Special Sub-Topic: Idina's Final Show Click Here To Play: Idina's Final Show

On what day did Idina Menzel take her final bow as a cast member in "Wicked"?

January 9th 2005. On January 9th, Idina took her final bow as Elphaba the green "wicked" witch. January 8th was the day she fell through the "melting trap" and broke several ribs, January 14th was the day Idina's standby Shoshana Bean was supposed to make her Elphaba debut, and July 18th was the day Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda), Norbert Leo Butz (Fiyero) and Joel Grey (The Wizard) had their final performance in "Wicked".

Due to an injury, Idina was unable to perform in her final performance. Which bone(s) did she break?

Her ribs. During the January 8th matinee, when Elphaba "melts", something went wrong with the melting trap, and Idina fell breaking a few of her ribs. There was then a 45 minute break as someone explained what had happened, and reassured the audience that Idina was OK, and then the show resumed with Shoshana Bean as Elphaba.

Which other "Wicked" cast member left the show at the same time as Idina?

Joey MacIntyre. Joey MacIntyre, of New Kids on the Block fame, replaced Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero, the charming and "brainless" prince. On January 9th, he gave his final performance as Fiyero and received a hilarious speech from Jennifer Laura Thomas (Glinda) who recalled her childhood crush on Joey when he was in NKOTB.

Idina came onto the stage in full costume to a five munute standing ovation.

f. Idina came on for the final 10 minutes of "Wicked" to a five minute standing ovation...wearing a red Adidas track suit.

Finish this Glinda quote that was altered for Idina, from the end of "Wicked": " Fellow Ozians..."

I love Idina Menzel. When she reappears at the end of the show, Glinda comes on in a bubble and says "Fellow Ozians, we've been through a frightening time." On January 9th however, Jennifer Laura Thomas screamed what was on everybody's mind "I Love Idina Menzel!"

True or False: Joey MacIntyre followed the script word for word at Idina's last performance.

f. Joey made quite a few jokes that night. When Idina came on stage he cracked "I thought you'd never get here!" and when Elphie wished Glinda could know that they're alive, Joey responded "I think she knows." And those are just a few.

In the goodbye speech to Idina, director Joe Mantello retold the story of Idina's audition for "Wicked". He claimed she was the only person to do what?

Wear green makeup. "...You know, when Idina first came in to audition for us, she was the first person we saw. She was number one, and uh, that was a great sign. Suprisingly she was the only person who showed up with green eye makeup, green blush, green lipstick. She sang a song from "Aida" and she was unbelievable."

While we're talking about auditions, Joe Mantello also said Idina did something out of the ordinary in her call back. What did she do?

She swore at the top her lungs. "She came back for call backs and she sang "Defying Gravity", and it was brilliant. And she got to the end, and got to the point where she said 'Never going to bring me' and on 'me'...she cracked. She screamed the F-word at the top of her lungs and finished the song brilliantly. And I think at that point she didn't expect to get the part, but she did."

In his speech about Idina, what "Wicked" song does Joe Mantello make allusion to?

Defying Gravity. When explaining what had happened the previous show and the melting trap, Joe says "For those you who don't know yesterday during the matinee, Idina took a tumble in the melting trap." Idina quips "I melted and I melted" and Joe finishes with "She did not defy gravity." It was a hilarious, emotional and brilliant speech.

One final question on Idina's final words. After Joe's speech she had the opportunity to give a little speech of her own. How long was it?

Two sentences. "I can't, I just want to say thank you and I love you all. It's been the best year of my life, thank you." Short, but sweet, and a great way to sa goodbye to the lovely Idina Menzel.