Latest news with #Elphaba
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tickets go on sale soon for 'Wicked' show at BJCC Concert Hall in Birmingham
You can still be with the Wizard, and Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero and flying monkeys, when tickets go on sale May 30 for the Broadway touring company of "Wicked," which will return for 24 performances at the BJCC Concert Hall on Sept. 3-21. Previous tours have been among the best-selling in the BJCC's long-running Broadway in Birmingham series ― the 2016 "Wicked" run sold 40,000 seats ― so tickets are expected to go fast. It's one of history's most-popular musicals, with its ubiquity only growing from the long-awaited part one of a film adaptation, released in November 2024. That "Wicked" won a basketful of Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globe, Critics Circle and other awards, and set a Guinness world record for highest-grossing movie based on a stage show. Its worldwide box office gross is currently $$755,785,657. The concluding part two is expected to reach cinemas Nov. 21. More: Alabama Choir School performs spring concert at the University of Alabama The musical version of Gregory Maguire's best-selling revisionist novel, based on L. Frank Baum's Oz tales, became one of Broadway's greatest success stories. It's currently in its 22nd year on the Great White Way, making it fourth-longest-running in Broadway history, behind only "The Phantom of the Opera," the 1996 revival of "Chicago," and "The Lion King." "Phantom" closed in spring 2023, but the other three contenders are still running. The 2003 musical won three Tonys, seven Drama Desk awards, and a Grammy for its original cast album, which featured Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda/Galinda, Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero (Butz is a graduate of the University of Alabama's master of fine arts acting program; UA theater grad and Tuscaloosan Jake Boyd played Fiyero on national tours, including the production that played the BJCC in 2016), and Joel Grey as the Wizard. Menzel and Chenoweth made cameo appearances in the movie, as did composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and original book writer Winnie Holzman, who also co-wrote the paired films' screenplays. "Wicked" has played 16 countries around the world, translated into six languages, and been seen live by more than 70 million people, racking up more than $6 billion in ticket sales. Tickets for the BJCC performances cost $81.60 and up, and will be available beginning at 10 a.m. May 30, through or through For group-rate tickets of 10 or more, email groups@ Performances of the Sept. 3-21 BJCC run will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. There'll be an added 2 p.m. matinee on Sept. 4. The musical "Wicked: The Untold Stories of the Witches of Oz" was patterend from Maguire's novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," with events taking place around those known from the landmark 1939 "The Wizard of Oz" film, and Baum's 1900 novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Schwartz and Holzman made numerous changes to streamline Maguire's densely plotted book, and to fit the story to the stage. "Wicked" tracks Elphaba Thropp (a name Maguire invented based on a phonetic reading of Baum's initials, L.F.B.) with her college roommate Galinda (later Glinda) Upland, as the odd couple navigate magical training, a burgeoning friendship, and violent prejudice against the emerald-skinned, and others who differ from the norm. They first revere but later oppose an oppressive wizard, though the friends pursue different destinies: one is very good at what she does; the other is considered good because of how she appears. Lofted by hit songs including "Defying Gravity," "For Good" and "Popular," the 2003 Broadway musical soared at the box office. Despite pans from The New York Times, Newsday, Hollywood Reporter and others, some critics gave it mixed notes, mostly praising its stars, while others loved it unreservedly. Elysa Gardner of USA Today wrote that "Wicked" was "...the most complete, and completely satisfying, new musical I've come across in a long time." More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the News app For more on the touring company, see More information can also be found on social media, including @wicked_musical on Instagram and TikTok, and More on the Broadway in Birmingham series can be seen through @BwayBirmingham on Instagram and TikTok, or through Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 'Wicked' in Birmingham: How to get tickets for touring show
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Everything We Know About ‘Wicked: For Good' So Far
