‘Wicked: For Good’ Trailer: Elphaba Defies Gravity Again
Oscar nominees Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will reprise their roles as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, in the musical sequel Wicked: For Good.
Cynthia Erivo is changing Thanksgiving morning forever.
The Tony Award-winning “Wicked” star has been chosen to open this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 27, USA TODAY can exclusively reveal.
Erivo will perform the opening number to kick off the event in New York City, which will air on NBC and Peacock one week after the release of the highly anticipated musical sequel “Wicked: For Good.”
The previously announced performer lineup for the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade includes EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Lei Ami, who provide the singing voices for HUNTR/X from the popular Netflix musical “KPop Demon Hunters.” Busta Rhymes, Callum Scott, Christopher Jackson, Ciara, Jewel, Kool & the Gang and Lil Jon are also scheduled to perform as Radio City Rockets celebrates their 100th anniversary.
This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature 34 balloons, 28 floats and 11 marching bands, organizers said. Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker will host the NBC telecast.
Erivo previously appeared at last year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to talk about the release of his first film, “Wicked,” and agreed to let the audience sing while watching it in theaters. She also gave Kotb a bouquet of flowers ahead of her exit from the station’s “Today” show.
Erivo’s parade performance caps off a significant month for the award-winning star of stage and screen. Erivo will reprise her Oscar-nominated role as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good and will publish her new book Simply More on November 18th. Erivo also performed a song from “Wicked” with co-star Ariana Grande on the NBC special “Wicked: One Wonderful Night,” which aired on November 6th.
In a recent interview for her book Simply More, Erivo spoke to USA TODAY about her self-care habits during her hectic Wicked: For Good press tour.
“What I didn’t do last time was do a planned lymphatic massage,” she said. “They help remove toxins and water retention in the body, but at the same time they make me feel really good. It really helps me reconnect. So I’ve tried to plan[these massages]at every place I’m going to go.”
How to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will be broadcast in all time zones on Thursday, November 27th from 8:30 a.m. to noon on NBC. The encore will air on NBC at 2pm ET/PT, and the parade will also be streamed on Peacock.
Contributors: Natalie Neysa Alund and Patrick Ryan
