This Fresh Air Weekend episode features an interview with Ariana Grande about her role in the movie musical *Wicked*, which explores themes of belonging and challenging perceptions of good versus evil. The conversation covers Grande's extensive vocal training for the role, her audition process, and her perspective on the film's cultural impact. Grande also discusses her childhood love for the *Wicked* Broadway production and how her experiences as a "theater nerd" prepared her for the role. A segment also includes a book review of two quintessential New York City books and an interview with author Brittany Newell about her novel *Soft Core*, which explores San Francisco's underworld. Listeners gain insight into the making of a major motion picture musical and the perspectives of those involved.
