Wicked
The following contains spoilers for Wicked : Part 1 , now playing in theatersWicked : Part 1features some grand performance , raising the head how stars like Ariana Grande compeer - up against Broadway fable like Kristin Chenoweth in their share function as Galinda / Glinda . Glinda ( originally known as Galinda ) is a deceivingly tricky role inWicked . She ’s the 2nd most importantcharacter inWicked , serve up as a comedic and tragic demarcation to Elphaba ’s evolution into the Wicked Witch . Glinda has to be risible and even antagonistic , but with a astonishingly big heart and sense of passing .
The role was originated by Kristin Chenoweth , who was actually one of composer - lyrcist Stephen Schwartz ’s inspirations for the fibre . Chenoweth has continue the most iconic translation of the character , but find oneself herself with new rival thanks to a genuinely fantastic performance by Ariane Grande inJon M. Chu ’s two - partWickedadaptation . Both benefit from their several mediums , spotlight the minor differences between their take on the character . Although both are very good , there ’s one element that separates them and elevate one above the other .
Ariana Grande vs Kristin Chenoweth: Who Gives The Better Glinda Performance
TheWickedMovie Gives Ariana Grande More Room To Explore Glinda’s Hidden Layers
Ariana Grande and Kristin Chenoweth both deliver fantastic performances as Glinda / Galinda inWicked , but the enhanced scope focus give to Grande thanks to the switching to film gives her a slight boundary over her co - headliner . Chenoweth and Grande both impart a sweet signature to Galindathat establish her transformation from prideful popular girl to Elphaba ’s only honest friend all the more tragical . Chenoweth ’s take on the lineament in the original musical benefit from the theatrical stage setting , going big in a way that can be hard to replicate on - screen .
The severe musical movie is at long last here , and Rotten Tomatoes has already compared it to The Wizard of Oz in some fantastically interesting way .
It was the small moment that really spoke to the part though , like her genuine earnest surprise during " Popular " after see Elphaba in the mirror . Grande also receive to couple that approach , playing the big moments well but surpass when the focus becomes tighter and more specific . This is one of the lawful benefits ofWickedbeing adapted for the large screen , as the lengthened run - time pass on Grande more elbow room to let those sweet moments land . Both execution find existent ruth in a potentially cartoonish character , but the cinema ’s lengthy run - metre gives Grande more to play with .
Ariana Grande vs Kristin Chenoweth: Whose Glinda Songs Are Better
Chenoweth’s Big Performances Are Full Of Distinct Character Tics And Tricks
Grande and Chenoweth share the same songs in both versions ofWicked , giving the two performers a dependable demarcation to bounce off . Both of them have plenty of experience in the melodious quad , with both performers ' delivering impressive versions of their track . However , there is something to be suppose forChenoweth ’s power to combine enactment into her performance that no one can quite mate . This is specially obvious in " Popular , " which both thespian do well with .
However , while Grande ’s version of " Popular " is a bouncing and silly ode to a newfound friendship , Chenoweth is capable to sneak in so many specific eccentric tics into the song . There ’s a little bit of the haughty young womanhood break through , disguised with champagne mite that play up the comedic elements of the strain . There ’s a confidence and bluster that fits the character , as well as a compass in tone that Grande ’s strong performance does n’t quite match . Chenoweth is think one of the best Broadway musical actors of the 21st hundred for a reason , and her Glinda proves it .
Ariana Grande vs Kristin Chenoweth: Whose Glinda Is Funnier
Grande Is Hilarious, But Chenoweth Turns Almost Every Line Into A Great Joke
One of the thing that makes Glinda such a playfulness theatrical role is the comical component that separates her starkly from the more serious and tragic Elphaba . Glinda ’s overconfidence is a key chemical element of the character , especially in Act 1 . Both Grande and Chenoweth play their secure to this scene of the character , and both receive different shades of mirth in the cognitive operation . For her part , Grande acquits herself well to bursts of forcible comedy and take aback expressions .
Glinda ’s overtly coy cuteness is taken to an extreme in Chenoweth ’s performance , with the staginess of the office take to a screaming extreme .
Both Chenoweth and Grande land an over magnified bound to Glinda , but thanks to the broader plan of attack of theatre versus a more specific lens system of pic , Chenoweth diddle the comedy for full-grown ( and more effective ) jest . Glinda ’s overtly demure prettiness is taken to an extremum in Chenoweth ’s public presentation , with the staginess of the role get hold of to a hilarious extreme . Grande does not bad with Glinda ’s comedic beatnik , particularly when bouncing off someone like Fiyero and Pfannee . However , Chenoweth ’s wide take is a historically great comedic performance , and a suspicious one overall .
Image via Universal Pictures
Ariana Grande vs Kristin Chenoweth: Whose Glinda Is More Developed
The Extended Film Adaptation Gives Grande More Room To Develop Glinda
AlthoughWicked : Part 1is very similar to Act 1 of the stage musical , Wickeddoes make some changes in the adaptation procedure . The shift from theatre to shoot allows the movie to describe more care to the characters and their underage interactions , something that benefits Grande ’s performence immensely . As a type , Glinda has more prison term to evolve as a character in the film , with her clean-cut heartache during " No One Mourns The Wicked " and burst of empathy towards Elphaba during " Dancing Through Life " highlighting the full profoundness of the character .
TheWickedBroadway melodic was 2 hours and 30 bit long . By contrast , Wicked : Part 1only covers the musical ’s first act and is 2 hour and 40 minutes long .
That ’s not to say Chenoweth does n’t add layers to her take on Glinda . Especially in the musical ’s second human activity , Chenoweth ’s Glinda becomes a more complex case who struggles with her own anger and grief while assay to satisfy a very unmanageable role in Oz society . However , especially in the first act , Glinda is a more square case in Chenoweth ’s helping hand . The nature of film over theatre gives Grande an edge in develop a well - rounded type , as she only set out more time to search the depths of the role .
Image via Universal Pictures
Ariana Grande Is The Better Version Of Glinda
The Film’s Strengths Help Grande Pull Ahead By A (Very Blonde) Hair
It ’s a very snug call , particularly given the iconic condition of Kristin Chenoweth ’s carrying out as Glinda . However , by the chastity of the film medium benefiting Grande ’s strengths as a performer , she deliver a slightly better performance as Glinda . Grande ’s public presentation owe a heavy good deal to Chenoweth , and clearly builds off the iconic performance that Chenoweth codified the part with . However , while Chenoweth ’s comedic touch and vocal potency make her an idealistic Glinda for the point , Grande ’s versatility and quieter moments are enhanced by the movie ’s expanded focus .
Both actors are working with the same character , but the cinematicWickedbeing longer meansGrande just have more room to modernise the character in than Chenoweth . Grande delivers plenty of comedic and heartbreaking present moment through expression alone that would be hard for anyone to replicate on leg . Chenoweth is a legend , and her Glinda is still a fantastic creation that pave the way for Grande . However , the cinematic nature ofWicked : Part 1is the perfect room to play up the strengths of Grande ’s performance , yield her a little sharpness .
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Wicked adapts the Broadway melodic into a two - part film , following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba , born with greenish hide , and Glinda , a popular aristocrat , in the Land of Oz . As they sail their contrast paths , they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West .
Universal Pictures
