Premiere - Wicked : A Magical Evening in Los Angeles for the Highly Anticipated Premiere

By Mulder, Los Angeles, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 09 november 2024

The highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked, directed by the visionary Jon M. Chu, made its long-awaited Los Angeles premiere on the evening of November 9, 2024, at the iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Fans, celebrities, and industry insiders gathered to witness the magic of Oz come to life on the big screen, with the night marked by dazzling fashion, electric performances, and an outpouring of excitement for what promises to be one of the most significant cinematic events of the year.

The premiere was a spectacle in itself, with a star-studded red carpet that featured a sea of pink and green—colors synonymous with the two iconic witches at the heart of the Wicked saga. In one of the most eagerly awaited events of the season, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who star as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, stole the spotlight, showcasing their impeccable style and undeniable chemistry.

The film’s leading ladies, Grande and Erivo, made a grand entrance in couture gowns that paid homage to their characters. Grande, who portrays the bubbly and beloved Glinda the Good Witch, wore a custom Thom Browne creation that exuded a sense of whimsical elegance, featuring a voluminous pink gown that captured the essence of her character’s charm and poise. Erivo, who takes on the role of the misunderstood Elphaba, opted for a dramatic Louis Vuitton dress in a deep, forest green that echoed the complexity and power of her character. Both women were a vision of grace and glamour, but their outfits also served as a nod to the deep, contrasting personalities of the two witches of Oz.

The red carpet was further illuminated by the presence of original Wicked Broadway cast members Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who famously originated the roles of Glinda and Elphaba on stage. Their appearance was an emotional moment for fans, many of whom grew up with the Tony Award-winning musical and whose love for the characters of Wicked began with Chenoweth’s sparkling Glinda and Menzel’s fierce Elphaba.

In addition to the stars of Wicked, the premiere attracted an array of A-list celebrities. Jennifer Lopez wowed the crowd in a show-stopping Zuhair Murad couture gown from the spring 2024 collection, its intricate details shimmering under the red carpet lights. Michelle Yeoh, radiant in a sparkling gown by Balenciaga’s fall 2024 couture line, captured the essence of the enigmatic Madame Morrible, her character in the film. Other notable figures included Normani, who turned heads in a striking green dress from GCDS’s spring 2025 collection, Karrueche Tran, who wore a gorgeous ombré pink gown by Christian Siriano, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, looking regal in a sleek black and white creation from Valdrin Sahiti.

Actress Sophia Bush stood out in a split-printed gown by Harbison Studio, while Hayley Kiyoko embraced a bold, flower-adorned look from Sixdo by Do Manh Cuong’s spring 2024 collection. Troye Sivan sported a stylish cardigan from Magliano, while Laufey wowed in a classic yet modern Chanel couture dress from the fall 2024 collection. The fashion was as much a part of the premiere’s allure as the film itself, with many guests seeming to channel the fantastical elements of the Land of Oz while simultaneously bringing their own unique style to the event. The red carpet was truly a celebration of fashion, creativity, and the magic that Wicked represents.

Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked is an ambitious two-part cinematic adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, based on Gregory Maguire’s bestselling novel. Known for his work on Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, Chu was the perfect choice to bring the fantastical world of Oz to the screen. Wicked: Part I will hit theaters on November 22, 2024, with Part II slated for release in November 2025.

The film follows the complex journey of two young women, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a misunderstood outcast with green skin, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), a privileged and ambitious student. The two meet at Shiz University, an institution in the magical land of Oz, where their friendship begins. However, their differing beliefs and ambitions will ultimately lead them down very different paths, one of which will make Elphaba the notorious Wicked Witch of the West, while Glinda becomes the beloved Good Witch of the North.

The film’s visual style is every bit as fantastical as its story. With a focus on stunning production design and world-building, the creative team behind Wicked has created a truly immersive experience. From a life-sized, emerald-green Yellow Brick Road to vibrant, lush tulip fields surrounding Munchkinland, the sets are larger-than-life, capturing the magic and whimsy of Oz in vivid detail. One of the standout features of the film is the intricate, art deco-inspired train—dubbed The Unlimited One—which transports Elphaba and Glinda to the Emerald City.

Chu has cited cinematic classics like The Truman Show and Pleasantville as inspirations for the film’s visual themes of awakening and rebellion. The film’s color palette, too, plays an important role in communicating its themes: vibrant greens and pinks that symbolize both the characters’ individual paths and their interconnected destinies.

