitious storytelling (57:14 - 66:17).

Listener Interaction: Movie Reaction [57:59 - 68:36]

AJ’s Movie Reaction [57:59 - 66:17]

A listener named AJ shares her profound connection with the Wicked movie, emphasizing how it resonated with both theater enthusiasts and newcomers alike. She praises specific cinematic moments, such as Elphaba’s free-falling sequence and the enhanced emotional stakes that film-specific elements introduced. Quincy and Kevin discuss AJ’s insights, further analyzing how the film adaptation succeeded in translating stage emotions to the screen (57:59 - 66:17).

Final Thoughts and Conclusion [66:17 - 69:05]

Wrapping Up with Marty [66:17 - 69:05]

As the episode draws to a close, Marty shares her personal preferences, aligning herself with Glinda due to her hopeful and joyful nature. The hosts thank Marty for her insightful contributions, and Quincy and Kevin extend their gratitude to listeners, directing them to the podcast’s social media channels and contact information for further engagement. The episode concludes with friendly farewells and acknowledgments to Marty for her participation (66:17 - 69:05).

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Notable Quotes

• Quincy on Reflecting 2024: "I also am ready to leave 2024 in the fucking dust." (02:22)

• Marty on First Viewing Wicked: "I've seen it five times." (12:02)

• Kevin on Wicked Movie Faithfulness: "It really feels like you're just watching act one as it appears on stage, but everything has room to breathe." (33:07)

• Marty on Cinematography Enhancements: "She's allowing herself to exhale for the first time and it's just so beautiful." (49:14)

• AJ on Movie's Impact: "It's so well executed, but it's also appealing to those who may not even like musicals or now like musicals because of this film." (58:11)

• Quincy on Future Sequel: "I'm excited for the second one because if Ethan had that much to do in this first one and it's that interesting, then when he really gets time to shine in the second one, I'm excited." (41:49)

Key Discussions and Insights

1. Transition from Stage to Screen: The hosts and Marty explore how the Wicked movie adapts and expands upon the stage musical, discussing both faithful translations and creative liberties that enhance the narrative.

2. Character Depth and Development: Insights into how characters like Glinda and Elphaba are portrayed differently in the film, adding layers of vulnerability and motivation not as prominent on stage.

3. Cinematographic Enhancements: Appreciation for the film’s use of visual effects, such as Oz dust and dynamic camera work, which elevate key scenes and emotional moments beyond what the stage production offers.

4. Global Perspectives: Marty’s experience with international productions of Wicked highlights cultural adaptations and unique staging choices that differentiate global renditions from the original Broadway show.

5. Community and Fandom: The episode underscores the strong community within the Wicked fandom, emphasizing shared experiences at premieres and screenings, and the role of the podcast in fostering this connection.

6. Future Prospects: Anticipation for the sequel to the Wicked movie, with discussions on potential plot developments and deeper explorations of the magical universe established in the first film.

Conclusions

Episode 65 of Sentimental Men offers a comprehensive exploration of the Wicked phenomenon, both on stage and in its cinematic adaptation. With guest Marty Lauter providing heartfelt anecdotes and critical insights, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of adapting a beloved musical to film. The hosts effectively balance personal reflections with analytical discussions, making the episode engaging for both long-time fans and newcomers to Wicked. As the podcast looks forward to future episodes and the release of the sequel, it reinforces its role as a dedicated platform for celebrating women in musical theatre.

Transcript

[Marty Lautner]

Hi, y'all. This is Kristin Chenoweth. Hi, I'm Gloria Stefan. This is Sara Bareilles. Hi, I'm Patti LuPone. This is Lin Manuel Miranda.

[Quincy]

You're listening to the Broadway Podcast Network.

[Marty Lautner]

Hi, I'm Ariana Grande. Hi, I'm Cynthia Erivo. And you're listening to the Sentimental Men podcast. Visit BPN FM to discover more. Who rang that bell? Maybe that was it. He would have put it together.

[Kevin]

Can you believe?

[Quincy]

Oof.

[Kevin]

That gagged us.

[Marty Lautner]

Who rang that bell?

[Quincy]

This episode is brought to you by Dutch Bros. Big smiles, rocking tunes and epic drinks.

[Marty Lautner]

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[AJ]

The holidays mean more travel, more shopping.

[Marty Lautner]

More time online and more personal info.

[AJ]

In places that could expose you to identity theft. That's why Lifelock monitors millions of data points every second.

[Marty Lautner]

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[AJ]

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[Marty Lautner]

Get more holiday fun and less holiday worry with Lifelock. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit lifelock.com podcast terms apply.

[Kevin]

I'm Quincy. And I'm Kevin and this is Sentimental Men.

[Quincy]

We're here to talk and maybe scream about our favorite women in musical theater.

[Kevin]

It's the most wonderful dime of the year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Kevin and to you listeners.

[Quincy]

Happy New Year indeed. I don't know about you, Quincy. For all the good that this year was, I also am ready to leave 2024 in the fucking dust.

[Kevin]

Yes. But I feel like 2025 is going to be equally, if not more chaotic and traumatic for all of us.

[Quincy]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kevin]

I will say it has been nice to have like the wicked bomb over what is a very dark time, I think in the world history.

[Quincy]

Correct. Yes, I agree. It's been nice to have something that I love with my whole being to focus on.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Quincy]

In the face of all of the other stuff this year.

[Kevin]

Should we do a recap retrospective of our sentimental men 2024 journey, forgetting all of the global 2024 journey.

[Quincy]

Yes, a little sent Men wrapped if you will.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Quincy]

So I think the first big thing for us this year was on your birthday question mark when they dropped the first trailer Was that on my birthday? It was the day. It was the day of the super bowl, and it was the day after or two days after we went out for your birthday. So I don't remember if it was your birthday proper or not, but it was right around, I think my birthday.

[Kevin]

Party was my birthday proper. I was at your apartment for the trailer, right?

[Quincy]

Yeah. Which was fun because they had announced.

[Kevin]

It was going to play on the super bowl. Or we just heard through the grapevine.

[Quincy]

I don't remember. But there was definitely excite. I don't know why else you and I would have gotten together to watch.

[Kevin]

To watch the Super Bowl. And then you did a live breakdown of the trailer. That was fun.

[Quincy]

And then from there, I feel like we just kept getting like.

[Kevin]

We also should mention we had, like, DMed, Cynthia and Ariana as the super bowl was happening. And we saw the trailer and they sent us back a voice memo together, seemingly from the seats of the super bowl, which is crazy.

[Quincy]

I could hear football in the background. And it's crazy too, to think, like, if I'm Ari and Cynthia and it's the Super Bowl, I have these gays in my pocket. I have these gays in my pocket. No, But I feel like that in retrospect was really the kickoff to this crazy, like, eight months.

[Kevin]

And we had no idea.

[Quincy]

Yeah. Because it's like, oh, it's so cute. They've got their little jerseys. They look great. Like, oh, they're gonna serve. They're gonna feed us during this press tour. And little did we know that it was gonna be so non stop from them.

[Kevin]

Yeah. What's crazy is, like, they're still pounding the pavement. They have not let up.

[Quincy]

I'm like, guys, the movie's out. People are seeing it. It made all this money. I don't know how it returns to the mission statement, let the girls rest. Let these girls rest.

[Kevin]

I'm going to see Wicked with my family today in Hawaii. I'm very excited.

[Quincy]

I think I will be seeing it at some point while I'm here in Washington as well.

[Kevin]

It's crazy as both my brother and sister, who have already seen the movie, like, happily agreed to come with my mom and grandparents.

[Quincy]

Really?

[Kevin]

Yeah. So this is a.

[Quincy]

That's funny.