Following the magical moment of Wicked: Part One enchanting audiences ahead of Thanksgiving, a return to the land of Oz will take place in 2025 when the second film in the duology comes out. Those anxious to see how the story of Ariana Grande's Glinda and Cynthia Erivo's Wicked Witch of the West, formerly known as Elphaba, have a little under a year before the second half of the story will arrive in theaters. The film underwent a title change in December 2024 to Wicked: For Good. More from Deadline Ariana Grande & Kristin Chenoweth Agree 'Wicked's Glinda 'Might Be A Little' Queer 'Wicked – Part One': All The Box Office Records Broken Breaking Baz: 'Wicked's Cynthia Erivo Will Sink Her Teeth Into 23 Roles For 'Dracula' In London's West End For everything we know about Wicked: Part Two, read below. When does come out? Wicked: Part Two, now known as Wicked: For Good, will arrive in theaters Nov. 21, 2025. Who is in the cast of Of course, dynamic duo Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) will return in the second film, though they may be more separated than in the first film. There are still some duets they share, including the titular For Good, in which they reflect on how impactful their relationship has been for the both of them. RELATED: Jonathan Bailey will return as Fiyero, and Ethan Slater's Boq will be back as well as Marissa Bode's Nessarose. If the music is anything to go by, Michelle Yeoh's Madame Morrible will return as well as Jeff Goldblum's Wizard of Oz. Is in production? The second film has wrapped production. Director Jon M. Chu told Deadline that he cut both films side by side ahead of the release of Wicked: Part One. 'I cut both of them at the same time last year so I could watch both of them back to back, and wait til that happens. It's a doozy to see both,' he said. 'I put it to bed. I needed to know that every scene in one had an intention for two, and we put that to bed, and I just opened it up last week. We're tweaking and doing all the things.' What songs will be in ? Songs to look out for in Wicked Part Two include 'Thank Goodness' Sung by Glinda, Madame Morrible and Citizens of Oz 'The Wicked Witch of the East' by Elphaba, Nessarose and Boq 'Wonderful' by The Wizard and Elphaba 'I'm Not That Girl (Reprise)' by Glinda 'As Long As You're Mine' by Ephaba and Fieryo 'No Good Deed' by Elphaba 'March of the Witch Hunters' by Boq and Ozians 'For Good' by Glinda and Elphaba Finale Song RELATED: According to an interview with Capital FM UK, Jeff Goldblum let slip that there may be new original songs written by Stephen Schwartz for Wicked: For Good. Is there a trailer for ? A special first look at the trailer for the second film will be available to view in theaters when Wicked Part 1 returns to theaters for one night only on June 4. The trailer also debuted at NBCUniversal's upfront presentation in May. Is the same team behind ? Yes, Jon M. Chu took over the directing role of the entire project in February 2021 after Stephen Daldry exited the cockpit of the Universal Movie Musical Adaptation in October 2020. Daldry was first attached to the film in 2016. Winnie Holzman, the book writer who adapted the stage musical from Gregory Maguire's bestselling novel, is behind the script with co-writer Dana Fox. Broadway musical songwriter Stephen Schwartz executive produces alongside Jared LeBoff and David Nicksay. Producers include Marc Platt and David Stone. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About 'My Life With The Walter Boys' Season 2 So Far 'Bridgerton' Season 4: Everything We Know So Far Everything We Know About The 'Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Movie So Far
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Everything We Know About ‘Wicked: For Good' (So Far)
After more than two decades as one of Broadway fans' most beloved musicals, Wicked finally got the live-action film treatment last year — but the journey down the Yellow Brick Road is only halfway complete. More from Billboard 'Wicked: For Good' Trailer Gets a Release Date as New Film Poster Is Unveiled Megan Thee Stallion Debunks Rumors She's Banned From Met Gala: Anna Wintour 'Loves Me, Babe' Celine Dion Makes Surprise Appearance During First 2025 Eurovision Semi-Final Round In Video Cheering on Performers Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the project's iconic leading ladies — Elphaba and Glinda, respectfully — Jon M. Chu's Wicked Part 1 finally hit theaters after about three years of production and promotional buildup on Nov. 22, 2024, bringing in historic box-office numbers and becoming the top-grossing film based on a Broadway musical on record. Its soundtrack of fresh takes on Stephen Schwartz's original 2003 stage score debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, the highest-ever opening for a stage-to-screen adaptation. After seeing the first installment, however, fans were immediately impatient for more. Still half of the Ozian tale — inspired by Gregory Maguire's Wicked novel about the origin stories of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good — remained to be told in Part 2, which Universal Pictures announced in December 2024 would officially be titled Wicked: For Good. Luckily, the sequel is poised to be well worth the wait; when Chu first announced that the adaptation would be split into two parts in April 2022, the director wrote on X, 'With more space, we can tell the story of Wicked as it was meant to be told while bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys of these beloved characters.' Though much of Part 2 has been kept under wraps, Universal Pictures and Chu — as well as Grande, Erivo and Schwartz — have divulged a handful of precious details about the finale for fans to pore over as they wait for premiere day. From its release date to additions to the soundtrack, keep reading to see everything Billboard knows about Wicked: For Good. Wicked: For Good will hit theaters Nov. 21, 2025, just one day shy of the one-year anniversary of Part 1. Those who