The following contains spoilers for Wicked: Part 1, now playing in theatersWicked: Part 1features some terrific performances, raising the question how stars like Ariana Grande match-up against Broadway legends like Kristin Chenoweth in their shared role as Galinda/Glinda. Glinda (originally known as Galinda) is a deceptively tricky role inWicked. She’s the second most importantcharacter inWicked, serving as a comedic and tragic contrast to Elphaba’s evolution into the Wicked Witch. Glinda has to be funny and even antagonistic, but with a surprisingly big heart and sense of loss.
The role was originated by Kristin Chenoweth, who was actually one of composer-lyrcist Stephen Schwartz’s inspirations for the character. Chenoweth has remained the most iconic version of the character, but finds herself with new competition thanks to a genuinely fantastic performance by Ariane Grande inJon M. Chu’s two-partWickedadaptation. Both benefited from their respective mediums, highlighting the minor differences between their takes on the character. Although both are very good, there’s one element that separates them and elevates 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 granted to Grande thanks to the shift to film gives her a slight edge over her co-star.Chenoweth and Grande both bring a sweet touch to Galindathat makes her transformation from haughty popular girl to Elphaba’s only true friend all the more tragic. Chenoweth’s take on the character in the original musical benefited from the theatrical setting, going big in a way that can be hard to replicate on-screen.
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It was the small moments that really spoke to the character though, like her genuine earnest surprise during “Popular” after seeing Elphaba in the mirror. Grande also gets to match that approach, playing the big moments well but excelling when the focus becomes tighter and more specific. This is one of the true benefits ofWickedbeing adapted for the big screen, as the lengthened run-time gives Grande more room to let those sweet moments land. Both performances find real pathos in a potentially cartoonish character, but the film’s lengthy run-time 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 good contrast to bounce off. Both of them have plenty of experience in the musical space, with both performers' delivering impressive versions of their tracks. However, there is something to be said forChenoweth’s ability to fuse characterization into her performance that no one can quite match. This is especially obvious in “Popular,” which both actors do well with.
However, while Grande’s version of “Popular” is a peppy and silly ode to a newfound friendship, Chenoweth is able to insert so many specific character tics into the song. There’s a little bit of the haughty young woman breaking through, disguised with bubbly touches that play up the comedic elements of the songs.There’s a confidence and bravado that fits the character, as well as a range in tone that Grande’s strong performance doesn’t quite match. Chenoweth is considered one of the best Broadway musical actors of the 21st century 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 things that makes Glinda such a fun role is the comical elements that separates her starkly from the more serious and tragic Elphaba. Glinda’s overconfidence is a key element of the character, especially in Act 1. Both Grande and Chenoweth bring their best to this aspect of the character, and both find different shades of hilarity in the process. For her part,Grande acquits herself well to bursts of physical comedy and taken aback expressions.
Glinda’s overtly coy cuteness is taken to an extreme in Chenoweth’s performance, with the theatricality of the role taken to a hilarious extreme.
Both Chenoweth and Grande bring an over exaggerated edge to Glinda, but thanks to the broader approach of theatre versus a more specific lens of film, Chenoweth played the comedy for bigger (and more effective) laughs. Glinda’s overtly coy cuteness is taken to an extreme in Chenoweth’s performance, with the theatricality of the role taken to a hilarious extreme. Grande does great with Glinda’s comedic beats, especially when bouncing off someone like Fiyero and Pfannee. However,Chenoweth’s broad take is a historically great comedic performance, and a funnier one overall.
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 process. The shift from theatre to film allows the movie to draw more attention to the characters and their minor interactions, something that benefits Grande’s performence immensely. As a character,Glinda has more time to develop as a character in the film, with her clear grief during “No One Mourns The Wicked” and burst of empathy towards Elphaba during “Dancing Through Life” highlighting the full depth of the character.
TheWickedBroadway musical was 2 hours and 30 minutes long. By contrast,Wicked: Part 1only covers the musical’s first act and is 2 hours and 40 minutes long.
That’s not to say Chenoweth doesn’t bring layers to her take on Glinda. Especially in the musical’s second act, Chenoweth’s Glinda becomes a more complex character who struggles with her own anger and grief while trying to fill a very difficult role in Oz society. However, especially in the first act,Glinda is a more straightforward character in Chenoweth’s hands. The nature of film over theatre gives Grande an edge in developing a well-rounded character, as she simply gets more time to explore the depths of the character.
Ariana Grande Is The Better Version Of Glinda
It’s a very close call, especially given the iconic status of Kristin Chenoweth’s performance as Glinda. However, by the virtue of the film medium benefiting Grande’s strengths as a performer,she delivers a slightly better performance as Glinda. Grande’s performance owes a great deal to Chenoweth, and clearly builds off the iconic performance that Chenoweth codified the part with. However, while Chenoweth’s comedic touch and vocal strengths make her an ideal Glinda for the stage, Grande’s versatility and quieter moments are enhanced by the film’s expanded focus.
Both actors are working with the same character, but the cinematicWickedbeing longer meansGrande simply gets more room to develop the character in than Chenoweth. Grande delivers plenty of comedic and heartbreaking moments through expression alone that would be hard for anyone to replicate on stage. Chenoweth is a legend, and her Glinda is still a fantastic creation that paved the way for Grande. However, the cinematic nature ofWicked: Part 1is the perfect way to highlight the strengths of Grande’s performance, giving her a slight edge.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
