Photo Flash: First Look at Sheryl Lee Ralph in WICKED; Begins Performances Tomorrow!

Beginning performances tomorrow, November 1, Tony Award nominee Sheryl Lee Ralph will assume the role of Madame Morrible in the Broadway production of Wicked.

Sheryl Lee Ralph is best known to Broadway audiences for her Tony-nominated performance as Deena Jones in the original company of the landmark musical Dreamgirls. She returned to Broadway in 2002, originating the role of Muzzy Van Hossmere in the Tony-winning musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. On television, Sheryl starred as Dee on "Moesha," Claudette on "Ray Donovan," and Maggie on "Instant Mom." Her film credits include To Sleep with Anger, for which she won an Independent Spirit Award. Most recently, Sheryl wrapped filming Step Sisters, and Villa Capri, opposite Morgan Freeman.

Ms. Ralph joins a cast which currently includes Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba, Kara Lindsay as Glinda, Michael Campayno as Fiyero, Peter Scolari as The Wizard, Dawn E. Cantwell as Nessarose, Michael Genet as Dr. Dillamond, and Zachary Noah Piser as Boq. The role of Madame Morrible is currently being played by Judy Kaye, who will give her final performance on Broadway on Sunday, October 30th.

The Broadway sensation, Wicked, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz...but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships...until the world decides to call one "good," and the other one "wicked."

With a thrilling score that includes the hits "Defying Gravity," "Popular" and "For Good," Wicked has been hailed by The New York Times as "the defining musical of the decade," and by Time Magazine as "a magical Broadway musical with brains, heart, and courage."

Winner of over 100 international awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, Wicked has been performed in over 100 cities in 14 countries around the world (U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, and Brazil) and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean, and Portuguese.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Joe Mantello with musical staging by Wayne Cilento. Wicked is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus