Cynthia Erivo Reveals If She Would Play Elphaba in ‘Wicked’ on Broadway

Cynthia Erivo is revealing why she’s likely hanging up Elphaba’s enchanted broom, pointy hat and viral cardigan for good after Wicked: For Good.

Asked whether she would ever reprise her role as Elphaba for the Broadway stage production of Wicked, the 38-year-old star explained during a recent episode of The View why she would not.

“I feel like it would be a little selfish,” Erivo said. “We’ve been given such a gift with this [film] version, and everyone is seeing it. It’s in everybody’s houses right now, and people can go to the cinema and see it.”

She then elaborated on her reason for not playing Elphaba on Broadway, saying, “What’s wonderful about this particular film now is that I think it provides more room for other women to go do [the role on Broadway].”

Erivo’s explanation that Wicked’s popularity in the movie theaters will lead to more actresses and singers wanting and getting to play Elphaba in theater productions received a warm response from The View hosts.

“[It gives] someone else the opportunity,” Joy Behar responded, while Sunny Hostin reacted, “That is so generous, so generous.”

Behar added, “You’re not only wonderful — you’re a terrific person.”

Idina Menzel originated the role of Elphaba on Broadway in 2003. Since then, many actresses have played the iconic character, including Stephanie J. Block, Shoshana Bean, Lindsay Mendez and Jessica Vosk. 

The current Elphaba is Lencia Kebede, who is the first Black actress to play the role full-time on Broadway. Kebede made her debut in March.

For her Broadway debut as Celie in a revival of The Color Purple in 2015, Erivo won Best Actress in a Musical at the 2016 Tony Awards.

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Next up for her in the theater world, Erivo will play 23 characters in one-woman Dracula play in London’s West End.

“I’m f—— petrified. I really am. I’m very scared,” Erivo told Wicked costar Jonathan Bailey in a conversation for Wonderland magazine. “But I’m also like — I don’t know, is this sadistic of me — but I’m really excited about it as well. It’s absolutely nonsensical and insane.”

In addition to Dracula, Erivo’s upcoming projects include Suzie Miller’s stage-to-screen Prima Facie and Tomi Adeyemi’s page-to-screen Children of Blood and Bone (in theaters Jan. 15, 2027). 

Tickets for Wicked on Broadway are available to buy online.