The History-Making Cast Of Broadway's Wicked: Who Is Currently Defying Gravity In 2025?
The magic of Oz continues to enchant audiences at the Gershwin Theatre, and as of today, December 23, 2025, the Broadway production of Wicked is being led by a truly historic and groundbreaking cast. The iconic musical, which tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, has welcomed a new generation of talent, bringing fresh energy and significant milestones to its long run. These new principal actors have not only stepped into some of the most coveted roles in musical theatre but have done so while shattering long-standing Broadway barriers, making the current production a must-see event for fans and newcomers alike.
The latest major cast change, which took effect in March 2025, introduced new stars in the roles of Elphaba, Glinda, Nessarose, Boq, and Madame Morrible. This shift marks one of the most diverse and history-making casts in the show's 21-year tenure, ensuring that the story of friendship, acceptance, and finding your own path resonates with a broader audience than ever before.
Meet the History-Making Principal Cast of Wicked (2025 Edition)
The current ensemble of principal actors is a blend of celebrated Broadway veterans and rising stars, each bringing a unique background to the land of Oz. Here is a detailed look at the performers currently taking center stage at the Gershwin Theatre, along with their key biographical and career highlights.
- Elphaba: Lencia Kebede
- Role Start Date: March 4, 2025
- Significance: Kebede is the first Black actress to play Elphaba full-time on Broadway, a momentous occasion for the production.
- Career Highlights: A proud first-generation Ethiopian-American, she previously spent five years touring with the blockbuster musical Hamilton, where she played roles including Angelica Schuyler, Peggy, Eliza, and Woman 5. She also toured nationally and internationally in Rent as Joanne.
- Glinda: Allie Trimm
- Role Start Date: March 4, 2025
- Career Highlights: Trimm is a Broadway veteran who made her debut as the originator of the role of Patrice in Jason Robert Brown's musical 13. She also starred as Kim MacAfee in the Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie. She brings a wealth of experience to the bubbly, popular Glinda.
- Nessarose: Jenna Bainbridge
- Role Start Date: March 4, 2025
- Significance: Bainbridge made history as the first authentically-cast disabled actor to play Nessarose on the Broadway stage. She is an ambulatory wheelchair user, bringing an unprecedented level of authenticity to the role of Elphaba's sister.
- Career Highlights: Prior to Wicked, she was part of the original Broadway company of the acclaimed musical Suffs.
- The Wizard of Oz: Brad Oscar
- Current Status: Veteran cast member.
- Career Highlights: Brad Oscar is a two-time Tony Award nominee, known for his roles in The Producers (Max Bialystock) and Something Rotten! (Nostradamus). He is a beloved presence on the Broadway stage.
- Madame Morrible: NaTasha Yvette Williams
- Role Start Date: March 4, 2025
- Career Highlights: A highly respected Tony Award nominee for her performance in Some Like It Hot, Williams is a powerhouse vocalist and actress whose credits include Chicken and Biscuits, Waitress, and A Night with Janis Joplin.
- Fiyero: Jordan Litz
- Current Status: Current principal.
- Career Highlights: Litz has a strong background in musical theatre, having previously performed in the National Tour of Wicked and on Broadway in shows like Hairspray.
- Boq: Daniel Quadrino
- Role Start Date: March 4, 2025
- Career Highlights: Quadrino returns to Wicked, marking his debut in a principal role as the lovestruck Munchkin, Boq. He has previously appeared in Broadway productions of Newsies and Wicked (in the ensemble).
The Groundbreaking New Faces: Diversity and Representation in Oz
The current 2025 cast is especially notable for its focus on authentic representation, pushing the boundaries of what a classic Broadway show can look like. The casting of Lencia Kebede as Elphaba and Jenna Bainbridge as Nessarose has sparked global conversations about diversity and inclusion in the arts.
Lencia Kebede’s ascent to the role of the misunderstood, green-skinned witch is a historic moment. While Black actresses have performed the role on a temporary basis, Kebede is the first to hold the principal, full-time contract on Broadway.
Similarly, Jenna Bainbridge’s casting as Nessarose is a monumental achievement. Nessarose, Elphaba's sister, is a character who uses a wheelchair in the story. By casting Bainbridge, an ambulatory wheelchair user, the production has committed to authentic representation, ensuring that the character’s lived experience is portrayed with accuracy and respect.
This commitment to diversity is a powerful statement from the long-running production, proving that a classic story can evolve to reflect the world we live in. These choices not only enrich the performances but also provide an inspiring example for aspiring performers from underrepresented communities.
Wicked’s Enduring Legacy: From Idina Menzel to Today
Wicked first premiered on Broadway in 2003 and has since become one of the longest-running and highest-grossing musicals in history, cementing its place as a cultural phenomenon. Its success is built on the foundation laid by its original, legendary stars, Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda).
The original cast set the standard for the complex, emotional, and vocally demanding roles of the two witches. Menzel, a Tony Award winner for the role, and Chenoweth, a Tony winner herself, created a dynamic that has been challenging yet inspiring for every subsequent performer.
The current cast stands on the shoulders of these giants, continuing the legacy while adding their own unique interpretations. Lencia Kebede's powerful voice and Allie Trimm's sparkling stage presence ensure that the iconic songs like "Defying Gravity" and "Popular" continue to thrill audiences nightly at the Gershwin Theatre.
The show’s topical authority is reinforced by the continuous flow of high-caliber talent. Other notable alumni who have graced the stage include Derek Klena, who returned to the role of Fiyero twelve years after his initial run, demonstrating the show's magnetic pull for top Broadway talent.
Why the 2025 Production is a Must-See
For those who have seen Wicked before, or for those planning their first visit, the 2025 cast offers compelling reasons to buy a ticket. The current production is not just a revival of a classic; it is an evolution of a masterpiece, driven by performers who are making history in real-time.
The chemistry between Kebede's Elphaba and Trimm's Glinda is central to the show's success, capturing the complex friendship between the two women. Furthermore, the inclusion of Tony nominee NaTasha Yvette Williams as the scheming Madame Morrible adds another layer of star power and vocal prowess to the Ozian court.
From the lush costumes and stunning set design to the unforgettable score by Stephen Schwartz, Wicked remains a theatrical triumph. But it is the current, diverse, and historically significant cast—including Jenna Bainbridge’s groundbreaking portrayal of Nessarose—that makes the 2025 run feel particularly fresh, relevant, and emotionally resonant. This is truly a moment to witness Broadway history in the making.
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