The enchanting world of Wicked captivated its fans during the taping of Wicked: One Wonderful Night at the Dolby Theatre on September 24. This special event showcased breathtaking performances and offered a unique glimpse into the magic behind the scenes. As the audience, dressed in their finest costumes, settled in for the show, they were unaware that some captivating moments would remain unseen.
Behind the camera: Choreography and performances
Before filming commenced, the audience engaged in a delightful preparation session. They learned the choreography for the iconic opening number, No One Mourns the Wicked. Audience members in the orchestra section were provided with faux tulips to mimic the flower choreography from the musical. They rehearsed tossing the flowers in time with Ariana Grande’s entrance as Glinda, ensuring a spectacular visual effect when the cameras started rolling.
Multiple takes for perfection
The filming process was intricate, capturing scenes out of sequence. While many performances were filmed in a single take, some, such as The Wizard and I and Defying Gravity, received multiple renditions to ensure a flawless broadcast. The audience was thrilled to enjoy extra performances, including a duet by Grande and Cynthia Erivo of the classic Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy. Their enthusiasm led them to request another take simply for the joy of it.
Surprises and audience engagement
As the evening progressed, it became clear that the production team had planned several surprises. During the show, director Jon M. Chu filmed different introductions for various segments, including a humorous teaser of audition tapes from celebrities like Khloe Kardashian and Shaquille O’Neal. However, the audience only saw the audition footage during the broadcast, leaving the other setup on the cutting room floor.
Teasing new content
Throughout the night, both Grande and Erivo hinted at exclusive previews of new content from the film adaptation. At one point, they announced a first listen of new songs, only to humorously inform the audience that they would not be able to hear them that evening. Fans laughed along with Grande’s playful apology, “Isn’t that evil? We said that!”
Later, during a segment featuring Bowen Yang and Ethan Slater, anticipation built as they introduced a previously recorded performance of For Good from the Gershwin Theatre. However, the audience was met with disappointment as it was revealed that they would not see it that night either. The playful groans of the crowd added to the lighthearted atmosphere.
Heartfelt moments and special guests
The highlight of the evening came when Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the original stars of Wicked, reunited on stage to perform For Good. Their presence honored the historical significance of their roles and infused the evening with nostalgia as they were joined by Grande, Erivo, and composer Stephen Schwartz at the piano.
In addition to the performances, emcee duties fell to Bill Sindelar, who kept the audience entertained during breaks. He encouraged fans to showcase their costumes and ensured a high-energy environment with music that led to sing-alongs and dance sessions.
Inspiring words and unexpected interactions
One particularly poignant moment occurred when Marissa Bode, who portrays Nessarose, introduced Defying Gravity. Her speech centered on themes of resilience and authenticity, resonating deeply with the audience. Although some of her remarks were cut from the broadcast, her call to overcome obstacles received a thunderous cheer from the live audience.
In an unexpected twist, Grande invited a young audience member to perform a scene with her. The four-year-old boy, dressed as Elphaba, shared the stage with Grande during the song Popular. This charming interaction delighted the audience and showcased the joy of live performance.
Before filming commenced, the audience engaged in a delightful preparation session. They learned the choreography for the iconic opening number, No One Mourns the Wicked. Audience members in the orchestra section were provided with faux tulips to mimic the flower choreography from the musical. They rehearsed tossing the flowers in time with Ariana Grande’s entrance as Glinda, ensuring a spectacular visual effect when the cameras started rolling.0
