Idina Menzel, renowned for her illustrious Broadway career, reflected on her early experiences with the character Elphaba from the musical “Wicked” during a recent panel at New York Comic Con. The event, which took place on 8 October 2026, saw Menzel reminiscing about her journey since 2003, when she first took to the stage in the role that would earn her a Tony Award.
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The actress revealed that her initial impression of Elphaba was markedly different from the portrayal that would ultimately capture the hearts of audiences. In a conversation moderated by Jason P. Frank, Menzel disclosed how Gregory Maguire’s novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” had shaped her expectations of the character. She stated, “I thought Elphaba was going to be kind of goth. And in the book, she gets these crazy nails. She’s like that girl that everyone’s curious about.”
This early vision of Elphaba led Menzel to adopt a distinctive style for her audition. “I wore Doc Martens, a black dress, and I put green lipstick on and dark eyes,” she recalled, highlighting the contrast between her interpretation and the eventual staging of the character in the Broadway musical.
As Menzel prepared for her audition, she faced the daunting challenge of mastering the music, particularly the iconic song “Defying Gravity.” She candidly recounted her audition experience, noting the difficulty of reaching the high notes. “It was really hard for me on that eval,” she admitted. However, her resilience shone through when she decided to give it another go. “I cracked, and then I looked at the accompanist and said, ‘I’m going to do that again.’ And then I did it really well,” she said, remembering the encouraging words of director Joe Mantello, who recognised the strength and ferocity that Menzel brought to the role.
Menzel’s portrayal of Elphaba resonated with audiences and critics alike, ultimately securing her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2004. Although she departed from the role in 2005, the connection to Elphaba has remained a significant aspect of her life and career. In 2024, she and her former co-star, Kristin Chenoweth, who played Glinda in the original production, reunited for cameos in “Wicked: Part One,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Menzel shared her excitement on social media, posting a heartfelt message on Instagram that captured the joy of their reunion and the enduring bond of sisterhood between the actresses.
Menzel’s enthusiasm for both the musical and the source material is shared by Gregory Maguire, the author of “Wicked.” In a 2025 interview with PEOPLE, Maguire expressed his admiration for the actresses who have brought his characters to life. He described his encounters with them as feeling like family, stating, “The times that I have run into them, I feel like they’re my first cousins. They are so extraordinarily warm … we fall upon each other as if we’ve known each other our whole lives.”
The enduring legacy of “Wicked” extends beyond Menzel and Chenoweth’s performances. The musical continues to enchant audiences globally, leading to various adaptations, including the much-anticipated film series. Menzel’s journey as Elphaba not only impacted her own trajectory as a performer but also fostered a deep appreciation for the story and its characters, as well as the people who contributed to its success.
Today, Idina Menzel stands as a testament to the transformative power of musical theatre. Her candid reflections on her audition process and initial perceptions of Elphaba serve as a reminder of the complexities and surprises that can arise during the creative process. As she looks back on her career and the friendships forged along the way, Menzel remains an influential figure in the performing arts, her journey as Elphaba continuing to inspire both audiences and aspiring performers alike.