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[0:00] Quincy Brown: And that concludes the exit interview. You may leave.

[1:30] Kevin Bianchi: Great. We saw Carrie Ellis live at 54 Below last night.

[1:34] Quincy Brown: Yeah. How could I be bad on a day, on the day after that?

[1:37] Kevin Bianchi: It was, I mean, you tell me.

[1:39] Quincy Brown: It was, honestly, like, church is like the best way to describe it. The set list, incredible. The instrument, tip-top shape.

[1:47] Kevin Bianchi: She's in pristine voice.

[1:51] Quincy Brown: I feel like the vibe in the room last night was, like, exactly perfect. Like, it was just, like, everybody was there to have a good time, hear Miss Carrie Ellis sing the greatest hits of Broadway and the West End.

[2:09] Kevin Bianchi: I think our table mates may have thought we were a bit much.

[2:13] Quincy Brown: Well, I am a bit much.

[2:15] Kevin Bianchi: Well, what's interesting is we're really not. Like, I don't want the listeners to think that we're, like, these rowdy theater patrons. We just had two moments, one after the other.

[2:26] Quincy Brown: Kevin almost knocked the table down, and then I, like, accidentally threw a pen at her when I was trying to sign the tab, and it happened very close.

[2:34] Kevin Bianchi: But that wasn't even during the show. That was literally, like, on the way out, both of those things.

[2:39] Quincy Brown: Yeah. The, are you guys big fans of her? I can tell, was a little pointed, I thought.

[2:44] Kevin Bianchi: We can tell. Yeah.

[2:47] Quincy Brown: Again, though, we're not, we're very polite audience members.

[2:50] Kevin Bianchi: We're good audience members. Are we enthusiastic audience members? Yes. But I would wager that any performer would rather have a room full of us than a room full of people who are afraid to have a good time.

[3:04] Quincy Brown: Yeah. Especially at a cabaret. Like, we don't go see a show and, like, hoot and holler.

[3:10] Kevin Bianchi: I just hope, I hope we're self-aware.

[3:13] Quincy Brown: We are.

[3:19] Kevin Bianchi: I think we are. I don't, I think both of us are far too insecure to be, to be unaware of how we come off in an audience situation.

[3:24] Quincy Brown: We got to meet Listener J.

[3:26] Kevin Bianchi: We got to meet Listener J.

[3:28] Quincy Brown: So sweet.

[3:29] Kevin Bianchi: Let's talk about Ms. Ellis. You kind of said, I think we were talking over each other, but she is an impeccable voice.

[3:37] Quincy Brown: Really pristine voice. I don't know what I was expecting, but it really was just so astonishing how easy, she was doing the Broadway Belt's greatest hits.

[3:46] Kevin Bianchi: We got Don't Rain on My Parade. We got I Dreamed a Dream, Always Starting Over, Defying Gravity, Anthem from Chess. Am I missing anything?

[3:55] Quincy Brown: Somebody to Love. Yeah. She sang...

[3:57] Kevin Bianchi: Shallow.

[3:59] Quincy Brown: Shallow. Yeah. She sang, like, all 11 o'clock numbers. Like, everything she sang was, like, the vocally challenging moment of that show.

[4:08] Kevin Bianchi: And everything was easy, breezy, carefree. She was having so much fun. It really, I mean, I've never seen her live, and I don't think I realized how excited I was going to be to see her live until it was happening in front of me.

[4:22] Quincy Brown: Oh, my God. I Dreamed a Dream.

[4:25] Kevin Bianchi: You had a real moment.

[4:27] Quincy Brown: I did. She's, like, absolutely iconic in that role. And to hear it with my ears, you know what I mean? Like, so many of those, it's like, yeah, I've seen the boots. I've heard the audios.

[4:36] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah.

[4:39] Quincy Brown: But with my own ears, live in the room, to hear some of that was really, really special.

[4:44] Kevin Bianchi: It reminded me of the feeling when we saw Julia Murney sing How Did We All Come to This from The Wild Party, also at 54 Below.

[4:50] Quincy Brown: We've had some really special moments at 54 Below.

[4:53] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah. Remember when you bought a steak for Julia Murney after her show?

[4:59] Quincy Brown: You, me, and the Broadway medium.

[5:01] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, I don't know. I just had it last night. I was like, wow, I will always go to an Alphabets cabaret at 54 Below, because it is a guaranteed perfect evening.

[5:11] Quincy Brown: Yeah, I agree. Who else would you like to see?

[5:14] Kevin Bianchi: Well, we should also mention, Carrie also kind of announced that she's in the second movie, which I think we kind of knew, like, before she had told us, I was like, wait, weren't the, like, London Alphabets in the Wicked movie? And then she said it. She also said she's on an NDA, so maybe we shouldn't be talking about it. But I don't know. Phones were out.

[5:35] Quincy Brown: Well, yeah, I mean, she told us she was going to be in a movie that comes out this year.

[5:41] Kevin Bianchi: Sure. Did I ever say the name of the movie? I don't think I did, right?

[5:44] Quincy Brown: I don't think so. So she's apparently she's in a movie that comes out this year.

[5:48] Kevin Bianchi: That was perfect.

[5:50] Quincy Brown: Yeah. And?

[5:51] Kevin Bianchi: Tell the listeners what you texted me last night.

[5:53] Quincy Brown: So I'm thinking, like, where is there room for cameos in part two? And the only existing place I was referring to is Glinda's mom in part one.

