Latest news with #ShizUniversity
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Undergo ‘Wicked' Transformations in New ‘For Good' Teaser
Great Oz! The first proper teaser for Wicked: For Good has arrived, and the characters are looking a lot different than they did when we first met them in Part 1. Dropping Tuesday (June 3) — just one day ahead of the premiere of For Good's first trailer — the teaser opens with Cynthia Erivo fiercely staring down the camera, her hair down and outfit changed into a spookier black dress to show how her character, Elphaba, has fully embraced her role as the Wicked Witch of the West. On the flip side, Ariana Grande — who is the last to appear in the teaser — swapped her Shiz University uniform and pink bubble dress from the first Wicked film for a multi-colored ballgown and tiara, signifying how her character, Glinda, has leveled up as the people's princess of Oz. More from Billboard Cynthia Erivo Reveals How She Approached Elphaba Differently in 'Wicked: For Good': 'She's Delicious' From Kosas to Drunk Elephant, These Celeb-Loved Sunscreens Are a Must-Have to Protect Your Skin This Summer Turn Back Time With Cher's Biographical Children's Book Available for Pre-Order Now 'I have been changed,' Erivo sings over the teaser, a snippet from the tear-jerking 'For Good' duet in the Wicked Broadway musical. Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh also return in the teaser, looking more sinister after Part 1 revealed how their characters — The Wizard of Oz and Madam Morrible, respectively — intended to use their power for evil. Plus, Jonathan Bailey looks stoic as Fiyero in his green Emerald City uniform, while Ethan Slater appears as munchkin Boq in a gray getup. For Good is set to hit theaters this November, one year after the first installment of Jon M. Chu's live-action musical duology premiered. Things will take a darker turn in the sequel as Elphaba's magic powers get the best of her, putting her relationships with Glinda, Fiyero, and Marissa Bode's Nessa Rose in jeopardy. 'She's able to access her rage more,' Erivo told Billboard Pride editor Stephen Daw of Elphaba's transformation for her June cover story. 'The scent I wore changed. The makeup changed. Little shifts that bring you to a more mature version of who Elphaba becomes. And she is delicious in this next one.' As promised in the new teaser — which ends with text reading, 'Trailer tomorrow' flashing across the screen — the first full preview of For Good is set to premiere in theaters Wednesday (June 4) as the first Wicked film returns to big screens for one night only in the United States and Canada. By the end of May, Wicked had grossed $755.9 million worldwide, more than any other film adaptation of a Broadway musical. See the new Wicked: For Good teaser below. Best of Billboard Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Pentatonix & Train Will Bring Their Holiday Hits to iHeart Christmas Concert Fox Plans NFT Debut With $20 'Masked Singer' Collectibles 14 Things That Changed (or Didn't) at Farm Aid 2021
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
With new 'Wicked' book, Gregory Maguire talks Elphaba legacy, 'tender moments of agony'
With new 'Wicked' book, Gregory Maguire talks Elphaba legacy, 'tender moments of agony' Gregory Maguire says publishing a 'Wicked' prequel on the heels of the wildly successful movie adaptation may seem like 'leaping after low hanging fruit,' but it's a story he's been waiting to tell for 30 years. 'Elphie: A Wicked Childhood,' out now from HarperCollins, is Maguire's eighth book in the "Wicked" universe, and this one tells the story of the titular green witch's youngest years. Many scenes of Elphaba's childhood were among the cuts in Maguire's 'hefty brick of manuscript pages' when the book was first published in 1995, he tells USA TODAY. This prequel fills in gaps in Elphaba's story for fans who have supported "Wicked" for three decades. 'Those two little scenes fell on the cutting room floor, as it were, of my office, and I never forgot them. I just put them in a glass of warm water and tended them for 30 years,' Maguire says. 'I was never going to do anything with them, but in the last 30 years – that's almost half my life – I have seen my little aberration, my little fan fiction attempt to go to Oz and see what it looks like to me, turned into an enterprise and a mythology that is long going to outlast my lifetime.' 'Elphie' gives a closer look at iconic 'Wicked' character 'Elphie' follows the young witch from birth until enrolling in Shiz University, with a special emphasis on events that happen during ages 7 and 12. Maguire borrows from his own Catholic upbringing here – age 7 is considered 'the age of reason,' believed to be when a child can distinguish between right and wrong. And 12, on the cusp of puberty, is a ripe time for developing a sense of identity. Most of the book is set in Quadling Country, where Elphaba's father is a missionary. 'Elphie' gives a clearer look at the dynamics between Elphaba and her sister Nessarose, as well as her parents, Frex and Melena. Readers will also get a glimpse of Nanny, Shell (Elphaba's brother) and Turtle Heart, the Quadling glassblower who Melena and Frex come to know intimately. Most striking are the early hints at magic for the Thropp sisters, plus Elphaba's discovery of the speaking animal populations of Oz. The prequel also gives a more direct glimpse into Elphie's mind than the original book. Much of "Wicked" is told from the perspective of Glinda, Boq, Fiyero and others, an intentional decision by Maguire to give an outsider's look at Elphaba and how the world treats her. Now, he's flipping that on its head. 'I don't want to go to my happy grave without having put my stamp on what I think might have helped make Elphaba the person she is when she arrives at university,' Maguire says. Holding space for Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel and all the Elphabas Maguire's dedication in 'Elphie' couldn't be more fitting, reading: 'For Idina Menzel and for Cynthia Erivo and for all the Elphabas, past and to come.' He's met Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (the original Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, on Broadway) as well as Erivo and Ariana Grande, saying they treat him like 'a beloved cousin' and always make time to chat with his kids. He even visited the "Wicked" movie set for a day, watching Erivo and Grande film the touching Ozdust Ballroom dance scene. 