Greg Wells Weaves Musical Magic for ‘Wicked’: A Harmonious Journey with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

Amid the tantalizing buzz surrounding the upcoming film adaptation of “Wicked,” music producer Greg Wells has found himself at the intersection of Broadway magic and cinematic spectacle. With a resume that boasts work with pop titans such as Adele and Katy Perry—he’s now globetrotting in an entirely different realm, pouring his soul into the soundtrack of a project that promises to be nothing short of spectacular. The journey has been anything but simple—Wells describes his work on “Wicked” as a Herculean task, and he’s not flinching from that description.,Having labored over the soundtrack for two and a half years, Wells understands better than most the caliber of talent he’s collaborating with. Working with the likes of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo is, let’s face it, no small feat. Both artists are essentially modern-day vocal goddesses—each possessing their own unique vocal mastery. Their partnership, forged in the studio, has evolved into a camaraderie that Wells found to be almost supernatural. “I started noticing… the notes were phasing, which means they’re so close to each other that it stopped sounding like two people,” he enthuses, revealing that, during live recordings, it often sounded like one voice harmoniously entwined in rapture.,The relationship between Grande and Erivo blossomed in the studio at Elstree Studios, transcending mere collaboration. “Their vibratos synced up… it was amazing to watch it happen and to hear it happen,” Wells explains, as he reminiscently recalls late nights spent in a nearly empty building—just he, the artists, and the spirit of creativity. The intimate atmosphere allowed their chemistry to shine, creating sonic magic that Wells will be proud to unveil to fans.,But let’s not gloss over the challenges that Wells faced—his desire to innovate sometimes clashed with the sacred legacy of “Wicked”. “I did not want to be the guy who destroyed ‘Wicked’ for all the people that had seen the live version,” he admits. Balancing the expectations of devoted fans with the need to infuse contemporary flair into the soundtrack is a tightrope act. For instance, when he attempted to inject a hip-hop flavor into “Popular,” it was met with hesitation from Grande, who expertly articulated the essence of her character Glinda—“There’s nothing about Glinda that’s cool. She would never sing on a song that sounds this cool.”,The clarity with which Grande approached her role not only amazed Wells—it left him with an incredible sense of respect for the performing arts as a whole. The collaborative dialogue that unfolded was striking; pushing boundaries while honoring the established lore of “Wicked” has yielded a vibrantly reinvented piece of art. Wells’ extensive experience in music production has prepared him to play this crucial role—crafting a sound that captures both the weight of classic musical theatre and the energetic pulse of modern pop.,Equally riveting is his reflection on the emotional resonance that “Wicked” has always held for him. Seeing “Defying Gravity” for the first time impaled his very essence, compelling him to leave the theater at intermission with “a lump in my throat the size of Jupiter.” Now, he gets to weave his musical intelligence into the fabric of a story that he holds dear, resonating with the trials of the underdog and the complexities of identity—seen through the lens of the misunderstood Elphaba.,What lies ahead for Wells and the second installment of “Wicked”? While much of the creative groundwork has been laid, the real magic is yet to come. “Stephen Schwartz has written some stuff that, again… it’s a movie, where it’s different,” he tantalizingly hints at the fresh material set to grace the sequel. With a promise of stride and sophistication woven throughout the score, fans of the musical are surely in for an inventive treat.,The anticipation for “Wicked” is not merely a display of loyalty to a beloved narrative, but rather a collective excitement for an artistic reimagining that promises to resonate with both seasoned and new audiences alike. Wells is not merely polishing the past—he is crafting a legacy that intertwines the brilliance of Broadway with the grandeur of cinema. The future of this beloved story rests in skilled hands, and the completion of Part 1 is just the beginning of this creative odyssey.