My relationship with Wicked spans continents, careers, and generations of my whānau. It’s not just a show to me — it’s a soundtrack, a memory bank, a lineage of moments that have shaped me as a performer, a mother, and a musical theatre director. So when I walked into the cinema on November 27th to watch Wicked For Good, I carried every one of those memories with me.
I tried to regulate myself. Truly.
My emotions were sky high, but I wanted to give this movie its own moment — its own chance to stand without competing against all the years I’ve loved this story.
And honestly?
It exceeded my expectations.
I first discovered Wicked in the most random, magical way — while on tour in Shanghai. I saw Shoshana Bean sing “No Good Deed” on the Martha Stewart show and it was over for me. I fell in love in an instant. Young Mariah made an equally life changing impression on me,
From there I went straight into a Wicked rabbit hole. Weeks of watching, listening, studying and obsessing.
In 2009, we watched Wicked on the West End with Kerry Ellis in her final week as Elphaba. She was electric — absolutely unforgettable. From that moment, my whole family fell in love with the show.
The soundtrack carried us through our years in Germany.
It became the background to our life.
My girlfriend and I sang “For Good” during our last weeks performing in Hamburg. And yes — I cried. I’m a softy, what can I say?
Years later, when I became a Musical Theatre Director in Perth, I directed our local music school’s version of Wicked. My daughter — just nine years old — played Elphaba.
She was ONE when we first watched the show.
Seeing her green, singing those songs?
That was a full-circle moment that still gives me chills.
Earlier this year, Ngahina and I watched the live-action Wicked movie. We laughed. We cried. We talked about it for days.
But Wicked For Good…
That hit differently.
The film honoured everything — the book, the stage show, and the previous movie. The costuming, makeup, set design… everything somehow managed to feel nostalgic and brand new.
The two additional songs?
Purposeful. They slotted into the story like they’d always been there, filling in gaps between Wicked’s world and Oz’s storyline.
Look… I get it. It made sense. It was also a little cringe. Was it needed? Not really. But it wasn’t distracting either. If I hadn’t read the reviews would I have cared? Probably not.
I tried so hard to separate reality from fantasy — especially around their real-lives as queer. Knowing made it harder to get into make believe.
Elphaba looked more comfortable in her skin, which made her appear more beautiful.
Jonathon, Michelle, Jeoff — as a singer, I have a rule: you better get those lines, or, you’re a no for me. They didn’t quite land for me.
Nessa wasn’t wicked enough. Too victimmie. I don’t care for victims who can’t see that in themselves.
Boq did his job. Fine. Not special.
The Wizard, Morrible, Fiyero — same. Okay, but not memorable.
And then were 2.
They took their characters and their choices and brought hem to life! Musical Theatre has to over exaggerate their movements, acting and singing to help people in seat 78W hear and see what the characters are trying to achieve.
Not the case here. We got to see meaningful expressions of guilt, pain, happiness, concern, anger, deceit, manipulation, love, care, friendships and laughter.
Close ups allowed us to relate.
Shoshana Beans version had me at Puneeeeeeeeesh from full voice to falsetto. Boom sold.
I know every note, every nuance, every line, every breath, the delivery and intention.
Cynthia still managed to make it the same, and yet make it hers.
Yes we expect it to be flawless, and by now Cynthia + singing + flawless is just a given.
And visually?
Her flying, the mountains, the fire, the monkeys….EPIC!
I am bonfide a super fan.
I felt every emotion, every intention and every feeling through her facial expressions.
“Girl in the Bubble,” “Thank Goodness,” “For Good” a true vocal artist.
For me, her acting stole the show. I hope she wins an Oscar.
Overall: 6/10
Vocals: 8/10
Acting: 9/10
Storyline: 10/10
I highly recommend this Family Movie. Take the whanau, take the kids, let them wonder and escape into the magic of Oz.