[Kevin]

It's hit the masses in a very big way. Okay, so super bowl happened.

[Quincy]

Super bowl happened. Then we just got an onslaught of slightly varying teasers, trailers.

[Kevin]

Do you remember when those first images came out of, like, Ariana on the stairs, Cynthia in front of the Defying Gravity window?

[Quincy]

Yes. And Everyone was like, it's so dark. There's no color.

[Kevin]

And now the critique is some shots are too bright in the movie.

[Quincy]

Too bright. It's too colorful. Like, y'all would not be happy if we tailor picked your dream Elphaba, your dream Glinda, and we filmed it on the stage. There are still people who would be looking for things to dislike about this movie.

[Kevin]

Was Laurel Harris, our only non movie guest of this year? Have we dropped the ball?

[Quincy]

That's what I also have realized that this year I'm having a hard time realizing, like, when in my memory this year started. Like, people will say something and I'm like, that was this year and not two years ago. Let's see. I know we talked to Laurel Harris.

[Kevin]

Guys, it's been a hectic year. There's a lot going on. We were here, though.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, bitch.

[Quincy]

We had Sekon on our podcast this year.

[Kevin]

That was this year.

[Quincy]

That's what I'm saying. That feels like it was at least a year ago.

[Kevin]

Wow. And that's a top tier episode too.

[Quincy]

That was this year. One of my favorites of all time.

[Kevin]

We have to check in with her on her movie thoughts.

[Quincy]

We do. Yeah. But it's a little guest star and then lots and lots of talking about the movie.

[Kevin]

We got to see Wicked screeners before it was out. We got to go to the Wicked premiere. We got to interview Ariana and Cynthia. This year has been really, really nuts. And I'm so grateful. Like, I feel like after last year, I think it was last year we were so hyped about, like, the Broadway con of it all and the comic con of it all.

[Quincy]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

And it's just crazy. Like, so many good things continue to come from this podcast. Good and exciting things.

[Quincy]

I know. And we have at least another year of good things coming down Pike.

[Kevin]

Well, and then we'll get Wicked. Glinda, the origin story.

[Quincy]

Yes.

[Kevin]

Morrible. The origin story. Imagine like an action origin story starring Michelle Yeoh.

[Quincy]

I would be so into it. I would be so into it. And I feel like Michelle Yeoh would low key thrive in a. In a movie like that.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Quincy]

I also. My current, like, obsession with, like the movie lore is this, like, debate. Not even debate, but just the, like, discussion around who is going to play Dorothy in Part two. And like, if that casting choice is saying anything about future Wicked Verse movies. Cause it's like, well, if they're casting somebody who can sing, if they're casting somebody who can dance, then that must mean they have plans to make this character do more.

[Kevin]

I think they have plans. Would you be interested in a Schwartz Holtzman wizard of Oz remake?

[Quincy]

Oh, my God, yes, Absolutely.

[Kevin]

That feels like an interesting thing to do.

[Quincy]

That would be really cool.

[Kevin]

Feels like it could be controversial, though. Like, why has wizard of Oz not been remade yet? You know?

[Quincy]

Right. I also think, though, it would be cool to see, like, the Son of a Witch and like the other Maguire novels being given the Schwartz and Holtzman treatment.

[Kevin]

God, imagine they do a Broadway adaptation of one of the other books.

[Quincy]

That's the thing. I don't think Broadway needs more Wicked or Wizard of Oz, but like the movies, I feel like that's the place to expand the universe. Like, I don't need a Wicked. Love Never Dies. You know what I mean?

[Kevin]

Okay, F you.

[Quincy]

But I'm just saying, like, I. I don't feel like we need the stage universe to expand.

[Kevin]

I think that, like, stage universes never succeed.

[Quincy]

Right. The reaction is to the movie, so the response should be in movie.

[Kevin]

Well, I mean, let's not forget the 20 year success reaction to the stage production.

[Quincy]

Speaking of which, did that Wall Street Journal thing ever come out?

[Kevin]

Yeah, it did.

[Quincy]

It did. I missed it.

[Kevin]

Quoted minimally in it. Okay, so today we have. We're like entering into a fun new era of the podcast. We're just having friends on to gab about Wicked, gab about theater, gab about their life. To start this era, we have Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. Marty Lautner from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15, who has been a dedicated friend of the pod from the very beginning.

[Quincy]

Also currently in Cabaret on Broadway.

[Kevin]

Currently understudying the emcee in Cabaret on Broadway and going on a lot understudying.

[Quincy]

Former fiyero Adam Lambert in Cabaret on Broadway, which also is just funny because it's like, to me, Adam Lambert exists. Well, actually, no Adam Lambert. To me. Now I think of in the school of the Jonathan Bailey Fiyero, which is not to say the gay fiyero, but is to say the Fiero that gives off like, bi energy.

[Kevin]

Sure, most fiyeros do.

[Quincy]

The good ones. The ones who are doing it correctly do.

[Marty Lautner]

Well.

[Kevin]

No, I think there's a distinction between a gay fiyero and a bi fiyero. Jonathan plays a bi fiyero.

[Quincy]

Correct.

[Kevin]

I think we've seen a lot of gay fiyero, which is also just as agreeable.

[Marty Lautner]

Wicked.

[Quincy]

The movie is making the case for bisexuality across the board.

[Kevin]

So, yeah, we have Marty on to gab about the movie. Very exciting. We have some very fun Guests lined up in the near future. So buckle up.

[Quincy]

Some new friends, some old friends.

[Kevin]

We've already done the interview with Marty. There was. They make some funny and interesting points about Some funny and interesting dramaturgical points about the characters in the film and the movie.

[Quincy]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

That shifted my perception of things.

[Quincy]

A change in the weather of my intellect, you might say.

[Kevin]

Okay, happy holidays. Happy New Year. We will see you all so soon. Thank you for being on this journey with us.

[Quincy]

Love you guys. Happy New Year.

[Kevin]

Marty. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. Thank you so much for joining us on Sentimental Men Today.

[Marty Lautner]

It is the honor of a lifetime.

[Kevin]

This has really been a long time coming. You've been such an ardent supporter of the pod.

[Marty Lautner]

I love it. And I love Wicked. And I love that you love it more than I do. I probably.

[Kevin]

No, I don't think so. We all love it.

[Quincy]

No, it's not a competition.

[Marty Lautner]

It's not a pie. You're right.

[Kevin]

Okay, so tell us. Take us through how Wicked the musical came into your life, and then we'll get into the movie and all of that.

[Marty Lautner]

Okay, well, Wicked the musical came into my life because, like, a family friend had gone to see it and, like, told my parents about it. And then I was like, what. Wait, what is this?

[Kevin]

Because where did you grow up?

[Marty Lautner]

Long Island, New York.

[Kevin]

Okay, cool. Accessible.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes, yes. And they were like, oh, it's like a. It's like a prequel to the wizard of Oz. And I stopped dead my tracks. I am especially, like, as a kid, I was like, the biggest wizard of Oz person ever. If you give me that screenplay, I can probably give you, like, pitch accurate line readings of all of it. Like, I love the wizard of Oz. Like, I every. Like, you know how, like, when you're a little kid and you like something, then, like, every gift you get, like, oh, yes. Like rhinos. And, like, everything you get is rhinos. Wizard of Oz. Like, truly, I have every Barbie. I have every, like, playset, puzzle book. Like, I. I hit. Wait, stop. Literally. Oh, I'm obsessed with it. And then so. And then, like, in my. Like, this is like, I was in middle school, I think, and my mom was like, oh, yeah, it's this musical. It's like the. The precursor to the wizard of Oz. And I was like, what? I was like, how have I never heard of this? What do you. There's more. There's more. So. But at the time, for some reason, my parents felt I was too young to go see it, so I was like, okay, fine. So at some point, we did go, and I was so obsessed with it. We bought the CD at the theater, and I, like, wore her out. And then I. Yeah, I mean, total. I've seen it five times.

