Madame Morrible – Originated by Carole Shelley
Starting as the headmistress at Shiz University, Madame Morrible quickly climbs the ranks and becomes close with The Wizard. Carole Shelley originated the role and was already a Tony-winner for The Elephant Man. Shelly also had a long film career beginning in 1949 and providing voices in Disney’s The Aristocats, Robin Hood and Hercules. Shelley died in 2018 from cancer.
This is the perfect role to bring back an original cast member from the Broadway show and should only be taken on my Menzel or Chenoweth. While we’d love to see them both reprise their original roles, it can be agreed that they have aged out of Elphaba and Glinda but could now take on Madame Morrible. Whichever one does not get this role has to have a cameo somewhere else. Maybe as Elphaba’s ill-fated mother?
If neither were casted, recent musical darling and screen legend Meryl Streep could give Madame Morrible the memorable performance she deserves. But it feels like a betrayal to think of anyone but Menzel or Chenoweth.