[6:03] Kevin Bianchi: Well, I know that which was which didn't feel like a cameo. That felt almost like a coincidence to me because it was just kind of like, why wouldn't you pick a Glinda to be Glinda's mom if it was like intended to be an intentional cameo? Also, because it's like she didn't even have to sing or anything. Sure. You know, they were not letting Alice Ferdinand near that score.

[6:25] Quincy Brown: But I am hoping the only existing place that I can think of for a soloist would be I hear she has an extra eye that always remains awake. I want that to be one alphabet. And then the next one, another alphabet is I hear she can shed her skin as easily as a snake. And then I want Carrie Ellis. I want Carrie Ellis, the highest female solo. I hear some rebel animals are giving her food and shelter. And then I want it to be Norbert Leo Butz. I hear her soul is so unclean. Pure water could melt her. There was no Norbert in part one. There was such a prime. He should could have been long, long ago, long before. Oh, my God. That was Norbert. That would have been the moment. Norbert, honestly, also could have been Elphaba's dad if we were going that route.

[7:20] Kevin Bianchi: No, that would have been cute. Wow. Imagine Adina as Elphaba's mom doing the piano sit choreography. That piano boop, boop, boop gets me every time.

[7:34] Quincy Brown: That's like my exact sense of humor. Adina would really play that moment. This like very tactical sound cue happening as they like bump across the piano. I think you're right. That seems to me where I would stick a bunch of former Elphaba cameos in the second movie.

[7:53] Kevin Bianchi: I hope if that's what it is, I hope it's several formers and not just like three other people and Carrie Ellis. You know what I mean? Do we think Lucy Jones is in this movie?

[8:06] Quincy Brown: I think she told us she wasn't. I think she told us she wasn't because she was in the show and they were filming. I think I was going to say I want to go back and look at which former Elphaba's went to the London premiere.

[8:14] Kevin Bianchi: Mm hmm. That's interesting. That's because I know Carrie was like out and about doing all the movie stuff. We'll see. Yeah, so we'll see. But it was like a really fun evening. We learned some new information. We saw we saw Carrie Ellis sing Defying Gravity Live. She did her look. She did the growl. Also, she served a look the little jumpsuit.

[8:36] Quincy Brown: Yeah, she was serving. Kevin, who do we have on the pod today?

[8:40] Kevin Bianchi: Well, Quincy, today on the podcast, we have an encore appearance by one Ms. Mary Kate Morrissey here for her exit interview with the Sentimental Men, her unofficial official performance review, her words, her words. Yeah. As you will hear.

[8:54] Quincy Brown: Yeah, I really asked us for a performance review, didn't I? At the end of it or final remarks towards her on. Yes, she was like, so what were my strengths? What could I get better at? I'm like, everything and nothing is the answer. But no, I'm super excited. I love to have a guest back on the pod. It's always a good time.

[9:19] Kevin Bianchi: There's always a good vibe. And it's a theme. We just had Caroline back after five years.

[9:24] Quincy Brown: Yeah, it's like on as she's wrapping up her journey. Five years. Quincy is insane. I know. You know what I can't do? I can't go and look at the video that we posted at the beginning of this podcast, because we both looked very different. And it makes me sad.

[9:51] Kevin Bianchi: That's tragic. But I really liked because we had this conversation with Mary Kay yesterday, literally like right before seeing Carrie Ellis at 54 Below. And so I feel confident saying to the listeners now that you're in for like a very good conversation with Mary Kay. Her journey, her growth with this role. Yeah. I mean, over the last nine or 10 years, but over the last year even has just, it was really incredible to hear. Really special. I'm so happy for her. I'm so impressed by her. And I can't wait to see what she does after Wicked.

[10:33] Quincy Brown: Same. Winning the US Masters or whatever the golf Super Bowl is.

[10:42] Kevin Bianchi: Should we just refresh the listeners on Miss Mary Kate's resume? Yeah. So Mary Kate Morrissey in 2015 made her Wicked debut as the Elphaba Standby on the second national tour. In 2017, she was moved up to principal Elphaba of the second national tour. In 2019, she was in the original cast of the Mean Girls first national tour as Gretchen.

[11:04] Quincy Brown: As Gretchen? Not as Gretchen, as what's her name? Janice.

[11:12] Kevin Bianchi: Janice. I would be so into the Gretchen too, though. I want to see her Regina at TBH. I think in her first episode, she told us that she maybe auditioned for Regina as well.

[11:19] Quincy Brown: Yeah. And she said she didn't have anything Regina enough to wear to the audition. I remember that story. It was also interesting, both her and Caroline were like scooping the episode, but like compared the Elphaba personality to the Glinda personality. At the thing.

[11:42] Kevin Bianchi: The Wicked premiere. Yeah, yeah. I also not to like scoop the episode, but I also like to the point that this is good. We're giving them things to listen for. I loved and she goes into a little more depth about this, but I love that Mary Kate has identified herself as like the end of an Elphaba era because like we talk about the Golden Age and then we talk, you know, we have our different eras. What is this era called then?

[12:13] Quincy Brown: I kind of want to call it the BC era, like before Cynthia.

[12:17] Kevin Bianchi: Cynthia. Okay. BC, BA, BM, before movie. But it's interesting to hear a perspective on that from like within.

[12:25] Quincy Brown: Yes. Like it's one thing for like us as fans to be like, oh yeah, like this is an era. This is an era. But to hear one of the actresses really say, like to use that vocabulary and like talk about that was really interesting.

