Pink ball gowns, green capes, a massive Jeff Goldblum head and shiny silver shoes decorated the stunning Dolby Theatre stage during NBC’s “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” television special. Celebrating all things pink and green, the Los Angeles-based event featured reimagined musical numbers and previews of the upcoming “Wicked: For Good,” coming out in theatres on Nov. 21 and highly-anticipated sequel to “Wicked” (2024).
The special features the same dazzling cast as the film, such as Ariana Grande as Glinda/Galinda, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ethan Slater as Boq, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Marissa Bode as Nessarose. With cast interviews with stars such as Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero, the audience got insight into the actors’ experiences filming the “Wicked” double feature and a glimpse into the strong cast community. With segments from director Jon M. Chu and montages of audience testimonials, the special celebrated the franchise in its entirety. While NBC aired the special on Nov. 6, the cast filmed in front of a live audience in Los Angeles on Sept. 24.
Beginning with the beautiful opening number “No One Mourns the Wicked” (2024), the performance not only featured Grande’s stellar voice as she hit her classic whistle notes but also a powerful backing choir and live orchestra. Against a pink and green floral backdrop, Grande’s performance transported viewers into the mystical world of Oz. The special included new choreography and vocal arrangements of famous musical numbers and scenes from “Wicked,” including fun, lively dance breaks that enabled the audience to experience their favorite moments in fresh, whimsical ways without distracting from performers’ vocal talent.
Standout moments included Erivo’s “The Wizard and I” (2024) with Goldblum accompanying on piano. The delicate piano and soft orchestra allowed Erivo’s emotive voice to shine, creating a goosebump-worthy rendition early in the special. A new smooth jazz section between the second and third verse revamped the song, allowing for a beautiful transition to upbeat choreography and a set change as buildings from the Emerald City replaced the floral background. The musical number demonstrated Erivo’s unparalleled vocal control as she danced and moved across the Dolby Theatre’s massive stage without faltering.
Erivo’s backup dancers waltzed with clean precision and choreography reminiscent of the original Broadway musical “Wicked” (2003). This added dimension to a ballad that is more focused on storytelling rather than movement. Erivo’s dancing encapsulated the movement of the song, and the pulsing emerald green lighting phased in and out, matching her vocals.
“What Is This Feeling?” (2024) incorporated a pop-funk music style, also featuring a live orchestra and choir. But the tap dancers set the song apart, taking over the stage during a dance break to flaunt their moves and enliven a song already bursting with energy. “Popular” (2024) stole viewers’ hearts as Grande invited a 4-year-old superfan to join her on stage during her performance.
In another standout moment, “For Good” (2024) featured Grande, Erivo and Stephen Schwartz, creator of the original “Wicked” musical. Unlike the other live performances, the cast pre-recorded “For Good” at the Gershwin Theatre, the home of the original Broadway musical. With Schwartz on piano, Grande and Erivo sang alongside Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the original stars of the Broadway musical. Menzel and Chenoweth complemented their younger counterparts in this intimate arrangement that amplified the beauty of the deeply emotional track.
Bailey was absent during the special due to scheduling conflicts, but the special did not cut his number “Dancing Through Life” (2024) — Yang, Slater and Bode performed in his place. While the characters’ collaboration and pacing brought great comedic relief, the singers failed to match the power of the on-screen version. While Bailey derives force from his casual charisma to challenge the students as Shiz University in the film, the comedy of the live performance lost touch with the track’s essential nature.
Despite some uninspiring changes, “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” was a dream come true for all die-hard “Wicked” fans. In exploring what “Wicked” truly means — celebrating friendship, self-acceptance and its cultural significance — the special commemorates both the film and the musical. For hungry spectators waiting for “Wicked: For Good” to release, this special is a much-appreciated appetizer.
