Watch Ariana Grande Swing From a Chandelier in ‘Wicked’ | Anatomy of a Scene

This scene from 'Wicked' depicts the burgeoning friendship between Glinda and Elphaba, featuring Ariana Grande's performance of the iconic song 'Popular'. The scene's design, particularly the chandelier and wardrobe elements, was carefully crafted to facilitate Grande's performance and showcase Elphaba's transformation, highlighting the blend of physical comedy and theatrical elements.

Ariana Grande's Performance

• 00:00:46 'Popular' is a pivotal scene where Ariana Grande displays her ability to transform Elphaba into a popular figure. The scene showcases her mastery of physical comedy, using comedic timing and interactions with Cynthia Erivo to elevate the performance. The performance is also crucial to highlight the beginning of their friendship and is enhanced by Grande's ability to control the tempo of the live performance.

Scene Design & Engineering

• 00:01:26 The scene's elaborate set design and engineering are highlighted, including a large chandelier and custom wardrobe designed by Paul Taswell. The elaborate design, with the chandelier being spun and the wardrobe being manipulated, took many months to design and ensure safety. This scene's complexity also showcases the collaborative effort to make it visually and musically impressive.