-2021- - Wicked

Fearn portrays Elphaba not as a victim but as a righteous radical. Her “The Wizard and I” is less dreamy and more resolute. Fearn’s vocal power in “No Good Deed” leans into a rock-influenced rage that resonated with 2021 audiences witnessing global protests (Black Lives Matter, climate justice). Her green-screen makeup is deliberately stark, emphasizing otherness.

Unlike the upcoming Jon M. Chu film adaptation (2024/2025), the 2021 version is a stage capture. Directed for screen by Matthew Diamond (known for Newsies: The Broadway Musical ), the production uses 14 cameras. Diamond’s approach avoids over-cutting; he balances wide shots that preserve stage blocking with tight close-ups that reveal emotional nuance—especially during “Defying Gravity” and “For Good.” 2. Performance Analysis: Fearn vs. Evans The 2021 production stars Alice Fearn as Elphaba and Sophie Evans as Glinda. Their interpretation differs significantly from the original Idina Menzel/Kristin Chenoweth dynamic. Wicked -2021-

The 2021 release democratized access. For disabled, rural, or low-income viewers, this pro-shot was their first Wicked . However, the paper notes a counter-argument: that the film dilutes the “liveness” of theatre. Yet the presence of applause (edited in) and the visible sweat on Fearn’s forehead during “No Good Deed” preserve a sense of real-time risk. 4. Cinematic Techniques vs. Stage Fidelity | Technique | Application in 2021 Wicked | Effect | |-----------|-------------------------------|--------| | Close-ups | Used during “I’m Not That Girl” – focuses on Elphaba’s eyes | Conveys internal longing unavailable to rear balcony viewers | | Crane shots | During “One Short Day” – reveals Emerald City architecture | Adds spectacle but may reduce stage illusion | | Edited reactions | Cutting between Glinda and Elphaba during “What Is This Feeling?” | Comedic timing enhanced; feels like a sitcom | | Stage wipes | Kept minimal; most transitions rely on blackouts | Respects original stage design by Eugene Lee | Fearn portrays Elphaba not as a victim but

The climactic battle of “Defying Gravity” benefits from Diamond’s direction: a slow zoom on Fearn’s face as she sings “And nobody in all of Oz” followed by a cut to Evans’s tearful awe. In “For Good,” the two actors are filmed in separate close-ups, then layered in split-screen, visually representing the idea that they are forever changed by each other despite physical distance—a poignant metaphor for pandemic-era relationships. 3. Thematic Resonance with 2021 While Wicked premiered in 2003, its themes acquired renewed urgency in 2021. Directed for screen by Matthew Diamond (known for