Latest news with #StephenSchwartz
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michelle Yeoh Shares a Surprise Detail Fans Might Not Expect in 'Wicked: For Good '(Exclusive)
The much-anticipated second installment hits theaters on Nov. 21 NEED TO KNOW Michelle Yeoh shared a fun detail about Wicked: For Good, the upcoming second installment in the hit franchise Yeoh said that fans can likely expect 'some new songs' in the new movie Stephen Schwartz, who composed the music and lyrics for the live show, also penned the new tracks Michelle Yeoh is spilling the tea about what to expect from Wicked: For Good, the second installment of Wicked. Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible in the films, recently revealed that fans will be getting a melodic surprise in the upcoming Wicked: For Good during an exclusive chat with PEOPLE about her lead voice role in the upcoming English-language version of the Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha 2. 'I think you're getting some new songs,' Yeoh, 63, says of Wicked: For Good, before jokingly adding, 'I didn't say that.' Devotees of the hit Broadway show's original soundtrack will be in good hands when it comes to the new songs. Stephen Schwartz, who composed the music and lyrics for the live show, penned the new tracks. "I have permission to say there are two new songs in the movie because the storytelling demanded it. One of them happens to be for the character of Elphaba. The other one happens to be for the character of Glinda,' Schwartz exclusively told PEOPLE at the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in June. Yeoh went on to share that she and her fellow Wicked castmates have remained in touch even though filming has long ended. 'I was just at Hollywood Bowl [for] Cynthia,' she said, referring to castmate Cynthia Erivo's performance as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. 'I love her. She was so amazing,' Yeoh raved. In addition to Wicked: For Good, which premieres on Nov. 21, the Oscar winner is also busy promoting Ne Zha II. Yeoh voices Lady Yin — Ne Zha's mother — in the English-language version of the Chinese box office phenomenon. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'I had seen Ne Zha II in Chinese, and even at that time I thought, 'I hope they do an English version, because you want little kids to be able to see it and understand,' ' she told PEOPLE of the film, which tells the story of the rebellious young demigod Ne Zha. 'So when they did come to me and said, 'Would this interest you?' I jumped right in,' she said, adding that the film ingeniously preserves traditional Chinese storytelling while also making it accessible to modern audiences. 'The storytelling is so amazing because they have kept intact the classic myth of how it was before, but added that contemporary way of storytelling,' she said. 'So that's the bridge for the generational gap. Like we say, it is timeless, but timely.' The English-language version Ne Zha II hits theaters on Aug. 22. Read the original article on People
New York Post
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Why 'Wicked: For Good' team is 'nervous' about sequel
Can 'Wicked: For Good' be 'Wicked: As Good'? That's the pressure facing the filmmakers behind the sequel to 'Wicked,' which set a box-office record as the highest-grossing movie adaptation of a Broadway musical after its release last November. 'Everybody's thrilled that the first movie was so incredibly well received and had such cultural impact,' composer Stephen Schwartz, 77, exclusively told The Post on the red carpet of the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony — where he received the Johnny Mercer Award — on Thursday night. 4 Stephen Schwartz is still 'working really hard' on the 'Wicked' For Good' sequel just five months before its release. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 4 Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo return as Galinda/Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in 'Wicked: For Good.' ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 'But it does raise the bar,' he admitted of the film that received 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. 'So we're all a little nervous.' Indeed, Schwartz is still 'working really hard' on the sequel — once again starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Galinda/Glinda, respectively — just five months before its release on Nov. 21. 'I'm still doing scoring,' he said. 'We have our orchestral recording sessions next month, so gotta get ready for that.' Schwartz is also busy working on another Broadway musical that will reunite him with Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of 'Galinda/Glinda' in the stage version of 'Wicked' in 2003. 'We have a new Broadway show opening in November, 'The Queen of Versailles,' ' he said. 'Again, we're working very hard. We had a really good tryout last summer, but we learned a lot from it and are, you know, continuing to make improvements. But we feel like we're ready to go a few months from now.' 4 Stephen Schwartz was honored by Kristin Chenoweth and Mary Kate Morrissey for receiving the Johnny Mercer Award. Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame For those expecting more of 'Wicked' in his new musical, Schwartz explained that we're not in Oz anymore. 'It's contemporary America and a little bit of 17th century France, so not Oz at all,' he said. 'Kristin obviously will still be using that enormous gift of hers vocally and her comic gifts. So in that there will be a continuity, but it's a very, very different character, and you see another side of Kristin.' 'It's always great to work with Kristin,' he went on. 'We do a lot of stuff. We did some concerts together, and I've done classes for her Broadway Bootcamp. We're friends.' 4 Stephen Schwartz performed his 'Pippin' tune 'Corner of the Sky' after receiving the Johnny Mercer Award. Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame Indeed, Chenoweth showed up for her friend at NYC's Marriott Marquis, bringing the house down on the 'Wicked' duet 'For Good' with Mary Kate Morrissey — who ended her run as Elphaba on Broadway in March — before giving Schwartz his latest SHOF honor on Thursday. 'It's amazing just to be here tonight when so many amazing songwriters are being celebrated,' said Schwartz, who was previously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. 'I looked at the list of the Johnny Mercer Award winners, and it's just all the great musical theater writers of the last, I don't know, 40 years or so,' he added. 'The fact that my name will be on that list now is so stunning to me and so humbling. They are writers who I've listened to all my life, who I've learned from, I've stole from. And I am forever grateful to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.'
