Following the film’s success, Wicked found Broadway’s first black Elphaba

With a second film on the way, the Wicked the train isn’t slowing down anytime soon – and now John M. I heardC’s hit movie influenced ticket sales for the Broadway major motion picture. Not only that, but now the stage production of the musical has cast its first Black Elphaba.

Starting March 4th, musical theater enthusiasts and film fans who go to see the show live on Broadway will witness the debut of Lensia Kebede as Elphaba Tropp in the story of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Kebede will be the first black female principal cast member to play Elphaba on Broadway, although black performers such as Saikon Sengblo and Brandi Massey have stepped in to play Elphaba in the production in the past — and black performers have similarly portrayed her full-time in the show’s British home in London’s West End.

This casting was a long time ago and it follows To Cynthia Erivo a candid representation of the character from the Universal Pictures film.

Formerly the cast of the Broadway show Britney Johnson as the first black woman to play Glinda in 2022; she has been an understudy for the role since 2019.

To the cast in 2025. opposite Kebede is joined by Ali Trim, who takes over popular a role that was played by Ariana Grande in the 2024 film. Kebede appears as Angelica Schuyler in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s film Hamilton to play Elphaba while Trim steps into the role after being put on standby for 2021’s Glinda.

Check out the casting announcement below from Wicked: The Musicalofficial YouTube.

Wicked: The Musical currently running on Broadway. Wicked the movie is now in theaters and digital. And Wicked: For good opens this Thanksgiving.

Update: This post has been updated to note that black performers have played the role of Elphaba on Broadway in the past, with Kebede being the first full-time cast member to take on the role.

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