‘Wicked’ Actresses Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Sing “Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again” Medley at Exclusive Hollywood Event

Universal Pictures delivered a standout evening for Wicked: For Good Tuesday night, hosting a private celebration at Hollywoods boutique hotel and members club, The Aster. The event, curated by musicals visionary Baz Luhrmann and actress-turned-host Colleen Camp, brought together an intimate audience of VIPs, press, and A-listers including Charlize Theron, studio head Donna Langley, and producer Marc Platt.

The night began with a screening of the films second installment at the nearby TCL Chinese 6 Theatre, followed by a dinner and cocktail reception at The Aster. During this prelude, stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo mingled with guests, setting the stage for the evenings highlight.

Attendees were then ushered into a lounge for a surprise performance. Grande and Erivo took the stage to perform Wickeds theme song For Good, followed by a vibrant medley of Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again, famously performed by Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli at the London Palladium. The homage to Garland, the original Dorothy of The Wizard of Oz, added a nostalgic layer to the contemporary event.

The stars were introduced by director Jon M. Chu and Luhrmann, who flew in from Tokyo to attend. Luhrmann praised the films scale and cultural resonance, noting the unique challenge of creating live-action musicals that appeal across generations. Sharing a personal anecdote, he recalled seeing an early stage version of Wicked in San Francisco and humorously referenced Chus involvement in its development.

Chu reflected on the immense effort behind bringing the film to life, balancing his professional and personal life, including raising three children during production. He emphasized how musicals connect with audiences on a deep, emotional level through music, movement, and lyrics, highlighting Stephen Schwartzs contribution to the films score.

Both Chu and Luhrmann described the project as a timely and transformative experience, with Chu noting how the storys themes of change and resilience resonated during the challenges of the COVID lockdown. Luhrmann praised the franchise for feeling perfectly suited to the present moment, while Chu shared how imagining Erivo performing the iconic songs solidified his conviction that the film had to be made now.

Author: Riley Thompson