Sissy Spacek spent a summer with her 'precious' grandkids. Then came a bloody new film.

Sissy Spacek spent a summer with her 'precious' grandkids. Then came a bloody new film. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYNovember 8, 2025 at 9:36 PM 0 NEW YORK – Sissy Spacek had no intention of making a movie last year. "I thought I needed to recover from a summer of helping out with my precious grandchildren before I could take something on," Spacek says, beaming and buzzing from "too much coffee" on a recent weekday morning.

- - Sissy Spacek spent a summer with her 'precious' grandkids. Then came a bloody new film.

Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYNovember 8, 2025 at 9:36 PM

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NEW YORK – Sissy Spacek had no intention of making a movie last year.

"I thought I needed to recover from a summer of helping out with my precious grandchildren before I could take something on," Spacek says, beaming and buzzing from "too much coffee" on a recent weekday morning.

But that all changed when she met Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay, who had a part in mind for Spacek in "Die My Love" (in theaters now), a blistering new drama starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson as a couple in freefall. The film follows a stifled young writer named Grace (Lawrence) as she slowly unravels after the birth of their son, unleashing her savage and sensual side in ways that perplex her aloof boyfriend Jackson (Pattinson).

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Pam (Sissy Spacek) sleepwalks with a rifle in rural Montana in the haunting new film "Die My Love."

Spacek, 75, plays Jackson's perceptive mom Pam, who is unmoored by the death of her husband (Nick Nolte) from Alzheimer's and haunted by his brother's suicide.

Pam understands how isolating it can be as a wife and mother, and as Grace becomes increasingly erratic and rageful, she tries to extend a sympathetic hand. "Everybody goes a little loopy the first year," Pam assures the despondent new mom.

"Die My Love" stars Jennifer Lawrence (left) and Robert Pattinson were a hit on the red carpet at the film's New York premiere on Nov. 1, 2025. See who else stepped out.

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"Die My Love" stars Jennifer Lawrence (left) and Robert Pattinson were a hit on the red carpet at the film's New York premiere on Nov. 1, 2025. See who else stepped out.

">"Die My Love" stars Jennifer Lawrence (left) and Robert Pattinson were a hit on the red carpet at the film's New York premiere on Nov. 1, 2025. See who else stepped out.

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LaKeith Stanfield (from left), Ariana Harwicz, Andrea Calderwood, Robert Pattinson, Lynne Ramsay, Martin Scorsese, Jennifer Lawrence, Justine Ciarrocchi, Sissy Spacek and Molly Smith.

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Raife Burchell (left) and George Vjestica

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1 / 28Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson look chic on 'Die My Love' red carpet

"Die My Love" stars Jennifer Lawrence (left) and Robert Pattinson were a hit on the red carpet at the film's New York premiere on Nov. 1, 2025. See who else stepped out.

Before filming, Ramsay had lengthy conversations about the character with Spacek, who last appeared on the big screen in 2022's "Sam & Kate."

"We talked about how Pam could support Grace, and Lynne came up with this great idea of them really connecting," Spacek says, seated with Ramsay at a Midtown hotel. "They've both been through incredible trauma, so she helps me and I help her."

Pam (Sissy Spacek, seated) sees parts of herself in Grace (Jennifer Lawrence) in "Die My Love."

In Ariana Harwicz's 2017 novel, "the grandmother character is really a bit of a batty lady and didn't have this empathy," Ramsay explains. "Jennifer has said herself that Grace is really visible as a character to Pam; Pam sees her when Jackson doesn't. It became a much more interesting dynamic between these two women than it was initially," and that was in part because of Spacek's input.

A bleak, lyrical Western set in present-day Montana, "Die My Love" bears an obvious resemblance to Spacek's breakout 1973 drama "Badlands," which was directed by Terrence Malick and costarred Martin Sheen. Ramsay has worked with other Oscar winners including Tilda Swinton (on "We Need to Talk About Kevin") and Joaquin Phoenix ("You Were Never Really Here"), but has never been more starstruck than she was by Spacek.

"I mean, bloody hell, my heart was pounding!" Ramsay says breathlessly. " 'Badlands' is one of my favorite films of all time, so to be able to speak to this icon was wild. But there's such a warmth that Sissy brings. Everyone loved when you were on set."

Spacek says it's rare to find "a spectacular artist" like Ramsay who is so open to collaboration.

