Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth’s surprise appearances in Wicked were a delight, especially since their roles were the perfect way to honor their legacies. These stars originated the roles of Elphaba and Galinda on Broadway, so it was only fitting that they made an appearance in the 2024 movie adaptation. Of course, director Jon M. Chu could have approached this in any number of ways. Menzel and Chenoweth could simply have appeared in the background of a scene or served as educators at Shiz. However, such options wouldn’t have done their legacies with Wicked justice.

The Wicked musical debuted on Broadway in 2003 and is now the longest-running show on this iconic New York street. In the last two decades, Elphaba and Galinda’s story has made it all around the world, with dozens of talented performers bringing their own twist to the beloved roles. Now, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have added their names to the list, playing Elphaba and Galinda in Chu’s Wicked movie adaptation. Still, no one could ever forget Menzel and Chenoweth’s contribution to this beloved musical. It’s for precisely this reason that their roles in the 2024 film had to be spectacular.

Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth’s Performances In The Wicked Movie Include Special Nods To The Musical

They Each Got A Special Throwback Moment

Menzel and Chenoweth were given brand new roles within the Wicked musical, credited as Wise Woman 1 and Wise Woman 2. Their job is to tell the story of the Grimmerie, a magical book that only a very special person would be able to read. They claim this person is the Wizard, though Wicked ultimately reveals that this man of smoke and mirrors has no magical power himself. Still, Menzel and Chenoweth deserved more than simply reciting a prophecy and some Oz propaganda. Luckily, their unique roles allowed for some more meaningful nods to these actors’ original characters.

During their performances, Chenoweth’s Wise Woman 1 gave a signature soprano note, while Menzel’s Wise Woman 2 had a chance to give the iconic “Defying Gravity” battle cry. Such moments were never a feature of the “One Short Day” sequence in the Wicked musical, but the addition of these original stars was absolute perfection. Add in the sweet, almost meta moments Menzel and Chenoweth had with their successors, Erivo and Grande, respectively, and these cameos couldn’t have been handled better.

How Menzel & Chenoweth’s Wicked Characters Also Pay Tribute To The Musical

These Original Wicked Actors Were Fit In Seamlessly

While a glimpse of Menzel and Chenoweth in the background during a random Wicked scene would have been a treat, it was so much better that these stars had a moment in the spotlight. Still, adding in new characters for the pair was a bit of a risk. Such a beloved musical must be handled with care, and Chu could have easily gone overboard with adding scenes and characters that weren’t in the original musical. Of course, the Wicked director managed this perfectly, incorporating Menzel and Chenoweth into the “Wiz-O-Mania” sequence within “One Short Day.”

“Wiz-O-Mania” comes straight from the stage, but the Wise Women characters are an addition to the Wicked musical. This allowed a unique circumstance for Menzel and Chenoweth to appear as characters adjacent to Elphaba and Galinda without it being an outrageous shift from the familiar story. Their roles were respectful and paid tribute to the original musical, all the while allowing the two performers to shine.

Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth Aren’t The Only Notable Cameos From The Wicked Musical

One Short Day & Other Moments In Wicked Featured Familiar Faces

While Menzel and Chenoweth had front-and-center cameos in the Wicked movie, they weren’t the only stage actors to appear. The “One Short Day” sequence was especially stuffed full of past Elphaba and Galinda stars. Kerry Ellis, who played Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked from 2006 to 2009, can be seen in the Emerald City, as well as Dianne Pilkington, who played Galinda from 2007 to 2010 (also on the West End). Earlier in Wicked, Alice Fearn (who played Elphaba from 2017 to 2019) appears as Galinda’s mother.

Wicked performers weren’t the only ones to appear in the 2024 movie. Winnie Holzman, who worked by Stephen Schwartz’s side to adapt the Wicked book to the stage, appears during “One Short Day” as well. She is joined by the Wicked composer and lyricist himself since Schwartz appears as the Emerald City guard who announces, “The Wizard will see you now!“ These cameos were handled carefully and thoughtfully, allowing long-time Wicked lovers and new fans alike to appreciate the brilliant minds and performances of this one-of-a-kind musical.