Catch Up With the Original ‘Wicked’ Musical Cast—See What These Broadway Stars Are Up To Now

There many great Broadway shows out their like Phantom of the Opera, Lion King, Bring It On the Musical and West Side Story, yet one is so much grander and greener than the rest. We are of course talking about Wicked. Based on the best-selling book by Gregory Maguire, the show was composed by Stephen Schwartz and first hit New York City in 2003 before having a London West End production at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. There is also a wildly successful international tour of Wicked. 

The plot of the award-winning musical is set before Dorothy literally drops in and follows Elphaba (eventually the Wicked Witch of The West) and Glinda (destined to be the Good Witch of the North) as they try to navigate magic, boys, school and life in Oz. The musical’s original production won three Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards and its original cast album was the recipient of a Grammy Award.  On top of that, it’s been adapted into a two-part feature film, the first of which is being released on November 22nd. But before then, we’ve decided to look back to learn what the original musical witches have been up to. Keep scrolling for more. 

Idina Menzel

CHARACTER PLAYED: Elphaba (AKA The Wicked Witch of The West) 

BEST KNOWN FOR: Rent (2005), Enchanted I & II (2007 & 2022 ), Glee (2010 to 2013), Frozen I & II (2013 & 2019) and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023). 

PERSONAL: Menzel was married to Taye Diggs from 2003 until 2014, and they had one child together. Now, she is married to Aaron Lohr. 

THOUGHTS ON WICKED: Despite originating the role of Elphaba, Menzel will not be in the Wicked movie, saying, “I’m very excited, and I know it’s in great hands. I’ve sent so much love to Cynthia [Ervio] and Ariana [Grande], and I’m there for them if they need me. And yes, I’m a little sad that I’m just older and can’t play the role. And that’s the honest truth.”

Kristin Chenoweth

CHARACTER PLAYED: Glinda (AKA Glinda The Good Witch) 

BEST KNOWN FOR: The West Wing (2004 to 2006), Four Christmases (2008), Pushing Daisies (2007 to 2009), Tinkerbell (2008), Glee (2009 to 2014), A Christmas Love Story (2019) and Schmigadoon! (2021 to 2023). 

PERSONAL: Chenoweth has been married to Josh Bryant since 2023. 

AWARDS: Chenoweth has one Emmy award. 

THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION OF WICKED: “The love story is really between the two girls. It’s about their bond. It didn’t start out that way, the show, so Idina [Menzel] and I feel really blessed that we were a part of something that we’re able to really put a stamp down in this world of musical theater.”

Norbert Leo Butz

CHARACTER PLAYED: Fiyero (AKA The Scarecrow) 

BEST KNOWN FOR: Dan in Real Life (2007), Higher Ground (2011), Bloodline (2015 to 2017), Debris (2021) and The Exorcist: Believer (2023). 

PERSONAL: Butz has been married twice and has three children. 

THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION OF WICKED: “It’s wild to think about, and it does make me feel very old to think that they are already making a movie. It’s gonna be huge.” 

Michelle Federer

CHARACTER PLAYED: Nessarose (AKA The Wicked Witch of The East) 

BEST KNOWN FOR: Flannel Pajamas (2006), Smash (2012), New Amsterdam (2018 to 2021) and Better Nate Than Never (2022). 

PERSONAL: Federer is married to her Wicked co-star Butz, and they have one child. 

THOUGHTS ON WICKED: Despite not being in the Wicked movie, Federer says, “I’m excited to see it. I’m excited that the people who can’t make it to whatever local theater or New York theater get to see it.”

Christopher Fitzgerald

CHARACTER PLAYED: Boq (AKA The Tin Man) 

BEST KNOWN FOR: Twins (2005 to 2006), And, We’re Out of Time (2014), Happy! (2017 to 2019), Let Them All Talk (2020) and Alice’s Wonderland Bakery (2022 to 2024). 

PERSONAL: Fitzgerald has been married to Jessica Stone since 2003, and they have one child. 

THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION OF WICKED: “People are so crazy about that show. I’ve seen people with tattoos of Boq on their arms. Wicked probably will outlast us all. It’s the new Cats.” 

William Youmans

CHARACTER PLAYED: Doctor Dillamond 

BEST KNOWN FOR: The Equalizer (1985), Nadine (1987), Extremely Loud & Incredible Close (2011), Birdman (2014), Ten Minutes to Midnight (2020) and The Many Sins of Newark (2021). 

PERSONAL: Youmans is the only actor to return to his role in Wicked on Broadway as oF now. 

THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION OF WICKED: “This is really the greatest thing that I have ever experienced, to come back to Wicked. When I took my final bow in 2005, I came out with a sign that said, ‘I’ll be back.’ Because Wicked was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, my career was completely revolutionized. And to finally come back after 18 years, it’s magical. There’s really no other word for it. I broke down in tears.”

Carole Shelley

CHARACTER PLAYED: Madame Morrible

BEST KNOWN FOR: Carry on Regardless (1961), Carry on Cabby (1963), The Aristocrats (1970), The Super (1991), Hercules (1997) and Labor Pains (2000). 

DEATH: Shelly sadly died in 2018 at age 79. 

PERSONAL: Shelly was married to Albert Guy Woods from 1967 until his death in 1971. 

THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION OF WICKED: “When I was first approached about doing a new musical enticingly called Wicked, the script was, I think, eight pages long, so I bought Gregory Maguire’s novel, on which our show is based. And when I read the book, I thought, ‘Well, if it’s Madame Morrible they want me to play, I’m in.’” 

Joel Grey

CHARACTER PLAYED: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

BEST KNOWN FOR: Calypso Heat Wave (1957), Cabaret (1972), Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985), The Player (1992), Dancer in the Dark (2000), Choke (2008) and The Old Man (2022). 

PERSONAL: Grey has been married once and has two children.