INDIANAPOLIS — In its opening weekend, "Wicked" made a gravity-defying debut at the box office with $164.2 million globally, a record for a Broadway musical adaptation.
For those who aren't familiar with the Broadway musical or book its based on, "Wicked" tells the origin story of how the misunderstood Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) becomes the Wicked Witch of the West that audiences know of in "The Wizard of Oz." She attends Shiz University, under headmistress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), alongside the prim and popular Galinda (Ariana Grande).
Also among the ensemble cast is Tony nominee Ethan Slater ("SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical," "Spamalot") as Boq Woodsman.
"He is somebody who is coming from Munchkinland – an insular community, agricultural society – going to Shiz, and his whole world is changing," Slater said. "He's looking for a place where he belongs, and while looking for love, he ends up finding friends in this first movie that mean a lot to him."
When Boq gets to Shiz, he becomes infatuated with Galinda but then develops a relationship with Elphaba's sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode).
"I think what I love about Boq is the way that even though he doesn't intend to go there, his relationship with Nessa becomes something really beautiful, and I loved working with Marissa on creating that relationship," Slater said.
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Since the film's release, Oscar buzz has been swirling for Erivo and Grande's performances.
"They are unbelievable to work with. They are so generous and collaborative, and they led this cast with such grace, fun and humility," Slater said.
And it seems the long wait for a movie adaptation – 20 years after the Broadway musical debuted and 30 years after the book's release – was all worth it. "Wicked" has an 89% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 96% rating from audiences.
"Working on it, I had high expectations. I watched these scenes get made, and I was like, 'Wow, Cynthia is unbelievable. Ariana is so incredible. Everyone is so perfect,'" Slater said. "The first time I got to see the movie, I was a total mess. It exceeded every expectation that was already pretty high."
"Wicked" is now in theaters.