Anticipation Turns to Fear

“Oh, Miss Elphaba, many years I have waited for a movie like this to appear. But now they have committed no good deed and … what is this feeling? Oh, yeah. Fear.” The words of anticipation from fans of the beloved musical, “Wicked,” took a nervous turn with revelations from director Jon M. Chu in a March 21 Vanity Fair preview.

Live Vocals: A Risky Move

Chu revealed that the film’s stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, opted for live vocals during filming, eschewing pre-records. Despite initial hesitations about the challenges, both Grande and Erivo embraced the opportunity to showcase their vocal prowess in real-time. However, concerns linger about the potential impact on the film’s sound quality.

Lessons from Les Misérables

The decision to use live vocals in “Wicked” echoes the approach taken by “Les Misérables,” which faced criticism for its subdued sound compared to the stage production’s signature “wall of sound.” With actors performing songs repeatedly for filming, fatigue and vocal strain could affect the final audio quality.

A Glimmer of Hope

While apprehension surrounds the use of live vocals, there remains optimism about the entertainment value of the “Wicked” movie adaptation. Fans eagerly await its release this Thanksgiving, hopeful for a cinematic experience worthy of the beloved musical.

 A Wait Filled with Hope and Apprehension

As the release of the “Wicked” movie draws near, fans are torn between excitement and concern. The decision to use live vocals adds an element of unpredictability to the highly anticipated adaptation, leaving audiences eager to see if it will capture the magic of the stage production.