Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to star in 'Wicked' film adaptation
The pair will play Elphaba and Glinda, respectively.
Oh, what a celebration they'll have today! The upcoming film adaptation of Wicked has found its stars, with Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo announced as Elphaba and Grammy Award winner Ariana Granda as Glinda. Wicked film director John M. Chu broke the news on Twitter on November 4, posting screenshots of the video call on which he told Erivo and Grande they had gotten the roles.
Erivo, an English actress, made her stage debut in 2011 in an off-West End production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg that transferred to the West End. She gained acclaim in America for her Tony-winning performance as Celie Harris Johnson, a role she first played on the West End, in The Color Purple when the production transferred to Broadway. With the production, Erivo also won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program for performing on the Today Show. Erivo has also appeared in films such as Bad Times at the El Royale and Harriet, the latter of which earned her two Academy Award nominations. She most recently starred as Aretha Franklin in the anthology series Genius: Aretha.
Grande is best known for her award-winning career as a pop singer, but she got her start in 2008 in the Broadway musical 13. Afterward, she gained more widespread fame in TV acting, playing Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's Victorious and Sam and Cat. Now, she has delved fully into her music career, developing a four-octave vocal range and releasing six studio albums that have won her, in total, two Grammy Awards, one Brit Award, two Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, nine MTV Video Music Awards, and 27 Guinness World Records. She has appeared intermittently in stage shows including Cuba Libre and A Snow White Christmas, and in 2016 she played Penny Pingleton in NBC's Hairspray Live! broadcast.
Additional casting and a movie release date have yet to be announced. Filming is set to begin in the U.K. in summer 2022.
Frequently asked questions
What is Wicked about?
The Tony-winning musical Wicked made Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth household names, and nearly 20 years later, Wicked remains a popular audience favorite. This prequel to The Wizard of Oz flips everything you know about good and bad witches, centering on Glinda and Elphaba's long-lost friendship. Defy gravity and learn more about Wicked tickets on Broadway today.
Where is Wicked playing?
Wicked is playing at Gershwin Theatre. The theatre is located at 222 West 51st Street (between Broadway & 8th Avenue), New York, 10019.
How long is Wicked?
The running time of Wicked is 2hr 45min. Incl. 15min intermission.
What's the age requirement for Wicked?
The recommended age for Wicked is Ages 8+. Children under 5 will not be admitted..
How do you book tickets for Wicked?
Book tickets for Wicked on New York Theatre Guide.
Who wrote Wicked?
Wicked is written by Winnie Holzman (book) and Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics). Holzman's book is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked.
What songs are in Wicked?
Wicked's Tony-nominated score includes songs such as "Defying Gravity," "Popular," "For Good," "No Good Deed," and "Dancing Through Life." Learn more about all the songs in Wicked on Broadway.
Is Wicked appropriate for kids?
Wicked is recommended for children ages 8 and older. The show is a popular family-friendly Broadway show that audiences of all ages enjoy. Please note that children 4 and younger are not permitted in Broadway theatres.
What is the Wicked musical based on?
The Wicked musical is based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, a novel by Gregory Maguire published in 1995.
When did Wicked open on Broadway?
Wicked opened in October 2003. It is the fourth-longest-running Broadway show of all time as of 2023.
Who directed Wicked on Broadway?
Two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello directed Wicked on Broadway. He has directed more than 30 Broadway shows and is known for Assassins, Take Me Out, 9 to 5, and The Odd Couple.
Is Wicked good?
Wicked is one of Broadway's longest-running shows and is among the best-reviewed shows on New York Theatre Guide.
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