Broadway Buzz: Actors Behind the Voices of WICKED

As a WICKED lover, I have the voices from the original cast soundtrack memorized. Along with many WICKED fans, I know which character is singing and when. Do you know who the actor is behind that voice? Let me introduce you to the stars behind the Broadway original cast of WICKED and take a look at what they are working on now.

Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel, Broadway’s original Elphaba, is no stranger to being in the spotlight. The actress was an original Broadway cast member of Rent, has a solo album “I Stand,” and has recently guest starred on “Glee.” After finishing her solo tour this spring, Idina will be preparing for her own hour-long musical series for ABC next fall.

Kristin Chenoweth

Kristin Chenoweth just finished her run in the Broadway production Promises, Promises. You might recognizeWICKED’s original Glinda from her role on the television series “Pushing Daisies,” the film “You Again,” or her comedic song “Taylor, the Latte Boy.” Also a “Glee” guest star, Kristin will be returning to the show this spring and will also begin work on a new TV series pilot written for her by “Glee’s” director Ryan Murphy.


Norbert Leo Butz

Norbert Leo Butz is currently preparing for the official Broadway opening of Catch Me If You Canthis April. WICKED’s original Fiyero is a true Broadway leading man, in both musicals and plays like Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Enron, Is He Dead? and Rent. Don’t worry TV fans, if you want to catch him in your living room in reruns of “The Deep End,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”




Carole Shelley

Madame Morrible, headmistress of WICKED’s Shiz University, was originated by Carole Shelley. Carole is currently starring as Grandma in Broadway’s Billy Elliot. Like her other WICKED co-stars, Carole spent time on both stage and screen. You might recognize her from the 2005 film “Bewitched” as Aunt Clara or television’s “The Odd Couple” as Gwendolyn Pigeon. Carole also starred in the Broadway production of The Odd Couple in 1965 as the same character.