Wicked Star Rachel Tucker on the 'Unrepeatable' Experience of Playing Elphaba on Broadway & Missing Her Green Team

In the corporate world, employees leaving a job are often asked to sit through an exit interview with HR about their time at the company. That concept doesn’t exist for Broadway performers, but we love checking in with stars as they finish up a successful run. Northern Irish beltress Rachel Tucker stepped into Broadway role she played in the West End, Elphaba in Wicked. After almost a year on the Great White Way, Tucker is heading back to London to play the green girl in the show’s 10th anniversary there. Before she leaves the Gershwin Theatre behind on July 30, we asked Tucker to take Broadway.com’s Exit Interview and tell what she’ll miss, what she learned and what her experience has been like in the gravity-defying musical on this side of the pond.

How did you feel when you first got this job?
Playing Elphaba on Broadway has been a dream of mine for a very long time, so to have had the phone call saying they would love to have me recreate my Elphaba in New York was one of the highlights of my career! I was so honored to be asked. I felt my time had come. I cried then laughed then screamed!

How do you feel now that you’re leaving?
Very emotional, actually. And it's strange as I'm am going back to play Elphie again in London for the 10th anniversary in September, so it's not like I'm totally finished with her just yet. I've found with this role, each time I've played it (twice), she becomes a bit of who you are as a person and an actress. Yes, it's a very demanding role but more rewarding than demanding—rewarding in how I have the chance to make a whole audience see themselves in Elphaba and how that affects one’s choice and views in this scary and vulnerable world we’re all part of.

What are three words you would use to describe your experience?
Challenging, gigantic, unrepeatable.

What was the easiest thing about this job?
Nothing! Ha. No, the cast and crew are the best people I've worked with.

What was the hardest thing?
Maintenance of my body and voice. Keeping myself in form takes care and attention outside of the show, so keeping up the steaming at night, the physical therapy sessions and singing lessons. It all can be exhausting just keeping up your up-keeping.

What was the highlight of your time at this job?
Honestly, playing this role every show on Broadway. I feel this is my small but important part to make people have a different perspective and have more tolerance toward other human beings, so that's the biggest highlight of my time here.

What skills do you think are required for future job applicants?
I feel being a strong actress is essential. Being versatile and vulnerable and having a strong high F is helpful.

What advice would you give to future employees in your job position?
Be open and ready to take on the world. Put your courage in front of your fear.

How do you think you’ve grown?
I have found how to reach deeper and keep searching as an actress in a long run. It's quite a profound and beautiful feeling.

Why are you leaving?
My contract is up. Ladies in this role usually only stay for one contract as it’s so huge, but I'm taking a month off then doing it for the 10th anniversary in London.

What will you miss the most?
My green team! They are the three people who are always around me during the show, who keep me calm, keep me going when times are tough, keep me dressed, dress my beautiful wigs and very importantly, keep me green. I love and will miss them!