Back in Green: Elphie Alum Kerry Ellis Will Defy Gravity Once More in West End’s Wicked

West End star and Broadway.com Audience Choice Award winner Kerry Ellis will rock the green once more as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked. Ellis, who has played the role on both sides of the pond, will return for 12 weeks only beginning August 4. Willemijn Verkaik, who has also portrayed Elphaba both in New York and London (as well as the German and Dutch productions) will play her last West End performance on July 19 in order to address an ongoing back condition. As previously reported, current Wicked U.K. tour headliner Nikki Davis-Jones will take the stage at the Apollo Victoria Theatre beginning October 27.

In addition to starring in Wicked on Broadway and in the West End (where she originally served as standby for Idina Menzel), Ellis has also appeared in the West End's We Will Rock You, Les Miserables and Oliver!. She has collaborated with Queen member Brian May on two albums: Wicked in Rock and Anthems. Ellis won a Broadway.com Audience Choice Award in 2009 for Favorite Breakthrough Performance for her time in Wicked on the Great White Way.

“It is an absolute thrill for me to be returning to this amazing show and the incredible role of Elphaba that is so very special to me," said Ellis in a statement. "I can’t wait to be green again and join this fantastic cast.”

The London production of Wicked also currently stars Savannah Stevenson as Glinda, Jeremy Taylor as Fiyero, Sue Kelvin as Madame Morrible, Martyn Ellis as The Wizard, Katie Rowley Jones as Nessarose, Sam Lupton as Boq and Paul Clarkson as Dr. Dillamond. Directed by Joe Mantello, the hit musical features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman.