The movie adaptation of the musical Wicked has become a global success, earning over $600 million worldwide. This makes it the highest-grossing Broadway musical film in history.
Composer Stephen Schwartz, who created the original stage production, worked closely with Stephen Oremus, the musical’s original music supervisor, to adapt the songs for the big screen.
Schwartz, a six-time Tony and three-time Oscar winner, is famous for his work on musicals like Pippin and films like Enchanted. Oremus, a Tony winner for The Book of Mormon, brought his expertise to the project, ensuring the soundtrack stayed true to the original while adding new elements.
Fans are reconnecting with Wicked songs through the movie. Schwartz shared a story about librarians at the Library of Congress performing choreography to one of the songs in the aisles. Oremus mentioned how audiences have been moved by the emotional song “I’m Not That Girl,” which was rearranged for the film.
The team made changes to fit the cast’s talents. For example, Cynthia Erivo’s performance of “I’m Not That Girl” features a slower tempo and a new key to suit her voice. Schwartz emphasized that adapting music to performers is essential in musical theater.
The collaboration extended beyond music to include choreography and orchestration. With access to more instruments, the team created a richer sound for the film. Schwartz noted that the music was carefully designed to enhance the on-screen action.
Director Jon Chu added his touch by blending cinematic styles, including horror, action, and romance, while staying true to the heart of Wicked. Schwartz praised Chu’s ability to mix genres seamlessly.
As Wicked continues to captivate audiences on stage and in theaters, Schwartz and Oremus are proud to introduce this iconic story to new fans while staying faithful to its origins.
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