[12:41] Kevin Bianchi: We should sit down with the timeline in like actually looking at one day, because I was thinking last night, Carrie Ellis, in my mind, is the end of the Golden Age of Broadway, which I think is around 2008. I think Carrie Ellis was 2008. She replaced Stephanie J. Block. To me, Carrie Ellis is like the last of that age. And then we move into the like Mandy de Rossioli, Teal Wicks, Jackie Burns age. And then I think of like Hannah Cornell as the current age that Mary Kate is in, current class.

[13:16] Quincy Brown: Yeah. I would say, yeah, I think I'm right there with you, actually. Because who was before Hannah Cornell? Was it Jessica Vosk? Maybe Jessica Vosk is that? I feel like that 15th anniversary cast was very like, reminiscent of the original cast. Like I feel like, maybe not Marcy Dodd, but like around then, through the 15 year, I feel like it was very much like, how can we keep the show as close to Idina and Kristen as possible? And then the Hannah, the Lindsay, the Talia, Mary Kate, Alyssa Joy Fox, all of those girlies, I feel like were one step away from the archetype. And now we'll have-

[14:10] Kevin Bianchi: Whole new era.

[14:11] Quincy Brown: Post-Cynthia era.

[14:13] Kevin Bianchi: BM.

[14:14] Quincy Brown: Will we ever have another white Elphaba? I don't know.

[14:17] Kevin Bianchi: I was wondering that if like now it's going to shift towards Vosk. I think it's too soon to tell because it could be a one-off or it could be a shift. We got to see.

[14:27] Quincy Brown: Also, I can't wait to see what kind of wig they give her.

[14:31] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah.

[14:32] Quincy Brown: Will she have the braids like Cynthia? Will she have the center part like Alexia?

[14:37] Kevin Bianchi: Did we finish Mary Kate's resume? That was a crazy tangent.

[14:40] Quincy Brown: No, we didn't. So when we started that tangent, we were at 2019 original cast of the Mean Girls tour. In 2021, after the COVID shutdown, she reopened the Mean Girls tour and was famously replaced by one Ms. Lindsay Heather Pierce. In 2023, Mary Kate Morrissey made her Broadway debut in Wicked as the Elphaba standby. And then in 2024, took over as the principal Elphaba on Broadway. And that brings us up to today.

[15:14] Kevin Bianchi: Where she's about to conclude her run.

[15:17] Quincy Brown: And honestly, I mean, I don't want to like say conclude her Elphaba journey, but in the progression of like standby to principal to standby to principal and thinking of the fact that she's been playing this role for 10 years, it's like this really is such a huge chapter for Mary Kate, the person, not just like Mary Kate, the actress, the Elphaba.

[15:43] Kevin Bianchi: Totally. We have gone on for too long. So let's get into this great conversation with Mary Kate Morrissey. Enjoy. All right. We are joined by Mary Kate Morrissey for an encore appearance on Sent Men. How much longer do you have left in the show?

[16:01] Mary Kate Morrissey: I have a month. Almost. Today's the last day of January, right?

[16:06] Quincy Brown: Yeah. Yeah.

[16:07] Mary Kate Morrissey: February is my last month.

[16:09] Kevin Bianchi: Oh, man.

[16:10] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah.

[16:10] Quincy Brown: How are we feeling?

[16:11] Mary Kate Morrissey: I'm feeling I was just telling I was just for your listeners, I was telling the sent men that this feels like my exit interview. Like, like, okay, now I've done it. Now I'm now it's all wrapping up. We got to put a little bow on it.

[16:25] Kevin Bianchi: I think last time we spoke was right before you went in full time, right?

[16:30] Mary Kate Morrissey: I was standby.

[16:31] Kevin Bianchi: And we didn't know you were going in yet.

[16:34] Mary Kate Morrissey: No.

[16:34] Quincy Brown: Okay. So I guess let's start there. Talk to us about how lead came your way.

[16:39] Mary Kate Morrissey: I'm sure that I haven't listened to our last episode, but I feel like I probably told you guys there's always that sort of like, can I do it? Hesitancy about it. It's such a big, big, big gig. And because I was going on so much, I really kind of felt like I could. So I said to Lisa Liguio, our associate director, I'm your girl. Like, it's me. Like, if you guys give it to me. Yeah, it's me.

[17:05] Quincy Brown: It's me.

[17:06] Mary Kate Morrissey: I was like, I'm doing it. I'm doing it so much right now that I know I can, and I know that I will keep the show safe.

[17:15] Kevin Bianchi: And she was like, yeah, you know, right. And so I saw an audition, even though I was on probably three or four times a week, five times a week, six times. It was nuts. And she would be seeing the show. And she's like, yes. And I'm like, yes.

[17:30] Mary Kate Morrissey: Then we get into the room to do the audition. And she's like, it's not translating. I'm like, that's because it's theater. And I'm like, what I'm doing is for 1900, not for an iPhone. You know what I mean? Right.

[17:42] Kevin Bianchi: So she tried to, like, bootleg the show. That didn't work.

[17:48] Mary Kate Morrissey: And then and then I went it was it was really fun to be auditioning, though, because I got to read with, like, all the people that are bringing in for Fiero and things like that. There's like guys from Hamilton or guys from like all these different it was really fun. And I just knew that I had to be so good, like I had to be so good in the show that it made their job easy. Like, why would you look somewhere else if what you need is right in front of you and ready?

[18:08] Quincy Brown: Right.

[18:14] Mary Kate Morrissey: So I was just like, I just have to be every single show I did. I treated it like an audition. I remember Jenny DeNoia telling us that when she was in a similar position, moving from standby to Broadway, she was like, I had to go audition. And I literally had the freaking green, like still in my ears from performing the night before. And and like, you know, the like mind trick that comes with having to audition for the job you're already doing. And what was crazy that at both times I had to put myself on tape and audition. I was on that night. And so I'd be like, I have to go right now because they're going to paint me in five minutes. Yeah. Like, I I'm so sorry. I love I don't want to sing Defying Gravity another time because I have to go do it tonight live.

So. Right. So they ended up giving me the gig, which is like. Amazing, you know, I was definitely like hesitant when I got it, I was like, well, I remember telling my husband, like, I got the full time gig and he was like, are we happy? Are we allowed to be happy about this? And I was like, yeah, we're happy. This is like because this is the victory lap. This is like the big dream come true. And and now at the end of it, I'm like, I can say I've done it, you know?

[19:23] Kevin Bianchi: Well, it's interesting. I was I was listening back to the episode we did a long time ago, and I feel like a common through line in that conversation was just kind of your mental health journey with the role and feeling confident within yourself. And it felt like you were kind of in a middle of the road place with how you felt about the performance you were giving in Elphaba. But it seems like we got to a very confident place by the time it came to going for.

[19:44] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah, definitely. I definitely felt like I definitely felt like I was a great Elphaba. And why would they not want me to do it all the time? So yeah. And that took like, obviously took like a lot of work, but I just kept working and working and working and working in the rehearsal room and my voice lessons and just trying to get better, better, better, better, better. I also feel like that whole year of the 20th, like all of the like promotional stuff, you were there, you were like doing Broadway con, you were doing comic con, all of anytime Wicked needed, needed a girl.

[20:29] Quincy Brown: Never forget, never forget. Let David Stone forget, but never forget us. Like they did not tell us that it was going to be like fluorescent lights. I think David wouldn't have let me do it. But it was enter from the back of the conference room. I was on that night too. Like it was crazy because I was doing I was doing all of that promo stuff. I was doing it almost felt like me and Marissa Gonzalez, who's like our mark, like had a market. Yeah, it almost felt like we were campaigning for me to be the next Elphaba. And she was like, we are doing this. And yeah, but then I was like, do on the campaign trail and also doing the job. It's crazy.

[21:05] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah. I feel like you did the kind of like old school journey of like tour, standby, tour, principal, Broadway, standby, Broadway, principal, which is such a sort of logical progression to make through the company. In what ways did that kind of prepare you to take on the role principal on Broadway?

[21:27] Mary Kate Morrissey: I have nine years of character study under my belt. Like, holy shit. I know her. I know her like the back of my hand. You know what I mean? Yeah, there is because you started in 2015. Yes. Wow. It's a 10 year it's a 10 year journey. When I when I started playing her, I didn't know. I knew nothing about myself the way that I do now. I knew nothing about her the way I do now. And just from doing it so many times in so many different conditions. I feel like I that is something where nothing can shake me on stage. And it's so fresh every night because I am just like letting myself be surprised and authentically react as her because I know how she would. Right. So I feel like that is something that I'm grateful for.

I know that not everybody wants to go the standby route. Like we have Lindsay coming in right away into the chair. And I haven't done that in a long time. And I am grateful for my standby gig because it helped me digest all of these things about her that I needed to learn slowly. Like, I don't think I was I think I would have been a completely different Elphaba if I hadn't had the chance to like do the show a couple of times and then think about what went wrong and take that to my voice teacher or take that to my acting coach and be like, how can I make this better? What's the vibe here? Like and work on it that way. And I think that that is like, I don't know. I feel like it was a gift and also gift of like work.

That was employment. You know what I mean? That was solid employment with the big green machine. Like and I feel like government job, maybe corporate theater, but also like those people I've just become so close to. And I the culture of Wicked, I am so like deeply ingrained in. You know what I mean? Like when something goes down at the theater and it's I'm like, this is my house. Right. Do we need to like this is this is my house. What happened? You know, it is like even the small touch points that Kevin and I have had with like Wicked LLC and being wrapped into that whole group. It does really feel like a solid family that once you're in, if you are along for the ride, they will take good care of you.

[23:46] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, definitely. And we also like ride for each other. You know what I mean?

[23:50] Quincy Brown: Yeah. So what was going into this principal Broadway contract? What was your main objective having done the role in all its various forms before? What did you really want to do with this principal contract?

[24:00] Mary Kate Morrissey: When I started, I wanted to make it out alive. I was like, you know what I want to do? I want to make it out alive. I want to finish. I want to finish strong because it's not it's not common to. And and then as I started getting going, I did you guys ever listen to that show? Oh, my gosh. Now I can't even remember the name of it. It's Hunter Bell's show. But there's that song. I'd rather be nine people's favorite thing than a hundred people's favorite thing. Yeah, I had I had so many people tell me that I was like their fourth favorite Alphabar. I was like their friend's favorite. And people are like, yeah, you're my fourth favorite alphabet. I'm like, you know, I'm like, that's cheeky. And I'm acknowledging that because, no, you should never tell someone that.

Like, that's ridiculous. And I get it. Like, love being in the lot. I love having Adina and Shoshana and Cynthia and all these people above me. I get it. It's I love being for fourth. I could take. But I remember thinking, like, as people started telling me, you're my favorite alphabet. I was like, that is what I want. I want to be like a whole group of people's first favorite because I'm the one that they saw on Broadway. And so I wanted that was one of my objectives just by just doing a good job. And then my other objective was to just like try on the qualities of leadership that come with leading a big Broadway blockbuster like this and see how I respond and see what I can learn and see how malleable I can become and strong I can become in a role like that.

