Cynthia Erivo Shares Her Life Lessons in New Book ‘Simply More’: Here’s Where to Buy It
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Cynthia Erivo is fresh off her run as Elphaba in the blockbuster hit that was the Wicked films, and she’s ready to talk about it.
It’s clear to see that the duology was a major hit, especially the music. The first Wicked film soundtrack made history by debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, the highest opening for a stage-to-screen adaptation. It also topped our Top Album Sales, Soundtracks and Vinyl Albums charts simultaneously. Seven songs from the soundtrack topped the Billboard Hot 100, including Erivo’s rendition of “Defying Gravity,” being the highest charting at No. 44.
Following her stellar performance as the Wicked Witch of the West, she’s giving a peek at her process for prepping for the film duology her new book, Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They’re Too Much. The book is currently a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon, with a hardcover version of the book currently available for $20.28. You can also get a Kindle version for $14.99.
‘Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They’re Too Much’
A book by Cynthia Erivo.
While the book’s primary draw is her time on Wicked, it also divulges Erivo’s development as an actress and human, and the practices she’s learned over the years of performing. In the chapter titled “Train Like a Boxer,” Erivo talks about her prep for the role of Elphaba, a tall order given she’s followed in the footsteps of those who played the coveted role on Broadway, including Idina Menzel, who originated the roll, along with Eden Espinosa, Jackie Burns and Jessica Vosk, among others.
In the book, Erivo writes, “I had three weeks to prepare. A far cry from the two days I had for The Color Purple. Things change. I got the music and all the scenes and started working on them like I was in training. As if I were a boxer.” Erivo is no stranger to Broadway, having made her debut as Celie in the 2015 revival of The Color Purple, a role for which she earned a Tony Award. “As part of my training, I ran while singing the Wicked songs, back and forth, singing just to get them fully into my body. I wanted the music and dialogue to all be so deeply embedded inside me that when I got to the audition, I wouldn’t be thinking about lyrics, or the melody, or lines. All that would just be a part of my DNA,” Erivo recalled.
If you or a loved one is a fan of Wicked or Erivo’s work, this book is a must-read and makes a great gift ahead of the holiday season.
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