Sheryl Lee Ralph to replace Judy Kaye in Wicked

Tony nominee Sheryl Lee Ralph will assume the role of Madame Morible in Broadway's hit musical Wicked from 1 November 2016 at the Gershwin Theatre. Two-time Tony Award winner Judy Kaye will play her final performance in the role on 30 October 2016.

Sheryl Lee Ralph earned a Tony nomination for "Best Actress in a Musical" in 1982 for originating the role of Deena Jones in 'Dreamgirls.' Other Broadway credits include 'Reggae,' and the role of Muzzy Van Hossmere in 'Thoroughly Modern Millie.' Her many screen credits include her TV roles of Dee on "Moesha," Carolyn Winters on "One Love," Claudette on "Ray Donovan," Ginger St. James on "It's a Living," and Maggie on "Instant Mom."

The principal cast of Wicked currently includes Jennifer DiNoia (Elphaba), Carrie St. Louis (Glinda), Michael Campayno (Fiyero), Dawn E. Cantwell (Nessarose), Zachary Noah Piser (Boq), Peter Scolari (The Wizard), Judy Kaye (Madame Morrible), and Michael Genet (Doctor Dillamond).

The Broadway musical Wicked opened at the Gershwin Theatre on 30 October 2003, following previews from 8 October, and is currently selling tickets through to 2 April 2017.

Wicked has music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Winnie Holzman, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire.

Synopsis: "Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch."

The musical is directed by Joe Mantello, with choreography by James Lynn Abbott, and features scene design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and sound design by Tony Meola.

Wicked is produced on Broadway by Universal Stage Productions, Marc Platt, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone.

- by Tom Millward

Sheryl Lee Ralph