"When you're young, you think they're all going to be like that," says the "In the Bedroom" star, who cuts a striking figure with her flowing strawberry-blonde hair and glimmering pale eyes. "The more excited Lynne got, the faster she talked and the more her Scottish accent came out. And the more excited I got, the heavier my Texas accent was. We were using cast members and producers as translators!"

"Sissy brought a lot to Pam," says director Lynne Ramsay. "There was this empathy for both Jackson and Grace."

Like Grace and Pam, Spacek can understand the demands of motherhood. At 22, she made her movie debut in 1972's "Prime Cut," which she followed with chilling turns in "Carrie" and "3 Women" before winning a best actress Oscar for her Loretta Lynn biopic "Coal Miner's Daughter" in 1981. A year later, she gave birth to her first of two daughters with her production designer husband Jack Fisk: Schuyler, 43, and Madison, 37.

Sissy Spacek at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival for Robert Altman's "3 Women."

"I took a step back, and I really only did about one film a year at the height of my career, maybe two," Spacek says. "I was just always looking for a project that I thought I could bring something to and serve the story."

Throughout her more than five decades in Hollywood, Spacek has tackled hot-button issues of abortion ("A Private Matter") and suicide (" 'night, Mother") long before they were widely discussed, although she rarely concerned herself with how people would react. "There was a time where that's all I thought about, and then I was able to finally get it out of my head," she says.

Ramsay says she's eager to work with Spacek again, only this time in a leading role. ("From your mouth to God's ears!" the acting legend says giddily.) Both women have always been drawn to everyday characters caught up in extraordinary circumstances.

Sissy Spacek, center, and husband Jack Fisk with daughters Madison and Schuyler at the 2002 Oscars.

"I think we're all pretty ordinary people, and it's just what happens to us as we go through life," Spacek says. "You can be going along, everything's great, and then a piano falls on your head. You just never know. I guess I feel like an ordinary person, so I'm drawn to that.

"I'm not drawn to playing kings or queens – I'm into the minutiae of real life."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sissy Spacek explains her return to acting in 'Die My Love'

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Sissy Spacek spent a summer with her 'precious' grandkids. Then came a bloody new film.

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Bode's original politicallytinged introduction to Cynthia Erivo performing &34;Defying Gravity&34; was dropped from Thursday's broadcast. Wicked TV special cuts Marissa Bode statement about standing up to a 'powerhungry dictator' Bode's original politicallytinged introduction to Cynthia Erivo performing &34;Defying Gravity&34; was dropped from Thursday's broadcast. By Ryan Coleman :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RyanColemanauthorphoto0081ce8f0254478080f35972c433877b.jpg) Ryan Coleman Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

Bode's original politically-tinged introduction to Cynthia Erivo performing "Defying Gravity" was dropped from Thursday's broadcast.

Wicked TV special cuts Marissa Bode statement about standing up to a 'power-hungry dictator'

Bode's original politically-tinged introduction to Cynthia Erivo performing "Defying Gravity" was dropped from Thursday's broadcast.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

EW's editorial guidelines

November 6, 2025 11:18 p.m. ET

Marissa Bode introduces Cynthia Erivo on 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night'. Credit:

NBC decided to steer its musical special *Wicked: One Wonderful Night* down a decidedly apolitical path.

At the tail end of Thursday's two-hour broadcast, *Wicked *and *Wicked: For Good *star Marissa Bode appeared on stage to introduce her screen sister Cynthia Erivo's command performance of the musical's high-flying anthem, "Defying Gravity." Bode reminded the packed auditorium at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles that *Wicked *is "filled with so many incredible songs, but there is one that stands out."

"It's connected with so many people from all over the world. I'm talking, of course, about 'Defying Gravity,'" she continued. "The song is an ode to authenticity and about believing in yourself no matter what obstacles the world puts in your way. Performing 'Defying Gravity,' please welcome the incredible Cynthia Erivo." But that's not exactly how Bode's introduction played out during the special's live taping.

The Sept. 24 recording, which was attended by **, included additional comments that were cut from Thursday's broadcast. In Bode's full introduction, she added that the song's paean to "authenticity" and "believing in yourself" extended to standing up to a "power-hungry dictator."**

EW has reached out to representatives for NBC and Bode for comment.

Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, and Ethan Slater on 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night'.