have seen the Wicked stage musical are already familiar with the essential plot of its second half, which — spoiler alert to those who haven't! — finds Elphaba becoming more and more misunderstood by the people of Oz as she continues her fight for animal rights. Meanwhile, Glinda is propped up as a mouthpiece for the Wizard and Madame Morrible's regime, while Fiyero reconnects with Elphaba and the two finally make their romantic feelings for one another known. It all builds up toward an emotional, complicated reunion between the two witches, which goes down shortly before a certain Kansan girl throws a fateful bucket of water on one of them. Though Chu is expected to add plenty of brand new scenes to the film, its basic storyline is sure to follow the one laid out in the original Broadway production. Much like in the second act of the Broadway show, the second part of the Wicked films descends into darker and twistier territory than the first. 'It gets messy,' Chu said to Variety in January. 'I think if [audience members] are following the emotions of this movie, they'll walk with us.' While much of Part 1 leaned into the buoyant fun of life at Shiz and new friendships, Part 2 is more about the social and political turmoil set into motion by Glinda's decision to stay and Elphaba's decision to go during the first film's final number, 'Defying Gravity.' As the director explained it to Entertainment Weekly: 'If Part 1 is about choices, Part 2 is about consequences.' 'Choices are difficult to make, but when you do make those choices, sometimes the result isn't what you expect it to be,' he added in November 2024. 'It can be lonely, it can be hard.' Even so, Chu promised that there will be 'lots of lightness' in the second movie. 'There's a lot of fun parts,' he said. 'We've not forgotten about that, but there's a matureness and a nuance to it that we earn from the first movie.' Though the Part 2 soundtrack is sure to feature the cast's renditions of all of the music in the original Broadway musical — including showstoppers like 'No Good Deed Goes Unpunished' and the tear-jerking Elphaba-Glinda duet 'For Good' — Schwartz has confirmed that fans will also be treated to two entirely new songs specially written for the movies. 'The storytelling required it, and therefore they were created,' he told The Messenger in December 2024 of the new tracks. 'The intention was that they were organic and not imposed on the movie.' Later, Erivo hinted that one of the new songs — which will be sung by Elphaba — will pack an emotional punch. 'I don't know if you're ready for it,' she said on Variety's Awards Circuit podcast. 'I feel like the song is very, very special. I have a feeling that even the title will move you.' Just as they did through Part 1, viewers will get to see more of Elphaba and Glinda than they did in the stage musical thanks to the film format. As far as Part 2 goes, that means fans will see a more in-depth exploration of the two women's complex relationship, with Grande even teasing that there may be some romantic tension. 'I think [Glinda] is a person who loves so much, and I do think that it goes beyond gender,' the '7 Rings' singer told Variety in December 2024. 'I also think that the ways in which she loves Elphaba so much, and that forgiveness and that unconditional love that they share — I think they're in love with each other. I know, yes, it's platonic … But we'll talk about it more in depth in movie two.' While speaking to Variety, Grande and Erivo also teased one of the biggest musical sequences Wicked: For Good will offer. Hint: it's the number that inspired the sequel's title. 'The scene that leads up to ['For Good'] — and afterwards — is quite a meal,' Grande told the publication. 'I do remember, at a point, leaving my body and hovering for, like, the whole week.' 'That was …,' Erivo added. 'That was a lot.' Viewers only got to see the briefest flash of Dorothy Gale in Wicked Part 1, with the first few minutes of the film featuring a clip of the pigtailed, blue-gingham-clad heroine walking down Oz's iconic Yellow Brick Road alongside Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion. Even then, she was only visible from behind. But while speaking to Screen Rant in November 2024, Chu hinted that Dorothy will have a much bigger part to play in Wicked: For Good. 'I won't talk too much about what we show or don't show in movie 2,' he said at the time. 'But in movie 1, it was important to let Dorothy be how you want her to be. I didn't want to step on your images of whatever version of Dorothy you wanted her to be.' 'But [Dorothy's] presence is important, because that plays a significant role in what will happen and how they intersect,' he continued. 'That was sort of how we played with it. But you'll have to see movie 2 to know how far we go with her.' After keeping fans waiting for months, Universal finally revealed on May 14 when the Wicked: For Good trailer would be dropping: June 4, premiering in theaters as the first film returned to the big screen for one night only. That same day, the sequel's official poster was also unveiled, showing Erivo and Grande in their Act II outfits. 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Gizmodo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
If You Liked Cynthia Erivo's Poker Face Appearance, You Have to Check Out The Outsider
