Paul Mescal Puts His Own Spin onWicked's 'Defying Gravity' inGladiator IIMusical Sketch onSNL: 'There's No Place Like Rome'

Mar. 15, 2025

Paul Mescalis defying gravity!The actor, 28, made hisSaturday Night Livedebut on Dec. 7, when he hosted the late-night comedy sketch series withShaboozeyas musical guest.In onesketch, Mescal’s recently releasedGladiator IIwas reimagined as a musical following the success ofWickedandMoana 2.Reprising his role of Lucius Verus Aurelius, Mescal showed off his singing skills, as he stated throughout the parody tune, “There’s no place like Rome.“At the end of the sketch, Mescal is seen flying away from the Colosseum on a broomstick while wearing a witches hat, as he does his own take onCynthia Erivo’sElphaba rifffromWicked’s iconic"Defying Gravity” number.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Paul Mescal on ‘Saturday Night Live.'.Saturday Night LiveElsewhere during the episode, Mescal starred in a series of other sketches, including one in which he played acollege student surprising his parents with a new earringand another where he stars in anItalian restaurant commercial.He also starred in one other sketch that saw him portray apirate stripperat a club hosting a bachelorette party.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!For his first musical performance, Shaboozey, 29, performed"Good News,“which was released on Nov. 15.He then sang his track"A Bar Song (Tipsy)“during his second set. The tune recently tiedLil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” as the longest-running number-one song of all time on the USBillboardHot 100 with 19 weeks at the top spot.Paul Mescal in February 2024.Dave Benett/GettySNLannounced the cast for its milestone 50th season earlier this year.Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline have been added to the sketch comedy show’s roster, whilePunkie Johnson, Chloe Troast and Molly Kearney have all stepped away. Returning cast membersMarcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow andDevon Walker, meanwhile, were promoted to the main cast after two years each as featured players.Michael Che,Colin Jost, James Austin Johnson,Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes,Chloe Fineman,Heidi Gardner,Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman andKenan Thompsonround out the remainder of the cast.Next up to hostSNLisChris Rockwith musical guestGracie Abramson Dec. 14 andMartin Shortwith musical guestHozieron Dec. 21.Saturday Night Liveairs weekends on NBC.

Paul Mescalis defying gravity!

The actor, 28, made hisSaturday Night Livedebut on Dec. 7, when he hosted the late-night comedy sketch series withShaboozeyas musical guest.

In onesketch, Mescal’s recently releasedGladiator IIwas reimagined as a musical following the success ofWickedandMoana 2.

Reprising his role of Lucius Verus Aurelius, Mescal showed off his singing skills, as he stated throughout the parody tune, “There’s no place like Rome.”

At the end of the sketch, Mescal is seen flying away from the Colosseum on a broomstick while wearing a witches hat, as he does his own take onCynthia Erivo’sElphaba rifffromWicked’s iconic"Defying Gravity” number.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Paul Mescal on ‘Saturday Night Live.'.Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

Elsewhere during the episode, Mescal starred in a series of other sketches, including one in which he played acollege student surprising his parents with a new earringand another where he stars in anItalian restaurant commercial.

He also starred in one other sketch that saw him portray apirate stripperat a club hosting a bachelorette party.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

For his first musical performance, Shaboozey, 29, performed"Good News,“which was released on Nov. 15.

He then sang his track"A Bar Song (Tipsy)“during his second set. The tune recently tiedLil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” as the longest-running number-one song of all time on the USBillboardHot 100 with 19 weeks at the top spot.

Paul Mescal in February 2024.Dave Benett/Getty

Dave Benett/Getty

SNLannounced the cast for its milestone 50th season earlier this year.

Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline have been added to the sketch comedy show’s roster, whilePunkie Johnson, Chloe Troast and Molly Kearney have all stepped away. Returning cast membersMarcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow andDevon Walker, meanwhile, were promoted to the main cast after two years each as featured players.

Michael Che,Colin Jost, James Austin Johnson,Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes,Chloe Fineman,Heidi Gardner,Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman andKenan Thompsonround out the remainder of the cast.

Next up to hostSNLisChris Rockwith musical guestGracie Abramson Dec. 14 andMartin Shortwith musical guestHozieron Dec. 21.

Saturday Night Liveairs weekends on NBC.

source: people.com