Michelle Yeoh embarks on her first musical journey with 'Wicked'

Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, known for her diverse cinematic roles, recently shared her excitement about her first musical, 'Wicked,' set to release on November 22. Hailing from a multicultural background in Malaysia, Yeoh recalls her early exposure to Indian cinema. “I grew up in Malaysia, a multiracial society, and have many Indian friends. I grew up watching many Indian movies,” she told PTI in an interview, expressing her hope that 'Wicked' with its musical essence resonates well with Indian audiences.

Reuniting with her 'Crazy Rich Asians' director Jon M Chu, Yeoh takes on the character of Madame Morrible in the film, a big-screen adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. Despite the challenges of singing, which Yeoh found daunting, her love for the genre's world-building aspect motivated her. "It's a fantasy world where people, instead of just talking, suddenly break out into song and dance, and I love that," she said. Her co-stars, particularly Cynthia Erivo, offered support, helping her gain confidence to perform numbers like 'The Wizard and I.'

The collaboration with Chu, known for bringing an entirely Asian cast to Hollywood's spotlight with 'Crazy Rich Asians,' was a significant draw for Yeoh. She acknowledges his role in diversifying on-screen narratives: "We also have to be good storytellers and tell stories that echo our faces and our culture and should be seen more often. But then we do need amazing storytellers like Jon M Chu to be able to showcase and highlight all this." The film features a diverse cast, including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum.

Yeoh, at 62, boasts a distinguished career with acclaimed performances in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' ‘Memoirs of a Geisha,’ and ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.’ She emphasizes the transformative power of cinema, choosing roles carefully to ensure they have a meaningful impact. "Cinema and shows are such powerful mediums for reaching out to people to highlight issues," she noted.

Discussing her role as Madame Morrible, the headmistress at Shiz University in the 'Wicked' universe, Yeoh describes her character as initially appearing approachable and caring. "What happens is some people get blinded by their own ambitions... So our approach for Madame Morrible is like, she is a good witch," she explained.

Despite the musical's challenges, Yeoh finds joy in sharing cinematic experiences. "Cinema has always been about a shared experience where you go in and you enjoy something together, you laugh together, and you come out feeling bonded in a very special way," she expressed.

Ambitious about future projects, Yeoh revealed she hopes Chu will cast her in a role where she can dance. "The only other thing I hope that he will do for me next is allow me to dance in it as well," she said.

With 'Wicked' drawing positive attention even before its release, Yeoh looks forward to its reception and hopes to explore new artistic territories further. The film, directed by Jon M Chu and distributed by Universal Pictures, aims to capture the magic and complexity of the 'Wicked' universe while serving as both a prequel and a fresh take on the beloved 'Wizard of Oz.'