Willemijn Verkaik, is currently performing the role of Elphaba in the Dutch production of Wicked, will make her Broadway debut as Elphaba at the Gershwin Theatre in 2013.

Willemijn Verkaik will play a 15-week engagement beginning February 12, 2013. She will succeed Jackie Burns, who plays her final performance in New York on February 10, 2013.

“Since opening in 2003, Wicked has truly become a global phenomenon and no one exemplifies the show’s international appeal more than Willemijn,” said producer David Stone in a statement. “As soon as we saw Willemijn’s astonishing debut as Elphaba in 2007, we knew we wanted to bring her to New York one day. Happily, that day has arrived. Her performance has thrilled audiences in two major international markets, and we cannot wait to introduce her to Broadway.”

Verkaik has performed the role of Elphaba in Wicked for over 1,000 performances in both Germany (Stuttgart and Oberhausen) and Holland. She was awarded the Musicalworld Award for her performance in Wicked and also received the 2009 and 2010 Readers’ Choice Best Musical Actress Award from the German magazine Musical.

Verkaik will join a cast that currently includes Alli Mauzey as Glinda, Kyle Dean Massey as Fiyero, Randy Danson as Madame Morrible, Adam Grupper as The Wizard, Catherine Charlebois as Nessarose, Tom Flynn as Dr. Dillamond and F. Michael Haynie as Boq.

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Tiffany Haas (former Glinda, ensemble, u/s Glinda, Nessarose – 2nd Ntl. Tour) will join the Broadway company of Wicked on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, taking on the position of standby for Glinda. She replaces Kate Fahrner, who has been the Broadway Glinda standby since August 2011.

Tiffany Haas joins after a nine month run as Glinda on the 2nd National Tour, concluding in June 2012.

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Wicked Broadway company Welcomes Back Alli Mauzey as Glinda.

Beginning performances on Tuesday, October 16th, Alli Mauzey will return to the role of Glinda in the Broadway company of Wicked Musical at the Gershwin Theatre. Chandra Lee Schwartz, who is currently playing the role of Glinda, will play her final performance on Sunday, October 14th. Alli Mauzey returns to the Broadway company of Wicked as Glinda, having previously played the role on Broadway and on National Tour.

Other Cast – On Tuesday, September 25th F. Michael Haynie joined the company, making his Broadway debut in the role of Boq. They join a cast which currently includes Jackie Burns as Elphaba, Kyle Dean Massey as Fiyero, Randy Danson as Madame Morrible, Adam Grupper as The Wizard, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, and Tom Flynn as Dr. Dillamond. Etai BenShlomo concluded his run in the role of Boq on Sunday, September 23rd.

Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked, winner inner of 35 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

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Wicked Broadway Musical welcomes the return of Kyle Dean Massey in the role of “Fiyero”.

Massey took over the role from Richard H. Blake, who gave his final performance at the Gershwin Theatre on July 29. Massey’s other Broadway credits include Next to Normal and Xanadu, plus the national Broadway tours of Wicked and 42nd Street.

Massey played the role of “Fiyero” in 2011 and resumes the star turn July 31, 2012 at the Gershwin Theatre. He also performed this role in the First National Tour of Wicked. Massey’s other Broadway lead roles include Gabe in “Next to Normal” and Thalia in “Xanadu.” His Off-Broadway credits include “Altar Boyz” and “Lucky Guy” where he played Matthew and Billy Ray respectively.

Wicked’s” current cast includes Jackie Burns (Elphaba), Chandra Lee Schwartz (Glinda), Randy Danson (Madame Morrible), Adam Grupper (The Wizard), Etai BenShlomo (Boq), Jenny Fellner (Nessarose), and Tom Flynn (Dr. Dillamond).

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Wicked is currently performing on tour in Los Angeles, CA and Jacksonville, FL. And the tour is next set to open at Austin’s Bass Concert Hall on January 25.

Below is an interview with Wicked’s Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Don Amendolia, by BroadwayWorld.

You have been with the tour as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz for two years. How has life on the road been treating you?
Life on the road has been terrific. It’s been great fun to see other cities, their museums, restaurants and of course happy audiences all across North America. A rare treat.

Do you feel that your interpretation or insight into the Wizard’s character has changed with your time in the role? How so?
While any actor hopes his insight into a character deepens with time while playing a role, I did my homework early on and I think my interpretation of the Wizard hasn’t changed too much. At least I hope not. There’s a big difference between embellishment and refinement. I hope I’ve refined him more.

