Interview Key Points

Early Encounters and First Impressions

This section focuses on the speakers' recollections of their first meeting and the initial impact they had on each other.

• The Play "Anne Juliet" Meeting: The initial meeting occurred at a performance of "Anne Juliet," which one speaker had seen multiple times and considered a favorite.
• Birthday Celebration Context: The specific night of their meeting was also Olive's birthday, adding a festive atmosphere to the event.
• Celebrity Sightings and "Telephone Game": During the play, there was a buzz of celebrity sightings, with a "telephone game" of information spreading through the audience.
• Ariana Grande Sighting: One speaker mentioned Ariana Grande being present in the audience.
• Katy Perry's "Roar" and Eye Contact: The pivotal moment of their first meeting involved locking eyes during Katy Perry's song "Roar," amidst confetti and loud music.
• Drew Barrymore's Appearance and Hand Holding: One speaker described seeing Drew Barrymore reaching out, leading to them holding hands across the row while the song continued.
• Heart Gesture and Cinderella Moment: After holding hands, Drew Barrymore made a heart gesture, which felt like a "Cinderella" moment for the other speaker.
• "Michelangelo" and "ET-ish" Hand Touching: The hand-holding was described poetically as "Michelangelo-esque" and "ET-ish," with a recollection of a glove potentially being worn.

Performance and Acting Process

This part of the conversation delves into the acting process, inspirations, and the challenges of embodying characters.

• Inspiration from Judy Garland: One speaker's acting process was heavily influenced by watching Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz," particularly her singing, posture, and subtle expressions.
• Early Impersonations: Judy Garland was identified as the first person this speaker impersonated, performing for family.
• Unconventional "Dorothy" Impersonation: A quirky anecdote about impersonating Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz" while wearing a "Scream" mask was shared, highlighting a unique blend of interests and a desire for authenticity.
• Respect for Difficult Performances: Appreciation was expressed for performances requiring intense emotional and physical output, like the hyperventilation and energy needed for a role similar to "Scream."
• Humanity and Sensuality in Performance: The performance was noted for its humanity and a subtle sensuality, with one speaker acknowledging their own tendency to be more of a "ham."
• Confidence in Subtlety: It takes confidence to trust oneself and not always go for big comedic moments, but to also know when to deliver them.
• Glinda's Complexity: The character of Glinda was described as having both larger-than-life comedic moments and underlying insecurities, fears, and desires.
• Exploring Character's Depth: The speaker aimed to understand Glinda's privileged upbringing but also what was missing from her life, ensuring her simple statements carried weight.
• Utilizing Trauma and Pain: The intention was to understand the character's trauma and pain, even if it wasn't overtly shown in the performance.

Friendship and Industry Reflections

This section explores the development of their friendship, their experiences within the entertainment industry, and their appreciation for each other.

• Palpable Friendship: The speakers' friendship is described as electric, true, real, and palpable to everyone who witnesses it.
• Shared Experience in "Oz": The intense and immersive experience of working on "Wicked" (referred to as "Oz") for two and a half to three years was discussed, along with efforts to maintain focus and block out external pressures.
• Safest Space Created by Director: The director, John Chu, is credited with creating a safe and intimate environment for the cast and crew, despite the grandeur of the project.
• Themes of Forgiveness, Love, and Friendship: The most important takeaways from the film are seen as its themes of forgiveness, love, and friendship, which are considered the "true magic."
• Handling of Humanity and Female-Led Storytelling: The film is praised for its unique handling of humanity and the emotional experiences of its characters, particularly in a female-led narrative, setting it apart from other films.
• Fighting for Humanness and Complexity: The film is seen as a champion of human authenticity and the complexities of being a person, posing questions about good versus wicked and how to act upon truth.
• Appreciation for Each Other's Acting: High praise was exchanged for each other's acting abilities, with one speaker being recognized for a lifelong dedication to the craft.
• Inspiration and Modeling Behavior: The speakers reflected on how they seek out individuals in the industry whose behavior they want to emulate.
• The Nature of Performers as "Feelers": Both speakers identify as "big feelers" and "emoters," which can be beneficial for performance but requires management, especially when becoming a parent.

Family and Personal Connections

This part of the conversation highlights the importance of family and personal connections in their lives.

• Nona's Influence: One speaker's Nona (grandmother) is mentioned as being very important, and a news segment about her wisdom, particularly her advice on kissing goodnight, is shared.
• Nona's Wisdom: The Nona's advice emphasizes the importance of connection and communication in relationships.
• Nona's Experience with the Original "Wizard of Oz": The 99-year-old Nona saw the original "Wizard of Oz," adding a generational perspective.
• Surreal Cinema Experience with Nona: A very surreal experience of watching the new film with Nona in the same movie theater they frequented in their childhood is recounted.
• Grandparents' Impact: The speaker expresses gratitude for their grandparents, especially their grandfather, whose work ethic and treatment of people were highly influential.
• John Chu's Resemblance to Grandfather: The director, John Chu, is compared to the speaker's grandfather due to their similar treatment of people, which is considered the highest compliment.

Gifts and "Silly Questions"

This segment features playful interactions, a special gift, and a series of lighthearted questions.

• The Glinda Wand Gift: A significant gift is presented: the original Glinda wand from "The Wizard of Oz," which is loaned for the occasion.
• Emotional Reaction to the Wand: The speaker is deeply touched and overwhelmed by the gift, expressing disbelief and gratitude.
• The Weight and Intricacy of the Wand: The wand is noted for its surprising weight and the intact condition of its small jewels.
• "Silly Questions" Segment: A segment of "silly questions" is introduced, intended to reveal more about the speakers' personalities.
• Current Song on Repeat: The speaker's current song on repeat is "Dancing Through Life" by Johnny Bailey.
• Favorite Musicals and Comedic Tastes: Preferences for musicals like "Spamalot" and "The Drowsy Chaperone" are shared, aligning with a love for Christopher Guest films and SNL.
• Worst Habit Revealed: The speaker confesses a habit of chewing off excess glue or gel from manicures, often ruining the manicure in the process.
• A Gift for the Habit: In response to the worst habit, a gift of a miniature roller file from a nail salon is humorously suggested.

Personal Growth and Boundaries

This final section focuses on self-discovery, personal growth, and the importance of setting boundaries.

• Admiring Strength and Light: One speaker expresses deep admiration for the other's strength, inner light, ability to maintain childlike wonder, and resilience in the face of industry challenges.
• The Fight to Be Oneself: The difficulty and confusion of fighting to be one's authentic self are acknowledged as a universal human struggle.
• The Power of Finding Beauty: Despite the darkness and ugliness that can exist, the film is seen as a testament to finding beauty and moving forward.
• Overcoming People-Pleasing: Both speakers identify as "recovering people pleasers," recognizing it as an occupational hazard and a lifelong lesson to learn to set boundaries.
• The Importance of Boundaries: Boundaries are emphasized as crucial for well-being and are described as life-saving.
• Maintaining Connections: The desire to stay in touch and continue conversations about important topics like boundaries, humanity, love, joy, and fierceness is expressed.
• Grandfather's Pride: It's suggested that the speaker's grandfather would be proud of their kindness and their newfound ability to set boundaries, leading to a more balanced and deserved life.