Griffin Nagel/NBC

Indeed, the two-part film, based on the stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, contains decidedly anti-authoritarian themes, with its "Wicked" Witch of the West (Erivo) being branded a traitor by a corrupt despot (Jeff Goldblum's Wizard) after she uncovers a secretive plot being executed against the fictional Oz's animal citizens.

Bode's cut comment clearly pointed to this narrative fact. Elphaba is an outspoken champion of civil rights who opposes the Wizard's two-faced treachery, and "Defying Gravity" is the apotheosis of this rebellion within the musical. But Bode's pointed delivery, and the reaction of the crowd, suggested that the comment carried an evident double meaning in the current political climate.**

Why Jonathan Bailey is not on stage for the 'Wicked' TV special

Best and worst moments from 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night' with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

Bode has been outspokenly political since her rise to fame for portraying Nessarose Thropp in *Wicked*. The actress, who uses a wheelchair, is a champion of disability rights, particularly as they intersect with the movement to uplift Black lives.

Just two weeks before the taping of *One Wonderful Night*, Bode took to her TikTok account to defend a post construed by some of her followers as controversial, in which she rejected "being called hateful because I don't feel an ounce of sympathy" for the slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whom Bode described as "a man whose whole career was built on being a bigot."

Bode posted that TikTok on Sept. 11, the day after Kirk was shot while discussing gun violence at Utah Valley University. On Sept. 17, ABC indefinitely suspended *Jimmy Kimmel Live! *after host Jimmy Kimmel stated in the previous night's monologue that the "MAGA gang" were "desperately trying to characterize" Tyler Robinson, the alleged perpetrator of Kirk's death, as "anything other than one of them." After intense pushback, the network lifted Kimmel's suspension, with his return to air occurring on Sept. 23, the day before the taping of *One Wonderful Night.***

Cynthia Erivo soars over the audience on 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night'.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Bode was one of number of stars from the films to appear on the special. Erivo joined her Good Witch counterpart Ariana Grande in several duets, and all three actresses performed alongside and engaged in banter with Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, and Ethan Slater.

Jonathan Bailey, who plays the dashing Prince Fiyero, was not present for the live taping, as he was wrapped up in production in England. But he did join the aforementioned stars in a separately-recorded cast conversation that played between the night's musical numbers. There were also surprise guests, including the stars of the original Broadway production, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who sang a touching rendition of the closing number "For Good" with Erivo and Grande.**

Following its Thursday night premiere on NBC, *Wicked: One Wonderful Night* begins streaming on Peacock Friday.**

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Published: November 08, 2025 at 04:38PM on Source: RED MAG

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Wicked TV special cuts Marissa Bode statement about standing up to a 'power-hungry dictator'

Bode 's original politicallytinged introduction to Cynthia Erivo performing &34;Defying Gravity&34; was dropped fr...

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The twohour musical special features Bailey's costars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Bowen Yang, and more. Why Jonathan Bailey is not on stage for Wicked: One Wonderful Night The twohour musical special features Bailey's costars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Bowen Yang, and more. By Ryan Coleman :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RyanColemanauthorphoto0081ce8f0254478080f35972c433877b.jpg) Ryan Coleman Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books. EW's editorial guidelines November 6, 2025 7:00 p.m.

The two-hour musical special features Bailey's costars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Bowen Yang, and more.

Why Jonathan Bailey is not on stage for *Wicked: One Wonderful Night *

The two-hour musical special features Bailey's costars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Bowen Yang, and more.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero in 'Wicked: For Good'. Credit:

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

NBC is treating *Wicked *fans who just can't wait for the upcoming premiere of *Wicked: For Good *to a most festivating celebration of all things Ozian. *Wicked: One Wonderful Night *will reunite the major cast of the 2024 blockbuster smash and its upcoming sequel for a night of singing, dancing, sneak peeks and previews. But one shining star of the musical duology won't be joining in the merriment - at least on stage.

Jonathan Bailey was not able to join his costars on stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sept. 24 for the taping of the TV special due to prior engagements — including being in production on one project and a press photoshoot, both in London — that put his schedule in conflict.

*Wicked *stars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, and Ethan Slater will all appear on stage in the production which airs tonight. A sneak peek released earlier this week showed Yang and Slater filling Bailey's shoes to perform "Dancing Through Life."**

But never fear, * *has learned that Bailey did film at least one segment for *One Wonderful Night *so Prince Fiyero's presence will be felt on the special.

