The following contains spoilers for Wicked: Part 1, now playing in theatersWicked's characters experience the same arcs and personalities that they did on stage, albeit with an extended focus courtesy of the medium shift to film. However, that love for the original Broadway musical is prevalent throughout the first movie, which faithfully recreates Act 1 in of plot, characters, and themes.

However, one clever change to Wicked's narrative actually serves as an ideal place to insert some big cameos without distracting from the rest of the plot. The musical even finds a way to give the cameos their own showcase that highlights their importance in the overarching legacy of the production, without distracting from the actual focus of the film. These aren't even the only cameos that reference the history of Wicked, as some of the behind-the-scenes creatives who created the show also get to be involved in the film. Here are the biggest cameos and their role in Wicked explained.

Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth Cameo In Wicked During "One Short Day"

Wicked Turns Menzel & Chenoweth's Cameos Into A Musical Lore Reveal

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the original Elphaba and Galinda in the Brodway version of Wicked, appear in Wicked: Part 1 and even get a musical moment as they sing a new verse in one of Wicked's songs. "One Short Day" plays late in Wicked: Part 1, serving as the pair's introduction to the Emerald City. The song, like the ending of Wicked, is remarkably similar to the musical. However, the "Wizomania" section of the song has been tweaked. The song is now longer and delves deeper into the lore surrounding the Grimmerie and how the Wizard came to Oz.

The addition to the song, performed by the "Emerald City Players," is sung by Menzel and Chenoweth. The pair take a small stage together and sing the song, all the while infusing little bits of personality into their short appearance. It's a small but important addition to the film, as it helps establish just how important the Grimmerie is, how powerful it can be, and why Elphaba is so important for being able to decipher it. It's also a perfect way to bring the two stars into the film without derailing the focus away from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth Were The Original Elphaba & Glinda In Wicked's Broadway Musical

Menzel And Chenoweth Were The First Performers To Officially Play Elphaba And Glinda

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth have long been associated with Wicked, as the pair were the original stars. Playing Elphaba and Galinda respectively, Menzel and Chenoweth have long been considered the ideal versions of the characters for a reason. Debuting on Broadway in 2003 after a trial run in San Francisco earlier that year, Wicked became one of the most successful musicals to ever come to Broadway. While Kristin Chenoweth was always intended as Galinda, Stephanie J. Block played Elphaba in workshops before Idina Menzel was cast in the role. Block later starred as Elpahaba in Wicked's first national tour.

Both were celebrated for their performance, with Menzel winning the Tony Award for Best Actress. Menzel's performance of "Defying Gravity" and Chenoweth's bubbly take on "Popular" are among the more popular Broadway The entire cast also earned a Grammy for their cast recording of the musical, further cementing the impressive recognition the musical received. This made them easy picks for cameos in Wicked: Part 1, especially if the film could find a way to let them sing. To that end, giving the pair an original song that doesn't take away from Erivo and Grande was an ideal cameo for them.

Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth's Wicked Cameos Unite Them With Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande

The Original And Latest Elphaba And Galinda Appear Together On-Screen

The sweetest element of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth's cameos in Wicked: Part 1 is the way it allows the original Elphaba and Galinda to appear alongside their successors in the role. The two also get to have a little comic interplay between themselves, with Menzel and Chenoweth coyly batting at one another for attention during their performance. It's a clever and comical way to let the pair recreate the energy of their original rapport on stage, reflecting the comical elements of the rivalry between Elphaba and Galinda at a point in the plot when the two women are united.

The best moment comes when the pair step off their stage and lead Elphaba and Glinda further into the city. The moment feels reassuring, with the most famous incarnation of the characters leading their successors by the arm. Erivo and Menzel have a sweet little moment together, while Chenoweth and Grande find a more comical interplay. It's a small beat that reflects well on all four performers. It's an effective bridge from the earlier version of the musical that doesn't overshadow the talent of the modern performers, and even serves an important role in the plot outside of their cameos.

Wicked Has Two Other Broadway Musical Cameos

Two Of The Minds Behind Wicked Also Cameo During The Scene

Wicked: Part 1 finding room for Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth to cameo makes perfect sense, considering their star power and identifying connection to the history of the musical. However, they aren't the only figures from the original Wicked who appear in the sequence. As reported by Playbill, Wicked's writer Winnie Holzman and Composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz also appear in the scene. Holzman (who co-wrote the script for Wicked: Part 1) is one of the citizens of the Emerald City watching the performance, and is the one to name the Wizard of Oz.

These cameos highlight the inherent connection between the history of Wicked and the modern version of the musical...

Schwartz appears a few moments later as the Emerald City Guard who bellows that Elphaba and Glinda can see the Wizard. While their cameos might not be as big as Menzel and Chenoweth's, both are solid references to the people behind the success of the original musical. These cameos highlight the inherent connection between the history of Wicked and the modern version of the musical, Even if the new version becomes more widely seen thanks to the reach of cinema, it's clear from the film's Broadway cameos that Wicked will never forget the importance of the people who established it.

Source: Playbill