Bowen Yang calls "Wicked" a miracle for audiences

Bowen Yang recently shared his thoughts on the musical "Wicked" at the BFI Flare event in London. He highlighted the significance of the show's themes, saying it addresses issues like racism and fascism. Yang remarked that its success is remarkable, considering these serious topics. He emphasized that the wizard in the story gains power by creating problems for others. During the event, Yang also discussed his experiences while filming "Wicked." He admitted feeling intimidated by the strong performances from co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. He mentioned that while director Jon M. Chu led the team, the rest of the cast felt overwhelmed. Yang recalled how Chu would ask him to improvise, often using his spontaneous lines in the final cut. Yang opened up about his feelings of imposter syndrome while working on "Saturday Night Live." He described a moment on vacation when he took LSD and began to visualize himself as a part of the show, inspired by sketches featuring Bill Hader's character Stefon. He found this experience gave him clarity about his role. Looking ahead, Yang will star alongside Lily Gladstone in "The Wedding Banquet," directed by Andrew Ahn. He praised Ahn's writing, noting how he expertly plays with common romantic comedy tropes. Yang also expressed excitement about working with renowned Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung, describing her as a legend who commands attention on set. "The Wedding Banquet" is set to be released in theaters in the U.S. on April 18.