Idina Menzel has revealed that her first impression of Elphaba was very different from the character audiences ultimately met in the Broadway phenomenon Wicked.
Speaking during a New York Comic Con panel on October 8, the Tony-winning performer said reading Gregory Maguire’s original novel before her audition led her to imagine Elphaba as a darker, more gothic figure.
Before Wicked became a Broadway landmark
Menzel originated Elphaba on Broadway and won a Tony Award for the role. But before the musical had established its visual identity and cultural footprint, the source novel was one of her key reference points.
She explained that the book differs substantially from the stage musical, shaping an early interpretation that did not necessarily match the version audiences know today.
Menzel revisits the audition process
The actress also reflected on the unusual audition journey that eventually led to one of musical theater’s most famous roles. Her NYCC appearance offered fans a behind-the-scenes look at a character that has continued to evolve across stage productions and film adaptations.
More than two decades after Wicked opened on Broadway, Menzel’s memories show how uncertain even an iconic character can look before a production finds its final form.
Source: People, October 8 New York Comic Con coverage.