[Kevin]

Who was your first cast?

[Marty Lautner]

My first cast was Nicole Parker and Ali Mozzie. Wow.

[Kevin]

Way top tier.

[Marty Lautner]

I've seen some really iconic duos. Can I list them all for you now?

[Quincy]

Yes, please.

[Marty Lautner]

Okay. And then I saw Lindsay Mendez and Katie Rose Clark.

[Quincy]

Anniversary.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes. And then I saw Lindsay Pierce and Brittney Johnson.

[Quincy]

Love it.

[Kevin]

Revival.

[Marty Lautner]

Elphaba unknowingly saw Brittney Johnson's first, like, permanent Glinda performance. It was me and my fiance's, like, anniversary, and we were like, let's go see Wicked. And we just, like, hot tickets, last minute. And then we were like, oh, it's like a thing. It's like an event tonight. We didn't realize that. Which is very cool. It was another, like, iconic standing ovation. That's good to see me, isn't it? Which was like, yeah, yeah. And then the 20th anniversary, I saw Alyssa and Mackenzie.

[Kevin]

Amazing. We were there.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes, you were. Sure. And then one of my favorite little, like, brag moments. I saw it in Brazil last year.

[Quincy]

Slay.

[Kevin]

Oh, my God. Is that the Non Replica production?

[Marty Lautner]

Yes.

[Quincy]

Wait, wait.

[Kevin]

Tell us everything.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes. I was touring part of Brazil for, like, Marcia at, like, Post Drag Race.

[Kevin]

Said, but Marty's got to go seen Wicked.

[Marty Lautner]

That thing. It wasn't even my idea. When you travel to different countries, like, as a person, you have, like, a person there that's like, oh, like, let me show you around. Like, do you want to do this? Want to do this? And the man that was with me in Brazil was like, oh, I got us tickets to see Wicked tonight. It's in Portuguese, but, like, I'm sure you'll like it. So I was like, we're gonna go. Of course. Yeah. Myra Ruiz and Bobby Bang. And now me and Fabi are, like, mutuals on Instagram. She is a nut. I, I, I mean, there's. There's something so beautiful about seeing musical that, you know, like, every single word to. In a different language. Obviously, there are, like, little things that have been, like, changed, so it's hard to, like, like, she would, like, say something and, like, do a little dance, and, like, the whole building will cheer. And I'd be like, whatever. Whatever. It was. Hooray. Oh, yeah. And that was when she, like, flew over the audience.

[Kevin]

Yeah. Tell us all of the differences. I feel like you're breezing over this.

[Marty Lautner]

That was my. One of my favorite parts. Is a wig reveal.

[Kevin]

What kind of wig reveal.

[Marty Lautner]

She puts like a towel on. On Elphaba's head. Like how to get out of the shower. She puts like a towel on her head and then she takes the towel off and she's blonde.

[Kevin]

Elphaba.

[Quincy]

Wait, what?

[Marty Lautner]

I don't know how they did it. Yeah, it was like a. Like a party city wig. It wasn't like a wig wig. I was like so gooped by that. I was like, how do they do it? And like the set was so. It was a lot more like screens. Right. Like the design was so inventive and so pretty.

[Kevin]

And I love the costumes in that version.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes. The costumes were so cool. There's a moment that I've been seeing like circulate on the Internet. They're also very popular where she's like shaving her legs and then she lifts up the skirt and screams. I thought that was so funny.

[Kevin]

Just crazy.

[Marty Lautner]

I remember in that production, thank goodness it was really, really beautiful because the set, she's like on top of a thing like she always is. But then it like spins and like the people go away and just like kind of like single spotlight and her gown, it's a beautiful. They're the kind of sort of cost that like whole little section and then it like spins and like comes back into reality. It's gorgeous. And you know, of course you guys are for the audience, which is amazing.

[Kevin]

How does that read in person?

[Marty Lautner]

It's. It's amazing. It's. It's.

[Kevin]

So do you see the wiring and whatnot? Or is the illusion working?

[Marty Lautner]

I feel like I did and I was like, who cares?

[Kevin]

Yeah, exciting.

[Marty Lautner]

It's so cool. Yeah. Wicked in Brazil was amazing.

[Kevin]

That's exciting. Was it jarring to see a non replica production? I've always wanted to kind of, but.

[Marty Lautner]

It was, it was cool. I think with anything kind of like fairy taley, you can take so much agency and so much like so many liberties. So it's cool to see what somebody else does. And do you know like the lore behind that production?

[Quincy]

What lore?

[Marty Lautner]

So like in like 26 or something early on. I don't know. I do not know the years, so don't quote me on any of this. They did like the original like the replica production. Like they brought Brazil. Yeah, they brought Brazil. And it was the same two actresses, like the only two that have ever like, like full time played those parts in Brazil.

[Kevin]

Right.

[Marty Lautner]

And they're also the dubs, the. The Portuguese dubs for the movie. It's like the sweetest thing in the world. It's like they are like the Brazilian Glinda Adelpha.

[Kevin]

Yeah. I want to know how a non replica production gets greenlit and like what the logic is behind it.

[Marty Lautner]

I think Stephen Schwartz was involved in that one. Again, strong, but I think he was involved in some way. Yeah. Because I know there's one in Germany too. Right. Also like wacky to see.

[Kevin]

Okay, so that is the last time you saw Wicked in Portuguese?

[Marty Lautner]

I think so. I think that was the last time.

[Kevin]

Take us back to the first time you saw it. What were the feelings and emotions you were having? Were you hooked immediately?

[Marty Lautner]

Oh yeah, I was. I mean I was obsessed with it. It, it. I think there's some. There's something about Wicked that connects specifically to queer people, queer children. Because I mean I, I saw, I saw myself in Glinda and I. But also saw myself in Elphaba because I'm like, wow, I wish I could be that like pink and fluffy and silly all the time, but I like don't feel comfortable doing that. And then because I had to kind of go about life in a way that I wasn't totally comfortable, I couldn't feel like I fit in totally. Like I resonate with Elphaba. Hablas espanol spritz. If you've heard that sound from Babbel.

[Kevin]

Before, I bet you do. Babbel is the science backed language learning.

[Marty Lautner]

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[Kevin]

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[Marty Lautner]

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[Kevin]

At babbel.com Spotify podcast spelled B A.

[Marty Lautner]

B E L.com Spotify podcast rules and restrictions may apply. If you love Broadway gossip, you are not going to want to miss any episode of this podcast, Singular Sensation, the triumph of Broadway. Plenty of dramas unfold on stage, but the best dramas unfold backstage. And there were no bigger dramas than behind the scenes of Sunset Boulevard. So you were being crucified over here but not there? No, no, because I was turning in a performance that Wicked Standing Emotions. Excuse me. So check out my podcast Singular Sensation for all the juicy details of Sunset Boulevard. I remember sitting there and I. And even today when I watch theater, I'm like edge of my seat. Like I just, I. I buy into everything, like 100%. I am, I'm a very. I'm a very good audience member, I think, because I'm just. I'm very enthusiastic about it. And, yeah, I mean, I. I fell in love with it. I remember also at. At intermission, my mom was like, oh, I bet Fiero is going to be the Scarecrow. I was like, why? And she was like, well, fierro in. In Spanish means fire or something like that.

[Kevin]

Is that true?

[Marty Lautner]

I'm not sure. Again, I'm giving you a lot accurate.

[Kevin]

Information, but that's like dramaturgy, Mom.

