These showstopping ‘Depraved’ cameos: Every thing it’s worthwhile to know

Depraved is already bursting with stars, from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to Jonathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum. However the movie takes its star meter up a notch by incorporating three of essentially the most influential figures from the unique stage present into the movie.

Who has cameos in Depraved?

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in “Depraved.”
Credit score: Common Photos

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the unique Broadway Elphaba and Glinda, each pop into Depraved for temporary cameos that nonetheless had the viewers at my screening going wild. They present up within the tune “One Brief Day,” when Elphaba (Erivo) and Glinda (Grande) arrive within the Emerald Metropolis for the primary time.

Whereas there, Elphaba and Glinda go to a efficiency of Wizomania, a musical all concerning the Fantastic Wizard of Oz (Goldblum). Wizomania makes up a brief part of “One Brief Day” within the musical, however the movie expands on it, including in a brand new story concerning the Smart Ones of Oz, who wrote a e-book known as the Grimmerie that’s solely legible to those that are magically gifted (just like the Wizard). Fittingly, Menzel and Chenoweth play the Smart Ones.

At an early screening and Q&A concerning the movie, Depraved composer and lyricist Schwartz mentioned the brand new Wizomania part and bringing Menzel and Chenoweth into the fold.

“[With Wizomania], we have now time to point out extra of the Wizard’s propaganda, how he is getting this pretend story out into the world and persuading all of Oz that he has skills that he would not,” Schwartz stated. “Additionally, we needed to elucidate extra about what this mysterious e-book, the Grimmerie, is, as a result of it figures importantly not simply on this film, however extraordinarily importantly in film two.”

Schwartz and Depraved director Jon M. Chu had all the time needed to include Menzel and Chenoweth into the movie, however could not work out how. Would they be a instructor at Shiz College? Somebody’s mom? Lastly, it was Chu who instructed the Smart Ones, particularly since these roles work as a tribute to how Menzel and Chenoweth kickstarted Elphaba and Glinda’s onstage lives. Their part additionally comprises some enjoyable connections to their unique roles, with Chenoweth shushing Grande in a particularly Glinda-like method, and Menzel hitting us along with her unique “Defying Gravity” ending riff.

In the meantime, Schwartz himself makes an look on the finish of “One Brief Day,” declaring to Elphaba and Glinda that “the Wizard will see you now!”

Of the expertise on set with Menzel, Chenoweth, Erivo, and Grande, Schwartz stated, “We mainly simply shot it, however cried principally.”

Depraved is now in theaters.