Eden Espinosa is a Broadway star, best known for starring as Elphaba in Wicked, on and off for seven years. She was originally cast as Idina Menzel's standby in the original Broadway production, whilst also understudying Elphaba's sister, Nessarose. She then left the production to originate the title character in Brooklyn the Musical from the original workshop through its Broadway premiere. Eden later returned to Wicked to take over as Elphaba from Shoshana Bean and went on to play the role in the Los Angeles and San Francisco productions of the musical.
Eden has also played Flora in the Reprise Theater Company’s production of Flora the Red Menace and Maureen in the closing Broadway company of Rent. The production was filmed and released on DVD.
Last year Eden re-worked some classic musical theatre songs for her debut solo album 'Look Around' which reached no. 41 on the iTunes Pop chart. She is currently preparing to star in Christmas In New York, a seasonal theatrical concert which returns this Christmas for one night only at the Palace Theatre in London on Monday 9th December. The show will also play its first ever regional date at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on Saturday 7th December.
Eden chats to West End Frame about why she's looking forward to working alongside some of the West End's most popular performers, some of her favourite memories from her time in Wicked and which three musical theatre songs she would take with her to a desert island...
Can you give me any hints or clues as to what you will be performing in Christmas In New York?
Well, I don’t want to give anything away. But I will say, that I will be representing New York in a song. I get to have some great moments in the show. A beautiful duet, a rocking uptempo, and a Christmas standard that I hope will be a crowd pleaser!
Well, I don’t want to give anything away. But I will say, that I will be representing New York in a song. I get to have some great moments in the show. A beautiful duet, a rocking uptempo, and a Christmas standard that I hope will be a crowd pleaser!
What can people expect from the show?
People can expect a night filled with the holiday spirit, beautiful music and lots of talent. I know this show used to take place every year so hopefully there will be some old favourites and some new surprises!
People can expect a night filled with the holiday spirit, beautiful music and lots of talent. I know this show used to take place every year so hopefully there will be some old favourites and some new surprises!
You are starring alongside some of the West End’s most popular performers, are you looking forward to working with them?
Absolutely! I couldn’t be more excited about meeting everyone and sharing the stage with such an amazing cast. I’m a little intimidated seeing as how I’m the new kid on the block and the only American! I hope to make both Broadway and the West End proud.
Absolutely! I couldn’t be more excited about meeting everyone and sharing the stage with such an amazing cast. I’m a little intimidated seeing as how I’m the new kid on the block and the only American! I hope to make both Broadway and the West End proud.
Last year you released your debut solo album ‘Look Around’. I love the album, you have put your own stamp on so many iconic musical theatre numbers and your version of With You from Ghost is hauntingly stunning. Are you proud of the album and pleased with the response?
Thank you so much! I honestly have never been more proud of anything I’ve done or been a part of. We worked so hard on this album to make it unique and to create a sound that was all my own. I think we accomplished that and then some. I’m thrilled that people like it and like our versions of these amazing musical theatre songs.
Thank you so much! I honestly have never been more proud of anything I’ve done or been a part of. We worked so hard on this album to make it unique and to create a sound that was all my own. I think we accomplished that and then some. I’m thrilled that people like it and like our versions of these amazing musical theatre songs.
Eden as Elphaba in Wicked
You are best known for starring as Elphaba in the Broadway, Los Angeles and San Francisco productions of Wicked. When you were first cast as Idina Menzel’s standby in the original Broadway production, did you have any idea how huge the show was going to be and how much it was going to change your life?
No! I really didn’t know that the show would be what it is today - I don’t think anyone did at the time. I knew it was special and I knew it spoke to me, but to imagine it being a global phenomenon?! I also didn’t anticipate the part I would play in its early years. Playing Elphaba for 7 years (on and off), people watching me on YouTube and so on. Wicked most definitely changed my life for good... see what I did there? [laughs]
No! I really didn’t know that the show would be what it is today - I don’t think anyone did at the time. I knew it was special and I knew it spoke to me, but to imagine it being a global phenomenon?! I also didn’t anticipate the part I would play in its early years. Playing Elphaba for 7 years (on and off), people watching me on YouTube and so on. Wicked most definitely changed my life for good... see what I did there? [laughs]
You have returned to Wicked many times. What is it that draws you back and would you ever consider returning again? I did the show on and off for a long time. The creative team kept asking me back which was a huge compliment and I always accepted because I felt like I hadn't finished growing - I hadn’t learnt all I could from playing Elphaba and I wasn’t ready to leave that world. Everytime I left I never felt closure. I do now. Do I think about going back? Sometimes. Never say never, but for now I have put away my hat and broom.
