Pop sensation Ariana Grande and Tony-winning actress Cynthia Erivo joined Broadway legends Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth for a breathtaking performance of “For Good” during NBC’s Wicked special, One Wonderful Night, airing Thursday, November 6. The reunion brought together stars from both the original Broadway production and the upcoming Wicked film adaptation, celebrating the iconic musical’s legacy in an unforgettable evening of music and spectacle.

Broadway Meets Hollywood: A Historic Collaboration

Menzel, 54, and Chenoweth, 57, famously originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway in 2003. In the new Wicked film adaptation, Erivo, 38, and Grande, 32, take on the roles of Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. During the special, Menzel and Chenoweth surprised fans with a cameo that transported audiences back to the first film’s Emerald City, seamlessly blending Broadway history with modern cinematic magic.

The performance was part of NBC’s One Wonderful Night, taped at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, which was transformed into a dazzling Emerald City-inspired set. The show featured a 37-piece live orchestra led by award-winning musical director Stephen Oremus, alongside elaborate choreography, vibrant costumes, and immersive staging that brought the world of Oz to life.

Ariana Grande Shines in Opening Number

Grande opened the special with a new arrangement of “No One Mourns the Wicked”, the musical’s opening number. Wearing a shimmery champagne gown, she commanded the stage with her powerhouse vocals, supported by a choir, backup dancers, and the full orchestra. Audience members participated in a unique visual moment, lifting bouquets of flowers in sync with Grande’s high notes, creating an interactive, unforgettable performance.

Cynthia Erivo’s Captivating Solo

Erivo wowed viewers with her take on “The Wizard and I”, belting Elphaba’s iconic desire to meet Oz’s Wizard. Dressed in a menswear-inspired ensemble, she commanded attention as emerald-clad dancers twirled around her, highlighting the magic and theatricality of the musical.

The Story Behind Wicked

The musical Wicked was composed by Stephen Schwartz and is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The story explores the unlikely friendship between Elphaba Thropp, who later becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda Upland, who later becomes Glinda the Good, during their time as roommates at Shiz University. Both characters were originally introduced in L. Frank Baum’s classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Wicked: For Good Hits Theaters

The film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu, is set to bring the magical world of Wicked to the big screen with an all-star cast, including Grande and Erivo. Wicked: For Good is scheduled to hit theaters on November 21, 2025, promising both die-hard fans and new audiences a spellbinding cinematic experience.