Mark G. Meadows

Behind the Piano: Touring with Cynthia Erivo

Strathmore Artist in Residence alum Mark G. Meadows reflects on his dream partnership with one of Broadway’s biggest stars

By PJ Feinstein 

As anticipation builds for the release of Wicked: For Good (Part 2) in November 2025, we're thrilled to catch up with Mark G. Meadows, a Strathmore Artist in Residence alum who serves as music director for the film's star, Cynthia Erivo. Here, he shares insights from their recent summer tour and what it's like to perform with one of Broadway's biggest voices.

How did you first connect with Cynthia Erivo?

Cynthia performed at a gala for Signature Theatre in DC honoring Audra McDonald. I was working quite a bit at Signature at the time, and they asked me to accompany her. Of course, I happily obliged, though to be honest, I wasn't entirely familiar with her brilliance yet. We performed a song by Sondheim and “Summertime,” and right away, the chemistry was palpable. I knew what she was hearing, and she knew what I was hearing. It was magic.

Afterwards, she said, "I really enjoyed playing with you. I'm going to be calling you again." A few months later, she asked me to play with her at movie premieres across the country for her film Harriet, and true to her word, she kept calling.

What is your role as music director when you're on the road with Cynthia?

My job is multifaceted. I work with Cynthia's team and the venues' teams, coordinating the run-of-show schedules. For symphony gigs, I also work closely with the rhythm sections and conductors—both prior to the show and day-of—to get the vibe right, quickly. We only have one rehearsal before the shows, so my job is to make it seem like we've been playing together for years even though we all just met. I aim to make people feel comfortable and alive in this music.

I also help determine the setlist order, arrange and orchestrate pieces for the symphonies per Cynthia's request, and make sure she's satisfied with the overall sound specifications. For gigs where we play as a band, I arrange music for and rehearse the band with the same philosophy—when the musicians feel good, the music feels good. And for private shows where it's just the two of us, I help determine our set and play.

Where did you tour with Cynthia this summer, and what was the most memorable stop or moment along the way?

We played in Denver; Boston; Cleveland; San Diego; Chicago; Clearwater, Florida; and DC. My most memorable stop was, without a doubt, Wolf Trap in DC. My wife and two kids traveled down with me from NYC, and my entire DC family. My mom, sister, nephew, cousins, aunts, and close friends all came out. To perform this show in my hometown, with all the people who have been on this journey with me every step of the way, was spectacular.

Do you have a favorite behind-the-scenes story from the road?

There are so many core memories, but perhaps my favorite was in San Diego. After performing our encore, the crowd was still demanding more. Backstage, Cynthia and I quickly tried to figure out what we could go back out with. I suggested John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and she said, "Okay, pull up the lyrics on your phone—I don't have them memorized." We performed it as a duo, and at the end, Cynthia spontaneously launched into her iconic showstopper, “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.  We were both soaring.

Cynthia is known for her powerhouse voice and draws huge crowds. What was it like to share the stage with her night after night?

It's a dream I still can't believe is true. Every single night, I had a moment where I looked at the thousands of people in their seats, looked at one of the best orchestras in the world, looked at Cynthia with the audience in the palm of her hand, and then looked down at my fingers and realized I couldn't have dreamt a better moment. I was made for this—I just never knew it until she made it so.

How would you describe this summer's tour experience in three words?

We defied gravity.

Learn more about Strathmore's Artists in Residence Program.