Wicked’s Main Character

For anyone who plays the lead role of Elphaba in Gregory Maguire’s hit Broadway musical Wicked, they always note it’s an honor. One such star is Marcie Dodd, the leading lady for Broadway’s national tour currently performing at the Century II Theater. “I love it,” she says backstage while getting green makeup piled on. “It’s an honor to be able to play a part like this.” There are many reasons why Dodd enjoys the character, but one in particular. “She kind of says, ‘it’s okay to be different.’” True to form, Elphaba is much different than the rest of the cast - Dodd must come to the set 30 minutes before everyone else to get a green transformation. The 30 minute adventure has a crew spreading the light green color all over her body, face hands and chest, and then puts on green tights that cover her legs and arms. The event is complete with a wig and pointed hat.

Though she has to make sure to stay dry so she doesn’t sweat and let the makeup run, it only takes about ten minutes to let the makeup run off her in the shower. Once out of her green, she says she isn’t like Elphaba at all. “I’m actually a pretty shy person. But every now and then somebody will catch a glimpse of green still on my ear.”

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Posted in Uncategorized on October 30, 2009

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