Elphaba

"Elphie" redirects here. For people and with fictional characters with similar names, seeElfi.

Elphaba Thropp/ˈɛlfəbəˈθrɒp/is theprotagonistin the 1995 novelWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the WestbyGregory Maguire,in itsmusical theatreadaptationWicked,and in the musical'stwo-part film adaptation.The character is identified with theWicked Witch of the WestfromL. Frank Baum's 1900 novelThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Elphaba
The Wicked Yearscharacter
Myra Ruiz as Elphaba in the original Brazilian production of the musical version ofWicked.
First appearance	Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West(1995)
Created by	Gregory Maguire
Based on	Wicked Witch of the West byL. Frank Baum
Portrayed by	Idina Menzel(musical adaptation) Cynthia Erivo(two-part film adaptation)
In-universe information
Full name	Elphaba Thropp
Alias	Wicked Witch of the West
Family	Oscar Diggs(father) Nessarose Thropp (half-sister)
Significantother	Fiyero Tigelaar
Children	Liir Thropp (son)
Religion	None (atheist)
Nationality	Ozian

In the Baum novel, the Witch is unnamed and little is explained about her life;Wickedcreates abackstoryfor her and explores the world ofThe Wizard of Ozfrom her perspective. Elphaba is modeled afterMargaret Hamilton's portrayal in the 1939 filmThe Wizard of Oz:green-skinned, clad entirely in black and wearing a tall peaked hat. Maguire formulated the name "Elphaba" from the pronunciation of Baum's initials— "L.F.B."

Portrayals

The role was originated onBroadwayandthe West EndbyIdina Menzel,who won the 2004Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.Elphaba was played byCynthia Erivoin thefilm adaptation of the first act of the musical,and will reprise the role in theadaptation of the second actwith Karis Musongole portraying the character as a child in the first film.