It has been a busy autumn for the English actor, who is looking forward not just to *Wicked: For Good*, but the upcoming fourth season of Shonda Rhimes' regency drama *Bridgerton*. And, oh yeah, he was just crowed PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive 2025.

Jonathan Bailey is PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive 2025.

Jason Hetherington

"It's a huge honor. Obviously I'm incredibly flattered. And it's completely absurd," Bailey shared after accepting the honor, taking over from last year's winner, John Krasinski.

In a video featuring his *Wicked *costars reacting to his new title, Goldblum declared Bailey "the sexiest man not only on this planet, but in the solar system, in the universe, and any multiverse."**

Jonathan Bailey's sexiest roles, from 'Bridgerton' to 'Wicked: For Good'

Here's your first look at Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the 'Wicked: For Good' TV special (exclusive)

*Wicked: One Wonderful Night *will feature Grande and Erivo, who topline both *Wicked *and its thrillifying conclusion as Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The broomstick-scooting besties will perform some of the banner songs from both films, and fans will get a chance to hear some of their new songs — "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble" — specially crafted for *Wicked: For Good *by original musical composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz.

Ariana Grande on 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night'.

Griffin Nagel/NBC

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Beyond live performances accompanied by a 37-piece live orchestra led by Tony-winning musical director Stephen Oremus, the two-hour special will feature newly modified dances from the films' choreographer, Christopher Scott.

Adding to the supersized affair are behind-the-scenes clips, new interviews with the *Wicked *cast and crew, appearances by Schwartz and director Jon M. Chu, cameos by surprise guests, and a world-premiere clip from *Wicked: For Good*.

*Wicked: One Wonderful Night *premieres on NBC on Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, and streams the next day on Peacock. *Wicked: For Good *premieres in theaters on Nov. 21.**

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Why Jonathan Bailey is not on stage for Wicked: One Wonderful Night

The twohour musical special features Bailey 's costars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Bowen Yang, and more. Why Jonathan B...

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What you didn't see on TV watching Wicked: One Wonderful Night: Extra Remy, an unintentional mash...

A lyric flub? Thank goodness! The audience was thrilled to have Cynthia Erivo sing &34;The Wizard and I&34; a second time. What you didn't see on TV watching Wicked: One Wonderful Night: Extra Remy, an unintentional mashup, and more A lyric flub? Thank goodness! The audience was thrilled to have Cynthia Erivo sing &34;The Wizard and I&34; a second time. By Patrick Gomez :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/pgomezheadshot25b24b6c6d8948899ca9b24a6a9a6844.jpg) Patrick Gomez is an Executive Editor at . Formerly at People magazine and The A.V.

A lyric flub? Thank goodness! The audience was thrilled to have Cynthia Erivo sing "The Wizard and I" a second time.

What you didn't see on TV watching Wicked: One Wonderful Night: Extra Remy, an unintentional mashup, and more

A lyric flub? Thank goodness! The audience was thrilled to have Cynthia Erivo sing "The Wizard and I" a second time.

By Patrick Gomez

Patrick Gomez is an Executive Editor at . Formerly at People magazine and The A.V. Club, the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association member has appeared on 'Today,' 'Extra!,' 'Access Hollywood,' 'E! News,' 'CNN,' and 'Nightline,' and can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America.' Follow the Texas Native at @PatrickGomezLA wherever your media is social for all things 'For All Mankind' 'Top Chef,' and puppy related.

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Cynthia Enrivo and Ariana Grande on 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night'. Credit:

Not all the magic made it on TV for *Wicked: One Wonderful Night*.

Though taped in front of a live audience, NBC's two-hour television special actually filmed for almost four hours on Sept. 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood (the same theater where the Oscars take place).

Much of that extra time was spent setting the stage for the next performance, but there was plenty to keep guests entertained between takes. Rather than looking at their watches, the fan-filled audience was thrilled any time a performer was asked to do a second take on a song.

Here's what you didn't see from home.

An unintentional "Wizard and I" and "Defying Gravity" mashup

Jeff Goldblum and Cynthia Erivo during 'The Wizard and I' on 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night'.

Griffin Nagel/NBC

Cynthia Erivo is a renowned Tony winner with hundreds of Broadway performances under her belt — meaning she knows how to power through a flub with the audience none the wiser. And that's exactly what happened during her initial run at "The Wizard and I."

