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NEED TO KNOW
Wicked: For Good star Cynthia Erivo recently revealed whether she would ever play Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway
Her answer received a heartfelt reaction from The View hosts
Erivo made her Broadway debut in The Color Purple in 2015 and won Best Actress in a Musical at the 2016 Tony Awards
Cynthia Erivois revealing why she's likely hanging upElphaba's enchanted broom, pointy hat andviral cardiganfor good afterWicked: For Good.
Asked whether she would ever reprise her role as Elphaba for the Broadwaystage production ofWicked, the 38-year-old star explained during a recent episode ofThe Viewwhy 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]."
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Erivo's explanation thatWicked'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 fromThe Viewhosts.
"[It gives] someone else the opportunity,"Joy Beharresponded, whileSunny Hostinreacted, "That is so generous, so generous."
Behar added, "You're not only wonderful — you're a terrific person."
Idina Menzeloriginated the role of Elphaba on Broadway in 2003. Since then, many actresses have played the iconic character, includingStephanie J. Block,Shoshana Bean,Lindsay MendezandJessica Vosk.
Thecurrent ElphabaisLencia Kebede, who is the first Black actress to play the role full-time on Broadway. Kebede made her debut in March.
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For her Broadway debut as Celie in a revival ofThe Color Purplein 2015, Erivo won Best Actress in a Musical at the2016 Tony Awards.
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Next up for her in the theater world, Erivo will play23 characters in one-womanDraculaplayin London's West End.
"I'm f------ petrified. I really am. I'm very scared," Erivo toldWickedcostarJonathan Baileyin a conversation forWonderlandmagazine. "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 toDracula, Erivo's upcoming projects include Suzie Miller's stage-to-screenPrima Facieand Tomi Adeyemi's page-to-screenChildren of Blood and Bone(in theaters Jan. 15, 2027).
Tickets forWickedon Broadwayare available to buy online.
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