Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Celebrate Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland with ‘Happy’ Duet on ‘Wicked’ TV Special
During the “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” TV special aired on NBC Thursday, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performed a memorable mashup of “Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again.” These songs were famously combined by Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland in 1963.
The two-hour show mainly highlighted Stephen Schwartz’s compositions from the “Wicked” movies. However, for the grand finale, Grande and Erivo delighted audiences by reprising a classic medley from more than six decades ago, diverging from the evening’s main theme.
The Historic Mashup Origins
The mashup pairs “Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again,” both nearly a century-old standards that have become linked through the iconic 1963 performance on “The Judy Garland Show.”
“It was the pairing of two distinct standards that both date back nearly a hundred years, ‘Get Happy’ and ‘Happy Days Are Here Again.’”
This legendary duet captured two iconic singers at opposite points in their careers, solidifying its place in music history.
Audience Reception
While younger viewers might have been initially unsure of the homage, fans familiar with classic musicals recognized the tribute instantly. The sight of Erivo and Grande sitting side by side hinted at the classic mashup to come.
“Some younger viewers may have been initially puzzled by the mashup, but fans of a certain age, or of a certain show-tune leaning, got it from the very first bar.”
Legacy and Impact
The performance reinforced the timeless appeal of the Garland-Streisand medley, honoring a treasured moment in entertainment history through two contemporary powerhouse vocalists.
Author’s summary: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s duet on NBC’s “Wicked” special paid elegant tribute to a legendary Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland mashup, reconnecting modern audiences with classic musical heritage.