Some of Wicked’s actors have stated they chose to develop their interpretation of their characters based solely upon the musical’s portrayals, as opposed to reading Gregory Maguire’s novels and drawing additional inspiration there. Have you read the Wicked novels, and if so, did you draw inspiration from them, or perhaps the Wizard of Oz film?
I had read Gregory Maguire’s amazing novel when it was first published, before it became a musical, so by the time I read the show script I was aware of how much my character differed from medium to medium. Over all, I tend to remember who the Wizard was from the movie; more of a snake-oil salesman, carnival shaman who’s trying to hold on to his accidental world. He’s not a bad man, he’s just not a very good Wizard.

How has your experience in Wicked compared to other stage productions?
Honestly, there is no comparison to other shows. Wicked is now a worldwide phenomenon that has touched millions in ways I can only guess at. It’s been a singular experience in every way.

The Wizard, as portrayed in Wicked, is somewhat blinded by power, though a sentimental man who unknowingly wrongs one of his own. If the Wizard knew of this relation from the beginning, how do you think it would have impacted the outcome of Oz’s history?
Power is more seductive than anything else to the Wizard and at its core, absolute power corrupts absolutely. He may be a sentimental man but by the time Elphaba comes to Oz I think the Wizard is hip-deep in the panic that he may lose it all. He may regret it and hindsight is 20-20 but by then it’s too late. He is finally powerless to change anything.

Read the complete interview {Via BroadwayWorld.com}

Tom McGowan, who received a Tony nomination for his performance in the original Broadway production of La Bête, will join the cast of Wicked Broadway Musical Starting May 03, 2011.

Tom McGowan joins a cast which includes Teal Wicks as Elphaba, Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda, Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible, Richard H. Blake as Fiyero, Etai BenShlomo as Boq, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, and Tom Flynn as Dr. Dillamond.

Tom McGowan has appeared on Broadway in Chicago and Ivanov and Off-Broadway in The Food Chain (Obie Award), The Winter’s Tale and Coriolanus.

Wicked explores the early life of the witches of Oz: Glinda and Elphaba. The two main characters meet at Shiz, a school where both hope to take up sorcery. Glinda is madly popular and Elphaba is, well, green. By a misunderstanding, they wind up roommates and, after an initial period of mutual loathing, begin to learn something about each other. Their life paths continue to intersect through a shared love, entry into the Emerald City and interaction with the Wizard himself.

Wicked is a standing production at the Gershwin Theatre. Buy Wicked New York Broadway Tickets Online.

Richard H. Blake will assume the role of Fiyero in the Broadway company of Wicked, performing at the Gershwin Theatre, beginning Tuesday, March 29. He will replace Kyle Dean Massey, who plays his final performance on Sunday, March 27.

Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name, Wicked tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, and how they grew to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. The musical features a score by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento.

The current cast also includes Teal Wicks as Elphaba, Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda, Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible, P.J. Benjamin as The Wizard, Etai BenShlomo as Boq, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, and Tom Flynn as Dr. Dillamond.

Blake previously played his role on the national tour of Wicked. His many Broadway credits include Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer, Hairspray, Aida, Saturday Night Fever, and Rent.

Wicked is the Standing Productions in New York Broadway – Gershwin Theatre. Buy Wicked Gershwin Theatre Tickets Online.

Teal Wicks began performances in the role of Elphaba in the Broadway company of Wicked on February 1, 2011. Teal Wicks is making her Broadway debut after playing the role of Elphaba in both the San Francisco and Los Angeles productions of Wicked.

Additionally, Next to Normal’s Kyle Dean Massey returned to the Broadway company of Wicked in the role of Fiyero. Ms. Wicks and Mr. Massey join a cast which includes Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda, Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible, P.J. Benjamin as The Wizard, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, Etai BenShlomo as Boq and Tom Flynn as Dr. Dillamond.

In addition to appearing in the San Francisco and Los Angeles productions of Wicked, Teal Wicks has been seen in the National Tour of Pippin (Catherine), the NY City Center Encores production of Stairway to Paradise (directed by Jerry Zaks), the NY premiere of Fahrenheit 451 (Clarisse), the World Premiere of Turandot, Rumble for the Ring (Turandot) at Bay Street Theatre, and 1776 (Martha) and Pippin (Catherine), both at the Goodspeed Opera House. Teal is currently in TheAmerican Repertory Theatre production of The Blue Flower.

{Via Broadway.com}

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Kyle Dean Massey returns to the Broadway company of the hit musical Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre Jan. 25 in the role of Fiyero.

Massey succeeds Kyle McDaniel and joins a cast that includes Mandy Gonzalez as Elphaba, Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda, Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible, P.J. Benjamin as The Wizard, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, Etai BenShlomo as Boq and Tom Flynn as Dr. Dillamond.

