Wicked started as a book by Gregory Macgurie, then turned into a popular Broadway production, and is now a major motion picture. The movie follows Elphaba played by Cynthia Erivo, who is a witch. She learns that all people are not disgusted by her green skin. Her best friend Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, loathes her at first, but learns to help Elphaba become popular. This movie is only the first half of the play however, because the storyline didn’t fit in a single movie.
“My favorite song from Wicked is “Popular” because the tune is so darn catchy, and I havent gotten it out of my head for the past couple months,” Gianna Albano, a sixth-grader, said.
“Popular” is Glinda’s about making Elphaba popular. She stresses her opinion on popularity and how important she thinks it is.
“A touching moment was when Elphaba was dancing by herself and when Glinda came up to her. It made me sad because she was by herself, and it showed that Glinda was actually her friend, and she danced with her when no one else would,” Samanya Panda, another sixth-grader, said.
Elphaba was dancing all alone pretending not to care when everyone stares at her. Glinda, in thankfulness for Elphaba requesting Glinda to join her in her sorcery seminars, starts dancing with her and then everyone else joins in, starting the girls’ new friendship.
“I liked it because they just give me more Elphaba and Glinda vibes, and I liked the end note of “Defying Gravity”. I think Cynthia Erivo does it just right,“ Panda said about the casting in the movie.
Panda mentioned Erivo’s vocal riff at the end of “Defying Gravity”. It was a new addition to the song, and it showcases how Erivo left her own mark on the role.
