What I Learned at Shiz University: How ‘Wicked’ Changed the Lives of Its Stars
Only the women who’ve played Elphaba and Glinda in the show’s two decades onstage understand why the roles are so taxing — and so rewarding, too.
The graduates of Shiz University are making their alma mater proud.
In the 21 years since “Wicked” opened in New York, 43 women have starred full-time as Elphaba or Glinda — frenemies who meet as Shiz undergrads — and many more have taken on the vocally taxing roles in productions across the United States and around the world.
Shiz has taught them well. After leaving the show, many have gone on to glittering careers, on Broadway and beyond. Three former Elphabas were nominated for Tony Awards this year, while four former Glindas have appeared in principal roles.
As a smash-hit Hollywood adaptation introduces millions more to this revisionist history of Oz, we checked in with alumnae of the stage show to ask what they learned there. These are edited excerpts from our conversations.
Menzel, Tony-nominated in 1996 for playing Maureen in “Rent,” won a 2004 Tony Award for originating Elphaba, then went on to enormous success as the voice of Elsa in Disney’s “Frozen” films. She starts previews next month for “Redwood.”
How did you begin with “Wicked”?
I had heard about it through the grapevine as being a really cool new project, and I wanted to be seen for it. I thought of Elphaba as very Goth and like Ally Sheedy in “The Breakfast Club,” so I went in in a cool back dress with black Doc Martens and green eye shadow and green lipstick. I sang well, so they asked me to learn “Defying Gravity.” I started to get invested in it and was feeling that I was really right for it — it spoke to me. I was really desperate to get the role. I had a great audition, and was doing great, and I did “Defying Gravity,” and at the end I cracked. I looked at the accompanist and said, “I’m going to do that again,” like, “Don’t even think about moving on to the next part.” I got really angry, and I did it again, and I hit it. Joe Mantello [the musical’s director] always says that’s when he really thought I could be wicked.
What’s the craziest thing that happened to you in the show?
I fell and almost died? I fell through a trap door. They cued one cue early, so I walked into an empty hole and slammed my ribs. They stopped the show, literally said, “Is there a doctor in the house?,” laid me down on the floor and closed the curtain. I broke a rib — just one. The next day was scheduled to be my last performance, and they said, “If you can get there, we would love to say goodbye.” Shoshana Bean [who had taken over] did the most generous thing she could do, and stepped off two minutes before the end of the show and allowed me to come out in my red track suit, on so much Vicodin, and take a bow.
How did it change your life?
Between “Rent” and “Wicked,” there was a long chasm where I didn’t really work that much and I lost a lot of confidence. I got “Wicked,” which I was so excited about, but I felt super-insecure in the rehearsal room. Kristin’s process is remarkable to watch, she can cold read, and she’s fearless and superfast, and I just wasn’t. I felt like at any minute they would replace me. But by having to walk in Elphaba’s shoes, and face bullying and adversity onstage every day, and to have to truly find my voice and also reconcile power and sensitivity and empathy all at the same time, it changed my life. I feel like it saved me.