By Arianna Smith
Wicked is one of the most well-known Broadway shows, and it first came out in 2003. This famous story is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked, which was a novel based on L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This story about two witches captivates not only Broadway fans but many tourists.
Wicked’s first cast consists of extraordinary Broadway stars such as Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, Joel Grey as the Wizard of Oz, and Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero. These names are big stars on Broadway who have also become actresses, singers, and award winners. The original cast of Wicked holds a high standard for new actors and actresses playing the same characters in the release of the 2024 movie Wicked.
The new cast of Wicked holds high standards because of the original cast and the many partnerships they have made. Wicked has partnered with brands like Starbucks, Target, Aerie, Justice, and many more. By creating so many alliances, they have established a broad audience ranging from little girls to coffee drinkers, young adults, and people who shop at Target. Expanding their audience even more, the casting director picked highly talented people who are widely cared for: Ariana Grande as Glinda, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz.
Choosing Ariana Grande is a great casting choice for a plethora of reasons. She got her start in the Broadway musical 13 in 2008 and eventually landed a job on Nickelodeon. Grande is known for her high-pitched voice and bubbly personality, much like the role Chenoweth played as Glinda. Grande has been grieving the death of her ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, for some time, and this is a perfect role for her to shine compassion and beauty on her peers.
Elphaba is being played by Cynthia Erivo, who was acknowledged for her great appearance in The Color Purple. Erivo being cast as the primary role of Elphaba adds diversity and inclusion to a show that was primarily a white cast.
Casting Grande and Erivo into a story where two witches learn the importance of friendship while both being very different was a great casting call. After many interviews with Grande and Erivo, it is evident that they have formed a strong bond between them.
This coincides perfectly with the casting of Bridgerton star, Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero. Bailey has a large fan base and is loved by Bridgerton fans, which again widens the popularity of Wicked. His bromance with his co-star Jeff Goldblum has become widely popular as funny and cute. Goldblum’s dramatic role in the Jurassic Park movies is now coming to play in Wicked as he plays the Wizard.
Overall, I think the casting of Wicked the movie was meticulously orchestrated. Although Grande, Erivo, Bailey, and Goldblum have big shoes to fill, I think they will do an excellent job. I believe that there will be even more of an audience for Wicked: Part 2 in 2025.
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Image courtesy of Vanity Fair.