Original stars on hand as "Wicked" celebrates 20th anniversary on Broadway
NEW YORK -- Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Broadway mega-hit "Wicked."
The celebration included two very "popular" original cast members.
Fans of the musical that became a long-running international smash hit were thrilled to see Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth -- the original "Elphaba" and "Glinda" ---together again at the Gershwin Theater celebrating two decades of "Wicked."
"Would I have known it would be 20 years later?" Menzel said.
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When the show premiered on Broadway on Oct. 30, 2003, it was the start of something special, a prequel to the "Wizard of Oz" about two women and their complicated bond.
Menzel said what she believes is the reason for the musical's long-lasting appeal.
"The reason why it has been around forever is because of the themes of the show. It's about really owning who you are and what makes you different is what makes you extraordinary," Menzel said.
"And now, 20 years later, it's still running," Chenoweth said. "I'm happy that something I did lasted."
Elphaba and Glinda replacement cast members remember some heartwarming moments with fans. Amanda Jane Cooper played Glinda for two years starting in 2015.
"Someone had bought two seats. They had just lost their mom and they still came to the show and left that seat beside them empty and we got to hug after the show and share in that moment," Cooper said.
"I actually was the first Black woman, African-American woman, to perform the role of Elphaba. I was the Elphaba standby," said Saycon Sengbloh said. "It's just a dream come true. It's one of my favorite roles I've ever done."
At Monday night's curtain call, composer Stephen Schwartz brought the original leading ladies to the stage to thunderous applause.
"Wicked" is the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history. There have been more than 7,700 performances and more that 13 million tickets sold. According to BroadwayWorld.com, the musical has grossed $1.5 billion.