At the heart of Wicked is its iconic score, originally composed by Stephen Schwartz for the Broadway musical. The film adaptation maintains the soaring, emotionally charged music that has become synonymous with the story. Classic songs like “Defying Gravity”, “Popular”, and “What Is This Feeling?” are given new life in the cinematic version, accompanied by stunning orchestral arrangements by John Powell. A notable addition to the film’s soundtrack is the inclusion of new songs, which deepen the emotional core of the story, adding further layers to the characters’ journeys.

For the film’s score, a live 80-piece orchestra was recorded, bringing a sweeping, symphonic richness to the music. This is a step beyond the Broadway musical’s arrangements, ensuring that the score resonates even more profoundly in the film’s larger-than-life setting. One of the most striking aspects of the film’s musical production is the decision to record the actors’ vocals live on set, which brings a raw authenticity to their performances.

While Wicked is an epic tale of fantasy and adventure, its themes resonate on a much deeper level, addressing issues of power, identity, and resistance. At its core, the film is about friendship and the complicated dynamics that can arise when two people with very different beliefs try to navigate the same world. Elphaba’s relentless desire to stand up for what she believes in, even when it means going against authority and the status quo, leads her to take on the corrupt Wizard of Oz. Meanwhile, Glinda’s hunger for popularity and her more conventional desire for acceptance lead her to embrace the Wizard’s oppressive rule, ultimately setting the two witches on opposing paths.

Their journey, and the eventual rift that forms between them, is a poignant exploration of the choices people make when confronted with power, truth, and the complexities of friendship. In Wicked, the dichotomy of good versus evil is more complicated than simple morality plays—there is no clear villain or hero. Instead, the characters grapple with their own moral dilemmas, making them more relatable to contemporary audiences. The film, with its themes of resistance, defiance, and self-discovery, also draws powerful parallels to today’s political and social climate.

The film’s marketing campaign has been nothing short of magical, with immersive experiences such as virtual Shiz University tours and global promotional events transforming cities into scenes straight out of Oz. The premiere events, including the one in Sydney earlier this month, have featured interactive experiences like transforming red carpets into Yellow Brick Roads, giving fans a taste of the fantasy world they are about to enter.

As the release date draws nearer, the buzz surrounding Wicked continues to grow. With its powerful messages about identity, loyalty, and the nature of good and evil, the film promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Broadway production or a newcomer to the world of Oz, Wicked will undoubtedly captivate audiences and leave them eagerly awaiting the next installment in 2025.

Discover the red carpet interviews just below :

itw Stephen Schwartz 

itw Paul Tazewell 

itw Pablo Helman 

itw Marissa Bode 

itw Kristen Chenoweth 

itw Jonathan Bailey 

itw John Marquis and Nancy Nugent 

itw Jeff Goldblum 

itw Ethan Slater 

itw Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande 

itw Frances Hannon

itw Christopher Scott 

itw Bronwyn James 

itw Andy Nelson 

itw Alice Brooks 

You can discover the official photos in our Flickr page

Synopsis :
Wicked follows the path of the legendary witches of the World of Oz. Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of the unusual color of her green skin, doesn't even suspect the extent of her powers. At her side is Glinda, who, as popular as she is privileged, still doesn't know the true nature of her heart. Their meeting at the University of Shiz, in the fantastic world of Oz, marks the beginning of an unlikely but profound friendship. However, their relationship with The Wizard of Oz is to put a strain on this friendship and see their paths drift apart. While Glinda, thirsting for popularity, allows herself to be seduced by power, Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself and to those around her will have consequences as unfortunate as they are unexpected. Their extraordinary adventures in the Land of Oz will ultimately lead them to fulfill their destinies, becoming respectively the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked
Directed by Jon M. Chu
Written by Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox
Based on Wicked by Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman, Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Produced by Marc Platt, David Stone
Starring  Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage
Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum
Cinematography : Alice Brooks
Edited by Myron Kerstein
Music by John Powell, Stephen Schwartz
Production companies : Universal Pictures, Marc Platt Productions,
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates : November 3, 2024 (State Theatre), November 22, 2024 (United States)
Running time : 160 minutes

Photos : Getty images / Universal Pictures