Stephen Schwartz reacts to Grande, Erivo’s ‘For Good’ performance

Stephen Schwartz is still processing the “surreal” moment when four generations of Wicked stars united for a reimagined performance of For Good.

In an exclusive chat with PEOPLE, the legendary composer and lyricist reflected on the emotional collaboration between Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel, and Kristin Chenoweth.

Schwartz was referring to a performance that aired earlier this month during NBC’s One Wonderful Night, the network’s primetime celebration of the upcoming Wicked films.

Schwartz, who created the original Broadway score and penned the music for the new film adaptations, said seeing all four women share the stage felt “otherworldly.”

“It was a very surreal moment,” he told the outlet while attending the Nov. 16 opening night of Chess on Broadway.

Menzel and Chenoweth famously debuted the roles of Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, while Erivo and Grande take the iconic parts to the big screen, making the performance a symbolic “passing of the torch.”

Schwartz revealed he was asked to write new lyrics for the bridge to honour that exact idea. He even joined the stars at the piano as they filmed the segment.

“We all got dressed up at nine in the morning, I put on my tuxedo and went to do it,” he recalled with a laugh. “It was a great experience.”

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