Cynthia Erivo will be seeing green all over again for her next big gig.
The Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner has been tapped to narrate a new audiobook version of Gregory McGuire‘s best-selling novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.”
First published in 1995, the origin story of Elphaba Thropp serves as the basis for the hit musical “Wicked,” which has been adapted into an Oscar-nominated, box office-shattering film starring Erivo in the leading role.
A previously released recording of the audiobook was narrated by John McDonough in 2005. Due to the renewed interest in the title, it’s an appropriate time for a revival.
“I’m incredibly excited to narrate ‘Wicked,’ especially after having had the privilege of portraying Elphaba on screen,” Erivo said in a statement. “I feel deeply connected to Elphaba. We have been on quite the journey together, and now I’m eager to begin an adventure with her whilst exploring the full world of ‘Wicked’ and its myriad of other characters in the audiobook. I’m looking forward to bringing this incredible story to life in a new way for listeners, and I hope it resonates as deeply with them as I know it will with me.”
The audiobook, now available for preorder through most online retailers, is set to be released July 1, 2025, via Recorded Books.
Taking place long before the events of “The Wizard of Oz,” the adult-themed novel is presented as a biography of the Wicked Witch of the West and is the first book in “The Wicked Years” series. Other books, “Son of a Witch,” “A Lion Among Men” and “Out of Oz,” followed.
Erivo garnered her second Oscar nomination for Best Actress with her performance in Jon M. Chu’s critically acclaimed film adaptation also starring Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh.
Part one of the two-part series became the highest grossing movie based on a Broadway musical ever at the U.S. box office. “Wicked” was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and named Best Film by the National Board of Review.
The follow-up, “Wicked: For Good,” hits theaters this November.