'I'm living testimony to anybody who wants to know that there is no glycerin drops in Cynthia Erivo's eyes to propel those tears down her cheeks,' Maguire says. 'There were at least five times over the course of several days where I just wanted to break through the set and grab both women by the elbows and rush them to safety. I was devastated to see them perform such excruciating and tender moments of agony, it was devastating to watch. I felt so bad that I'd written anything that brought them to have to do this for a week.' It has to be said that the 'Wicked' novels are very different from the stage and movie adaptations, green protagonist included. But Maguire didn't feel any pressure as he stepped back into Elphaba's cape to write "Elphie." 'I hold Elphaba as portrayed by Idina Menzel and Elphaba as portrayed by Cynthia Erivo, and Elphaba as portrayed by any other actress I've seen play her or any high school audition tape that's been sent, they're all Elphaba to me,' Maguire says. 'I can embrace them all and I can hold them all because … Elphaba is still in my head and cannot be upgraded by the success of popular entertainment.' 'Wicked' movie prompts fans to revisit Maguire novels Since the Jon M. Chu adaptation catapulted the green- and pink-hued story back into pop culture stardom, many readers have revisited Maguire's novel. Some of them read the novel as kids (an ill-advised read, considering the novel's mature elements) and now are surprised by the story's political undertones. The novel takes place in an Oz that's rife with political turmoil – populism and propaganda help the Wizard control and target speaking animals and Elphaba after she refuses to work for him. Maguire's motivation was to explore how calling someone wicked or evil is 'a tool used by oppressors.' When he was writing, he says he was reflecting backward at World War II and the Vietnam War. He expected critics to say his plot was too "retro." But in recent years, reviews have called the story 'prophetic' and remarked on the continued relevance of its political themes, especially polarization. Maguire says he would prefer it remain retro. 'I'm bloody grateful that 'Wicked' exists and that it can talk to people,' Maguire says. 'It's not a polemical argument. It's not an op-ed piece. It's a novel about characters living as well as they can in difficult times. And really, that's what art is for is to give us something in which we can find ourselves and for which we can draw strength.' 'Wicked' movie's biggest changes: From the Broadway musical and book Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at cmulroy@
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Wicked' is finally streaming: How to watch the Oscar-winning musical at home
Wicked is finally on Peacock! You can now stream the magical musical that has cast a spell on all our hearts as many times as you want. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the 2024 adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical stars Cynthia Erivo as the future Wicked Witch of the West and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch in their university days. You can stream both Wicked and Wicked (Sing-Along Version) on Peacock as of Friday, March 21, at 6 a.m. ET, alongside a host of bonus content already available on the platform including Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked. Here's what else to know about how to watch Wicked at home. Wicked has been out on digital since early February, but the Oscar-winning musical is finally coming to a streaming platform near you. Wicked will land on Peacock on Friday, March 21. Wicked will be available to stream on Peacock beginning at 6 a.m. ET/3 a.m. PT. You can also rent Wicked for just $5.99 on Amazon (that's 70% off its usual price), so if you aren't interested in signing up for Peacock but still want to revisit Shiz University, this Amazon deal is a good option. $5.99 $19.99 at Amazon Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in Wicked alongside Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Dinklage and Bowen Yang. Titled Wicked: For Good, the second Wicked movie is slated to be released on Nov. 21. But you can stream Wicked to your heart's content while you wait. There's no official trailer or even a teaser out yet forWicked: For Good (though there are some interesting fan-made trailers floating around on YouTube right now).
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Wicked' hits streaming this week: How to watch the Oscar-winning musical at home
Wicked is finally coming to Peacock! Soon you can stream the magical musical that has cast a spell on all our hearts as many times as you want. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the 2024 adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical stars Cynthia Erivo as the future Wicked Witch of the West and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch in their university days. You'll be able to stream both Wicked and Wicked (Sing-Along Version) starting Friday, March 21, at 6 a.m. ET on Peacock, alongside a host of bonus content already available on the platform including Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked. Here's what else to know about how to watch Wicked at home. Wicked has been out on digital since early February, but the Oscar-winning musical is finally coming to a streaming platform near you. Wicked will land on Peacock on Friday, March 21. Wicked will be available to stream on Peacock beginning at 6 a.m. ET/3 a.m. PT. You can also rent Wicked for just $5.99 on Amazon (that's 70% off its usual price), so if you aren't interested in signing up for Peacock but still want to revisit Shiz University, this Amazon deal is a good option. $5.99 $19.99 at Amazon Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in Wicked alongside Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Dinklage and Bowen Yang. Titled Wicked: For Good, "Wicked 2" is slated to be released on Nov. 21. But you can stream Wicked to your heart's content while you wait. There's no official trailer or even a teaser out yet forWicked: For Good (though there are some interesting fan-made trailers floating around on YouTube right now).
