Are you sick of hearing about Wicked yet? Because I’m sure not! From the press tour that keeps on giving to rejected theatre kids spilling the tea on the roles they auditioned for, there is so much green and pink propaganda running through my head it’s hard to think about anything else. While everyone else has been busy imagining an alternate universe where Dove Cameron and Joe Jonas were dancing through life (I’m pretty content staying in this one TBH), I’ve been digging up the alternates from Madame Morrible. The bitchy headmaster with a secret agenda ended up being masterfully played by the icon, the legend, the moment, Michelle Yeoh. I have nothing but snaps for the way Michelle mastered the role with dun-dun-dunnnn suspense, but as a bit of a theater nerd myself, I was still curious what traditional vocalists might have been considered along the way. What actresses auditioned for Madame Morrible? Follow me, my dear, and you’ll find out.
Actresses Who Reportedly Auditioned for Madame Morrible In Wicked
Jennifer Lopez
The rumors from the casting world allege that Jennifer Lopez (or Jennifer Lopez Affleck depending on the time of year) was up for Madame Morrible. I mean, J.Lo does famously have a relationship with the color green, as well as a questionable reputation on the celebrity rudeness scale so maybe HWIC isn’t that much of a stretch? On the other hand, Ariana and Cynthia’s point about the necessity of being able to “disappear into the role” as a recognizable celebrity persona might have been tough for Jenny from the Block to do in Oz.
Sherryl Lee Ralph
are you kidding me https://t.co/ggev0K29jj pic.twitter.com/ivwtFBuzPs
— thee bad guy (@thescarletprint) November 29, 2024
This is less of a rumor and more of a solid educated guess. The acclaimed performer slayed Madame Morrible on Broadway in 2016. Her magic pipes explain how she got that gig all by themselves. She has additional resume experience with musicals that have been turned into movies after starring in Dream Girls on Broadway.
Imelda Staunton
The Harry Potter to Wicked cinematic universe pipeline makes a lot of sense for obvious reasons. Dame Imelda Staunton (get her title correctly, pls!) has excelled as Dolores Umbridge at Hogwarts, Queen Elizabeth II in the crown, and frankly just being an absolute delight.
Hannah Waddingham
If you’re wondering exactly where you know the British star from, it’s probably one of two American shows: Ted Lasso or Game of Thrones (in which she played Septa Unella, Cersei’s servant whom she waterboarded with wine). If you’re wondering why she sounded so good singing “Let It Go” on Ted Lasso, it’s because Hannah is a trained West End thespian with a whole ass Christmas special on Apple TV.