[Marty Lautner]

I know. And she was like, oh. And then the lion is the lion. And I'm sure that little one is. He's like, love struck, so he's gonna be the two man. And I was like, what?

[Kevin]

That little one?

[Marty Lautner]

That little one, Whoever it was the time. But yeah, I remember. I very distinctly remember my mom saying that. And then I remember being very, very excited by all the parts where, like, Dorothy was in it for a second. Like, I don't know. I was. I mean, I was. I was. Yeah, I was sold. And I was, again, popular. Was like, it with me. I was like, oh, I'm done. Because it was, of course, Ally Mossey's popular at the time.

[Kevin]

Well, it's been interesting to see with the movie out, all of the normal people starting to realize or get glimpses that Pierrot turns into the Scarecrow. Because I'm like, wait, this is common knowledge, guys.

[Marty Lautner]

I just. I think it's crazy that people haven't seen it just, like, ever, or they don't know about it or they've never heard defying. Like, it's just crazy to me. But I'm glad that they know now.

[Quincy]

Same.

[Kevin]

Okay, so tell us about your first experience seeing the movie. When was it? What was it?

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, my first time seeing the movie, I think it was, like, October 6th or something like that. I was. I was on. I was on my vacation. I was in Disneyland with my fiance, and we were, like, sitting down, whatever, and Ari texted me and was like, oh, we're doing, like, an early screening on Tuesday. Do you want to go? I was thinking about people, like, in New York that would want to go early, and I was like, are you kidding me? Of course I would. So I text my stage managers immediately, and I'm like, I'm not going to be there on Tuesday.

[Kevin]

Stop.

[Marty Lautner]

Personal day. So I saw it in the Universal screening room here in New York with, like, seven other people. I was sitting there, like, in absolute silence because I need to focus. I need to remember all of this. And I sent. I sent her a. A 10 and a half minute voice note after. I'm not sure she's listened to it yet because it was the week she was doing snl, so she was like. She was busy, obviously, but she. She sent me a voice memo back and was like, oh, my God. I thought you were kidding. What? I took. I saw your text that this is 10 minutes, and I thought you were joking, but no, it's actually 10 minutes. Oh, my God.

[Kevin]

I'm away for later.

[Marty Lautner]

Yeah, I'm not sure if she's listening to it. I don't. I don't need to talk to you because it's literally 10 minutes long.

[Kevin]

What did you think? Because I also saw it for the first time. We got invited to one of those Universal private screenings, and Kevin couldn't go. And I was alone with, like, four other people in the room. And after every number, I wanted to clap, but the vibes were dead.

[Marty Lautner]

I wanted to clap so bad. I've had so many moments. And I was like, this is disrespectful to the people in the room.

[Kevin]

Like, after, like, guys, we can have fun.

[Marty Lautner]

Like, come on, have fun. We're not singing. We didn't enjoy it, though. After Popular, I wanted to stand up so bad. I was like, there's no way for me to express how much I love this. Sitting in silence and just like, sitting there being like, my God. My God. Also. Yeah, I was. I was a nuisance at Cabaret the next months.

[Kevin]

Oh, my God. Yeah. Being someone who's seen it before, the world gets it. Turns you into, like. Everyone's texting you suddenly.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes. Turns you into an absolute monster. Also, because I just. Yeah, I. I wanted to tell people things. I was like. I was just like, it's great. Don't worry, everyone. It's great. Fantastic.

[Kevin]

What were your broad strokes thoughts on the movie? The first time.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, my gosh. The first time, I was. I knew she would be fantastic. I was so wowed by Ari. I was so wowed by her. I was like, the comedic chops are unbelievable. Like, undeniable. I was like, this is. And she's dancing. The dancing. You're across the board. The dancing.

[Quincy]

That's what I said, too.

[Marty Lautner]

The dancing, I think, is so spectacular, the whole thing. And Cynthia is just. It just broke my heart replying. Gravity took me out. Mustache man was a big one. Mustache man was huge for me.

[Kevin]

I was like, I so enjoy air. That really got me.

[Marty Lautner]

I so enjoy air. Oh, my God. At the premiere, I was Sitting next to her mom. I was sitting next to her mom.

[Kevin]

Because you went to New York premiere.

[Marty Lautner]

Yeah, the New York premiere. I was sitting next to Joan. We were, like, across the aisle from each other. And in Dancing Through Life, when Fiyera goes, you're good. She goes, I don't know what you mean. I love helping others. I love helping others. We reached across the aisle and held hands and laughed because it's just such. There's just so many. So many.

[Quincy]

For me, it's. It's. But I wasn't at any of your other schools.

[Marty Lautner]

Also, do you know what line I repeat constantly? This is a deep cut.

[Kevin]

Okay.

[Marty Lautner]

It's when Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia are walking down the staircase before the wizard and I. And she's like, oh, my father will never allow it. And she's like, don't. Don't worry about that. I'll speak to him immediately. It's my favorite thing in the world. I say it all the time to him immediately.

[Kevin]

I'll do this now.

[Marty Lautner]

I just. It's just so. God, the whole thing is just so excellent. It's just. Oh, it's so beautiful.

[Kevin]

What surprised you? Like, what were you not expecting in the film?

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, my God. The end of. The end of Popular. That was for me, what I, like, blacked out for a second. And the jump out the window in Defying Gravity.

[Kevin]

The little girl moment, first of all.

[Marty Lautner]

Face first through the Glass of Seth, then. Then the. The child itself. So beautiful.

[Quincy]

Yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, God. I mean. And of course, the. The cameos really got me, too.

[Kevin]

And had you known, like, you had heard there were cameos in it?

[Marty Lautner]

I knew that. Yeah. I knew. I think they had to be there somewhere.

[Kevin]

Did you know it was that moment?

[Marty Lautner]

No. I was assuming it was going to be like. Like a quickie parent thing or whatever, you know?

[Quincy]

Yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

My gosh. It's just. It's so. And also, that was so helpful for me because, like, again, I've seen the Broadway show five times. If you had asked me before I saw the movie what the name of the book was, I would have been like, I don't know. But, like, there's so, like. They're so. They put the. They put the. The important backstory in, and I was like, this is stuff that, at least in the musical kind of like, goes over my head. I'm so like, oh, my God, Divine Gravity is happening soon. Oh, my God. Yeah. But, yeah, that was really helpful for me. I think it's great.

[Kevin]

Okay, so there is, because in the movie Elphaba is not originally enrolled in Shiz. And then I think I gaslit myself into thinking that is also the same way in the stage show. But I think in the stage show she does arrive ready to be a student.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes, absolutely. Yeah.

[Quincy]

In the novel, she's not.

[Kevin]

There has been some online discourse about whether the breaking up of Defying Gravity was effective or not. I would love to hear both of your thoughts.

[Marty Lautner]

The only part I would have taken out are the. The long unlimiteds while they're showing like the Shiz students. I think we could have maybe plugged that in elsewhere, because that, for me is like the. Because even in the musical, like, it does take breaks, which I think is lovely. And I didn't notice any of them substantially until the. Those, like, long. The like, long ones. Oh, thank you so much. But I mean, I. I understand why they put them in, but.

[Kevin]

Well, that makes me think because they so intentionally added that unlimited refrain in no Good Deed Pre Broadway had an unlimited moment in the song. And so I'm wondering if that is going to make it back into part two, maybe. Because then they could really draw the through line through each of the big numbers.

[Marty Lautner]

Sure. And I'm here for it. Whenever I see something that has been obviously made with so much thought and care and everything like that, even if I don't necessarily like, like or agree with something, I'm like, they had a reason to do it and they felt it was necessary, so they did it. So my goal is always to watch and like, justify in my own mind, why do they do that? And I think it makes sense. I like that we get a little flashback to shit.