USA Today
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
The 12 best dressed stars at the 2025 Oscars: Cynthia Erivo, Halle Berry and Selena Gomez
The 12 best dressed stars at the 2025 Oscars: Cynthia Erivo, Halle Berry and Selena Gomez What's one honor given on the evening of the Oscars that doesn't put its recipient in danger of being played off stage because of a lengthy acceptance speech? A place on our best-dressed list, of course! Before stars and filmmakers gathered in Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre Sunday to celebrate the biggest night in cinema, they sauntered down a red carpet and struck a pose in fashions worthy of a statuette. Attendees like Felicity Jones, Goldie Hawn (and more below) donned metallics. And while Adam Sandler showed up cozy for a bit during the ceremony, our favorite thing about Sunday's carpet is that Hollywood's biggest names leaned into the glamour of it all and did not disappoint. Who was influenced by "Wicked"? Who made their mark after being "A Complete (Fashion) Unknown"? After a brief "Conclave," we've decided these are the best-dressed at the Oscars (in no particular order): Ariana Grande Did Ariana Grande learn a spell for rendering us speechless at Shiz University? Grande absolutely stunned in a Schiaparelli avant-garde gown in her signature color from the "Wicked" promotional tour: blush pink! She was a vision in a strapless satin ballgown with twinkling tulle dangling from a wavy, sculpted waist. Oscars 2025 live updates: Kieran Culkin wins best supporting actor for 'A Real Pain' Cynthia Erivo Similarly, Cynthia Erivo paid homage to Oz with her larger-than-life Louis Vuitton frock in a dark emerald green gown. Her collar stretched to her Roberto Coin diamond-encrusted ears. Her exaggerated shoulders and skirt are perfectly balanced. The fashion icon did not disappoint. The gown defied our expectations. Demi Moore Demi Moore saved the best of her awards season looks for the Academy Awards, and we're practically giddy over this Giorgio Armani Privè gown. "The Substance" star is already a winner in this silver, mermaid gown. And can we just have a moment for the needlework? It surpasses figure-flattering. This fit is your best friend hyping you up and cheering you on from the front row. More: Can Demi Moore and 'The Substance' finally get the Oscars to respect horror? Halle Berry Mirror, mirror on the dress? Who's the best of the best? Honestly, we can't pick a favorite look of the night but Halle Berry's mirror, mosaic Christian Siriano gown deserves a standing ovation. Crystals accenting mesh side panels add even more sparkle. Goldie Hawn, Raye, Felicity Jones, more best dressed celebs Lupita Nyong'o Lupita Nyong'o is celebrating the Oscars in a gown that is beautifully Chanel. The straps are made of pearls and her sparkling bodice is tied with an ivory bow. The pleated skirt further enforces the ethereal feel. Selena Gomez Apologies that we can't "Calm Down" after seeing "Emilia Pérez" star Selena Gomez's look. The fit of this crystal-encrusted Ralph Lauren number, accessorized in Bvlgari is positively exquisite. It's like the podcasters of the Arconia helped crack the code of flawless tailoring. Whoopi Goldberg While it's not often that you see Whoopi Goldberg on a red carpet, she proved Sunday she can easily slip "Back in the Habit." This midnight blue, latex-looking design from Christian Siriano had us singing "Joyful, Joyful" to the rafters. The volume of the off-the-shoulder neckline and the skirt, paired with the cinched in corset bodice is perfection. Mindy Kaling The co-creator of "Running Point" looks like a champion in a silver Oscar de la Renta number with gorgeous, 3-dimensional leaves that give the most beautiful hint of movement in her skirt and train. Doja Cat Doja Cat uncaged this bombshell Balmain design for the occasion. The sequins are arranged in a leopard pattern, which the 'Paint the Town Red' artist seemed to be loving. Her animal instincts proved to be spot on. Meow! Doja Cat gets wild in catty Oscars dress Gal Gadot Gal Gadot pops in Prada. The "Wonder Woman" star's ballgown, with its full skirt, diverges from the trend of figure-hugging gowns for the evening but makes a statement with its bright, cherry red color. Elle Fanning Elle Fanning selects another timeless look, this one by Givenchy. The "A Complete Unknown" actress accessorized her lace, A-line gown with a diamond necklace. A long, bow, nearly grazing the floor, adds contrast. Julianne Hough Julianne Hough stunned in a gauzy, sand-colored chiffon design by Christian Dior. "It's not every day you get to dress up and feel glamorous," Hough told USA TODAY on the red carpet, "and be a part of an industry that creates so much escapism but also hope and what's possible." While she's not a fashion critic, the "Dancing with the Stars" host did have a styling note − or perhaps personal wish − for Timothée Chalamet: "I hope he's shirtless," she quipped.