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kristin Chenoweth Reveals One Broadway Role She "Would Love to Play"
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Broadway's original Glinda the Good is about to don a very different crown. will return to The Great White Way for the first time in a decade, starring in an original musical titled The Queen of Versailles. Previews begin at the St. James Theatre this October for the show, which is loosely based on the real-life story of the Siegel family, who built the largest private home in America in Orlando, Florida. Written by Lindsey Ferrentino and directed by Michael Arden, Kristin is also teaming back up with Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz, who she jokes "had been threatening to write me a show for 22 years." Still, the Tony Award winner wants audiences to know, "It is not Wicked. It's very different. The score is very different. It's a very different kind of subject matter." Good Housekeeping spoke to Kristin ahead of the 2025 Tony Awards about the inspiration behind The Queen of Versailles, the challenges of bringing an original show to Broadway and whether audiences can expect another cameo from her and Idina Menzel in the upcoming movie musical sequel, Wicked: For Good. "I think our cameos are done, and I think it's nice because they paid homage to us. We got to do it, and now it's their turn," Kristin says of stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. "I do know one secret that I can't tell, but I'm really excited to hear those girls sing "For Good." I'm probably going to weep. They're so in love with each other, and yet they're each their own person, very much like Idina and I were. And it's just nice to see. I'm really proud of them." When it comes to this season's crop of Broadway shows, she admits she's "behind," but notes that there are "so many good ones" running. "I support them all. There's always something to love about Broadway, always. Will it be my favorite thing in the world? Maybe not. But there's room for a lot of different kinds of pieces. And so I was really glad to see our Broadway so packed," she says. As for some of her favorites, and what's next on her list? "I loved Smash. I laughed my butt off. I helped develop Death Becomes Her — I was maybe going to do that show and made a different decision — but I loved Death Becomes Her, and I was really proud of the girls [Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard.] I have not seen Dead Outlaw yet; I really want to go see that. I've got to see BOOP!" Idina, who famously originated the role of Elphaba alongside Kristin's Galinda, starred in the musical Redwood from February to May of this year. "Here's what I want to say, and this is really an important thing for me to say because it's what I believe. I love the revivals. Nicole [Scherzinger] is otherworldly in Sunset Boulevard. But as far as Redwood goes, and Smash, BOOP!, Dead Outlaw, Death Becomes Her, all these new shows — it is so hard to put on a new show. And as I told Idina, it's so brave of us to take something that is our baby and take a swing at it. And she took a big old swing and as far as I'm concerned, a big old home run. It was a beautiful performance. When I saw it, I was so moved, and I feel like it did not get its due," Kristin emphasizes. "I just have to applaud all the new pieces. It's so hard. I'm facing it myself. I've been working on The Queen of Versailles for several years. It is my baby," she continues. A few months out from beginning rehearsals on the Broadway stage, even the veteran performer experiences nerves. "I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't nervous. You work on something for so long and now I need the baby to be born. Good, bad or ugly." Kristin also gushed about her other baby, her rescue pup Thunder. The proud dog mom is partnering with dog food brand Nom Nom on their new campaign. Starring as "The Enrichment Witch"in a series of short videos, she chose to team up with Nom Nom for a simple reason. "When I saw Thunder eating this food, her whole demeanor was like, 'Oh my gosh this is the best food ever,'" Kristin tells us. "Which then leads into a great walk, which leads into a great playtime and treat time and cuddle time. It's a domino effect." The cockapoo mix also loves walks and chasing squirrels in the park, but she apparently does not love Kristin's newest co-star. "I am working with a dog in Queen of Versailles named Muumi. Muumi is a white Pomeranian, and Thunder and Muumi are not friends. Thunder is very jealous. And she's got to work through that, so wish me luck," Kristin laughs. Dog mom, Glinda, Queen of such an extensive resume, are there any dream roles left on Kristin's Broadway bucket list? "Down the pike, there are roles that I would love to do," she shares. "I certainly love Mame. I'm Auntie Mame in a lot of ways to a lot of kids, to my students and cousins. I also have a really close relationship with my nephew, so that nephew/aunt relationship is close to my heart. And I haven't gotten to see Audra [McDonald] in Gypsy, but that's one role that I would love to play one day. Of course, Hello, Dolly! is another one," she adds. "I also think, is there another part being written right now that I don't know about?" Thank goodness! You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
