It started with a kiss...

The Original....Chenzel

Fellow Ozians, I once again welcome you to the latest installment of my Wicked Blog. This week I have decided to take a look at three different, and in my opinion the three most well known and best pairings of Elphaba and Glinda. 

We know the two witches aren't the best of friends on stage (to begin with at least) yet I am of the opinion that they must be that off stage in order to create a chemistry that is apparent to audiences. Without this chemistry, and there must have been pairings out there that didn't have it, then Elphie and Glindas story may be seen in a totally different light!

I will start at the very beginning, its a very good pla....Whoa hang on, wrong musical! But still, I will return to the year 2003 when Wicked opened on Broadway. In the leading roles of Elphaba and Glinda were Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth.

Chenzel!!

Idina was already well known to most Broadway fanatics having been part of the OBC of Jonathan Larssons 'Rent' (Which happens to be my 2nd favourite musical!) where she created the role of Maureen Johnson.

Kristin had previously appeared in 'You're a good man Charlie Brown' as Sally, a role than won her a Tony (amongst others) award in 1999.

While Chenoweth had been a part of Wicked from the workshop stage it is less well known that Menzel was not the 'original' Elphaba. Stephanie J. Block had portrayed the role during its creation yet Menzel took over the role in 2001 a full two years before the Broadway premiere. Block went on to play Elphaba in the first National tour in 2005.

I often wonder if Idina and Kristin knew what they were about to become a part of whilst rehearsing Wicked. Did they know they were creating what would go on to become a global phenomenon? 


As the first ever Elphie & Glinda it is inevitable that many people consider 'Chenzel', a name coined by their legions of fans (and a tradition that continues even now) to be the greatest ever combination to grace the stage. One of the most famous stories to come out of Chenzels time in Wicked is that during the production they were actually involved in a romantic relationship. A story that if true would make me view Wicked very differently, especially the lyrics of 'For Good'. The story has of course been wholeheartedly denied by both Chenoweth and Menzel the latter being married to her former 'Rent' co star Taye Diggs.

The chemistry is there for all to see...

Whether they were or weren't there is still no doubt that the chemistry Chenzel shared on stage was certainly one to behold and many hardcore fans mourned the passing. Yet while they mourned Chenoweth at least was having a ball putting her own spin on 'Popular'

Kristin has fun at her last performance....

I adore both Idina and Kristin, as many do and I only wish I had had the privilege to see them perform as Elphie & Glinda!

Kerry Ellis & Dianne Pilkington

Idina was lucky enough to open both the Broadway and West End productions of Wicked yet it was her standby, someone called Kerry Ellis (anyone familiar with that name?) who makes up one half of the second pairing I am going to look at....Ellington (The tradition continues...)

Ellington consists of the remarkable Kerry Ellis and the abundantly talented Dianne Pilkington, a pairing I should have seen during my first Wicked visit in 2009 yet Dianne was off, sad face :-(

Ellington!!!

Kerry had of course already been a part of the cast, she was the standby to Idinas Elphaba until her return to Broadway in January 2007. Before joining the cast of Wicked Dianne had been part of the UK tour of 'Cats' playing the role of Grizabella. Dianne actually hold a 'Wicked' record, she is the longest serving Glinda (in a single contract) in 'Wicked' history - a feat to definitely be proud of of I believe!! Bravo Dianne!!

From what I have heard of these two performers (mainly youtube!) as one, I saw Kerry perform as Elphaba with standby Sarah Earnshaw in 2009, they can be very proud of their work.

The one thing that always makes me chuckle when seeing pictures such as this one of Ellington out of costume is their opposite hair colours. You may all think me a little crazy for finding this amusing but I just do!

There are more Ellington 'Wicked' tracks in my iTunes than any other Ellis + one pairing, for me they cover every emotion that is needed for the characters and do it so effortlessly too! Even without the rumours that Chenzel fans created it is clear that Ellington possessed the same perfect chemistry that made their Glinda & Elphie a pleasure to watch and hear. This is one of my most favourite versions of 'For Good', Kerry's last, and I defy any of you to not be moved when listening to it!

I once again can only wish that I has had the opportunity to see these two perform, I got to see Kerry and of that fact I am so glad! But Dianne, if your reading this then where were you on February 6th 2009? Because you weren't on stage at the Apollo Victoria!!

And so we come top our final pairing and I know many of my loyal readers will be at their most excited now! I know many of you are devoted TuckmanionsWickipeeps for that time is now, it's time for TUCKMAN!

Louise Dearman & Rachel Tucker - Wicked Day 2010

 The famous tradition continued at cast change in 2009 and from our new Elphie & Glinda pairing 'Tuckman' was born.

Rachel Tucker was known to West End fans around the UK after here appearance on Lord Lloyd Webbers 'I'd Do Anything', the much publicised search for a new Nancy, a show in which she made it to the semi finals. 

Louise Dearman had a slightly less publicised route to becoming Glinda having just finished performing as Eva Peron in the UK tour of 'Evita'. A production which I can proudly say that I saw and that Louise was utterly amazing. I had never seen 'Evita' on stage before and of course had the Madonna film version in my mind. Now whenever I hear 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' all I can think of is Louise giving the performance of her life which I watched through tear filled eyes!

The best of friends!

I have to admit that Tuckman (A term which the lovely ladies actually used themselves in a promotional video for Wicked) is most definitely my favourite pairing of Glinda & Elphie and this is not simply due to the fact that I have seen them perform live (30th March 2010 - Girls you were AMAZING!!) There just seems to be something more than perfection going on with them. I can't help myself from welling up whenever I listen to their version of 'For Good'. I can't stop the beaming smile from appearing on my face during Rachel's version of 'The Wizard and I'.

Rachel and Louise just seem to be the best of friends both on stage and off and this relationship (Not a Chenzel one as Rachel is married to the lovely Guy Retallack!) shows through in their performances. 

I for one will be wearing my black (or should that be green?) armband on December 11th this year when Tuckman ceases to be...No I will rephrase that, Tuckman will never cease to be but they will no longer be gracing the stage of the Apollo Victoria and moving on to pastures new. We of course as devoted Tuckmanions will continue to follow their careers and show our support in any way we can - just look at the amount of tweets we posted last week when poor Barney went missing! And the relief we all shared when he was found safe and well!

From their performance at Garry Lake's 'Jest End' 11 months before their casting in Wicked until now, over a year into their run as the West Ends most famous Witches it is clear for all to see that Rachel and Lousie have a very special friendship. We are just lucky enough to be able to share it with them through the eyes of Elphaba and Glinda!

I just can't help but wonder if Alan and Barney get on just as well??

I will leave you now with what I believe to be one of the best recordings of 'Defying Gravity' out there at the moment. It is the only one that has not only made it onto my iPod but also as a video file on my iPhone so I can watch whenever I need cheering up - it never fails! Until next week Wickipeeps, Tuckmanions and everyone else enjoying my ramblings!