[25:36] Kevin Bianchi: Talk to us a little bit more about that. What does that leadership look like?

[25:40] Mary Kate Morrissey: I mean, it's managing personalities. It's managing expectations and pressure. It's saying no to things. It's saying yes to things when you don't want to do it. It's getting your ass to the show and it's knowing when to call out. It's supporting your standby, supporting like the other people in the roles. It's I just felt like there was so much opportunity for interpersonal dynamic learning, being like the star of the show and also being able to be like, but I need to know everyone on the cruise name and also their wives name. And also I want to know like what's happening to my friends in the ensemble. What auditions are they going to? What what injuries do they have? You know what I mean? And when you're not in that big role, it's different. You can still do all of those things and you should. But I think because there's so much on your back as it is to see how much you can carry at once.

[26:34] Quincy Brown: And it's interesting because I feel like everybody says playing Elphaba like from the downbeat to the end of the show is can be so lonely because you're by yourself, the whole show, you're isolated on stage. But the other twenty one hours of the day, it's the opposite of that. You're saying you're like nothing but involved with people and like making sure that there's that those connections are there.

[27:00] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah, I will say, though, like I don't feel lonely in the role at all. And I think the reason is because I have the best dresser in the world, like Jessica Larson. I don't know if you guys have met her. She's literally with me off stage every single change, every single every single time I'm off stage. She is right there and she is bright and like just so generous. You know what I mean? She always has whatever I need, but she's also always looking at me in my eyes and letting me know that I'm not alone doing this. You know what I mean? So I think that like her also look at my this is like a metaphor for how I'm doing right now. This is a metaphor.

[27:48] Quincy Brown: But she is like I think she is the reason why I felt lonely on the road because you're a different dresser in every city. You know what I mean? But I think that Jessica Larson is like a gift to the Gershwin Theatre because of her involvement. And I'm really excited for Lencia and her to grow a relationship like from what Jess and I learned doing it together.

[28:11] Kevin Bianchi: You know, that's interesting. We haven't had a lot of people talk about the value of your dresser and like the difference that that can make as much as we've heard people say, like, how difficult it can be going from city to city and having to kind of like coach a dresser through this mammoth task.

[28:27] Mary Kate Morrissey: I mean, she is like best. Was this principle run a walk in the park for you? It feels like you're very settled and dropped in right now.

[28:40] Mary Kate Morrissey: Honestly, I it wasn't. Okay. And I was presented with a lot of challenges that I had to work myself through. And I'm in therapy, which has been really, really, really good. Like that has absolutely saved me, I think, just to be like, OK, just to have someone be like. Be angry about this, and I'm like, I'm angry about it. I can't take that into work, you know what I mean? Yeah. And so I feel like I figured out ways to really healthfully get through the run. But also, I feel like I'm dropped in because my identity isn't rooted in playing Elphaba like that is not the only interesting thing about me. And right now, I love being like, you know, my friend's friend's favorite friend of a friend to talk about, you know, like, oh, yeah, our friend is playing Elphaba.

How cool is that? But I do think like afterwards, like, I'm trying to separate myself and not let that sort of the celebrity of it all and the all encompassing work of it all define me, you know. So I feel like that has been really helpful because I go to work and I can play this role. But I'm also like, this is my job and I'm going to be done in a month and I'm ready. Like, and that's and that's great, you know?

[30:13] Kevin Bianchi: What? Because you are playing Elphaba at a time when it is arguably the most popular time to be playing Elphaba. What has it been like to be doing the stage show during this whole movie bonanza?

[30:19] Mary Kate Morrissey: I mean, I think the biggest difference is that the ticket prices have changed, like, but like, we don't like we don't benefit from the movie in a really super tangible way. Like the audiences have always been psyched to see Wicked. Like we have always had massive crowds seeing Wicked. Wicked has always been like 90 percent sold. Now we're 99 percent sold. Like we are that girl. We've been that girl. And I think that I'm what I'm noticing now that the holidays are over is that we're having first time viewers, which is really fun. And you can tell because the reactions in the second act are loud.

[31:00] Kevin Bianchi: Oh, that's interesting. That is different.

[31:02] Mary Kate Morrissey: And probably people who have only seen the movie coming.

[31:07] Quincy Brown: Yes.

[31:07] Kevin Bianchi: And like, whoa, learning that second act.

[31:10] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yes. Yes.

[31:12] Quincy Brown: She turns into what?

[31:14] Mary Kate Morrissey: Exactly. Where'd she go? You know, so that has been really, really fun. And of course, there's been like so much opportunity for engagement this year because everyone is looking at Wicked. And it's not just the people who always were. It's like a whole new group of people who love Wicked because of the movie and because of all of the normal mainstream people, normal mainstream people. And that is really, really fun. So fun. But what is different is like I feel like for me personally, because I love social and love creating, I feel like I've had a lot more opportunity to let people into what it's like to play Elphaba on Broadway.

[32:00] Quincy Brown: And people are interested in seeing that because they already know the story from the movie.

[32:06] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah. Let's talk about that because you have become a main fixture of my FYP.

[32:11] Quincy Brown: Crazy.

[32:12] Mary Kate Morrissey: A couple of things. How did you decide to start really leaning into that? And also, it is such a touch point for Wicked on like how much we can document of our backstage life. What have those discussions been like?

