Cynthia Erivo Says She Will Not Play Elphaba on Broadway, Citing Space for Other Women

Cynthia Erivo has confirmed she does not intend to take on the role of Elphaba on Broadway, saying the success of the Wicked films should open the door for more performers to step into the iconic role on stage.

During a recent appearance on The View, Erivo was asked whether she would consider reprising Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked following her performance in Wicked: For Good. She explained that returning to the stage version herself would limit opportunities for others.

“I feel like it would be a little selfish,” Erivo said. “We’ve been given such a gift with this film version, and everyone is seeing it. It’s in everybody’s houses right now.”

She went on to explain that the global reach of the films could inspire more actresses to pursue the role in the theatre. “What’s wonderful about this particular film now is that I think it provides more room for other women to go do the role on Broadway,” she added.

The comments were warmly received by the show’s hosts, who praised Erivo’s generosity in stepping aside for future performers. The role of Elphaba was first played on Broadway by Idina Menzel in 2003, and has since been taken on by numerous leading musical theatre stars. In March, Lencia Kebede became the first Black actress to play Elphaba full time on Broadway.

Erivo herself has a celebrated Broadway history. She made her debut as Celie in a revival of The Color Purple in 2015, earning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical the following year.

Her focus is now shifting back to the stage in a different way. Erivo is set to appear in London’s West End in a one woman adaptation of Dracula, in which she will portray 23 characters. She has described the project as intimidating but thrilling, embracing both the fear and excitement that come with such an ambitious undertaking.

Alongside her theatre work, Erivo’s upcoming screen projects include a film adaptation of Prima Facie and the fantasy epic Children of Blood and Bone, due for release in January 2027. While Broadway audiences are unlikely to see her return as Elphaba, her comments suggest a deliberate choice to widen opportunities within musical theatre, even as her own career continues to expand across stage and screen.

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