Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are preparing a magical night for their fans Wicked. NBC’s highly anticipated television concert special, “Wicked: One Wonderful Night,” brings the two stars together on stage for the first time in a spectacle that promises music, theater and emotion. The first sneak peek has been released and has already excited Broadway and film fans
Η Ariana Grande returns to the small screen in a role that few seem to love. Along with the excellent Cynthia Erivo, she will star in “Wicked: One Wonderful Night,” a musical production that will air this Thursday (November 6) on NBC and the Peacock platform. The duo of heroines Glinda and Elphaba join forces again, this time in a live show full of theatrical tension, songs and moments that highlight the magic of Wicked.
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The first clip from the concert special shows Grande and Erivo performing the legendary song “What Is This Feeling?”, one of the most beloved songs from the original musical. Against the backdrop of the iconic colors of Wicked — green for Elphaba and pink for Glinda — the two singers give an explosive performance full of humor, energy and vocal perfection. The scene ends with Grande exclaiming “Alright, I get it!” in response to Erivo’s playful “Boo!”, a moment that had the audience laughing and fans filling social media with enthusiastic comments.
“Wicked: One Wonderful Night” is more than just a musical evening; it’s a celebration of friendship, magic and the enduring power of music. The two-hour televised event features stunning live performances, unique sets, glam costumes and choreography that blends Broadway and cinematic aesthetics. The two leads, under the direction of Jon M. Chu, bring the magic of Oz back to life, giving fans a taste of the upcoming sequel “Wicked: For Good,” which hits theaters on November 21.
Tony Award-winning Cynthia Erivo, known for her dynamic stage presence, plays Elphaba, the green-skinned, big-hearted “witch of the west.” Ariana Grande, on the other hand, plays Glinda, the bright and hyperactive “good witch,” bringing a combination of sweetness, strength, and pop energy to the role.
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In an interview with Evan Ross Katz, Grande explained that the idea behind the concert special was to make the promotion of the second film more “personal and festive.” “We wanted to create something for the fans. To honor the world of Wicked", but mainly the magic of live that brings people together," he said.
The NBC production is designed to deliver a gala-like experience. A full orchestra, live vocals, and a series of dynamically changing sets throughout the show promise to transport viewers directly to the magical world of Oz. “One Wonderful Night” is also the first live event to officially promote a Wicked film, which gives the project even more importance for fans.
Ariana Grande has proven that she can straddle the line between pop and musical. From her early Broadway career to her success in the music industry, the singer has evolved into a multi-faceted artist. Her performance in Wicked It is considered her most mature artistic step, with many noting that she manages to portray Glinda with freshness, sensitivity and theatrical depth.
She revealed that she had been preparing for the role for years, studying Broadway vocal technique and working with vocal coaches who specialize in musical theater. "The Wicked "It's the work that made me love singing and theater. It's a lifelong dream to be in this universe," she said, moved.
For her part, Erivo noted that their collaboration was “effortless.” “Ariana has an incredible respect for the musical and the tradition of Broadway. Together we try to give voice to two women who love differently, believe differently, but are connected through their musical hearts,” she said.
The friendship between the two artists, built through the preparation of the film, is evident on stage as well. Grande and Erivo combine theatricality with naturalness, making their chemistry one of the show's strongest points. Fans are already commenting that their duet is reminiscent of classic Broadway-era collaborations, but with a fresh, modern aesthetic.
Beyond the artistic side, “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” has a deeper goal: to highlight the power of the music community. After a difficult few years for live productions, NBC and Universal want to bring the magic of the show back into people’s homes. The special is a celebration of the fans who supported the Wicked since its first Broadway premiere two decades ago.
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The show's finale, according to information from the production, will feature a stunning medley of the musical's most famous songs, with a new arrangement that unites Grande and Erivo's voices in a spectacular moment on stage. The final note, as those who attended the rehearsals report, is "a promise of something even bigger to come."
One thing is certain: Ariana Grande looks more ready than ever to shine again – this time not just as a pop star, but as an artist who bridges theater, film and music. With the Wicked: One Wonderful Night, Grande writes a new chapter in her career, delivering a show that proves that the magic of music has no limits.
