Willemijn Verkaik Will Go Green for West End Debut in Wicked

Hot off her Broadway debut as Elphaba in Wicked, Dutch stage star Willemijn Verkaik will join the musical’s West End company once again starring as Oz’s misunderstood green girl. Verkaik will assume the role of Elphaba in London beginning November 18. Current Elphie, Louise Dearman, will play her final performance at the Apollo Victoria Theatre November 16. Wicked will mark Verkaik’s West End debut.

In addition to Broadway, Verkaik has played the role of Elphaba in Germany and Holland and can be heard on the Original German Cast Recording. She was awarded the Musicalworld Award for her performance and received the 2009 and 2010 Readers’ Choice Best Musical Actress Award from the German magazine Musical; she also received a 2013 Broadway.com Audience Choice Award nomination for Favorite Replacement for her performance in Wicked. Verkaik’s other stage credits include Elisabeth, 3 Musketiers, We Will Rock You and Aida.

Beginning in September 2013, Wicked will launch a new tour performing throughout the U.K. and Ireland.

Check out Verkaik performing “Defying Gravity” in Dutch in the video below.