What are some of your favourite memories from your time in Wicked?
I have so many memories from doing Wicked! I could go on and on! The first time I went on as Elphaba with the original cast, the first time I did Nessarose opposite Idina (Menzel). Kristin (Chenoweth) is such a light, she really took me under her wing and was so nurturing, fun, patient and loving. She always treated me as an equal and I learned so much from doing the show with her. Last would probably be the closing show in Los Angeles. It’s where I’m from and to have originated Elphaba in my home town was quite a blessing. That last show was unbelievable!
I have so many memories from doing Wicked! I could go on and on! The first time I went on as Elphaba with the original cast, the first time I did Nessarose opposite Idina (Menzel). Kristin (Chenoweth) is such a light, she really took me under her wing and was so nurturing, fun, patient and loving. She always treated me as an equal and I learned so much from doing the show with her. Last would probably be the closing show in Los Angeles. It’s where I’m from and to have originated Elphaba in my home town was quite a blessing. That last show was unbelievable!
You have also played other iconic roles including Maureen in Rent. Is it possible for you to have any dream roles?
Maureen was one of my dream roles for years and years, so to be asked to play her in the closing cast on Broadway was quite a full circle moment for me. I would love to play Fantine in Les Mis. When I’m older another dream role is Diana in Next to Normal.
Maureen was one of my dream roles for years and years, so to be asked to play her in the closing cast on Broadway was quite a full circle moment for me. I would love to play Fantine in Les Mis. When I’m older another dream role is Diana in Next to Normal.
Have you seen any Broadway shows recently? If so, what do you recommend? Will you be seeing any theatre during your time in London or will you be too busy?
I just saw Pippin recently and loved it! I do hope to catch a show while I'm London, so if anyone has any recommendations let me know!
I just saw Pippin recently and loved it! I do hope to catch a show while I'm London, so if anyone has any recommendations let me know!
Eden performing at 54 Below
Imagine you had to move to a desert island... which three musical theatre songs would you take with you and why? (Can be songs to sing and/or listen to.)
I would take to listen to…. 'Unexpected Song' by Andrew Lloyd Webber - Live at Carnegie Hall / Bernadette Peters. I have always loved the song and the live version literally brings me to tears. I feel as if she is throwing herself into the wind, and the wind is the song!
I would take to listen to…. 'Unexpected Song' by Andrew Lloyd Webber - Live at Carnegie Hall / Bernadette Peters. I have always loved the song and the live version literally brings me to tears. I feel as if she is throwing herself into the wind, and the wind is the song!
I would also take the 'Overture into Heaven On Their Minds' from Jesus Christ Superstar. This, this, this always makes me so happy and mad at the same time because I WANT TO PLAY JUDAS! The way this show opens and then into the first song is awesome. However, it has to be the 1973 / Carl Anderson version! Sonically it just sounds so good to me, so full of 70’s goodness! The way they recorded back then! The guitars, it all sounds very real and live!
Finally I would take 'Sunday' from Sunday in the Park with George from the original cast recording. I first sang this song with the Broadway Inspirational Voices for Billy Porter’s recording of his album 'At the Corner of Broadway and Soul' and instantly fell hard for how beautiful the lyrics, the melody, the picture Sondheim paints.
Finally, you have so many incredibly loyal fans in the US and in the UK. What is it like having so much support behind you?
In today’s day and age with social media there are people all over the world who support me who have never seen me live and it is such a crazy, humbling, amazing feeling to know that what I do or have done has touched someone somewhere.
In today’s day and age with social media there are people all over the world who support me who have never seen me live and it is such a crazy, humbling, amazing feeling to know that what I do or have done has touched someone somewhere.
Interview by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Christmas In New York takes place at Palace Theatre in London on Monday 9th December and at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on Saturday 7th December 2013. Eden's album 'Look Around' is available on iTunes.
Photo Credit: Joan Marcus
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