Will Willemijn Verkaik as Elphaba on Broadway

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 8:05pm

Does anyone think that Ms. Verkaik will play Elphaba here in the U.S.?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 8:36pm

Unlikely. It'd be hard to get Equity to approve it.

[inick122492]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 9:38pm

^While that difficulty may be true, they brought Kerry Ellis from London. Granted Willemijn learned the role in 2 other languages she has been well liked enough to play the role for almost 4 years straight. I wouldn't nix that theory quite yet. It would be difficult to teach her the nuances in the American version but who knows?
Updated On: 8/31/11 at 09:38 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 10:12pm

I'm sure the floodgates are much less restricted between the UK & USA than they are with Germany.

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 10:50pm

Willemijn is not German; she's Dutch. She just did a concert at Birdland w/Stephen Schwartz, Scott Alan and Jason Robert Brown so I'm sure she has a U.S. work permit. She's going to be busy with the Dutch version of Wicked which is getting ready to open so it won't be anytime soon if ever, but I'd like it to happen.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 11:03pm

There were rumors around the time Kerry Ellis was playing the role that she'd come over, but obviously nothing ever came of them.

I'd love to see her play the role one day- her voice is absolutely incredible.

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 11:20pm

Kerry did come over

[HBP]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 12:12am

i believe willemijn played velma kelly on broadway a few years ago. her english is as near-native as her german.

[binau]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 12:20am

Velma? lol are you sure :-/?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 12:37am

Kerry did come over

I know. I was referring to Verkaik.

i believe willemijn played velma kelly on broadway a few years ago. her english is as near-native as her german.

I believe you're thinking of Pia Douwes.
Updated On: 9/1/11 at 12:37 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 6:06am

A work permit has nothing to do with it. (And she was likely given permission FOR that gig -- not to work freely in the states -- especially with unemployment the way it is.)

This has to do with Equity rules, not the government's. Equity has control over whether a show can hire a non equity, non citizen for parts. There are rules stating things like unique talents and the like. MY understanding was that in many cases, you had to convince them that there wasn't an Equity member capable of the same job. There are differences when shows transfer intact (or mostly intact) and I'm sure exceptions are made all the time.

Remember, their job is protect their members.

I understand that the rules going overseas (and particularly London) are not as difficult to overcome as are Equity's.

[provocation]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 9:55pm

She's freaking incredible. I would fly to NY in a heartbeat to see this woman play Elphaba. Love her!

[Jane4]

Posted: 9/21/11 at 4:39pm

Hey guys!
Yes...Willemijn is awesome...her music, her voice and not to forget herself..she's very kind and friendly..everytime I'm speaking to her is very special...I'm watching all the video-material I have from her the whole day ...
I'm from Germany and I've already had lots fo possiblities to see her :)...don't want to miss her..
It's hard to say if she will ever come to Broadway...I think if she would want that she could. She's amazing and she gets more and more popular each day. She's "the best" ..
But she has a husband and her family here..not to forget that she already played Elphaba since 2007...I think after "Wicked-Nederland" she will want to do something different.
But never say never :P...maybe someday you are one of those lucky guys that are able to see her regulary :)
liefs

sorry for my english :/

[BadIdeaBear]

Posted: 10/18/11 at 9:11am

I am so excited about this girl i had to post these links.

Clips from the upcomming production of Wicked, wich will premiere next month

http://youtu.be/eOOuPFq5UH4

http://youtu.be/n4dc9G1VTB8

http://youtu.be/TygtyfYh5ZU

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 10/19/11 at 2:19am

And here's another celebrating the opening of the Dutch production of "Wicked" at the AFAS CircusTheatre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TygtyfYh5ZU&feature=youtu.be

[BadIdeaBear]

Posted: 10/19/11 at 5:03pm

Wow, i like this clip a lot

https://youtu.be/TygtyfYh5ZU

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 10/19/11 at 11:06pm

The score is beautiful in Dutch.

As impressive as it is that Willemijn speaks several languages so fluently, what gets me the most is her fantastic diction in all of them. Beautiful.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/19/11 at 11:13pm

She'd certainly make a more interesting Elphaba than the girls who are constantly recycled from tours and sit-downs (Wicks, Roscioli, Burns, etc). And her English is practically native. But I don't see it happening--at least not any time soon.

[HBG88]

Posted: 12/17/12 at 1:25pm

HOT NEWS from holland!!

Willemijn Verkaik will play Elphaba on Broadway.
See was just in a program telling that.
It's a pitty she gonna leave holland.
But for you is that wonderful.
She is a GREAT Elphaba.
greets from Dave out Holland

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 12/17/12 at 2:09pm

I'm really looking forward to this. :)

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Willemijn-Verkaik-to-Join-WICKED-as-Elphaba-in-February-20121217

[TheatreKid3]

Posted: 12/17/12 at 3:02pm

The Holland production is closing next month, so I knew this would be perfect timing.

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 12/17/12 at 4:29pm

I've never been so happy to be wrong!