[32:27] Mary Kate Morrissey: Well, I've always loved to make content. I mean, like if the real ones know, like me and GC were like rewriting the lyrics to other musicals and putting them in Oz, like when we were on tour in 2017, like we have been doing weird, funny stuff for us for forever. And then like last year with Ali, like I love Ali so much. So we were like, all right, we're sitting around, let's make some videos, do that kind of thing. But I feel like with this, I really wanted to... I think I got sick of people being like, you just work at night. And I was like, I feel like y'all don't know what goes into this. And so the first couple...

[33:10] Quincy Brown: A football player only works at night too.

[33:12] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah, exactly. So the first couple of videos I made of like The Ordinary Day were received in such a way, especially by people I admire in other roles that I was like, because they were like, you are showing something that I know that is real, that I feel seen by watching you. And I was like, oh, I'm going to keep doing this because this is fun. And it's also something that I could do by myself, like quietly. So I was like, love this. And then the Degreen and Yap was just like always a part of those videos. And then I was like, I think people might actually just be interested in seeing me talk about something. So some days I'm just like, if I'm feeling good, I'd boop or if I have something to say, put my phone up.

And then what's great is that I just edit them on my ride home and post them as soon as I get off the train. That's like my... I give myself like a challenge. I have the 40 minutes to edit it and then post it. And it just like takes me, gets me out of the show, gets me out of whatever I'm doing and into something else. It's been just like fun. And then you're done with the show when you get home, you know, like, yeah, that's nice.

[34:15] Quincy Brown: I am so jealous of like teenagers who are like experiencing Wicked with you as Elphaba for the first time. Because like if I had somebody like pumping out this content of like, here's what it's like to be Elphaba, I'd have eaten that. I mean, I'm 33 and I'm eating that shit up, you know? So I'm like, on behalf of all of the youth, it's like, thank you for that. Because there is a kind of like Quincy was saying, there is a shroud of mystery around the offstage of Elphaba. And it's like been, I think one of my favorite parts of the movie experience has been like all of those behind the scenes featurettes that we're getting of like the costumes and the this and the that. And so then to be like, oh, and here's what it's like to be in the Broadway show too. It's just amazing.

[35:10] Mary Kate Morrissey: People think that it's like glamour. People assume that it's like really glamorous. And what I think I wanted to show is that it's actually a lot of grit. Like it's, it's grit, and it's dedication, and it's disciplined. It's not like you're, I'm not like flying high, going to parties and then can go and do the show. It's like so strictly reg. And I, and I wanted people to see that within the structure that you make for yourself, there is freedom because that can apply across so many different, different things. And what I've really appreciated about it all is there's such a lane of content for the consumer side of theater. And they oftentimes will chime in about larger industry discussions, but there's always a missing layer of knowledge on the back end of things. And you have like use your platform to kind of dispel some of the things that the larger discourse has taken and taken a hold of.

[35:59] Quincy Brown: For sure, for sure. I would imagine it would be nice for you a year from now, two years from now, 10 years from now, to have like a little diary of your time in this awesome experience.

[36:12] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah, I keep thinking like, like my friend Sam Gravitt told me that I should be journaling all the time. And this is sort of like my way of doing that because I like this better. And I know that it feels like sometimes I'm like, wow, should I really be sharing all this stuff that some of this is private, but then it's a little bit like, who cares? You know what I mean? Like, I don't have anything to, I have only some, I have only things to offer in this moment. And so why not share it?

[36:44] Kevin Bianchi: Something I love that you bring to a lot of your content is like, like you were saying the specificity and the, what was the word that you just used? The like discipline of the role. And like, you'll make this content, I think like in the last couple of days where you were like, well, this feels better, but now like this ear feels weird. And like, that's gonna affect my, you know, and it's like all of these things that like, if you're, if you just watch the movie over Christmas break, you're not thinking, oh yeah, like these little itty bitty things can be affecting this huge performance.

[37:19] Mary Kate Morrissey: Have you found any like increased grace being given to you because you're sharing so much of your day to day?

[37:29] Mary Kate Morrissey: I think that I've had people say like, wow, I didn't realize it was like this, you know what I mean? But I do think I was hoping to be extended grace with some of this stuff, especially around sickness, because like every, anytime I would post about being sick or having my ears clogged or anything, I'd have like 150 people being like, oh my God, my ears clogged too. You share what you found or like, oh my gosh, I've had laryngitis for the last three weeks. Help. What are you doing? And I'm like, and so you have like that side of it. That's like, oh, we're all sick, which is great. And then you have the other side of it. People being like, wow, you're sick a lot. And it's like, no, I'm sharing when I am, when you are sick, you can do your job.

When you are, when you have a cold, you can do your job. When I had a cold, I could play Janice. Like you, you could, you can do anything, but when I'm playing Elphaba, it is a different beast. And I am like losing my mind, getting myself well, because I want to be in as many shows as possible. And so it's hard when people don't see that I'm sharing this to be like, I'm trying to get back. I'm trying to get back. I'm showing you what I'm doing to get back. Now I'm not showing you what I'm doing because I'm out. Right. You know what I mean? And I've actually had like a very, very healthy run and haven't had like any major injury or any major sickness that has taken me like out of the show for an extended period of time.

And I, sometimes I worry about like sharing all of the hardship of it will define the, my like run long term. So I have to be a little bit careful about that. But it's also like so normal for people to like be sick in New York in the winter. And that just like fucking is what it is.

