Wicked
Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Wicked: Part 1!
Naturally, comparisons have been drawn between the original actors and their movie counterparts.
All four characters give compelling performances, withScreen Rant’s Brandon Zachary dubbing Ariana Grandethe better Glinda in Wicked.
However, onscreen acting requires much more subtle and nuanced facial expressions, movements, and body language.
Cynthia Erivos version of Elphaba has moments of intense emotions from the start despite being soft-spoken.
She carries a sense of righteous indignation and self-respect from the beginning, even if she still carries insecurity.
Custom Image by Dani Kessel Odom
She has an underlying self-hatred, making her more overtly fearful of her magical abilities.
However, halfway through the show, she grows into herself, becoming more confident and angry.
For this reason,Idina Menzels performance wins out by a small amount over Cynthia Erivos.
Those are key elements that make it so every audience member in a theater understands the words.
Her vocalizations are more natural, controlled, and intimate.
Conversely, Idina Menzel performs What Is This Feeling?
and Im Not That Girl better, giving them more vocal energy and emotion.
Ultimately, the decision on who sang better comes down to the best-known song ontheWickedsoundtrack, Defying Gravity.
The original Broadway musical lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes without the 15-minute intermission.
This decreases their impact on the character development.
They breathe life into the beloved character, making Elphaba relatable and empathetic in different but equally valid ways.
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