Cynthia Erivo playing the «wicked» witch Elphaba and Ariana Grande as the «good» witch Glinda (formerly Galinda). is the story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The two lead roles were first played by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway.«I wasn't OK when I found out either. I was not OK,» Erivo told ET's Nischelle Turner at the 2022 SAG Awards of being cast in the iconic role. Though the cast has not started rehearsing just yet, Erivo, 35, and Grande, 28, have already been in communication, working on the bond between their characters. «I can tell you that Ariana is wonderful.