Kristin Chenoweth proudly hands over the Glinda torch to singer Ariana Grande for the Wicked film, sharing a throwback snap of their younger days.

The casting of Ariana Grande as Glinda in the film adaption of Wicked got the seal of approval from the woman who originated the iconic role on Broadway.

Kristin Chenoweth, who played Glinda the Good Witch on the Great White Way for nine months beginning in October 2003, took to Instagram to congratulate the pop star on landing her ‘dream role’ in the upcoming Jon M. Chu movie adaptation.

“I’m not sure if I’ve ever been this proud,’ the legendary stage actress, 53, wrote, alongside a black-and-white throwback photo of herself and Grande, 28, and her grandmother, Marjorie, after a performance of Wicked.

Passing the baton: Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda the Good Witch on Broadway, congratulated Ariana Grande on landing the part for the upcoming movie adaption

In a reference to her meeting with Grande when she was a young and impressionable girl, Chenoweth continued: ‘From the very first day I met you (swipe to see!!), you were destined for this role. Congratulations @arianagrande!’

She added, ‘The best Glinda you will be with @cynthiaerivo by your side I love you!! @wickedmovie @wicked_musical #wicked.’

Chenoweth also posted a tweet that was written by Grande back in 2011 that is evidence that dreams do come true sometimes.

‘Loved seeing Wicked again…amazing production!” the Thank U, Next singer wrote at the time, before adding, ‘Made me realize again how badly I want 2 play Glinda at some point in my life! #DreamRole.’

Destiny: Chenoweth shared a photo of herself meeting a young Ariana Grande and her grandmother after a performance of Wicked

Somewhere over the rainbow: Chenoweth also posted a tweet that was written by Grande back in 2011 that is evidence that dreams do come true sometimes

Humbled: The pop star was quick to respond to Chenoweth’s gracious congratulatory words

Chu, who’s best known for helming In the Heights and Crazy Rich Asians, revealed he had cast Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, in the upcoming movie version of Wicked.

‘These two witches!!’ Chu wrote alongside photos of Grande and Erivo finding out they’d been cast.

‘The emotional moment I got to tell @cynthiaerivo and @arianagrande that they were our Elphaba and Galinda in the @WickedMovie for @unistudios wait until you see what they bring!! It is other worldly. Ahhhhh!!!’

‘Thank goodness,’ captioned Grande, who made the big reveal on Instagram with screengrabs of a Zoom call featuring Erivo and Chu.

Grande could be seen covering her face with her hands, while a teary-eyed Erivo held her hand over her mouth in shock.

Emotional: Grande got emotional when director Jon M. Chu informed her that she had landed the part of Glinda in the upcoming movie adaption

Emotional: Cynthia Erivo shed a few tears when she learned she would be playing the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, in the movie

The singer-songwriter has been a lifelong fan of the Broadway musical since seeing Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who famously portrayed Elphaba, star in the original run.

The original Broadway production won three Tony Awards and six Drama Desk Awards, as well as a Grammy Award.

The musical is based on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, and tells the story of Elphaba’s life prior to becoming known as the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which was later adapted into the classic 1939 film starring Judy Garland.

It was announced in February 2021 that Chu would be taking over the director’s chair, with Wicked’s original composer and lyricist adapting the screenplay with screenwriter Winnie Holzman, as per Variety.

Iconic: Chenoweth and Idina Menzel starred in the original Broadway stage performance of Wicked at George Gershwin Theatre in New York City beginning in October 2003

Source:https://www.dailymail.co.uk