Defying Gravity: Where Are The 7 Original Wicked Broadway Cast Members Now?

Two decades after the green girl and the good witch first took flight, the magic of Wicked on Broadway is stronger than ever. The musical, which premiered in October 2003, became an instant cultural phenomenon, largely due to the electrifying chemistry and powerhouse performances of its original cast. As of today, December 10, 2025, the careers of these Broadway legends continue to soar, with several major new projects announced for 2024 and 2025, proving their star power extends far beyond the Emerald City.

The 20th-anniversary milestone cemented the show's legacy, but for fans, the question remains: Where did the iconic Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, and the rest of the original company go after they left the Gershwin Theatre? Their post-Oz careers are filled with Tony Awards, major film roles, new Broadway musicals, and even directorial achievements, making them one of the most successful original casts in modern musical history.

Original Wicked Broadway Cast: Full Biography and Profile

The original company of Wicked, which began previews on October 8, 2003, and officially opened on October 30, 2003, was a constellation of Broadway and screen talent. This is the definitive list of the principal original cast members who cemented the show's place in theater history:

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• Idina Menzel: Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West)
• Kristin Chenoweth: Glinda (The Good Witch)
• Norbert Leo Butz: Fiyero Tigelaar
• Joel Grey: The Wizard of Oz
• Carole Shelley: Madame Morrible
• Christopher Fitzgerald: Boq
• Michelle Federer: Nessarose
• William Youmans: Doctor Dillamond

The show was directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento, and featured the unforgettable score by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. The original production earned 10 Tony Award nominations, winning three, including Best Actress in a Musical for Idina Menzel.

Idina Menzel (Elphaba): From Broadway Green to Disney Queen and Back

Idina Menzel, who originated the role of the misunderstood Elphaba, has arguably had the most globally recognizable career trajectory post-Wicked. Her powerful, belt-heavy performance of "Defying Gravity" and "As Long as You're Mine" earned her the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Recent Career Highlights (2023–2025)

Menzel’s career continues to thrive across music, film, and theater. She is internationally known for voicing Elsa in Disney’s *Frozen* franchise, singing the mega-hit "Let It Go" and appearing in the sequel *Frozen II*. More recently, she returned to Disney for the 2022 film *Disenchanted*.

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In a significant return to her musical roots, Menzel released an electrifying dance music project in 2023 titled Drama Queen, marking a departure from her previous work and showcasing her versatility. Most notably for her theater fans, she is slated to make a highly anticipated return to the Broadway stage in January 2025 with a new musical called Redwood. *Redwood* is a new work that Menzel co-conceived, and the cast album for the musical is already available on streaming platforms, demonstrating her continued commitment to developing new theater.

Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda): Returning to Oz’s Composer and New Ventures

Kristin Chenoweth’s portrayal of the bubbly, self-absorbed, yet ultimately compassionate Glinda was a masterclass in comedic timing and vocal perfection. Her rendition of "Popular" is one of the show's most enduring numbers. Chenoweth was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance, following her win for *You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown*.

The Queen of Versailles and Other Projects

Chenoweth remains a major force in both theater and television. In a delightful reunion with *Wicked* composer Stephen Schwartz, she is currently starring in the new musical The Queen of Versailles. The show, which tells the story of socialite and model Jacki Siegel, premiered in Boston in the summer of 2024 and is slated for a Broadway run, with performances expected to continue into 2026.

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Her television and film credits are extensive, including roles in *Glee*, *Pushing Daisies* (for which she won an Emmy), and numerous holiday films. Chenoweth’s dedication to the arts also includes her work as an author and her continuous touring schedule, bringing her signature soprano voice to concert halls across the world. She and Idina Menzel were both on hand to celebrate the Wicked 20th-anniversary celebration on Broadway, a moment that thrilled fans of the original Glinda and Elphaba pairing.

Norbert Leo Butz (Fiyero) and Joel Grey (The Wizard): Two Tony Winners on Screen and Stage

The supporting cast of Wicked was equally stacked with talent, including two more Tony Award winners who went on to significant careers.

Norbert Leo Butz (Fiyero Tigelaar)

Norbert Leo Butz, who played the charming and ultimately heroic Fiyero, is a two-time Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical, taking home the awards for *Dirty Rotten Scoundrels* and *Catch Me If You Can*. While he remains a Broadway favorite, his most recent work has been concentrated in television and film, establishing him as a highly sought-after character actor.

• Recent TV Roles: Butz starred in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Bloodline, the PBS medical drama *Mercy Street*, and had a recurring role in *Fosse/Verdon*.
• Latest Projects: He was most recently seen in the FX limited series Justified: City Primeval and Hulu's true-crime drama *The Girl from Plainville*, showcasing his versatility across genres.

Joel Grey (The Wizard of Oz)

Joel Grey, a legendary performer and Oscar-winner for his iconic role as the Master of Ceremonies in *Cabaret*, brought a seasoned, nuanced performance to the role of The Wizard in Wicked, celebrating his 50th year on the New York stage with the production.

• Recent Honors and Directing: Grey was honored with a 2023 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, recognizing his decades-long contribution to Broadway.
• Directorial Success: While he continues to act, Grey has also made a significant mark as a director. He directed the highly acclaimed, award-winning production of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, which won the 2019 Drama Desk Award for Best Musical Revival.

Carole Shelley (Madame Morrible) and Other Key Players

The original cast’s depth extended to the roles of Madame Morrible, Nessarose, and Boq.

Carole Shelley (Madame Morrible)

Carole Shelley, who played the manipulative headmistress Madame Morrible, was a Tony Award winner for her role in *The Elephant Man*. Shelley’s prolific career spanned decades, but sadly, she passed away on August 31, 2018, at the age of 79. Her legacy as a Tony-winning actress and an integral part of the original Wicked cast remains a cherished memory for Broadway fans.

Michelle Federer and Christopher Fitzgerald

Michelle Federer (Nessarose) and Christopher Fitzgerald (Boq) also enjoyed significant careers. Fitzgerald, in particular, is a Tony Award-nominated actor who has starred in numerous Broadway hits since *Wicked*, including *Young Frankenstein* and *Waitress*, where he originated the role of Ogie. Michelle Federer has continued her work in theater and has been involved with various off-Broadway and regional productions, maintaining her connection to the stage.

The original Wicked Broadway cast set an impossibly high bar for all who followed. Their enduring success—from Idina Menzel's return to Broadway in *Redwood* and Kristin Chenoweth’s starring role in *The Queen of Versailles* to Norbert Leo Butz’s television dominance—proves that the magic they created on the Gershwin stage was not a fleeting spell, but a permanent, gravity-defying force in the world of entertainment.

Relevant Entities and LSI Keywords: Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman, Joe Mantello, Gershwin Theatre, Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Elphaba and Glinda, Defying Gravity, As Long as You're Mine, Popular, The Queen of Versailles, Redwood Musical, Bloodline, Fosse/Verdon, Justified: City Primeval, Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, Disenchanted, Frozen, *Cabaret*, The Elephant Man, Broadway legends, 20th Anniversary, musical theatre history.

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