Kerry Ellis Rejoins Cast Of Wicked

<p>WICKED, the award-winning musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is proud to welcome back the original British Elphaba, Kerry Ellis, who will recreate her celebrated performance from Monday 4 August until Saturday 25 October 2014. Willemijn Verkaik will play her final performance as Elphaba this Saturday (19 July 2014 at 7.30pm). She departs the production in order to have surgery to address an ongoing back condition.</p> <p>by Newsdesk | 15th July 2014</p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4612036873.jpg" width="460" height="587" alt="" title=""/></p> <p> </p><p>Michael McCabe, Executive Producer of Wicked said: 'We are all so sorry that Willemijn’s truly remarkable international journey with Wicked, that began in Germany in 2007, should end prematurely. It is only her extraordinary determination and professionalism that has enabled her to continue performing to date despite enduring extreme pain and discomfort. We are very grateful to her and pleased that many thousands of West End theatregoers did get the opportunity of seeing her wonderful performance as Elphaba since she joined the cast in November 2013. On behalf of the entire company, we wish Willemijn a full and speedy recovery. In the meantime, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome back the incredible Kerry Ellis to the role that won her awards both in the West End and on Broadway for a very special limited season.'</p><p> </p><p>Willemijn Verkaik said: 'To be given the chance to play Elphaba in four different countries is something I am incredibly grateful for. Now I have to cut my West End run short and it’s absolutely devastating to me. I’ve been fighting this injury for a few months but was determined not to let anything get in the way of my West End debut and certainly not wanting to disappoint the audiences. But I have to face the facts. I thank producers David Stone and Michael McCabe and our General Managers, Playful Productions, the cast and crew and all of you so much for all your support in this difficult time. I promise I’ll be back on stage soon, in better shape than ever!'</p><p> </p><p>Kerry Ellis said: '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. I can’t wait to be green again and join this fantastic cast'.</p><p></p><p>Kerry Ellis won the Whatsonstage.com Award and the Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for her thrilling performance as Elphaba. She was a member of the original London cast of Wicked and became the first British actress to play the coveted role when she replaced Idina Menzel in January 2007. She subsequently played the role to great acclaim on Broadway.</p><p> </p><p>A successful recording artist and concert star, her albums include ‘WICKED IN ROCK’ and ‘ANTHEMS’, both in collaboration with Brian May.</p><p> </p><p>She created the role of ‘Meat’ in the Queen and Ben Elton musical We Will Rock You and her many other theatre roles include: ‘Nancy’ in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; ‘Fantine’ in Les Misérables (Queens Theatre); ‘Ellen’ in Miss Saigon (UK Tour) and ‘Eliza Doolittle’ in Trevor Nunn’s production of My Fair Lady at the National Theatre and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.</p><p> </p><p>Kerry has just appeared with Kristin Chenoweth in An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth at the Royal Albert Hall.</p><p> </p><p>Please note that Kerry Ellis will not be appearing in Wicked on:</p><p> </p><p>Tuesday 19 August</p><p>Saturday 27 September</p><p>Thursday 2 October - Friday 10 October</p><p>Tuesday 14 - Thursday 16 October</p><p>Saturday 18 October</p><p> </p><p>For more information about Kerry Ellis visit: www.KerryEllis.com</p><p></p><p></p><p> </p>