In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Cristin Milioti opened up about her experience auditioning for the beloved musical “Wicked” and her role in the highly anticipated film, “The Penguin.”
Milioti revealed that she had the opportunity to audition for the role of Elphaba, the green witch, in “Wicked.” Being a fan of the musical, she was ecstatic about the opportunity. However, she was also nervous about hitting the high notes required for the role.
Despite her initial doubts, Milioti embraced the challenge and spent two weeks preparing for the audition. However, the COVID-19 pandemic had taken a toll on her singing abilities, and she felt a little rusty. She described the days leading up to the audition as a scene from “The Tell-Tale Heart,” constantly rehearsing and vocalizing.
When the big day arrived, Milioti entered the audition room with high hopes. She started singing through the songs, hitting all the right notes, and building up to the iconic moment at the end of Act One where Elphaba flies and belts out a powerful note. However, when the moment came, Milioti’s voice didn’t cooperate. She described the sound that escaped her as something she will remember on her deathbed.
Despite her unsuccessful audition, Milioti emphasized her excitement for the upcoming film adaptation of “Wicked.” She specifically mentioned her admiration for Cynthia Erivo, who was ultimately cast in the role. Milioti expressed her eagerness to hear Erivo’s rendition of the musical’s iconic songs.
Aside from her failed audition, Milioti also discussed her role in “The Penguin,” a Batman spin-off series on HBO. She described the experience of debuting the trailer at Comic-Con in San Diego. The actress, who has always been a huge Batman fan, expressed her excitement about portraying a Batman villain, something she had dreamed of her entire life.
Milioti also praised her co-star, Colin Farrell, who transforms into Oswald Cobblepot, aka “The Penguin,” in the series. She was amazed by the extraordinary makeup and the way Farrell disappeared into the role. Milioti admitted that it was strange to see Farrell out of character, as she had spent more time with him as the Penguin than as himself.
With regard to the series, Milioti couldn’t reveal too much due to the strict secrecy surrounding the project. However, she shared that her character, Sofia Falcone, and the Penguin will battle for control of Gotham City, becoming each other’s villains.
To give viewers a glimpse of her performance, a clip from “The Penguin” was shown on the show. The intense scene showcased the power dynamics between Milioti’s character and the Penguin, promising an exciting and thrilling series.
Fans of Cristin Milioti can catch her in the highly anticipated “The Penguin,” premiering on September 19 on HBO and HBO Max. Stay tuned for an unforgettable performance in this captivating Batman spin-off.