Long before she was Elphaba, the Oscar nominee played an unconventional sleuth in the 2020 Stephen King-adapted HBO series. Poker Face is back on Peacock, and its season two premiere features a gangbusters guest-star turn by Cynthia Erivo—playing multiple identical siblings caught up in the latest murder puzzle to cross paths with Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne). While fans now immediately associate Erivo with her Oscar-nominated turn as Elphaba in Wicked, one of her first big showcases came on another crime-infused TV series: HBO's The Outsider. The Outsider ran in early 2020, concurrent with Erivo's first Oscar nomination (for 2019's Harriet), but its airing on such a popular, mainstream platform meant that it was many viewers' first time seeing her perform. That it was based on the 2018 Stephen King novel of the same name also helped draw interest, as did the rest of the cast: Jason Bateman, Ben Mendelsohn, Paddy Considine (pre-House of the Dragon), and Yul Vasquez (pre-Severance), among others. But if you watched it—and if you didn't, now would be a fantastic time to start!—the then-emerging star Erivo left the biggest impression. Erivo plays a recurring Stephen King character, Holly Gibney. Holly made her debut in 2014's Mr. Mercedes (in the series adaptation of that tale, she was played by Succession's Justine Lupe), and she's still around—she's the central character in Never Flinch, King's latest novel, which releases later this month. In HBO's The Outsider, Holly's the co-lead with Mendelsohn's Ralph Anderson, a Georgia cop grappling with personal demons while facing the most perplexing case of his career. When a boy is found horribly murdered, all the evidence points to a beloved local baseball coach (Bateman), who insists he's innocent, but is gunned down before his arraignment. The viewer is privy to a strange figure with a malformed face skulking around the show's early proceedings—and Ralph, a seasoned detective, still can't shake the idea that the accused was somehow telling the truth. An unusual crime calls for an unusual investigator, so that's when Erivo's character enters the story. Holly's abilities—she's highly perceptive, to the point of being extra-sensory; she also has creative quirks, like knowing lyrics to songs she's never heard before—make her an ideal foil for Ralph, a no-nonsense guy suddenly confronted with the notion that a supernatural explanation may be the only explanation. Even beyond the outstanding performances, the 10-episode Outsider is a chilling, rewarding ride. It follows a terrifying thread to some very dark places, with atmosphere to spare and an ending that satisfies—but also makes you wish HBO would've signed on for more. Alas, at least we got Erivo bringing the house down in Wicked, and memorably taking over the screen in Poker Face's return. The Outsider is streaming on Max. Poker Face is streaming on Peacock.
Glasgow Times
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow's Victoria Park in full bloom 'looks like Wicked'
Victoria Park in the West End of the city is bursting with colour as some of the flowers bloom in the sunshine. The park, near Scotstoun, was named for Queen Victoria's golden jubilee in 1887. Victoria Park is currently in full bloom (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) However, some locals say that the park would look more fitting for 'Queen' Elphaba from the hit musical and 2024 film Wicked. One said: "The flowers are beautiful - it's giving Wicked!" READ MORE: Co-op cyber attack leaves Glasgow stores shelves empty READ MORE: Police update after firefighters close off Glasgow street A selection of the park's flowers are currently in bloom, including dazzling red azaleas and a flurry of pink, purple, and yellow tulips. Some people enjoying the park have compared the view to that of Munchkinland in the hit film. A farm in Norfolk revealed that it was behind the stunning set and has opened the view up to the public, but Glaswegians have a much closer-to-home option right now. The park's tulips have been compared to the Wicked set (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) Wicked took cinemas by storm, with one in Glasgow even handing out special gifts at a premiere showing. The film tells the untold story of the land of Oz, focusing on the friendship between Elphaba, the green witch, and Glinda. The cast includes Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Glasgow has been enjoying some great weather in the past few weeks, with sunbathers flocking to Glasgow's Botanic Gardens to soak up the sunshine as temperatures hit 22C. And the good weather looks to stick around, with dry and sunny spells across the area, some light winds but feeling 'pleasantly warm' in the sun, say the Met Office. They also say that in the long term, daytime temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year, although there is a chance of some chilly nights in places. One pair sat and enjoyed the view today (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) Victoria Park is considered one of the city's 'prettiest' spaces, it has largely retained its original layout of Victorian character surrounded by beautiful flowers and blooms. Informally arranged garden beds evolve to include scallop-shaped beds, S-beds, rectangular beds, and circular beds. In larger yards, these 'islands' are built up to create an elaborate labyrinth.