[39:21] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah. And it's like you're in Elphaba who is in the show. It's not like you have this air around you of calling out.

[39:27] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah. No, no. I mean, I hope not. I mean, I do like six or seven shows a week.

[39:33] Quincy Brown: So what has been the high and low of this principal contract?

[39:38] Mary Kate Morrissey: Ooh, that's a good question. I think that the high has got to just like be doing it and like be the girl in the chair and have the authority of that and be in like the, like owning it, the ownership, like letting myself really feel the ownership of it and letting myself like pat myself on the back for doing it and doing a good job. Cause I do believe that I'm doing a good job. That's probably the other best part is that I actually truly believe that I'm doing a good job. And I go out there every night thinking.

[40:09] Kevin Bianchi: You sound so terrified. I love it.

[40:09] Mary Kate Morrissey: That's such a shift. Yes. This is such a shift from the last time we spoke to you.

[40:14] Quincy Brown: I know.

[40:14] Mary Kate Morrissey: It makes me so happy. I, but I believe it. I believe it. And I, and I feel like, um, I'm really proud of that shift. It was a mindset shift. And I feel like once I started to like, let myself enjoy it and think like, think like, no, I've got this. I felt like my show just got better and better and better and better and better. And I felt more comfortable and safe. Grounded and real in it. And so I'm really, really proud of all of the work that has gone into that to make, to get me to the place where I'm like, Oh yeah, I'm just going to go do it. Like it, you know? Yeah. And it's going to be, and I know it's going to be great. And I'm not like stressed about it. Um, I think that that has been like the major highlight.

I feel so confident and I feel so positive and I feel like I have a, I feel like I'm riding a wave of opportunity right now. Like some sort of like momentum has like unlocked inside of me that has made it so that I can operate at such a high level during the show and also do like a thousand other things. So I think that that has been like seeing that, like, uh, again, like seeing my, the limit that I set on myself pushed even further than what I thought I was capable of, I think is that, well, the self-confidence you grown has allowed you to do that.

[41:30] Mary Kate Morrissey: Grown has allowed you to be more hungry for work and opportunity.

[41:35] Quincy Brown: For sure. For sure. So that, and then I think that the pit has probably been, God, I've had such a good time. Honestly,

[41:48] Mary Kate Morrissey: the pit of this is that I had a couple opportunities to do it with GC and it didn't happen. I feel like that, I feel like it's probably the pit that GC and I at the end of this still haven't closed our loop, you know, as like very best friends in the whole world and something that like brought us together. We still haven't gotten to like sing for good on the Broadway stage. That'd be special. Yeah. It'd be special, but, and it's probably not meant to happen, which is why I didn't. But listen, there's plenty of time. Who knows what the future will bring. That's fair. You never leave a kid. Can we talk about your Glinda and because Alex came in brand new. So was there any sort of like, Hey girl, here's how we do things around here. I got you talk to us about that relationship.

[42:32] Mary Kate Morrissey: So she's a pro. She has worked on Broadway so much. This is, I think her fourth or fifth Broadway show. Like she has, I think she encountered some uh, like blocks when it came to like the, or she encountered some resistance when it came to the way that wicked does things. Right. And, but she's a pro and she adapted and is malleable and professional and like figured it out for herself. And I, I love doing the show with her. I think that she is a deeply moving Glinda. She's always portrayal. Yeah. Like she is not there for the laughs at all. She is there for, to connect every single night. And I'm really lucky that I got someone who's like that. Cause that's how I feel too. And so at the end of the day, I think it was a really, really good pairing. Um, and I'm like really like happy to be a colleague of hers and know her and it's been really, it's been really great. And I like our show so much. So.

[43:42] Kevin Bianchi: You've told us that you believe you're an actor first Elphaba and Alex seems very much of that same ilk. Perfect pairing. Yeah. Yeah. To say nothing of your amazing vocals. Yeah. Yeah. Well, and you said like, um, last time is like all of your vocals come from the acting. Like if the, if the belief is not there, the voice is not going to be there. Um, and that's so tangible between the two of you. You mentioned before having the wherewithal, this contract to like, be doing all this other stuff outside of playing the role. One of which is becoming a golf influencer, right? Which is insane. Insanely cool. Random. I love all the fits. So my two part question is like, one, where did that come from? And two, what is that? What would your advice be to future Elphaba's about having like a non-wicked? Yeah. Like an outlet, a nice quiet hobby.

[44:47] Mary Kate Morrissey: I truly, I couldn't have set myself up for success better by picking up a hobby right before playing this role because otherwise I'd be in here just like, you know what I mean? And I had something else to go and learn and go and like escape to. And like, uh, golf is kind of like yoga. Like every single little movement is very, very specific. So like anything you do will change the whole shape. Just like in yoga, as soon as like you're done with the pose, like change the shape. Um, and step, step, step, step, step like that. And I had so much to learn. So it was just like so fun, but I picked up the game because my mom wanted me to play. And she was like, if you want to hang out with me, you got to learn how to play golf.

And I was like, well, you're my best friend. So that's what we're doing. And so I like convinced a simulator in my neighborhood to give me lessons. I took like, I took a lesson every single week for like 25 weeks or something with the same instructor, Kyla Williams at golfy too. And it was, it was really fun. And now I have this, like, for me, it was just like hobby, like how fun I can go and play outside. Like me and Libby Lloyd going to the pitch and putt on a Wednesday in the morning, instead of like sitting in bed and rotting all day, we would just go and go to the pitch and putt and be outside for a couple hours, like swinging the golf club. Like it was, it's just been so fun. But the other part of it is like, someone was watching me and was like, Hey, she's golfing to golf people.

