A Historic Moment in Oz
On a night that will be etched in Broadway history, Lencia Kebede took center stage as Elphaba in Wicked, becoming the first full-time Black actor to assume the role on Broadway.

Stepping into the iconic green skin of the misunderstood witch, Kebede’s performance wasn’t just a theatrical debut—it was a cultural moment. As the curtain fell on her first show, she wasn’t alone in feeling the weight of the occasion. Green tears flowed, both on stage and in the audience.

For Kebede, the emotions were overwhelming. “It’s hard to even pinpoint a single emotion because I feel that it changes like every five minutes,” she shared. “I woke up and I still sort of felt in the world of Oz.”

A first-generation Ethiopian American from Los Angeles, Kebede is no stranger to high-profile productions. She spent five years touring with Hamilton, most recently in the coveted role of Angelica Schuyler. But Wicked marks her Broadway debut, and what a debut it was.

‘Defying Gravity’ in More Ways Than One
By the time Kebede reached the first act’s breathtaking finale, Defying Gravity, she had already ridden an emotional rollercoaster. As she soared into the air, belting the song’s final notes, the sheer power of the moment tore through her.

“When the lights went off at the end of the song, I started sobbing,” she revealed. “Not like just a gentle tear. Viscerally, I had to release.”

For Kebede, this wasn’t just about hitting the right notes—it was about something far bigger than herself.

“I really felt like I was flying,” she reflected. “I felt like I’m doing it myself, through my own power—my vocal power, my emotional power, the power of all of my African ancestors.”

And then came the lyrics that struck a deeper chord:

“Everyone deserves a chance to fly.”

“I’m projecting this message that no matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from, you deserve liberation and you deserve empowerment,” she said. “It just feels like I’m taking the entire audience in my arms.”

By the time intermission arrived, she needed a moment to compose herself.

“My makeup artist was like, ‘Just let it out, just cry, and then we can clean it up,’” she recalled with a laugh.

A Night to Remember
For her Broadway debut, Kebede was surrounded by over 60 family and friends, all there to celebrate this milestone.

Among them:

• Her mother, aunts, uncles, and cousins
• Her boyfriend and close friends from past productions
• Her agent, casting directors, and even her college choir director

“My whole family was in the audience—just everyone who I’ve ever loved, with everyone who has loved me and supported me through my life was just like under me, lifting me and holding me,” she said.

And after the show? A flood of love.

“It was so important to me to have people there that I could share this moment with, so I could say to their faces, ‘I couldn’t be here without a piece of your heart that you gave me.’”

Joining a Sisterhood of Elphabas
Kebede now stands alongside an exclusive group of Black women who have donned Elphaba’s green makeup.

This sisterhood includes:

• Saycon Sengbloh and Lilli Cooper (Broadway standbys)
• Brandi Chavonne Massey (Broadway understudy)
• Alexia Khadime (West End’s full-time Elphaba)

She also follows in the footsteps of legendary Elphabas like Idina Menzel, Stephanie J. Block, Jessica Vosk, Shoshana Bean, and Eden Espinosa.

And with Wicked still thriving on Broadway—it grossed a record-breaking $5 million over Christmas week—Kebede is stepping into the role at a time when audiences are more eager than ever for Oz’s most misunderstood character.

From Politics to the Stage: Kebede’s Unexpected Journey
Acting wasn’t always the plan for Lencia Kebede.

Graduating from Occidental College in 2016 with a double major in diplomacy & world affairs and politics, she envisioned a career in law or public policy. But by her senior year, something inside her shifted.

“I just had this creative craving in terms of storytelling in the theatrical way that I was missing,” she said.

With that realization, she made a bold decision.

“I sat my mother down and I was like, ‘Look, I think I need just a couple years to explore this creative endeavor.’”

That leap of faith led to:

• Her first professional role in Memphis (Musical Theatre West)
• A stint at Tokyo Disney
• A tour with Rent
• Years on the road with Hamilton
• Singing backup for Beyoncé during Coachella rehearsals

And now? She’s officially a Broadway leading lady.

The Making of a Star
Spending years on tour prepared Kebede for the intensity of Broadway.

“The rigorous nature of touring, I think, prepared me immensely for this,” she said. “I feel very equipped—physically, vocally, emotionally. I know how to take care of my body and my mind, how I need to cool down emotionally after such an intense experience for three hours.”

Her debut night was nothing short of electric.

“My grandmother and my father passed when I was in high school, and I just took a moment to connect with my angels,” she said.

Post-show, her family piled backstage for photos and a tour, followed by a celebratory toast at a nearby bar. Then, finally, home—exhausted but elated.

“My battery was dead. I mean, I couldn’t even move,” she laughed. “I couldn’t move my face. I was just drinking my tea, playing calming jazz. I had to just turn it off.”

A Star Takes Flight
Lencia Kebede’s Broadway debut isn’t just about a new Elphaba—it’s about representation, resilience, and rewriting the rules.

She’s living proof that everyone deserves a chance to fly.

And from the looks of it? She’s just getting started.