While Wicked: For Good continues sparking more controversy than hype, it’s time to bring back the pure vibes underscoring this blockbuster musical and focus on the true talent at hand. Thank Oz for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s recent live rendition of “For Good” – filmed for the TV special, “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” – featuring the original composer of the Wicked soundtrack, Stephen Schwartz, and the originators of the roles of Glinda and Elphaba, Broadway legends Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel!
This ultimate cross-over performance has been sending Wicked fans wild, and it’s not hard to figure out why. But you don’t need to be a musical theatre nerd to fall in love with this magical rendition. Amassing over three million views in just a matter of weeks, Music Man readers can watch this spellbinding performance in the viral video below!
It all begins with a delicate verse from Ariana, gowned in rose-pink, with a live voice just as flawless as the movie. Singing directly to Cynthia, doe-eyed, the duo shares that instant, unmissable connection that’s been slathering the news as of late. But it’s Ari’s vocals which steal the show, fluttering princess-like across the piece and bubbling with sensitivity.
Cynthia soon takes the spotlight, her deep voice the ultimate balance to Ariana’s as she revenge-serenades the pop star and makes Ari tear up on stage. Despite the ever-surfacing emotions, Ari pulls it together, delivering her next lines just as spectacularly.
But then, things get absolutely devilish. Why have one Glinda x Elphaba duet when you can have two? Wicked’s original Broadway actors Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel join Ariana and Cynthia on stage, reprising their Witch roles in harmony with the new cast, fluffed with some mind-blowing verses of their own! These queens first stepped into their roles over twenty years ago, yet retain each sparkle of chemistry and talent from their Broadway days, and it’s absolutely fantastic to see.
Didn’t get a chance to catch the original Broadway show back in the day? Unacquainted readers can dive into one of Kristin and Idina’s old-school performances in our second video above!
Before long, the four Witches are harmonizing; the two Glindas and two Elphabas echoing each other’s lyrics as Wicked’s past and present intertwine. As the ballad wraps up, Ariana almost breaks down in tears again, completely moved by the magic of the moment.
It’s not just Ariana that was swept away by the stellar energy of this performance. Fans have been busy spreading love in the YouTube comments section of this viral clip, with one viewer sympathizing with Ari’s overwhelmed emotions: “I can only imagine how emotional this has been for Ariana.. from getting the role of her lifetime dream while having to deal with her divorce AND the hatetrain, to singing alongside her childhood heroes like Idina, finding an amazing friend in Cynthia and finally saying goodbye…”
But for some, the vocalists are just the cherry on the cake, with the real talent stemming from the Witches’ live pianist, Stephen Schwartz. As one top commenter noticed, “The best person in this whole video is Stephen Schwartz. What a talented, beautiful person – nearly 80 years old and still rocking it!!”