Sentimental Men Podcast Episode 69: The Man Behind the Second Curtain (with Gloria Estefan)
Broadway Podcast Network
Release Date: March 24, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 69 of Sentimental Men, hosts Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi engage in a heartfelt and insightful conversation with the legendary Gloria Estefan. The episode delves deep into Gloria's profound connection with the musical Wicked, her experiences behind the scenes of its film adaptation, and her latest literary work, "Elfie: A Wicked Childhood."
Welcome and Guest Introduction (02:05 - 03:16)
Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi warmly welcome Gloria Estefan to the podcast, setting the stage for an engaging discussion about her favorite women in musical theatre.
Gloria Estefan (02:18):
"I am a sentimental man. And in various profiles of me over the last 25 years, there have been a number of people who have used headlines for stories called things like Mr. Wicked and the man behind the Curtain."
Gloria's Connection with Wicked (03:16 - 07:12)
Gloria shares her deep appreciation for Wicked, emphasizing her emotional investment in the characters and the story's themes.
Gloria Estefan (03:55):
"I hold the characters in Wicked in any iteration in which they find themselves. Very close to my heart indeed, because they are all flitches and specks of my own character, both good and bad."
She recounts her time in London during the filming of the Universal Studios Wicked Part 1, where she observed the intense dedication of the actresses, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana.
Gloria Estefan (04:37):
"I felt horrible. I felt terrible. I wanted to crash through the kind of molded plastic paper, whatever it is, walls that constructed the ostensible room set and grab the two women by their elbows and hustle them up the stairs and out of that dangerous, fiendish place."
[04:37]
Behind the Scenes of Wicked Filming (07:12 - 11:44)
Gloria provides an intimate look at the emotional and technical aspects of filming the pivotal ballroom scene, highlighting the actresses' commitment and the profound impact it had on her.
Gloria Estefan (08:05):
"How can you funnel curiosity, openness, guardedness, attention, keenness of perception all in your face at the same time? How can you do that?"
[08:05]
She discusses her conversation with Jonathan Bailey, the actor portraying the Wizard, and the immense skill required to portray complex emotions on screen.
First Viewing of Wicked and Emotional Reactions (11:44 - 18:05)
Gloria recounts her first experience watching the Wicked movie in San Francisco, describing it as overwhelmingly emotional and transformative.
Gloria Estefan (12:57):
"I think I grabbed my lawyer's hand as the credit started to roll. And I think I held onto it for 2 hours and 40 minutes."
[12:57]
She shares her initial skepticism and eventual awe, emphasizing the movie's ability to convey deep emotional truths.
Transition from Novel to Broadway Musical (18:05 - 31:38)
The discussion shifts to the challenges and triumphs of adapting Gregory Maguire's novel into a Broadway musical. Gloria explains the business decisions behind choosing a musical adaptation over a direct film version.
Gloria Estefan (25:36):
"The novel had hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list 30 years after it was published. It had been amazing, but not at number one."
[25:36]
She details her collaboration with Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, highlighting the importance of maintaining the story's intellectual depth through musical expression.
Business Decisions and Long-Term Vision (31:03 - 36:24)
Gloria discusses the strategic choice to develop Wicked into a Broadway musical, recognizing its potential for longevity and cultural impact over a temporary film project.
Gloria Estefan (31:18):
"The long-term benefit certainly outweighed what would have been paid for me as a one-time payout."
[31:18]
She reflects on the financial and artistic considerations that motivated the adaptation, ultimately contributing to Wicked's enduring success.
Gloria's New Book: "Elfie: A Wicked Childhood" (36:24 - 42:26)
Gloria introduces her latest work, "Elfie: A Wicked Childhood," exploring the untold stories and deeper layers of Elphaba's character. She explains the nuances of editing her previous novel and the creative process behind expanding Elphaba's narrative.
Gloria Estefan (36:24):
"Elfie comes now. It isn't piggybacking on, you know, a 100 million dollar advertising budget for the movie. That doesn't hurt."
[36:44]
She discusses the importance of exploring Elphaba's formative years to provide a more comprehensive understanding of her motivations and character development.
Reflections on Elphaba's Character (42:26 - 43:58)
Gloria offers a personal reflection on Elphaba, drawing parallels between the character's evolution and her own self-discovery and growth.
Gloria Estefan (43:24):
"Every time I look at Elphaba, I feel she's evolving too. And so that's why I could go back and see her."
[43:24]
She highlights the enduring relevance of Elphaba as a symbol of agency and moral complexity, underscoring the character's impact on both literature and musical theatre.
Closing Remarks (42:42 - 47:01)
As the conversation winds down, Gloria expresses her gratitude for the engaging discussion, reflecting on the mutual respect and shared passion for Wicked and its characters.
Gloria Estefan (46:07):
"This was really incredible, much fun. I'm really grateful and I'm sorry for having gone, but you can probably scale this down."
[46:07]
The hosts thank Gloria for her time, and the episode concludes with acknowledgments to the Broadway Podcast Network team and information on how listeners can connect with Sentimental Men.
Notable Quotes
-
Gloria Estefan on Emotional Impact:
"The only thing I'm sure of is I'm still alive. I did not die in the last 2 hours and 40 minutes. I really didn't know what I thought about it. It was just too overwhelming."
[11:44] -
Gloria on Adaptation:
"You do what you need to do. And, and that."
[17:58] -
Gloria on Elphaba's Agency:
"She has agency. And therefore anybody who has agency, you have to keep tracking, you know, whether it's yourself or somebody else."
[43:58]
Conclusion
Episode 69 of Sentimental Men offers a compelling exploration of Gloria Estefan's intimate connection with Wicked, providing listeners with unique insights into the creative and emotional processes behind one of Broadway's most beloved musicals. Through Gloria's heartfelt anecdotes and thoughtful reflections, the podcast captures the essence of what makes Wicked a timeless masterpiece in musical theatre.
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Thank you for listening!