Cynthia Erivo: Would She Play Elphaba in "Wicked"?

Cynthia Erivo’s Decision to Step Away from Elphaba in Wicked

Cynthia Erivo, known for her role as Elphaba in the film Wicked: For Good, recently shared her thoughts on whether she would ever return to play the character on Broadway. Her response has sparked a lot of conversation and admiration from fans and fellow actors alike.

Erivo made her Broadway debut in The Color Purple in 2015 and won the Best Actress in a Musical award at the 2016 Tony Awards. Now, she is revealing why she might not be reprising her role as Elphaba in the stage version of Wicked. During an episode of The View, she explained that she feels it would be selfish to take the role again, especially since the film version is now widely available.

She said, “We’ve been given such a gift with this [film] version, and everyone is seeing it. It’s in everybody’s houses right now, and can go to the cinema and see it.” Erivo added that the film provides more room for other women to take on the role in theater productions. This generous perspective was met with positive reactions from the The View hosts, who praised her for being selfless and kind.

Joy Behar responded, “That gives someone else the opportunity,” while Sunny Hostin said, “That is so generous, so generous.” Behar also added, “You’re not only wonderful — you’re a terrific person.”

Idina Menzel originated the role of Elphaba on Broadway in 2003. Since then, many actresses have played the iconic character, including Stephanie J. Block, Shoshana Bean, Lindsay Mendez, and Jessica Vosk. The current Elphaba is Lencia Kebede, who is the first Black actress to play the role full-time on Broadway. Kebede made her debut in March.

For her Broadway debut as Celie in a revival of The Color Purple in 2015, Erivo won Best Actress in a Musical at the 2016 Tony Awards. Her career has been marked by both critical acclaim and a commitment to supporting others in the industry.

Upcoming Projects and New Challenges

Next up for Erivo in the theater world is a one-woman play titled Dracula in London's West End. She will play 23 different characters in the production, which is a significant challenge for any actor.

“I’m f------ petrified. I really am. I’m very scared,” Erivo told her Wicked costar Jonathan Bailey in a conversation for Wonderland magazine. “But I’m also like — I don’t know, is this sadistic of me — but I’m really excited about it as well. It’s absolutely nonsensical and insane.”

In addition to Dracula, Erivo’s upcoming projects include Prima Facie, a stage-to-screen adaptation by Suzie Miller, and Children of Blood and Bone, a page-to-screen project by Tomi Adeyemi. The latter is set to be released in theaters on January 15, 2027.

Tickets for Wicked on Broadway are available to buy online, allowing fans to experience the show live. As Erivo continues to explore new roles and challenges, her dedication to her craft and her willingness to support others in the industry remain evident.