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In the new Wicked trailer, the actors actually sing

Evil is one of the most famous and successful musicals of all time, with iconic songs like “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good” that transcend musical theater. Based on the 1995 fantasy novel by Gregory Maguire, which in turn is inspired by The Wizard of Oz (both the film and the original novel). Evil is the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West and her doomed friendship with Glinda, the Good Witch. Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth headlined the original Broadway cast, which won three Tonys and a Grammy. I don't have hard evidence of this, but anecdotally: Evil was one of The Bucket list shows for young musical theater lovers to see live in the mid-2000s and early 2010s.

When you think of theater kids, think of your family's big trip to New York City to see Broadway musicals or songs that feature big plays Joy, Evil stands up there in the bright marquee light.

… and yet most trailers for the highly anticipated film version do not emphasize this at all. In fact, the latest trailer – which is more of a short teaser to announce ticket sales – is the only one so far where the characters actually sing. And even then, it's edited in such a way that it cuts off when the music's voiceover begins to sync up with the actors' singing on screen.

But it is particularly egregious for Evilbecause it's not just a musical – it is The Musical.

Many of the earlier trailers really tried hard Evil look like a serious, gritty, gritty fantasy about the origins of the Wicked Witch (when did that go well?). And sure, there's the argument Is the book and this film could based on that. But come on – you shouldn't cast Ariana Grande as Glinda if she doesn't want to sing.

At least this new teaser introduces some of the most popular (ha) songs from Part 1! Oh, that's something else: Evil is the first of two parts, another detail they've held back on in marketing for some reason. The film is directed by Jon M. Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq and Jeff Goldblum as the wizard himself.

Evil hits theaters November 22nd, with first IMAX screenings beginning November 20th.

By Vanessa

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