Why Wicked's Idina Menzel Played Elphaba In Red Sweatsuit

Here’s The Poignant Story Behind That Resurfaced Video Of Idina Menzel Playing “Wicked’s” Elphaba On Broadway In Red Sweats And Without Her Green Skin

Here’s a full recap of one of the most iconic moments in Broadway history.

Stephanie Soteriou
by Stephanie Soteriou

BuzzFeed Staff

As you are probably aware, Wicked is having a bit of a moment right now thanks to the unavoidable movie adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande that was released last week.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked
© Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

As a result, it’s only natural that there has also been renewed interest in the stage show, which originated back in 2003. 


For context, Wicked is a loose adaptation of the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which in turn was inspired by the 1900 L. Frank Baum novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its 1939 film adaptation.

While Cynthia and Ariana play the main characters of Elphaba and Glinda respectively in the film, musical theater stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth were the first actors to ever play these roles.

Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel at curtain call for Wicked
Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic

The two led the cast when the production debuted in San Francisco in May 2003, and stuck with it when the show transferred to Broadway in New York later that same year. They are also the vocalists heard on the Original Broadway Cast recording of the Wicked soundtrack.


Both Idina and Kristin won critical acclaim for their performances in the show and quickly became synonymous with the production, with their legacy being repeatedly honored in the movie adaptation as well as the promotional run surrounding its release.

Amid all of this, a video of Idina performing as Elphaba on Broadway has resurfaced online, with many being confused by the fact that she is wearing a red Adidas tracksuit instead of her character’s costume — and she also doesn’t have green skin.

Joey McIntyre as the scarecrow and Idina Menzel in a red tracksuit performing in Wicked
Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic

What Wicked newcomers don’t know is that this is a pretty infamous moment in Broadway history, with Idina bravely opting to return to the stage after cracking her rib during a previous performance — here’s the full story.


As mentioned, Idina originated the role of Elphaba in May 2003, and during a matinee performance in January 2005 — just one day before her final scheduled show — the star fell through a trap door during the show’s melting scene and suffered a painful injury.


According to reports at the time, the show ended up being halted for 45 minutes as an emergency service team came to get her out of the trap and to a nearby hospital. 

Shoshana Bean was the standby actor for Elphaba during this production, and apparently ended up being turned green in just seven minutes so that she could perform the final two minutes of this show for the audience.

Jennifer Laura Thompson and Idina Menzel during Idina Menzel's Final Performance In "Wicked" After Injury During The Show
Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic

Shoshana then played Elphaba for the evening show that day, and also stepped in for the next day’s performance while Idina recovered.


Fans — some of whom booked tickets for this date especially to see Idina's last show — were understandably disappointed to be missing out, but the star ended up surprising them with an unprecedented appearance towards the end of the second act. 


Shoshana played Elphaba up until the climactic melting scene, then, right afterward, Idina walked on stage in her tracksuit for the final couple of minutes. 


Unsurprisingly, the crowd went absolutely wild.

In fact, Idina received a rapturous five-minute standing ovation — some of which can be heard in a clip that has recently gone viral on TikTok.

TikTok @broadwayvideos / Via tiktok.com

The video, which was only uploaded on Wednesday, has been watched more than 650,000 times, and wracked up tens of thousands of likes, and hundreds of comments. 

Many praised Idina for bravely closing out her run as planned, and giving her fans a truly unique memory that will last them a lifetime.

Jennifer Laura Thompson and Idina Menzel during Idina Menzel's Final Performance In "Wicked" After Injury During The Sho
Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic

Notably, this didn't actually end up being Idina's final run as Elphaba, with the star reprising her role in London’s West End in 2006.

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