Erivo will join principal POPS conductor Steven Reineke for the show, which will feature songs from "The Color Purple," "Harriet," "Wicked" and more. Erivo released her debut album "Ch. 1 Vs. 1" in 2021.

Kebede takes on the role after Erivo starred as the green witch in the film adaptation. Erivo previously commented on the lack of Black actresses playing Elphaba in her 2024 ELLE cover story.

So why does it seem as if she might have been born to play the iconic Wicked Witch of the West in “Wicked,” Jon M. Chu’s musical movie adaptation of author Gregory Maguire’s 1995 “Wizard of Oz” prequel novel and its 2003 Broadway musical?

Wicked is getting a new Elphaba, and she’s about to make history: Lencia Kebede will be the first Black actress to assume the role full time in the Broadway company. Kebede, who recently starred in the touring company of Hamilton,

Lencia Kebede will take over playing Elphaba on Broadway this spring, becoming the first Black actress to assume the role full time on Broadway. Kebede, who most recently played Angelica in the National Tour of Hamilton,