This post was originally published on this site
Before Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo took on the roles of Glinda and Elphaba in the film “Wicked,” there was Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.
The two Broadway legends were the Broadway musical’s original stars when it debuted a little over 20 years ago.
Now that the production’s theatrical release is due out in theaters later this year, will it feature the original leading ladies?
“If I tell you I have to kill you,” she said with a straight face to KTLA 5’s Dayna Devon.
When it comes to the movie, Menzel is happy to see Erivo take on the role as the misunderstood witch.
“Nothing makes me happier to be able to pass the baton to her because it’s she’s going to do such special things with it and really find new, amazing heights and enrich the character in ways that I wouldn’t have been able to do because I’m not her,” she explained.
She revealed that both she and Chenoweth have “a real sense of pride” over their former roles.
“It’s lasted so long and has really touched people for all of these years. So it’s actually a really beautiful thing.”
While she has nostalgia for the production, Menzel is booked and busy. She is hitting the road this summer for a brand new tour called “Take Me or Leave Me” where she’ll perform her own songs as well as fan favorites from ‘Wicked” and “Frozen.”
Believe it or not, Menzel doesn’t get tired performing the hits.
“First of all, they’re really a nice reminder to just be grateful for what you have and my trajectory. My career has had a lot of ups and downs. I know what it feels like to be at the height, and then to sort of have it taken away. I’ve been dropped from record labels and things like that,” she said. “When I sing those songs, I am just so thankful for having that experience. What’s great about really, really well written songs is that they evolve with you. So maybe what they mean for you through a character’s lens becomes different when you have something you’re experiencing in your life and how that informs how you’re going to sing the song that night. Or maybe there’s a different child right in the front row and you want to sing to them or whatever it is it sort of can be interpreted differently. I just I think that’s what I love so much about live.”
The “Take Me or Leave Me” tour comes to The Wiltern in L.A. on July 23. She will be at the Yaamava’ Theater on July 26. For tickets and information head to idinamenzel.com.
Suggest a Correction
