The Big Picture

‘Wicked’ Is a Sensation. But Is It Good? Plus: The Top Five 21st Century Musicals.

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About the episode

Sean is joined by Juliet Litman to discuss another highly anticipated 2024 release in Jon M. Chu’s ‘Wicked.’ They unpack their very mixed feelings, hypothesize why this movie is such a big hit, and forecast its Oscar chances by asking whether it could really win Best Picture. Then, they both rank their top five favorite musicals from the 21st century. Finally, Sean is joined by writer and director Malcolm Washington to discuss his new film, ‘The Piano Lesson.’ They talk about coming from a Hollywood family, what he hoped to attempt when given the chance to make this film, and turning August Wilson’s stage play into a bold cinematic experience.

Host: Sean Fennessey
Guest: Juliet Litman and Malcolm Washington
Audio Producer: Sasha Ashall
Video Producer: Jack Sanders

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Summary

  • 1:07

    Unpacking our very mixed feelings about ‘Wicked’

  • 41:30

    Hypothesizing why this movie is such a big hit

  • 50:37

    Forecasting the Oscar chances for ‘Wicked’

  • 58:58

    Our top five favorite musicals from the 21st century

  • 1:26:57

    Writer and director Malcolm Washington joins to discuss his new film, ‘The Piano Lesson’