Past ‘Wicked’ Star Carol Kane Praises Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

While many are giving attention to the opinion of original Broadway Elphaba and Glinda, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, plenty of people having starred in the stage production of “Wicked” and want to share their excitement over the new film adaptation, including “The Princess Bride” and “Between the Temples” star Carol Kane. Between 2005 and 2013, Kane took on the role of mentor and devious manipulator Madame Morrible for the national tour of “Wicked,” as well as on Broadway and in Los Angeles.

Speaking in a recent interview with IndieWire related to her recognition from the New York Film Critics Circle as Best Supporting Actress for “Between the Temples,” Kane reflected on her time in the role and shared her appreciation for this new interpretation, particularly the work of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in the lead roles.

“I was blown away by their vulnerability and truthfulness in these characters,” said Kane, “which is so essential because they come from opposite ends of belief and upbringing and they come together in a way that is so moving and I definitely think they captured that.”

In watching the film, Kane couldn’t help but be whisked back to Oz, especially since so much detail and attention went into not only elevating the material, but staying true to it as well.

“I was just swept away and it’s very true to the musical, so all the songs, I know all the words and the plot and the great characters,” Kane told IndieWire. “There are changes, like Doctor Dillamond and the goat is a goat. In the play, he’s a person who’s goat-like. So there are those changes that you can do on film and the sets are extraordinary, but much of it is extremely reminiscent of the play and it was just a joy to watch.”

Others who’ve played Morrible have also been vocal in their support of the film, including Sheryl Lee Ralph of “Abbott Elementary,” who attended the “Wicked” Los Angeles premiere and spoke to Deadline alongside Michelle Yeoh.

“We took a little bit of liberty with Madame Morrible for the movie,” said Yeoh, who plays the notorious witch in the film.

“When you do it on Broadway, they take no liberties with the script,” Ralph said in response. “Nothing is changed except what people have in their imagination. What I love about Madame Morrible, this is a character who sees talent and looks and says, (singing) ‘Many years I have waited, for a gift like yours to appear…‘”

Yeoh was immediately stunned by Ralph’s gorgeous voice and glad she hadn’t heard her perform prior to taking on the role in the film. She said, “Well thank god I didn’t see her do that before, otherwise, I’d be like, ‘Uh, no, no no no.”

After she watched the film, Ralph expressed her appreciation via Instagram, also pointing to Grande and Erivo as standouts and recommending everyone catch it as soon as possible.

“I was spellbound at last night’s Wicked premiere!” wrote Ralph. “Jon M. Chu brought such brilliance to this film, and MY GOD Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were absolute perfection! Bravo to the entire cast. I was so thrilled to see my Madame Morrible sister Michelle Yeoh and the brilliant Stephen Schwartz. Don’t walk, FLY and go see ‘Wicked!’”