The original Wicked Witch of the West and Good Witch of the North have made their way back to Oz. After months of speculation, the theatrical release of Wicked: Part One has confirmed surprise cameos from Broadway legends Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.
The Wicked movie starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande finally hit theaters on November 22 and featured appearances from Chenoweth and Menzel in brand new roles. Fans began to suspect that Chenoweth would be making a cameo in the film back in August, after she was spotted in the background of a behind-the-scenes featurette for the film, standing amid other extras.
Chenoweth and Menzel make their cameos during “One Short Day,” the number performed during Elphaba and Glinda's arrival to the Emerald City. Chenoweth and Menzel sing a brand new song that provides exposition on the history of The Grimmerie, the tome of spells written in an ancient Ozian language that the Wizard and Madam Morrible lure Elphaba to Oz to translate.
Chenoweth and Menzel show off their hilarious and iconic chemistry playing two Ozian mages with expertise in magic history; this exposition both explains the significance of The Grimmerie and the power it holds to the audience and sets up the scene in which Elphaba unintentionally casts a spell from the book to give the monkey servants wings.
There's hilarious moments during the new scene — which is longer than expected, a true gift for fans — in which Menzel sings her classic version of the “battle cry” riff from “Defying Gravity,” Menzel and Chenoweth frequently interrupt each other and fight for space on the stage, and Chenoweth places her hand over Grande's mouth when she tries to join her in vocalizing.
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel originated the roles of Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in the original Broadway musical in 2003. Leading up to the release of the film adaptation, Chenoweth and Menzel coyly deflected questions about potential cameos.
“[I] cannot confirm or deny,” Chenoweth told Us Weekly on October 30. “I can do neither, but I can say that I know I speak for Idina and I both [when I say]… we’re both really happy for the girls. We can’t wait to see them take on these characters.”
And Chenoweth and Menzel aren't the only OG cameos in the film — the musical's composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz also made a surprise appearance as the palace guard in the Emerald City who delivers the iconic line, “The wizard will see you now!” in “One Short Day.”
Wicked: Part Two is set to hit theaters in the U.S. almost exactly a year from now, on November 21, 2025. Find out everything you need to know about the upcoming sequel for the two-part film here.
