Broadway’s Original ‘Wicked’ Stars Then And Now

More than 20 years after the debut of the original musical on Broadway, Wicked is finally defying gravity and flying to the big screen.

The original Broadway musical production of Wicked It began on June 10, 2003 and starred Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenoweth, Joel Grey, Norbert Leo Butz, Michelle Federer and Carole Shelley.

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The new movie musical version of Wicked—which stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode and Michelle Yeoh—plays in Thursday previews and opens in theaters nationwide on Friday.

Here’s a look at those stars and other principals involved in the original Broadway version of Wicked then and now.

Idina Menzel And Kristen Chenoweth

Idina Menzel starred as Elphaba in the original Broadway version of Wicked, while Kristen Chenoweth starred as Glinda.

Both Menzel and Chenoweth were nominated for Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical with the Tony going to Menzel.

Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth recently attended the Los Angeles premiere of Wickedwhere they joined Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

Joel Gray

Joel Gray played The Wizard in the original Broadway production of Wicked.

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Liza Minnelli, the daughter of late Wizard of Oz film legend Judy Garland, joined Grey, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth for a photo following Wicked’s debut on Broadway in 2003.

Joel Gray attended the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Liza Minnelli film documentary Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story in June.

Norbert Leo Butz

Norbert Leo Butz starred as Fiyero in the original Broadway production of Wicked.

Michelle Federer

Michelle Federer (pictured with Idina Menzel in 2003), played Elphaba’s sister Nessarose in the original Broadway version of Wicked.

Idina Menzel and Michelle Federer reunited in 2023 for the 20th anniversary celebration of Broadway’s Wicked.

Michelle Federer and her Broadway Wicked co-star Norbert Leo Butz—pictured in 2022—have been married since 2007.

Carole Shelley

Carole Shelley—pictured with Idina Menzel and Liza Minnelli—originated the role of Madame Morrible in Wicked on broadway in 2003.

Carole Shelley—pictured in a 2018 photo—died in 2018 at age 79.

Director Jon M. Chu’s movie musical version of Wicked—which is rated PG—plays in Thursday previews before opening in theaters nationwide on Friday.

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