Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel Strip Down to Celebrate ‘Wicked’s 20th Anniversary
Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images Reading Time: 2 minutes
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the iconic musical Wicked. The actresses, who originated the roles of Glinda and Elphaba on Broadway, stripped down for a photoshoot with New York Magazine.
Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel Celebrate 20 Years of Wicked
In their new photo together, Chenoweth and Menzel lie side by side in separate bathtubs. Chenoweth’s bath is pink and bubbly. Beside her is a bejeweled crown and scepter. Menzel’s bath is bright green. Beside her is a witch’s hat and broom.
“For me, I became less self-absorbed,” Menzel said about the fan reaction to Wicked. “We’re putting something out, but we’re also being given a gift. I learned so much about myself and about other people. When you play an empathic character, it teaches you so much more about humanity.”
Chenoweth said she and Menzel became like family during their time in the show, sharing, “I’m sure, as a sister, I got on her nerves sometimes. I’m positive I did. I get on my own nerves most of the time. But you also know what the other one’s going through. Nobody else can know that but us.”
SEE ALSO: ‘WICKED’ MOVIE PAUSES FILMING DUE TO SAG-AFTRA STRIKE
The Actresses Remember the First Time They Met
In their interview with New York Magazine, Chenoweth and Menzel recalled the first time they encountered each other before starring in Wicked together. Menzel said she saw Chenoweth perform in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown in 1999.
“I told her how amazing I thought she was,” Menzel said. “We had common friends and stuff, but I didn’t want to bother her because I knew she was exhausted.”
Chenoweth said she “didn’t even know that,” before sharing that she saw Menzel in Rent in 1996 and was “blown away.” Later, she recalls, “So I saw her backstage at the Tonys. You’ll never remember this, but I was walking down the stairs and she was walking up, and as we passed, I was like, ‘Hi, you’re great.'”