[Quincy]

I went on that journey with the giant Jeff Goldblum statue in the wizard. And I. Where I was like, after, like the second time, I was like, I don't get this. I'm like, why? I don't get it. But then I was like, if I know Jon M. Chu, he did this for a reason. And then I realized it's that everybody else has only seen that, like, drawing version of the wizard, but Elphaba has now seen his actual likeness. So then she can physically recognize him in the chamber.

[Marty Lautner]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

Wait, walk me through that.

[Quincy]

Because it's like they keep showing, like, illustrations, but that's there for everyone at Shiz. No, but it's like, hidden. She had to, like, climb and scale.

[Kevin]

You don't think other students were finding that?

[Quincy]

I don't.

[Marty Lautner]

I don't.

[Kevin]

I thought it helped to, like, establish how much of a deity he was in this world.

[Quincy]

It was Giving under construction to me. Because, like, you first we saw like, they had just put up the thing to cover the picture of the animals, you know. Oh, yeah, that got a big gasp out of me the first time.

[Kevin]

That was a really good touch.

[Marty Lautner]

I saw a really interesting TikTok about how he was talking about, like, Elphaba's through line and how, like, she sees the vision and that informs why she's so willing to go against him at the end of the show. And I'd never thought about that. I was like, oh, I really like.

[Kevin]

That you see the vision in the movie. Because in the stage show, that lyric can be glazed over because it's kind of.

[Marty Lautner]

It could, you know, be, you know, vague, petty. Like, I have a feeling about this. But yeah, I love that she sees it and she's like, defying gravity. She's a. Well, but whatever I do, it's gonna be fine. Like, I've seen.

[Kevin]

Oh, interesting.

[Marty Lautner]

I thought that was really a really interesting point that she's like, oh, well, whatever I think is right is going to be the right thing because I've seen it and I know the ending and it's gonna be fine.

[Kevin]

And it's so tragic that it's such a misunderstanding what she's seen.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes.

[Kevin]

I just keep going back to how faithful of an adaptation this movie was to the stage show. It really feels like you're just watching act one as it appears on stage, but everything has room to breathe. Were there any stage aspects that you missed in the movie?

[Marty Lautner]

I will say, the first time I watched it immediately clocked. No. I was like, what else is I going to cut? Oh, no. But no, I, I really agree. It, it. It does feel like such a great representation of what the story, what this version of the story is. And I think all of the changes that were made enhanced it a lot.

[Kevin]

Yes.

[Marty Lautner]

I mean, like that this scene that you're green scene, I think tells so clearly the kind of person that Glinda is. Like, as she's walking in, she's like, did that come off badly? Like, I, I was trying to be nice. Like, I know that girl. I know that girl so well. And I, I loved that also. Sorry, I just thought of this another change, kind of a. Kind of a change that wasn't like super. Like they didn't change the script or they didn't change any of the music. But Elphaba's power in the musical feels very much like I can't control my emotions and this happens. Or in the movie, it seems like they Made an appointed effort, that it's in response to, like, something being threatened or, like. And that's when it happens. Like, with the coin and with Nessa, and just. That's when it happens. It's not like. And even Madame Orville says, like, once you learn to harness, like, control your emotions, harness your power, but that's not what it is. It comes out when she needs to help someone. And I thought that was such a nice touch because it's taking something that's like, kind of like, oh, it's just happening. Whoops. To, like, oh, no. It's very intentional and it's very. Coming from a really specific place. And I thought that made it so much more nuanced.

[Kevin]

I also think a directorial choice that was made to deepen everything is Oz dust. Like, I think we have now forgotten that on stage, the Asda scene doesn't play that same way. And I think that's very intentional. Like, I don't think it's directed to play as deep and hurtful. It's a little bit played for laughs on stage. And in the movie, it's really a gut punch.

[Marty Lautner]

It is. There's. Oh, my gosh. There's one continuity issue that I have.

[Kevin]

Okay.

[Marty Lautner]

She gives Fiyero the wand, and then they leave together. And then she has the wand of popular. And I. This is. I didn't catch this. The fifth time I watched it, I was like, oh. And I was like, it would have been so cool if she had a moment where she, like, runs back to him and, like, grabs it out of his hand. Is that show is like, oh, it's always in her head. And it's. And it's also a moment of being like, I'll save you for later. Have fun. I'm going with her tonight.

[Kevin]

Going to bond with my girly.

[Marty Lautner]

I think that would have been a cool moment if they put it in, but no. Hey, maybe the directors. Along with the shirtless box scene, of course, that everyone.

[Kevin]

Well, okay, so let's get into it. Have you looked into those deadline scenes?

[Marty Lautner]

Yes, I read some of the changes.

[Kevin]

Shirtless Bach and Fiyarro would have loved to see. But larger scale, that whole friendship montage. Because we've been talking about that one scene in the opening of the movie that we never saw. I love that friendship montage because even in the stage show, you don't really get to see them as a group of friends. You kind of just assume that they're all in the weeds together.

[Marty Lautner]

There was an interview that Ethan Slater did on one of the red carpets where he starts talking about like, oh yeah, like Bach is kind of like this odd one now and then he finds this group of friends and I was like, huh, what are you talking about? You're not together that much, girl.

[Kevin]

Ethan's experience of Bach, but like, because.

[Marty Lautner]

I mean, he has all of that, like, they, I mean, filmed it, I'm assuming.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

And I would love to see it.

[Kevin]

Well, even that scene, the cutscene one where everyone's sending Elphaba off to the Emerald City and Dulcibear is also there and then chooses not to speak in front of Madam Orrible. That to me is really good storytelling and chilling.

[Marty Lautner]

Yeah, Dulcie Bear was also like a complete shock as well. When I watched the movie, I. I forgot because, like, because I think in the, in the musical, like, it's such a. It's like it's just like a mask kind of.

[Quincy]

Uh huh.

[Marty Lautner]

And I for some reason, like, is.

[Kevin]

It even a bear in the musical?

[Marty Lautner]

No, it's. It's a.

[Quincy]

It's something.

[Kevin]

It's a something, but it's not giving. Yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

Has horns for sure. Maybe it's also a goat. And it's, you know, little connection that she's delivered by a goat, so she has a soft, soft product. I completely forgot that there would be like so many animals because in the musical it's really only Dr. Dillon, which I did.

[Kevin]

Like, like, even the visuals in something bad where they're showing like the shadows of all the animals getting abused, that to me made it more real than that storyline. Because I think the animal storyline. Yes, that's what Wicked's about. But it's easy to kind of forget about that when you're watching it on stage.

[Quincy]

Sure.

[Kevin]

And in the movie, it's really. Don't agree.

[Marty Lautner]

No, no, no, I do. Oh, absolutely. In, I think in the musical because. Yeah, because it's live and it kind of. It's happening so much quick, so much more quickly that you're. You're focused on the two of them and. Oh, and the monkeys, of course. The monkeys. I forgot the monkeys. History, girl. You can't forget about history. But yeah, I think in the movie, like, they also, they've spoken about this as well. About saying like, you're seeing like an animal, like experience this. Not. It's not just like a person in a mask. Like your brain isn't like telling you that's just a person. It's fine. It's like, oh, no, that's an animal. That's an animal in a Cage. That monkey is really going through some really painful transformation.

[Kevin]

The other cutscene that I thought was super interesting was when BOQ clocks her T and is like, yes, you change your feelings about Fiyarro. And then Elphaba says, what are you talking about? And he's like, oh, I thought we were being honest.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, I thought we were being honest.

[Kevin]

I'm like, show us that Bach.