In related news, Teal Wicks will assume the role of Elphaba Feb. 1. She will follow Mandy Gonzalez, who will play her final performance Jan. 30. Wicks will be making her Broadway debut after playing the role of Elphaba in both the San Francisco and Los Angeles productions of the hit musical.

Massey has been seen on Broadway in Next to Normal, Xanadu and Wicked, Off-Broadway in Altar Boyz and in the tours of Wicked and 42nd Street.

Wicked features a score by Schwartz, a book by Holzman, direction by Joe Mantello and musical staging by Wayne Cilento. The creative team also includes scenic design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Tony Meola, projections by Elaine J. McCarthy, wig and hair design by Tom Watson, music supervision and arrangements by Stephen Oremus, orchestrations by William David Brohn and dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

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There is less than a month to enjoy one of the more thrilling performances currently on The Great White Way: Mandy Gonzalez as the green-faced, misunderstood, not-so-wicked witch Elphaba in the Broadway production of the hit musical Wicked. On Wednesday I had the pleasure of catching Gonzalez’s take on the role created by Tony winner Idina Menzel, and the former In the Heights star is simply sensational. Her vocal work is extraordinary, her powerful alto a perfect fit for the Stephen Schwartz score. In fact, her rendition of “No Good Deed” may be the fiercest I have encountered on my many trips to the Gershwin Theatre, and she brings similar magic to “The Wizard and I” and “Defying Gravity.” The Obie winner’s acting is also top-notch, offering audiences an honest, moving performance as she makes the journey from the hopeful, but questioning young student to the self-possessed woman who discovers the meaning of her powers and the power of love. She is well matched by the Glinda of Katie Rose Clarke, and their second-act duet of “For Good” is truly touching. Earlier this week I had the chance to chat with the down-to-earth singing actress, who seems as lovely offstage as she is on. Gonzalez spoke about her latest role, the final performance of In the Heights as well as her upcoming projects; that interview follows:

Question: Before we get to Wicked, were you able to attend the final In the Heights performance?
Gonzalez: Of course! [Laughs.]

Question: What was that night like?
Gonzalez: It was incredible. Oh my gosh, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep the night before because I was excited to see the show for the first time, to see all my friends. It’s such a huge part of my life, so it was a really big night, and it was so incredible. I sat with my best friends, and I watched my best friends on the stage and I cried, I laughed, I screamed. It was amazing. It was an incredible closing night.

Question: Was there anything that you picked up as an audience member that struck you in a different way?
Gonzalez: Oh, definitely. My character, Nina, wasn’t in certain numbers, so I was able to watch those numbers but I was never able to really put all the pieces together. Just to see some of those performances … was incredible, and I can see why it was so loved. I mean, I felt so proud, and I was kind of speechless, I have to say. [Laughs.]

Question: Was it at all strange seeing someone perform the role that you created?
Gonzalez: Not at all, no. I felt just very proud, and it brought back so many memories and thoughts of when those songs were actually created, and sitting in a living room with Alex Lacamoire and singing through changes of lyrics, and to see it up on the stage, it wasn’t strange at all. I just felt very proud. The whole evening, I couldn’t stop smiling.

Question: Was it a difficult decision to leave the show to go into Wicked?
Gonzalez: You know, I don’t think it was a difficult decision. After I did the first workshop of In the Heights, I was offered to go and do Wicked, as Elphaba, and at the time, I was waiting to see if the show — In the Heights, which I loved — was going to go Off-Broadway, or what was going to happen. At the time, I was offered the two things, and In the Heights was so a part of my heart, and I just had to take it. It’s one of those amazing things that happen when you actually get offered two amazing projects at the same time. I was so happy with my decision but at the same time, I was like, “Oh, I so want to play that part, and now it’s never going to happen.”

I was with In the Heights for a long time, through all the workshops and everything, and after two years on Broadway, when they came and they offered me the part for Wicked again, I felt it was the right time. And, everybody at In the Heights was just so excited for me and proud; I just felt that I had all of their support. And, they all came to my opening night at Wicked. My closing night of In the Heights, it was very hush-hush that I was going to play Elphaba and everything was kind of kept on the low-down. And then, for my final bow … Alex had arranged this amazing orchestration for Wicked, and then Lin [-Manuel Miranda] came out in a witch’s hat and a green shirt [laughs] and handed me flowers. I don’t know, it just kind of seemed like a smooth transition.

{Via Playbill.com Read complete inteview here}

Mandy Gonzalez is currently starring in Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre through Jan. 30; she will be succeeded by Teal Wicks.