The iconic musical changed these actors' lives for good.
Alastair Muir/Shutterstock; ITV/Shutterstock
Let’s get one thing straight: No one is mourningWicked.
the Wicked Witch of the West, years before Dorothy landed in Oz.
Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenoweth.Credit:Alastair Muir/Shutterstock; ITV/Shutterstock
Wicked’s original cast is legendary, withKristin ChenowethandIdina Menzelstarring as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively.
Famed stage actorsNorbert Leo Butz, Carole Shelley, and Christopher Fitzgerald also rounded out the supporting players.
The first film, featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, hit theaters on Nov. 22, 2024. the Wicked Witch whom the musical paints in a sympathetic, tragic light.
Idina Menzel in ‘Wicked’; Idina Menzel in November 2024.Alastair Muir/Shutterstock; Amy Sussman/Getty
Her breakout came in the original production ofRent(1996), garnering the actress her first Tony nod.
She also played Amneris inAida(2001) and received another Tony nomination forIf/Then(2014).
Menzel was married to herRentcostar, actorTaye Diggs, from 2003 to 2013.
Kristen Chenoweth as Glinda; Kristen Chenoweth in November 2024.ITV/Shutterstock; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty
They share one son, Walker Nathaniel Diggs, born in 2009.
She later wed Aaron Lohr in 2017 at their Los Angeles home.
She received additional Tony nominations forWickedandOn the Twentieth Century.
Joel Grey in ‘Wicked’; Joel Grey in June 2023.Matthew Peyton/Getty; Dominik Bindl/Getty
Though Chenoweth was delighted to play Glinda, she was concerned about her grand mid-air entrance via bubble.
I was a little nervous just because sometimes I get a little vertigo," she toldPlaybill.
Once she overcame her fears, Chenoweth realized shed been gifted a stars entrance.
Norbert Leo Butz in ‘Wicked’; Norbert Leo Butz in March 2022.Broadwaycom/YouTube; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
I didn’t think there was a better entrance for an actressevercreated.
So it’s kind of hard to follow that, actually!
It doesn’t get better than that, Kristin.'
Michelle Federer in 2003; Michelle Federer in 2022.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Arturo Holmes/WireImage
I’ll never forget that."
In September 2023, Chenowethmarried guitarist Josh Bryan.
She had previously datedAaron Sorkinand actorSeth Green.
Carole Shelley in ‘Wicked’; Carole Shelley in April 2018.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Charley Gallay/Getty
When playing the formidable Wizard of Oz, Grey decided not to base his performance on any previous portrayals.
“For me, I’m always looking for the truth of the man.
“I wanted to rediscover it on my own.
William Youmans in 2007; William Youmans in 2022.Steven Henry/Getty; Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Grey was married to Jo Wilder from 1958 to 1982.
They have two children: chef James andDirty DancingstarJennifer.
Butz debuted on Broadway as an understudy inRents 1996 premiere run.
Christopher Fitzgerald in 2003; Christopher Fitzgerald in June 2024.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic; Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Hes been nominated twice more, forThou Shalt Not(2002) andMy Fair Lady(2018).
Next month, he can be seen in theBob DylanbiopicA Complete Unknownplaying Alan Lomax.
Speaking withiHeartRadio Broadway, Butz expressed appreciation forWicked’s lasting impact.
“I have three daughters, they were all raised backstage atWicked.
Now theyre grown women.
They will move it onto their kids.
Its just this kind of wave of love, this show, that keeps on giving to generations.
So, Im really proud to have been a part of it.”
Butz married hisWickedcostar Michelle Federer in 2007.
The couple shares one daughter, and Butz has two more daughters from his first marriage.
She played Nessarose once more on Broadway from 2009 to 2010.
She’s been married to Norbert Leo Butz since 2007.
The two met while performing inWicked.
They share one daughter.
But the script was changed mightily between the San Francisco tryout and the New York opening.”
Shelley found further success in film and television.
She re-teamed withWickedcostar Kristin Chenoweth forNora Ephrons remake-cum-parody ofBewitched(2005), playing Aunt Clara.
Shelley married Albert G. Woods in 1967.
She died in 2018 at age 79 after a battle with cancer.
In 2002, he played Alcindoro inLa Boheme.
He was later cast inTo Kill a Mockingbird(2018)as Dr. Reynolds and Mr. Roscoe.
In 2023,Youmans reprised the role of Dr. DillamondinWicked’s ongoing Broadway run.
He toldPlaybillthat returning toWickedfelt like coming home.
“It is beyond belief,” he said.
BecauseWickedwas the greatest thing that ever happened to me.
My career was completely revolutionized… To finally come back after 18 years, it’s magical.
There’s really no other word for it.
I broke down in tears.”
Last year he joinedSpamalotas the Mayor, Patsy, and Guard No.
Jon M. Chu’sWickedmovie stars Ethan Slater, who appeared opposite Fitzgerald inSpamaloton Broadway, as Boq.
“Its so cool,“Fitzgerald toldNew York Liveof Slater’s casting.
“We talk Munchkin.
Hes going to be amazing, I cant wait to see the movie.”
In 2003, Fitzgerald married fellow thespian Jessica Stone, with whom he shares two sons.