[Marty Lautner]

I was like, get her.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

How do you feel when you switch to Geico and save on your car insurance? It's like going to work on Thursday morning and thinking to yourself, just one more day until Friday. But then somebody walks into the elevator and says, happy Friday. Then you check your phone quickly and discover today is actually Friday. So yes, Happy Friday, random stranger in the elevator.

[Kevin]

Happy Friday, Fry.

[Marty Lautner]

Yay.

[Kevin]

Indeed.

[Marty Lautner]

Yep. Switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico if you like this podcast you're listening to right now. Then when it's over, you should also tune into the Theater podcast with Alan Seals. That's me, Alan Seals. My podcast dives deep into the world of Broadway and beyond. And you get to hear from some of the biggest names in the industry like Patti LuPone, James Monroe Iglehart, Ariana DeBose, the Stephanie J. Block, and literally over 350 more equally amazing guests. I bring you exclusive interviews, behind the scenes insights, and captivating stories from the stars themselves. So whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or just curious about the magic behind the curtain, the Theater podcast with Alan Seals is your ultimate backstage pass. Subscribe now so you don't miss an episode.

[Kevin]

But it makes me excited for the second movie because if Ethan had that much to do in this first one and it's that interesting, then when he really gets time to shine in the second one, I'm excited.

[Marty Lautner]

I'm really excited about the second one. Some of my favorite moments are in the second one.

[Kevin]

Well, because this one was so faithful to act one. Do you think second movie does the same thing or do you think that's where they let their freak flag fly?

[Quincy]

Freak flag?

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, I think they had to. I think they had to make their first one as close to the musical as possible. So the people that love it will be like, oh, they have a respect for it, they understand what we're doing. Moving on. They'll. I think people will allow their minds to be open a little bit more because I think if they change too much in the first one, it wouldn't have been taken well where I think the second one, the Second half of the story, especially, like, I have my dressing roommate in Cabaret. David Marino is a very big fan of the book and has, like, gone through, like, really what happens in the book.

[Kevin]

What does he think of the first movie?

[Marty Lautner]

He liked it a lot. He had qualms here and there, but he understood, like, this is an adaptation of the musical, not of the book and anything. That's what's important. We. We saw it in 4D together, which was a wild experience.

[Kevin]

I still want to do that. I heard you get, like, punched in the back when chisery is growing wings.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, yeah. They spritz you with water and they spray you with. With the fans and stuff like that. It's crazy. But, yeah, I. I think it's definitely going to be different. Like, just like the little teaser we got, like, of the wedding and there's, like, music. I think it's gonna. I think it's going to grow some legs and. And. Or maybe some wings, perhaps.

[Kevin]

Well, I think you're right because I am so on board for it to be different now. Having gone through this first movie journey. Like, I'm actually more excited at the prospect of it being different from the stage show.

[Marty Lautner]

I agree. 100. Because I. I, like. I'm obviously very excited for this moment, so I'm like. I'm excited for. I'm so excited. Thank goodness. That's gonna break me. It's going to break.

[Kevin]

There was an AI. Thank goodness. Of Ariana going around and even listening to that. I was like, oh, my God.

[Marty Lautner]

I genuinely believe it is one of the. One of the best written songs, like, in the musical theater canon.

[Quincy]

Yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

To have a character going through something so complicated in a po. Public setting is just so. There's so much. Like, as an actor, I would kill Linda. And to do that. It's my. My favorite version is the Katie Rose Clark when she's. Like, when she. When. When she. She does the timeline. Yes, yes. Walk away. Walk away from the microphone. Take your time.

[Kevin]

My underrated thank Goodness that I feel like no one talks about is Patty Murin because she was incredible as Glinda.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, I'm sure I will be watching it immediately after.

[Kevin]

Thank Goodness is also interesting because I was listening to it the other day. She's describing a very complex emotional feeling and situation in very basic, simple terms. And it still resonates emotionally because it's.

[Marty Lautner]

I think it's just how telling. Like a simple. I guess there. These are all very simple truths. And I always try. And when I hear that song, I try what really sticks out to me is that she's speaking to people who maybe have like the same dreams that she has and she's like, this just happened for me. I'm going to let you in on a little secret. It's weird and I don't totally like it. So maybe like be happy with what you have. And I think it's. Oh gosh, it sounds like the moment of her like reckoning with fact that like her actions can hurt other people in like a really major way.

[Kevin]

Okay, so what moments do you think from the show were enhanced by being on film?

[Marty Lautner]

Well, like you said, Oz dust. Absolutely. Oh, gosh. I, I think the Laurable Glinda relationship is a little more clear.

[Kevin]

Yes.

[Marty Lautner]

In a lot of ways because she's not holding back at all. Like in an. Obviously in the musical, she has moments where she's just like, I don't really see this for you. But she, you know. But there's like a real distinction scene for her.

[Kevin]

Well, Michelle's marble is much more to the point and doesn't do the fanfare of it all.

[Marty Lautner]

And I have this theory. I had this wild. It's crazy. I think, I think Madame Orville does not like Glinda because she sees herself in her. And I think, interesting Glinda, there are too many well placed wins for her to not be making them happen. I think maybe Glinda has a little, A little weather witch in her as well. The one she does her most. And Madame Morville is like, oh, I was that girl. I was that power hungry, like, beautiful young woman and I'm not that anymore. And I hate this girl because she is. I, I just.

[Kevin]

Interesting. I see that you theorizing that Glinda can control the weather.

[Marty Lautner]

Maybe she doesn't even know why. She doesn't even know. I mean, the wind, whenever she needs to be there because she does the. I just love air wind.

[Kevin]

And it's always a gust. Like you hear the sound. It is like a very intense.

[Marty Lautner]

And when she walks away from Piero and she looks back and there's a wind gust.

[Kevin]

No, it's kind of brilliant.

[Marty Lautner]

I do. People love to be like, she's not magical. I'm like, wait till part two. And again, I, I love that scene with Glinda and Elphaba when they first meet and she. And she has that line offering to help people. Offering to help someone you don't know with skills you don't have. I think it just so beautifully sets up like who these people are. Like, she is so quick to be like, you can't get past me. Like, not falling for this. And she still is like, oh, oh, no, wait. That's what scares her about her. Obviously. Not that she's green, but she's like, oh, no. I'm being challenged by someone and no one has ever challenged me in my life. What's going on?

[Kevin]

I hope I can see her.

[Marty Lautner]

Yeah. I just. There's so many moments of clarity that I think are so special.

[Kevin]

I'm not. That girl obviously really works.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes, I know. That girl is gorgeous. And like at the beginning of that song, like, the onset of that song, I think is so beautiful because she had like the hands touch. She's like, barely. Oh, it's so sad. I love that she gets to watch them from afar at the end.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

And like that song, I don't always. I'm not always like obsessed with that song. When I see it in the show or in the movie, I think it hit me a little bit harder.

[Kevin]

Yeah. On stage, I think conditions have to be really perfect for that song to really hit with me.

[Marty Lautner]

Sure. Because it is really the moment we see her at her most vulnerable. Like, the lyrics, don't lose sight of who you are. I think it's such a beautiful lyric because it's usually something someone would say, went with like, pride, like, don't like any. Don't let anybody change you. Where in this context, she's like, you can't. Don't forget. You can't go there. It's like. But in. It's in this like soft, beautiful moment. And it's just like this. This vulnerability that like, we really don't see from Elphaba too much, except with the exception of, like, little moments in the wizard and I, when she is truly alone and she's like, oh my God, this is happening. This is happening. Everything for one is coming true. But then a lot of the time it's her vulnerability is also like met with a wall or met with sarcasm or met with some kind of like, jab where it's like this moment, she's allowing herself to be weak. I think that's what it is. She's allowing herself to exhale for the first time and it's just so beautiful.

