Singing Along to Wicked in the Movie Theater? Cynthia Erivo Weighs In on Debate at Macy’s Parade

Cynthia Erivo has taken a side in the debate over whether moviegoers should be singing along to the blockbuster Wicked movie, whilst seated there in the theater.

Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Wicked serves as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, explaining how Elphaba, the “Wicked Witch,” and Glinda, the “Good Witch,” went from being best friends at Shiz University to bitter rivals in the Emerald City. The musical premiered on Broadway in June 2003, winning three Tony Awards.

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Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

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Ariana Grande stars as Glinda, a role originated on stage by Kristin Chenoweth, while Erivo portrays Elphaba, originally brought to life by Idina Menzel. The film also stars Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, a prince who finds himself in a love triangle with the two witches; Ethan Slater as lovesick munchkin Boq; Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, the untrustworthy headmistress of Shiz University; and Jeff Goldblum as the not-so-wonderful Wizard of Oz.

On the heels of Wicked (Part 1!) debuting this past weekend to a $165 million global box office (against a reported $150 million budget), Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade hosts Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb asked Erivo, during her stop by the NBC booth, what she thought about reports that people were singing “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” et al at the Cineplex.

“Good! I’m OK with it,” Erivo said. “We’ve spent this long singing it ourselves, it’s time for everyone else to join in.”

Wicked: Part One hit theaters on Nov. 27, while Wicked: Part 2 is being held until Nov. 26, 2025.

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