15 US cities that are likely targets of a nuclear attack
With a deadly conflict in the Middle East, Russia still waging its invasion of Ukraine, and China on the brink of invading Taiwan, the world has arguably not been this close to war in a century. But while Americans are on the other side of the globe, the US would not be safe from a nuclear war, experts warn. Russia has an arsenal of more than 5,900 warheads capable of reaching the US in about 30 minutes. At the same time, China has a stockpile of more than 500 aimed at the nation's west coast. Financial experts believe 15 cities would be high-priority targets if a foreign adversary decided to launch a nuclear campaign against America. These spots are likely targets because of population density, air distance to a strategic military facility, emergency preparedness, and ease of evacuation. The nation's capital ranked as the most highly valued target due to being America's defense hub, followed by the largest metropolitan area, New York, according to an analysis conducted by 24/7 Wall Street, an independent financial news source. The group conducted the report using research from Dr. Irwin Redlener, a professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Redlener previously identified six economic regions that are potential targets of enemy nukes. These spots were combined with 15 strategic military targets determined by Stephen Schwartz, who is part of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists and co-authored 'The Costs and Consequences of US Nuclear Weapons Since 1940.' Schwartz's targets include command centers, ICBM bases, and air force and submarine bases. Members of 24/7 Wall Street then evaluated all the spots, ranking them on population, how prepared they were for emergencies, distance in miles to the strategic military target using Google Maps, and ease of evacuation. The team then used a nuclear detonation simulator, Nukemap, and dropped a one-megaton bomb to see the damage and casualties. Most Americans believe the country's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch facilities (silos), located in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming, would be an enemy's priority. And while this may be true, opposing countries may also be looking at where would cause the most damage and fatalities. 1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria: This region is the most dangerous because it is the heart of democracy, home to the US government, the White House and the Pentagon, which was a target in the 9/11 attacks. This region is home to more than 6.1 million people, putting the area with the fourth highest population among the group of 15. The experts ranked the capital as the fifth worst among evacuations and predicted there would be more than 461,000 deaths and over 924,000 injured when bombed. 2. New York City-Newark-Jersey City: Manhattan being a target may not be a surprise due to it also being hit during the 9/11 attacks. Not only is it the most populated city in America, but it is also the symbol of Western values and capitalism. A bomb dropped in New York City would impact Newark and Jersey City, both in New Jersey, which sits across the Hudson River. However, this is the nation's largest metropolitan area, home to more than nine million people. The report ranked the area as the second worst for evacuations and predicted there would be 1.7 million deaths and 3.1 injuries. 3. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, California: The Bay area is another large metropolitan region in the US, with 18,629 people per square mile. Surrounded by the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, evacuating the three cities would not be accessible if a one-megaton nuke is dropped - it ranked third worst. This region has nearly two million people who call it home. The projected casualties could hit more than 507,000, with 582,870 injured. 4. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois: Chicago may not sound like a likely target to many, but this Illinois city is located within 50 miles of four nuclear power plants. Naperville and Elgin are within 40 miles of the Windy City, meaning they would also be hit in the event of a nuclear attack. The region ranked fourth out of the 15 in evacuations for its more than two million residents. Experts predicted the attack would cause 626,170 deaths and more than 1.1 million injuries. 5. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California: The bustling region of California is known for its Hollywood stars and gorgeous beaches but could also be a high-priority enemy target. The three cities are about 26 miles from each other, with more than four million people. This part of California would be a target because it is the second-largest metropolitan economy in the US. The report ranked this area as the fifth worst in evacuations, which would lead to 645,750 deaths and more than 1.6 million injuries. 7. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington: The Washington State region is 30 miles from the Naval Base Kitsap, the largest naval organization in the northwest area, and 46 miles from Naval Radio Station Jim Creek, a radio transmitting facility. These government facilities make the region a possible target in a nuclear attack that would kill more than 53,000 people and injure over 106,000. The three cities combined have more than one million residents, situated in mountains that would make it difficult for evacuation - experts ranked it the eighth worst. 8. Urban Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii made headlines in 2018 when residents received an emergency alert that read: 'Ballistic Missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek Shelter. This is not a drill.' While the notification was sent accidentally, experts believe Honolulu is a candidate for an attack on the US. The small island is the closest to China, making it an easy target, and is home to three military bases. And being surrounded by the Pacific Ocean made Honolulu the worst for evacuations. Data shows 354,510 people live in the city, and a one-megaton bomb dropped in the area would kill 20,920 people, leaving 56,710 injured. 9. Omaha, Nebraska: The Midwest city is 10 miles south of the Offutt Aire Force Base, which served as an aerial command center in case nukes dropped during the Cold War. The command center is where President George W. Bush was flown during the 9/11 attacks. With the technology and military personnel in place, the report believes the enemy would eye Omaha. The report ranked the Nebraska town as 13th in evacuation and predicted about 34,000 casualties and 140,000 injuries. 10. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah: These two cities are also located near a military base - the Hill Air Force Base. This military facility is the second largest in population and size and supports the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. Experts predicted that a nuclear bomb would cause 87,140 deaths and 1570,570 injuries, ranking it the ninth worst city for evacuations. 11. Albuquerque, New Mexico: The New Mexico city primarily comprises the Kirtland Air Force Base, the headquarters of the Air Force Global Strike Command's largest installation, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. More than 562,000 people live in the city, which ranked the 11th worst for evacuations. Experts predicted a nuclear bomb would cause 11,200 deaths and 157,630 injuries. 12. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Colorado is part of the US's 'nuclear sponge - a site deliberately set up by the government during the Cold War. In the event of an attack, bombs would fall on sparsely populated areas. And by design, Colorado Springs is a prime target for a Russian attack. More than 483,000 people live in the city, with an elevation of more than 6,035 feet. The report ranked Colorado Springs as the 10th worst in evacuation, likely due to the rugged landscape. And predicted that 28,400 deaths and 133,060 injuries would occur if hit. 13. Great Falls, Montana: Montana is also a nuclear sponge, being home to hundreds of hidden missile silos and launch facilities. But the report looked closely at Great Falls because it is six miles from Malmstrom Air Force Base, one of three facilities that maintains nukes in the US. With 2,614 people per square mile, experts predicted an attack would leave 17,920 dead and 22,920 injured. Great Falls was also ranked 14th worst in evacuations. 14. Cheyenne, Wyoming: Wyoming is another state meant to be a nuclear sponge - it has been home to nukes since the 1960s Francis E, Warren Air Force base houses the combat-ready force three miles west of Cheyenne. The city is surrounded by mountains, making it the worst for evacuations, according to the report. With 2,019 people per square mile, experts speculated a bomb would kill 27,320 people and leave 36,550 injured. 15. Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana: The metropolitan region has a population of 385,154 and is located five miles within the Barksdale Air Force Base, home to three squadrons of B-52H Stratofortress bombers. These warplanes are capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and can carry nuclear weapons - making this area a prime spot for an attack. Evacuation would be difficult because it sits near the Gulf of Mexico - ranked the 12th worst. If bombs were dropped, 24,150 people would die, and another 103,560 would be injured, according to the analysis.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Wicked director lifts the lid on what to expect from the sequel
The second part of the Wicked film adaptation, titled Wicked: For Good, is set to be released in cinemas on 21 November. Director Jon M. Chu confirmed that lead actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will each perform a new, original song. The film will continue the story of Elphaba, now declared an enemy of the state, and Glinda, with Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh also reprising their roles. Composer Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the music and lyrics for the original Broadway production, has returned to pen the two new songs for the film. The first trailer of Wicked: For Good was screened at CinemaCon, introducing classic Wizard of Oz characters Dorothy, the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow.