[Kevin]

Tell us more about the New York premiere. What was the energy and vibes?

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, it was really cool. I spent a lot of time and.

[Kevin]

Those closed down premiere on the tour.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes. I got there and I was like, oh my gosh, what is it going to be? And I was like, it's The Moma. Fantastic. But yeah, like, Kristin was there. I spent a lot of the night with Frankie, which is. Is really nice. Frankie's is such a sweetheart. I was just so. I was honored to be there. It was all because of Ari. Truly, it was. She, like, got me in and I said, thank you, my sweet angel, because it was my birthday also.

[Kevin]

Oh, my God.

[Marty Lautner]

It was like, I. And I got. I got to bring my fiance, which is so cool.

[Quincy]

We have the same birthday.

[Marty Lautner]

We do remember.

[Quincy]

Yeah, I just remember that. Yeah.

[Kevin]

Oh, cute.

[Marty Lautner]

Likely conceived on Valentine's Day.

[Quincy]

Yeah, yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

And I'm a twin, so that's a double whammy. But yeah. Yeah, the premiere was. It was very cool. It felt very. It was very small. It felt very intimate. The carpet was beautiful. And I. I loved getting to see so many people react to it because. Because I had already seen it. I. I allowed myself to kind of just like, watch it as movie and, like, not trying to remember things that I wanted to tell Ari about or not, you know, take notes about it. I was. I was like, I'm just gonna watch this movie. And it was very cool. And like an instance where everybody applauded after every single number.

[Kevin]

Right, right, right.

[Marty Lautner]

Stephen Schwartz was sitting like a row or two behind me, which was crazy also. Oh, my God. After the movie, I get up because my fiance with Kyle was like at the front and I was in the middle, so. So I, like, ran down to the front and I was like, what did you think? And he was like, it's a triumph. One of the things. One of the things he says is. I. I didn't get who was the. The guy. The wizard will see you now. I don't. What. He seemed like he should have been, like, more, like excited about. I was like, that was. And he's sitting right behind you. And he was like, really? I was like, yeah. I. I couldn't believe he didn't talk. Oh, my God. He was like. I thought he'd be, like, more excited. I was like, yeah, well, it was Steven Schwartz. I think it's probably okay.

[Kevin]

He's been on a long 20 year journey.

[Marty Lautner]

Literally a lot. Who rang that bell? Right. Maybe that was it. He would have put it together.

[Kevin]

Can you believe that gagged us?

[Marty Lautner]

Who rang that bell? That pitch accurate?

[Quincy]

Yes.

[Marty Lautner]

We rang that bell.

[Kevin]

What are your thoughts on swankified place in town getting cut? I've seen outrage about that.

[Marty Lautner]

It's fine.

[Quincy]

Yeah, I like.

[Marty Lautner]

I like the. The opposition of. He knows where everything is. He doesn't have to ask he would.

[Kevin]

It's dramaturgically sound.

[Marty Lautner]

He'd be on that horse, reading up, figuring it out, looking at maps.

[Kevin]

You know, I saw Lemons, Melons and Pears was in the original screenplay. And that would have been cute.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, that would have been cute.

[Kevin]

But the movie's long. They. They had to make cuts.

[Marty Lautner]

They had to make cuts, and I think they made all the right ones.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, God, I can't wait for the second one. Do you think they're gonna have an equally enormous press tour for the second one?

[Kevin]

We've been talking about this timeline.

[Quincy]

Yeah. I mean, I don't think they're really gonna stop because it's already. They're already, like, pumping out. Look at all the awards we're winning. So we're in the awards push now. And then by the time the Oscars are over. Yeah. Then it's. It's summer, and it's time to start selling the second movie, because we got.

[Marty Lautner]

We got the first teaser at the super bowl, right?

[Quincy]

Yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

And that's soon, right?

[Quincy]

Yeah, that was in February.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, yeah.

[Kevin]

That's insane for the cast. I'm like, how are they going to keep doing this for that long?

[Marty Lautner]

I. I mean, if it were me, I'd be like, keep sending clothes. Let's go.

[Kevin]

I am just excited for. Go ahead.

[Marty Lautner]

I was going to say, do you have a favorite. A favorite premiere look from any of them?

[Kevin]

I really, really loved the first premiere, the Australia. Australia premiere. I thought the looks were just so classic and beautiful and chic.

[Marty Lautner]

Although they slayed L. A. I, I, I think Ari's la. The. The pink gingham Tom Brown. I think that was my favorite.

[Quincy]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

In the little basket and Cynthia's leather, like. Yeah, they really.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, my God. Was that the hands?

[Quincy]

Yeah, the hands are my favorite.

[Kevin]

Yeah. No, that was Mexico City. I loved Ari's Mexico City look.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, that was the. The kind of, like, not iridescent, but the kind of opalescent. Yeah. I want to aim. Yeah. Beautiful. God, I think all of the. All of the outfits have been so gorgeous. Something Ari and I particularly connect on is fashion. We have very similar, like, references, everything worn. I'm like, fantastic. Give me 14.

[Kevin]

You have to do a show, the Ari Wicked Press tour show and just change looks.

[Marty Lautner]

I. And wood and wood, 1,000%. I truly, I love everything. And also, if it isn't la, the Olympics looks, which, by the way, were not made as a set.

[Kevin]

Oh, really?

[Marty Lautner]

They were not made together. They showed up and said, oh, my God. Oh, my God. Because they were like.

[Kevin]

Because I have been wondering, are they sharing ahead of time, or are they truly on their own journeys fashion wise?

[Marty Lautner]

Ari has mentioned to me that. No, that they. Obviously, they have, like. It's this premiere. We're gonna go with, like, this theme, but they don't, like, see what each other are doing. Wow. So amazing and so cool.

[Kevin]

Do you think we're getting a live Defying Gravity at one of these award shows? Maybe the Oscars. Oh, why we have to get a live performance?

[Marty Lautner]

Well, it depends if it's nominated. If the sound soundtrack is nominated, and I don't.

[Quincy]

No, it's not.

[Marty Lautner]

Because they didn't write a new song.

[Kevin]

We're not gonna get a live performance from them between now and the next.

[Quincy]

No.

[Kevin]

In any capacity.

[Marty Lautner]

I mean, we might next time because.

[Quincy]

There'S new music with the new songs. Yeah.

[Kevin]

I have to think they're gonna find a way to do it.

[Quincy]

Maybe. Maybe the Grammys.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, sure. Maybe the Grammys. Yeah. I mean, if Lady Gaga can come out and sing Climb Every Mountain, anything is possible.

[Kevin]

It has to happen somehow. I think we'll get it.

[Marty Lautner]

I hope so. I would love that. It would make me happier than anything, but.

[Kevin]

Okay, we have a listener movie reaction that we want to listen and react to with you.

[Marty Lautner]

I would love to.

[AJ]

Hello, gentlemen of Sentimental Men pod. My name is AJ And I am a new listener of the podcast. I was introduced by my friend Vanessa, who is obsessed with y'all.

[Kevin]

Thank you, Vanessa.

