SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The long-awaited film adaptation of the Broadway musical 'Wicked' opened in theaters Friday, drawing thousands of moviegoers across the country, including enthusiastic fans in the valley. Fans lined up at Harkins Theater Camelview at Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale to view the film.
RELATED: Official 'Wicked' movie trailer released The movie is a reimagining of characters from "The Wizard of Oz" before the events of the Judy Garland classic. The highly-anticipated film stars music star Ariana Grande as Galinda and Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. "I've actually seen 'Wicked' on Broadway twice, once in North Carolina when they were touring and once in New York City," said Theresa Donahue, right before she went in to watch the movie.
"I'm really looking forward to it all coming back to me through the movie." The film explores the relationship between the women who eventually become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Charley Bathel said she gave the movie five stars and found a surprising liking to Elphaba.
"I think it was cool that she stood up for what she believed in and didn't listen to anyone else," Bathel said. Jerome Kassi, another moviegoer, said he had been anticipating the release for months. "We hear the music is great, and it's going to be so much fun," Kassi said.
Philip Glascock, another moviegoer, praised the production values. "They knocked it out of the park. The cinematography, the costumes, the set design, the .