Bowen Yang, who plays Pfannee in the upcoming Wicked movie, recently shared that cast members often came together between takes to sing songs from famous musicals. In a lighthearted conversation with People Magazine, Yang revealed that while filming, he and the cast members would gather to sing songs from beloved musicals like Rent and Next to Normal, creating a friendly and supportive atmosphere on set. With a star-studded cast including Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum, the movie is generating excitement as it approaches its theatrical release on November 22, 2024.
Cast Camaraderie Through Song on Wicked’s Set
Bowen Yang detailed the cast’s fun ritual of singing together whenever the director called “cut.” He explained how this musical camaraderie added to the positive environment on set. Yang noted that even Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba and needed to maintain a serious and aloof demeanor for her character, would often join in the singing sessions. He shared:
“Cynthia had to be incredibly aloof and reserved and in the demeanor of Elphaba. So it was refreshing to see her let loose in between takes.”
Meanwhile, Jeff Goldblum also joined the impromptu musical breaks, especially when shooting scenes with Ariana Grande. Goldblum recalled that he and Grande would sing songs from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Sharing his experience, he said:
“We sang it together, and then she did it again on my phone. Oh my God in heaven—it was music, music, music.”
These shared moments brought a sense of unity and enjoyment to the cast as they worked on the fantasy adaptation of the beloved musical.
Behind the Scenes of Wicked’s Musical Preparation
In addition to the off-camera singing, cast members prepared intensively for their roles. Michelle Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible, revealed that she even had to sing for her character in the film. Known for her action roles, Yeoh admitted that singing was a new challenge for her and joked that she typically reserves her singing for the shower. She explained:
“I love singing. But normally it’s in the shower, not when there’s other people around.”
To prepare for her role, Yeoh worked with a vocal coach and was able to push her vocal abilities to new heights. She shared her excitement about hitting unexpected notes, saying:
“I was hitting notes that I never thought that I would try.”
Wicked: Plot, Cast, and Release Details
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked brings to life the backstory of Elphaba, the green-skinned young woman who forms an unlikely friendship with her classmate, Glinda, as they navigate the social challenges and magic of their educational institution. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo lead as Glinda and Elphaba, while the supporting cast includes Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar, Ethan Slater as Boq, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard.
The film is set to debut in theaters on November 22, 2024. As the release date approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating how the film adaptation of the Broadway hit will bring the characters and songs to life on the big screen.
For more updates on Wicked, tune in to Vviptimes.
Source: People Magazine