Though vocally on point, something rang odd about the bridge of the song: Erivo accidentally started singing part of "Defying Gravity." It's an understandable flub, given that when Elphaba sings of her future being "unlimited," the orchestration sounds almost identical to the Act I finale.

Even more adorableness from Remington

At most tapings, there is someone tasked with keeping the audience energized throughout the long taping period. During many of the filming breaks, the audience emcee would bring up people in the audience wearing elaborate costumes — including young Remington, whom the audience would later see become an instant sensation filling in as the Elphaba role during Ariana Grande's performance of "Popular."

Just one example of the 4-year-old's effortless charm: The emcee called him to the steps of the stage and asked "How old are you?" To which Remington, apparently mishearing the question, replied, "I'm good."

Remington and Ariana Grande perform 'Popular' on 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night'.

Remington's mom revealed it wasn't even the movie that made her son fall in love with the world of *Wicked*, it was seeing all the branded merch at their local Target.

Prior to the "Popular" performance, Grande spent some time chatting with Remington, asking to borrow his broomstick to place it aside during their performance so she could hand him a wand instead, but promising to return it — which she ultimately almost forgot to do until reminded by the audience.

Best and worst moments from 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night' with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

Why Jonathan Bailey is not on stage for the 'Wicked' TV special

Free dance lessons

Hollywood isn't above paying audience members. Tapings are often long days and the energy of those there just for fun may wane in hour 7 of cheering on the host of *America's Got the Voice Warriors*. But that was not the case at *Wicked: One Wonderful Night*. (In fact, we hear people were selling their tickets for thousands of dollars!)

That makes it all the more impressive that the studio audience — including Erivo's partner Lena Waithe and a very eager Frankie Grande, there with mom Joan to support his little sister — quickly learned some choreography and prop work using flowers minutes before cameras rolled on the opening number.

It probably helped that the routine was taught by *Wicked* and *Wicked: For Good* choreographer Christopher Scott.

A "thank u" to Ariana

In addition to the costume contests and overdosing on Remington cuteness, the audience emcee played music during the downtime — including Grande's hit "thank u, next." The song got an instant reaction from the crowd, who began singing along.

A few lines in, Grande poked her head out from the side curtain with a face of excitement, which elicited a giant cheer from the audience.

Defying gravity takes time

Cynthia Erivo flies above the audience during 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night'.

Though much of *Wicked* and *Wicked: For Good* was shot practically, there's still a lot of movie magic needed to, say, make someone fly.

Cathy Rigby makes it look easy (at 72, she's still flying high over audiences as Peter Pan), but performing while harnessed is no joke. So it's perhaps no surprise that Erivo's "Defying Gravity" was shot in segments.

Though every note was pitch perfect both times, Erivo actually flew over the Dolby twice to sing the final portion of the modern classic — to the thrill of the audience, some of whom were in tears watching the star soar both physically and vocally.

Deleting a dictator

Speaking of "Defying Gravity," at the live taping when Nessarose actress Marissa Bode introduced her movie sister's big number, she included a warning about the importance of standing up to a "power-hungry dictator" that was cut from the NBC broadcast. The statement had a clear connection to the musical's plot surrounding the tyrannical Wizard and Elphaba's rebellion. But the politically outspoken Bode's words carried even greater weight in the current political climate and the audience cheered loudly when she made the not-so-subtle declaration.**

A second take of Babs and Judy

*Wicked: One Wonderful Night* concluded with the best rendition of "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" since Barbara Streisand and Judy Garland first performed it on *The Judy Garland Show* in 1963. And audiences got to see it twice!

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande duet during 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night'.

After the first take (again with tears in the audience), the telecast's director came out and told his stars it was perfect. But Ervio and Grande weren't content. After looking at each other briefly, they declared they wanted the pleasure of singing it again. To the shock of no one, the entire room was happy to oblige.**

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

*Wicked: One Wonderful Night *is streaming on Peacock now.

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Published: November 08, 2025 at 04:38PM on Source: RED MAG

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What you didn't see on TV watching Wicked: One Wonderful Night: Extra Remy, an unintentional mash...

A lyric flub? Thank goodness! The audience was thrilled to have Cynthia Erivo sing &34;The Wizard and I&34; a second t...

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