'Wicked: Part I' (feat. Lauren Knight of That Movie Is Fine)

Close Watch with Robert Yaniz Jr.

Rejoicify! Close Watch is back with the first Crooked Table podcast of 2025. As we continue talking movie musicals, we’re off to see the wizard with the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation of all time.
Lauren Knight of That Movie Is Fine joins us to discuss Wicked: Part I (2024), the first of Jon M. Chu's ambitious two-part adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. This long-awaited cinematic spectacle brings the untold story of the Witches of Oz to the big screen, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with all the magic and melodies fans have been waiting for.
We unpack the film’s dazzling visuals, powerhouse performances, and how it translates the beloved stage production to the silver screen. Plus, we’ll discuss which songs from the film had us “dancing through life.” Expect lively discussions examining the cultural impact of Wicked, a dash of “Popular” perspectives, and insights that just might have you looking at Wicked from a whole new angle.
Did Wicked: Part I “defy gravity” for you? Join us and let us know which moments you’re holding space for. Plus, stay tuned… we just might return to Oz when Wicked: For Good arrives later this year.