'Defying Gravity': Aaron Tveit and Rachel Tucker perform a stripped-down version

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Photo: Wicked The Musical

The wildly popular musical Wicked, which has been running on Broadway since its 2003 debut (making it the 11th longest-running show on Broadway as of now) is still changing things up after 12 years on the Great White Way. On Monday, the production shared the first video from its new “Out of Oz” series, in which Broadway stars sing stripped-down versions of the musical’s beloved songs.

In this first video, Aaron Tveit, who has previously starred as Fiyero onstage, and Rachel Tucker, who is Broadway’s current Elphaba, perform the showstopping “Defying Gravity,” which brings Act I to a dramatic conclusion as Elphaba declares her opposition to the fraudulent Wizard of Oz.

The “Out of Oz” version of the song removes the short duet sections, excising Glinda’s role from the song, and the two singers perform Elphaba’s emotional part together. Watch the video below.

“Defying Gravity” is best known as it was sung by Idina Menzel, who originated the role on Broadway opposite Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. Two years ago, the actresses spent one short day together again to appear in EW’s annual Reunions issue, this year’s version of which is on newsstands now.

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