A major star from theWickedmovies is narrating the audiobook for Gregory Maguire’s newest Oz book,Elphie: A Wicked Childhood. TheWickedmovies are based on the Broadway musical, which is a loose adaptation ofGregory Maguire’s originalWickedbookpublished in 1995.
He went on to write numerous sequels and spinoff books set in Oz and beyond that follow Elphaba’s family and a wide range of other characters.Elphiewas releasedon March 25, and the prequel explores the life of Elphaba Thropp before she begins her studies at Shiz University.
As revealed byPeople,Cynthia Erivo is narrating theElphieaudiobook that will be released on July 29through HarperAudio. Erivo played Elphaba inWickedand reprised the role inWicked: For Good, which is coming to theaters on November 21.
What This Means For Wicked
Cynthia Erivo Is Playing Elphie In More Than 1 Way This Year
MostWickedreviewspraised Erivo’s remarkable singing and acting abilities thatdid a perfect job bringing Elphaba to life on the big screen. Not only will audiences be able to enjoy her continuing this performance inWicked: For Good, but they will also get to hear her narrate pivotal moments from Elphaba’s childhood and adolescence.
After playing Elphaba in two films now,Erivo has an intimate understanding of the character, and is a fitting choice to narrate the audiobook. She knows what it is like to play Elphaba onscreen, and now she is playing an important part in communicatingElphaba’s historyon the page.
There was always going to be considerable interest inElphiedue to the longtime and current popularity ofWicked, and now there will beeven more interest due to Erivo being the narrator. The timing is also ideal, with the audiobook coming out at the same time that marketing is ramping up forWicked: For Goodand trailers are playing in theaters.
Our Take On Cynthia Erivo Narrating Elphie
It Honors The Multiple Mediums Of Wicked Adaptations
Erivo is the perfect choice to narrate theElphieaudiobook. As someone who has read Maguire’sWicked,Son of a Witch,A Lion Among Men, andOut of Oz, but who hasn’t readElphieyet, I am now moreinclined to experience the story via audiobook because Erivo is the one narrating it.
Maguire’sWickedmovie reviewacknowledged how different it feels from his original novel. As different as theWickedbook Elphaba and the musical/movie Elphaba are, there are core similarities between the two primary versions of the character, which are further emphasized through Erivo narrating Maguire’s words.
