Glinda – Originated by Kristin Chenoweth
Already a Tony-winner by the time Wicked came around, Chenoweth played the emotionally challenging role of Glinda and was nominated again (ultimately losing to Menzel). Since leaving in 2004, she’s had tremendous success in film (the Tinker Bell series and The Boy Next Door), on TV (The West Wing and an Emmy-winning role on Pushing Daisies) and on stage (receiving a third Tony nomination for On the Twentieth Century).
Chenoweth on multiple occasions has recommended Dove Cameron for her part. Cameron played Chenoweth’s daughter in Disney Channel’s Descendants and NBC’s Hairspray Live! She’s also appeared onstage in Clueless: The Musical and The Light in the Piazza.
A lesser-known choice would be Grammy and Tony nominated actress Ashley Park. Audiences might know her better as Mindy from Emily in Paris, but this star won audiences hearts over as the lovestruck Tuptim in 2015’s The King and I. She’s shown her range in the comedy world as well creating the role of Gretchen Wieners onstage in Mean Girls.
While some may argue she is too old for the role now, the perfect choice would be Kristen Bell. Throughout her career, Bell has proven her acting chops in both comedic and dramatic roles as well as proving her vocal chops in films like Frozen (co-starring alongside Menzel). Though she never ages, maybe some of those Marvel special effects could make her seem school-aged again.
