Wicked: Nicole Parker to play 'Elphaba' and Aaron Tveit the role of 'Fiyero'

Nicole Parker from 'MADtv,' will join the cast of the Broadway musical Wicked on 16 Jan 2009, playing the role of 'Elphaba.' She assumes the role from Marcie Dodd in the role created on Broadway by Idina Menzel.

Parker made her Broadway debut in 'Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.' She recently wrapped her sixth and final season of "MADtv," where she was an actress and contributing writer. This summer she will appear opposite Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen in the film 'Funny People,' directed by Judd Apatow.

In further casting news Aaron Tveit will return to the role of 'Fiyero' 23 Jan 2009, assuming the role from Kevin Kern. He first played the role of 'Fiyero' on Broadway from 24 Jun - 9 Nov 2008.

Tveit made his Broadway debut in 2006 in the Broadway musical 'Hairspray' (Link Larkin - replacement: 2002). Off-Broadway Tveit was nominated for a 2008 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actor for his role as 'Gabe' in Second Stage Theatre's production of the musical 'Next to Normal,' and starred in Playwrights Horizons production of the musical 'Saved.'

Wicked, now in its sixth year on Broadway, opened at the Gershwin Theatre on the 30 Oct 2003, following previews from 8 Oct 2003, where it is currently booking through to 11 Oct 2009.

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

Wicked currently features Marcie Dodd (Elphaba), Alli Mauzey (Glinda), P.J. Benjamin (The Wizard), Jayne Houdyshell (Madame Morrible), Kevin Kern (Fiyero), Brynn O'malley (Nessarose), Timothy Britten Parker (Doctor Dillamond) and Alex Brightman (Boq).

Wicked has music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Winnie Holzman, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire.

The musical is directed by Joe Mantello, with choreography by James Lynn Abbott, scene design by Eugene Lee, costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting by Kenneth Posner and sound by Tony Meola.