[AJ]

And I just have to say thank you so much for all the work you do with Wicked and theater in general provides, you know, entertainment for us and. And a haven, per se. I just want to say how amazing it is that we're. That we're alive in this generation where we got to witness Wicked be brought into a film. I've now seen the movie three times, and I fear that I have a new obsession with this movie. Unlike the love that I have for the musical, which is already so strong, I love the musical so much. But there's something about this movie that's just so magical. And what I think is so amazing is that, you know, you have this musical that's already beloved, but now we have a movie that is, you know, an homage to us theater kids who, you know, wanted to see this happen. And it's so well executed, but it's also appealing to those who may not even like musicals or now like musicals because of this film. And it's just remarkable to watch all these people who had never even heard of Wicked and Now love it. So I think that's something to be said with that being said. There's so many moments in this movie that I just really, really, really enjoyed. But I have to say my favorite. And it happens every time I watch it. I pick a new favorite part. But watching Defying Gravity on the big screen, I don't necessarily know what I expected going into it. I knew that it had to be amazing, but every time I watch it, it's just so incredible. And I think one of the unlimited motif is amazing and. But really what drew me into this whole performance, because it's such a spectacle, is the moment that Elphaba is falling and she looks at herself, her child self, in the reflection before the it's me starts. And you hear all the chatter in the head and she's just free falling almost to her death, what it seems like, but, you know, ends up catching herself on the broom. That entire sequence is just so incredible to me, that whole sequence. But also, there's several moments in that song that are amazing. When she puts on the cape and the cinematography pulls out and it's just. It's so amazing. And I guess I just want to say that with a movie like this, you really. There's. The stakes were so high. And I guess I want to know what you guys thought on moments of cinematography that were added, obviously, because this is a film. Moments like that that were added in, that were not originally in the Broadway production. What do those moments mean for y'all? And what did you take away? I mean, I know there's several moments, you know, like, for example, the beginning with the hat and then the monkeys flying through, and then we have to find Gravity. There's several moments. But I guess I just want to know what did you guys think of those moments that. That enhanced this film in every possible way?

[Kevin]

Kevin, you love the.

[Quincy]

That shiz entrance. Yeah. I get goosebumps thinking about it. It's literally. It's every part of it. And honestly, this is my spicy take. I think I'm glad that we only get that shoulder right there. I think I wouldn't like it as much if we also got it in the montage, because now it just feels like it's like a private little wait. What do you mean? Like, when. When did. When did Elphaba and Glinda. The thing.

[Kevin]

The friendship montage.

[Quincy]

I think. I think I'm okay that it's not there. I think I'm okay that all that remains of it. Because it's like a little secret between the Two of them. When did they have time to go? To go to a field we don't know? In a field we don't know. But they did it.

[Marty Lautner]

They sure did.

[Kevin]

Could either of you imagine what Defying Gravity would look like on film prior to the movie? I always had such a hard time doing it without making it look cheap.

[Marty Lautner]

I couldn't. I really couldn't. I like that they have the homage to the cape. The huge cape. The huge cape. Something that I do want to mention. Um, Steven Skybell, who's in Cabaret, was a Dr. Dillman for a very long time.

[Kevin]

Wow.

[Marty Lautner]

And he was at the, like, Wicked cast screening that they did for a while. Like, he came back the next day, and I was like, what do you think? Everything? And he touched on the moment. The window. And he was like, oh, I thought she was trying to herself. And I was like, oh. I was like, oh, my God, think that at all. And then watching it again, I was like, oh, I don't agree with that, per se. I was like, if one were to be a contrarian and thinking about it from that perspective.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Marty Lautner]

Being her childhood self with that in your mind is like. She's like, oh, no, I can't. I have to do it for her. Also, another thing that is just another thing that's. Sorry. I keep thinking of random things while she's falling. I think it's so interesting that she gets kind of, like, caught in the cape. Obviously, that's what would happen if you jumped out of the window and you had a cape on. But just, like, dramaturgically having it be the thing that. That Glinda put on her is the thing that is, like, wrapping her up. I think it's just a really beautiful parallel.

[Kevin]

Even if she didn't jump out the window with the intention to off herself, there was, like, a piece that was made and, like, I don't know if this broom works. So there's a very real opportunity. This will be it. And that, I think, is equally impactful as impactful.

[Marty Lautner]

Also, I think it is wild that she did not sit on the broomstick.

[Kevin]

But that's why I couldn't do it, because I was like, if she sits on it, it's not gonna work. It's not gonna look cool on film.

[Marty Lautner]

My hands get sweaty when I watch that because I'm nervous she's going to fall, because she's not. She's just holding on at one point with one hand.

[Kevin]

That's like, upper body strength is what that is. I like to think the magic of the broom also keeps her hand on it.

[Marty Lautner]

It has to, you have to justify it.

[Quincy]

I saw somebody online saying that their theory or like their interpretation was that Madame Marable is like down in the wizard's chamber creating the weather around Elphaba and like to make her look more sinister to the people on the ground. And I was like, okay, work.

[Kevin]

I that I, I love that.

[Marty Lautner]

Makes fun of me.

[Quincy]

I love that.

[Marty Lautner]

Or maybe, or maybe it's Glinda.

[Quincy]

Or maybe it's Glinda.

[Kevin]

There was a tweet that was the wizard and I that like empty dead field she's running in. Someone was critiquing it and they were like, no, that was Madame Morrible causing the drought in Oz, giving people a reason to blame the animals.

[Marty Lautner]

All mad.

[Kevin]

I do think she's going to be terrifying in the second movie.

[Marty Lautner]

I can't wait, I can't wait for the scene. You know what I'm talking about?

[Quincy]

Yeah, I just remembered. I'll go talk to him immediately. And then she walks away. And then there's wind right after, right after she leaves. So maybe she is. Maybe it is immediately, immediately a change in the weather.

[Marty Lautner]

Oh. Oh my God. I also love the rain that we can't have you getting wet planting the seeds.

[Kevin]

Okay, Marty.

[Marty Lautner]

Yes.

[Kevin]

You kind of gave us your Glinda answer for this. Is it, is it fair to say you would be a. Thank goodness Glinda.

[Marty Lautner]

I'm also Aarius so popular would be okay.

[Kevin]

Alphaba. Would you be a wizard and I Defying gravity or no good deed? Alphaba. And why?

[Marty Lautner]

Oh, I think wizard and I, I, I, I, I think just because of my general demeanor, the kind of like hopeful, like, kind of like release is so exciting and just like knowing where it goes. Allow the fact that she, she can really like revel in joy for the first time is just so special. And I, I, yeah, I, I love the wizard of mine. I think out of all of the Alphabet songs, that's the one that I like to like, sing the most. And it's the one that I, if I were to play the part that I would, I would like doing.

[Kevin]

That used to be our least respond, our least favorite answer. But I feel like we've been getting it more often lately.

[Marty Lautner]

I, I mean, I, I don't know.

[Quincy]

I think it's because all these new girls grew up singing it. So, so it's not like, oh sure, like the earlier Elphabas. They're like, you want me to sing what, eight times a week? But the ones that are our age are like, yeah.

[Kevin]

And this is it now.

[Marty Lautner]

Everything's changed so much.

[Kevin]

I know.

[Marty Lautner]

And also, I love all, like, the little again. I think it sets up so much like the vision and the. I'd be so happy I could melt. It's such, like, a cute little nod to the original story. And I absolutely. One of my favorite changes that was made in the movie was that extra little bar of music for the jump.

[Kevin]

That's her only instance of happy magic in the movie.

[Marty Lautner]

Happy magic. Yes. See? She deserves it. Did she just blend herself? Herself? She can't believe anything too. Anything positive. She can't believe it too quickly or else it's gonna go away.

[Kevin]

This has been so fun, Marty. Thank you for doing this.

[Marty Lautner]

Thank you again. It's been the honor of my lifetime.

[Kevin]

Oh, we appreciate it. You've been listening to Sentimental Men.

[Quincy]

We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone at the Broadway Podcast Network.

[Kevin]

You can find Sentimental men on Instagram, TikTok and Xentmenpod, or you can email.

[Quincy]

[e-mail] till next time.

[Kevin]

I'm Quincy.

[Quincy]

And I'm Kevin.