Tony Winner Idina Menzel to Star in the West End's Wicked

Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba in Wicked and went on to win a Tony Award for it, will recreate her role when the show comes to London. The musical will begin performances at the West End's Apollo Victoria Theatre on September 7 and open on September 27.

Menzel won a 2004 Best Actress Tony Award for her performance in Wicked. She earned a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Maureen in Rent and also appeared on the Great White Way in Aida. Her other theatrical credits include the off-Broadway production of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party for which she earned a Drama Desk Award nomination, See What I Wanna See at the Public Theater, regional productions of Summer of `42 and the Encores! mounting of Hair. Her film credits include Ask the Dust and Rent. Wicked marks Menzel's London stage debut.

Wicked centers on two girls who meet in the land of Oz long before Dorothy drops in. One, born with emerald-green skin Menzel, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of how these two unlikely friends grew to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. Based on Gregory Maguire's novel of the same name, the show features a book by Winnie Holzman,a score by Stephen Schwartz Godspell, Pippin and direction by Joe Mantello.

No other casting has yet been announced.