Interview with “Wicked” Actors, Marissa Bode & Ethan Slater
Hosted by
KT & Oti
Show Notes
We sit down with Marissa and Ethan as they discuss their experiences working on the film adaptation of the musical ‘Wicked.’ They share their love for the original Broadway show and how iconic it is, the challenges and excitement of transitioning from stage to film, and the importance of authentic representation. Marissa reflects on the significance of her role, while both actors talk about the complexities and nuances of their characters’ relationships. They wrap up with fun suggestions for double-feature pairings that echo the escapism and heartfelt storytelling of ‘Wicked.’
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Summary
Wicked Revelations: A Journey Behind the Scenes with Marissa and Ethan
The realms of Oz have always held a special place in the hearts of audiences, both through the classic tales and modern adaptations like “Wicked.” This globally cherished phenomenon has captivated millions, becoming a staple in the theatrical canon. In a recent interview, KT sat down with Marissa and Ethan, two actors who have had the privilege of stepping into this enchanting world. Here’s what we learned from their fascinating conversation.
Diving into the Enchantment
From the very start, Marissa and Ethan shared their immense excitement about joining a legacy as poignant as “Wicked.” Ethan recounted seeing “Wicked” as one of his first Broadway experiences, dubbing it his “gateway musical.” He reminisced about the joy of sharing it with his niece, emphasizing the show’s lifelong impact.
“You dive into this world and feel the weight of what came before you,” Marissa reflected, acknowledging the significant footsteps of previous actors and the challenges and joys of living up to the show’s storied past.
Transitioning from Stage to Screen
The journey from stage to screen was another topic that sparked animated discussion. Both actors underscored the inherent differences between mediums. Ethan explained, “Film and theater do two different things… It’s just a totally different way of diving into these characters.” Marissa appreciated the subtle nuances and intimate storytelling that film allows, which can bring a fresh perspective to “Wicked.”
Representation and Inclusivity
Marissa touched on a deeply personal aspect of her role and its representation. She beamed with pride discussing her role as one of the first authentically disabled characters in “Wicked,” noting the casting’s dedication to authenticity. “It’s such a great step in the right direction in inclusivity,” Marissa expressed, understanding the importance for audiences, particularly those who are disabled, to see themselves represented.
Love, Romance, and Complexity
The interview also delved into the intricacies of love and romance within the narrative. Describing the complex connections between their characters, Ethan and Marissa highlighted the beauty in their differing perspectives and how these dynamics played out on screen. “It’s messy, and it’s nuanced, and that’s what life is,” Ethan shared, perfectly encapsulating the emotional depth “Wicked” brings to its storytelling.
Final Thoughts: Double Feature Ideas
As the interview wrapped, a lighthearted discussion emerged about potential double features with “Wicked.” Ethan whimsically suggested pairing it with the “Harry Potter” series for an imaginative escape, while Marissa pondered a “Barbie Wicked crossover,” celebrating both stories’ campy yet heartfelt qualities.
In sum, this interview illuminated not only the challenges and joys of adapting “Wicked” for a new medium but also the deep personal and cultural resonances it continues to cultivate. As these actors bring new life to beloved characters, “Wicked” seems poised to enchant audiences all over again, capturing hearts with its timeless magic and moving narratives.
Episode Details
- Duration
- 0:00
- Released
- November 19, 2024
- Category
- Interview
- Hosts
Transcript
Transcript (1,474 words)
Full transcript of Interview with “Wicked” Actors, Marissa Bode & Ethan Slater.
KT: Marissa, Ethan, I'm very excited. Off top, I loved, loved, loved Wicked. Ten cents, ten cents across the board. Um, I'd love to talk about your characters, but I guess before we do that, I want to live in this moment a little bit. The Wizard of Oz is a fabric of a lot of our childhoods. The Wiz as well, maybe. Um, but Wicked in and of itself is its own canon. It's a global on global sensation. No pressure. But how did it feel to, I guess, dive into this world
Marissa: man, as you said? Both The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz. Yeah, they're just, they're already so iconic, and then obviously the stage musical of Wicked itself, definitely so many people and actors that came before, before us, so there was a lot to live up to for sure, but with being in good hands of Jon being the director, and then just being side by side with such incredible castmates, such talented castmates, just made the whole experience amazing and so great, and seeing it on screen, it really, all of that and all of what I felt really transferred over for sure.
Ethan: Yeah, and Wicked was one of the first musicals that I ever saw. I think it was the second musical I saw on Broadway. It's the gateway musical, right?
KT: It was definitely the gateway musical.
Ethan: It was 42nd Street and then Wicked. And then I saw it a couple more times and then I brought my niece to see it. It was her first Broadway show when she was nine years old. And so I've seen it, you know, six times, give or take. And so it's meant so much to me already. And so to be able to take on a character that I have admired as a fan for so long was, it's really meaningful, you know, to put your own spin on it or to, to embody Boq in that way. It just meant a lot to me.
KT: Yeah, and I hopefully in the world of like anime and video games we can get to a point where it can be adapted properly. The tone was so beautiful, and I think it struck a really good balance of the camp and the fun and also translating into a film format. Were there any sort of challenges on, you, both of you have experience on stage? Mr. Broadway as well. Um, how is it, was it any sort of different to adapting it to the film format, in a cinema sort of setting?
Ethan: I think, you go first. You go first. Oh, sure. Either way. No, no. You've got something.
KT: The most, the most like, uh, uh, existential nugget of wisdom. No pressure.
Ethan: No, I think one of the things that's so fun about this is that like, film and, and theater just do two different things, you know, we're telling the same story, but it's not better. It's not worse. It's just a totally different way of diving into these characters, and I think that that's what's so exciting about it, is you can pace it in order to like get the, the nuance of each of these characters' arcs and what's going on in their lives. You get to live with Boq and Nessa a little bit more, get really up close with us, and like get, get to know us, that when the second part happens, the development of those characters, you can carry that much more. Yeah, and I love the Broadway version of it, but this, this is a totally different medium, and I, I think that's what's really exciting.
Marissa: Yeah, I agree. I think, as you said, campiness in both the stage musical and then also bringing that to the film as well, while making it our own in a lot of ways, and then also just because obviously film is, there are little subtleties and little things that you pick up on, either in the face or just in general, little Easter eggs throughout the film. Um, yeah, yeah, absolutely.
KT: Uh, it's an interesting but also like confusing time for cinema of like making an event. Go to the cinema. This is absolutely a film to watch in the cinema. But I think even with big productions, we care about stories. We care about experiences. We also care about, it might've been done in the history of Hollywood, but it might not have been done with as much care. Um, and Marissa, on your socials, sorry to stalk you. Um, but you shared the Mattel line of the dolls and how the characters were made as well. Um, and if you are comfortable, I'd love to hear you speak on that. If that's okay. Okay.
Marissa: Yeah, absolutely. Just having, having a doll that is a representation, even if it wasn't me cast in this role, just having, cause they were, casting was already looking for somebody who was authentically disabled and in a wheelchair, even if it wasn't me. It's such a, it is me, it is me, but one way or another, it's such a great step in the right, the right direction in the way of inclusivity. And making sure that we're seen and we're represented authentically, and it's, it is me, which is so surreal, and I'm, I'm so, it's so special to me because seeing, seeing Wicked for the first time and seeing even just a character in a wheelchair, I had never seen that before, so then to have that full circle moment of it being me for so many people that are going to watch this, so many disabled people that are going to watch this.
Marissa: It's just so, so cool.
KT: Uh, I just, but I just want you to like sit in that, live in it, just celebrate it completely. You're so right, Queen. We're currently Queens and Kings. We're all here. It's all royalty. I love the musical number that you guys had, because not only did it help with the story, but I guess, um, love is messy. Romance is messy. Um, and sometimes it can be one sided. And I'd love to hear just, I guess, a little bit about how it was with your own individual performances and I guess trying to convey those layers of love and romance together.
Ethan: Yeah. I mean, I think that's one of the things that's so like, tricky and wonderful about Boq and Nessa, is they're not necessarily on the same page, but I think something that we found, and it was really easy because, you know, once we started working together. But there's, there is a lot of real love there. Yeah. And so, like, trying to strike that balance between two people who actually really do care about each other, become really good friends, um, but are on slightly different pages. It was, you know, I think that's like a challenge, but it's also something that's really beautiful, and it's messy, and it's nuanced, and that's what life is.
Ethan: Life is like that sometimes. Um.
Marissa: Yeah, you, I mean, you said it perfectly, to be completely honest. Aw, thank you. Just, just falling in love. In two different ways, me falling in a more romantic sense, but also on a friendly level. Yeah, um, and it definitely escalates after the dance for sure. That's where I really fall in love, but that's where you really feel connected to me, your character feels connected to me, and where we really bond on a different level.
Ethan: Yeah.
KT: Yeah. Uh, I'm going to wrap up, but before I do that, I just want to say thank you so much for your time. Very quickly, there are obviously very easy answers to this, but what would you pair with Wicked as a double feature? Eugh.
Ethan: What would you pair with it?
KT: What would you pair over as, like, a double feature cinema extravaganza?
Ethan: That's a good question.
KT: Oh my gosh.
Ethan: Look, I feel like if you want to escape to two different worlds, they're not really similar, but I do love the sort of like Harry Potter escape.
Marissa: Love it.
Ethan: And then, and then this escape. They take you to two totally different places, but like really realized, you know?
Marissa: Mm hmm. I think somehow, maybe having a Barbie Wicked crossover, that would be kind of funny. I don't know how we would do that. She does it all. That's good. But I feel like they're both so campy in their own ways. And then really heartfelt, you know? That's right. Yeah, yeah, with great messaging. Yeah. For sure. Should we have said Gladiator? Gladiator!
Ethan: Gladiator II.
KT: Let's just stay in the cinema forever, thank you so much. Thank you so much.
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