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Wicked Witches – Where Are They Now?

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With Wicked celebrating its tenth anniversary on Broadway this month, I sought to look back at all of the leading ladies that have taken on the roles of Elphaba and Glinda to see what they’re doing now. The results cover a wide range of projects including originating other roles on Broadway, winning awards, building fantastic music careers, and more! Let’s take a look at what these twenty-five actresses have accomplished since donning the broom and wand:

THE ELPHABAs


Idina Menzel, Tony Award winner for originating the role, has gone onto do … well, everything. She recreated the role of Maureen in the film adaptation of Rent, got nominated for a Drama Desk Award for See What I Wanna See, released her album I Stand, became a mother, appeared on Glee, went on a sold-out tour, and she’s not showing any signs of slowing down. Menzel is currently in our nation’s capital for the pre-Broadway engagement of the Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey musical, If/Then (the show comes to Broadway in the spring) and Jackie Burns will be her standby.

Appearing with Menzel in Chess in Concert was Kerry Ellis. This West End star returned home after her stint on Broadway and joined the cast of Oliver. She has worked extensively with Brian May with both touring and collaborating on her album, Wicked in Rock. Shoshana Bean has been focusing on her music career too. She just released her sophomore album entitled O’Farrell Street and been making many, many concert appearances. Eden Espinosa is on a similar route. She released a solo album entitled Look Around which is nominated for several IMEA Awards (The International Music and Entertainment Association) and will be performing at the ceremony on November 2nd. Before doing such, Espinosa appeared on Broadway as the final Maureen in Rent and appears on the Filmed Live on Broadway taping.

There have been several former green-girls who have returned to the New York stage. Julia Murney is currently in the Vineyard Theatre’s production of John Kander’s The Landing and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play for Falling. Ana Gasteyer also showed her ability to take on a non-singing role in The Royal Family, as she also does on the television show Suburgatory. Nicole Parker appeared in The People in the Picture and contributes often to MCC Theater’s annual Miscast Gala. Stephanie J. Block has been sticking to being a musical gal with roles in 9 to 5, Anything Goes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and currently in Second Stage Theatre’s Little Miss Sunshine. She has picked up three Drama Desk Award and a Tony Award nominations since donning the green. Teal Wicks was also back on the boards this past season as Emma Carew in Jekyll & Hyde. She has been made many regional appearances, notably at Goodspeed’s production of Carousel.

For some, it’s hard to let the green girl go. Marcie Dodd took Elphaba on the road in the 2nd National Tour and closed out the San Francisco production. Dee Roscioli also appeared on tour. Willemijn Verkaik will be playing the role in yet another country when she begins performances on the West End on November 18th. Additionally, she has appeared in concert with Scott Alan and will appear with Andrew Lippa in his UK debut concert on November 17th.

Speaking of concerts, Mandy Gonzalez is bringing her Love, All Ways concert to 54 Below in December! She has made concert appearances with Kerrigan and Lowdermilk (appearing on their live CD) and reunited with her In The Heights family at this year’s anniversary concert. Current Elphaba Lindsay Mendez has also taken time to make several appearances on the 54 Below stage. She had her own solo concert and will appear with Ryan Scott Oliver in his upcoming shows.

THE GLINDAs


Just like their counterparts, those who worked the pink party dresses and big blue gowns have had their plates full. Kristin Chenoweth returned to Broadway with starring roles in The Apple Tree and Promises, Promises, earning Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for the former. She’s been on-screen in television’s Pushing Daisies (winning an Emmy Award), Glee, and GCB and in the films Bewitched, RV, Hit and Run, and voicing Rosetta in the early Tinker Bell films. The actress that took over that role? Megan Hilty. Hilty returned to Broadway in 9 to 5, earning Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. Her talent was showcased to a wider audience on Smash and continues to do so on Sean Saves the World.

Jennifer Laura Thompson has remained on the New York stage, appearing in Lend Me a Tenor, Company with the New York Philharmonic, and Nice Work If You Can Get It. Erin Mackey starred in Sondheim on Sondheim, Anything Goes, and last season’s Chaplin. Annaleigh Ashford has appeared in Hair, off-Broadway’s Rent, and is currently stopping the show in Kinky Boots. She has earned Drama Desk Award, Outer Critic Circle Award, and Tony Award nominations and won the Clarence Derwent Award for her performance. She now also has a sprinkle of television credits to her name. Similarly, working her screen credits is Kate Reinders who will appear in the upcoming film Such Good People. Though she returned to New York for the production of Leap of Faith, Kendra Kassebaum has been working regionally in productions of Next to Normal, Secondhand Lions, and Carrie (currently running at the Balagan Theatre in Seattle). Chandra Lee Schwartz also worked in the area with the world premiere of the musical adaptation of Sleepless in Seattle.

Kassebaum, Katie Rose Clarke, and Alli Mauzey have all returned to the bubble on Broadway. Clarke just finished her second stint on Broadway and appeared on the tour between Broadway engagements. Current Glinda Alli Mauzey is back for a third time, but had time to appear in this year’s It’s A Bird…It’s A Plane…It’s Superman as part of City Center’s Encores! Series.

As you can see, these women have taken their experiences in Oz with stride and have continued to do great things. With a show like Wicked attached to their resume, the world now knows the powerhouse talent they possess. I’m glad to see all of them remain in the business in some way and know that there’s only more to come.

The post Wicked Witches – Where Are They Now? appeared first on Camp Broadway.


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