And then golf people were like, she's who is this? You know, like, oh, a theater person golfing. How she can do that. Huh? And then the golf digest article. So I did the whole golf digest article about, cause it really is. There's so much crossover between golf and theater. It's like absolutely insane. Like when people are like, how do you play the same course every day? And it's still fun for you. It was like, well, how do you do the same show every day? Well, the elements are always different. The way I feel is always different. The swing is just a little bit different. The way I'm singing is like, it's all the same. So, so that has been so fun. And then since the golf digest article came out, everybody wants to talk to me. It's crazy.

[47:00] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, I know. And it's like, be like a girl in golf and everyone's like sending me, I have more golf clothes than I could ever, you know, want. They're gorgeous. They're gorgeous. And like my, my whole like March and April of this like upcoming year, it's just like all golf. That'll be nice to kind of close the Wicked chapter and then put your thoughts elsewhere for a little bit.

[47:18] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah, I think so too. Yeah. Anytime somebody's like, Oh yeah, I'm leaving Wicked and I'm starting such and such tour or like going right to a regional, I'm like, aren't you tired though? Like, aren't you craving a nap? Couldn't be me. It's not even like the nap that I need. I need to like completely factory reset. Like I need to not worry about laughing out loud and how that's going to affect my performance that night. Like I need to like laugh. I need to like laugh without fear. And I need to like have a cup of cocktails with my friends and I need to spend a couple nights with my husband. Like I need to not be, and I don't like my value right now. I did this big, huge year and made all this money and I've socked it away and I don't need to like move to something for like financially right now.

Like I just, there's no, the only reason I would move is because of ego and I don't need like a show to boost my ego right now. I feel like I'm on top of the world. Although you have said in a recent interview that you hope your next acting gig is harder than Elphaba. I kind of hope it's six. That's a cushy gig. 90 minutes. 90 minutes. One song. Which one? Which one? Aragon. Oh, wow. Okay. Or Cleaves. I feel like Cleaves would be so fun too if they'd let me play her. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'd say my fever dream is like six glint or six Elphaba's. Elphaba's and Glinda's as easy show to cast with Elphaba's. Oh yeah. I remember Jackie Burns was like, Hey, can you teach me the dance call for this? And I was like, Jackie.

[49:01] Kevin Bianchi: Or what about a short stint in Titanic? Just like as a fun little quickie.

[49:13] Mary Kate Morrissey: Oh, that'd be fun too. Yeah. I would do that for sure. I feel like that's like a wicked Titanic pipeline baby. Yes. That's because everyone wants to go do something fun.

[49:25] Kevin Bianchi: Give me some giggles. It's funny. Everything that's been coming in has been like in a different country. It's like, do you want to go do Miss Saigon in like a UK tour? Do you want to do Gatsby in South Korea? And I'm like, so right now my agents are like, we are not doing anything outside of New York. You are prepared to not work on Broadway for the next year and prepare to like be boots on the ground, building things from the ground up. And we are going to get you like, we're going to, you're going to originate a role where you're going to work with teams that you really want to work with. And that is where we're going to put all of our focus and all of our energy. And does that feel aligned with your spirit right now?

[50:01] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah. Yeah. Because like that, I think would, that would be the next challenge. Cause you've not originated, right? You've originated, opened a tour, but not originated the role, right?

[50:06] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah. So I just need to like, I just want to sit down and just be here and keep myself in this like really positive, like high vibrational place and see what happens and see what I can make, you know? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So let's talk about the movie of it all. Yeah. What was your first experience seeing the movie?

[50:33] Mary Kate Morrissey: My first experience seeing the movie was at the, um, the one that they threw for all of us, the friends and family thing. You guys were there, right?

[50:40] Kevin Bianchi: We weren't. No, you went to the premiere in LA.

[50:44] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah. And then we went to this like private one at universal, which was very, it was like four other people and kind of like a tough audience to be excited about.

[50:58] Quincy Brown: But Caroline gave us her debrief of the friends and family premiere and it was very hilarious. So please tell us your story.

[51:03] Mary Kate Morrissey: I think that, I think that it was such a whirlwind. It was such a whirlwind. And it was also like a day off. Right. So like, I think all of the other witches coming into it had a different, there was a different vibe than like me and Alexandra who are looking at each other. Like we just did two shows last night and we still have to do a show tomorrow. So let's keep it real. Go watch three hours of act one.

[51:28] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, exactly. We were like, so, so that was kind of like a part of my experience was that, okay, I just did this twice yesterday and I have to go do it again tomorrow. And I think we may have had a matinee on the next, it was like a weird schedule. And I threw a party beforehand for the wicked company, which was so fun so that we could all kind of like go over together. And I think the most, the best, best part about it is that I was seeing the show, seeing the movie with people who cared as much as I did about how it was going to be done. And not in a way that I was like watching to criticize, but watching in a way that this meant something to me, this, I've been in this world for so long.

And so have all these people that I know. So that when that first, no one was a wicked, we're all like, everyone is immediately tears, you know? And, and I, I got to sit right next to GC and social was right behind me. Like I got to be surrounded by my Glinda's and that was really, really special. And then, you know, there's always like the weirdness of like all the photos in the beginning and stuff like that. That's not like, did you know that was happening? Caroline had no idea any of that was happening walking in.

[52:45] Mary Kate Morrissey: I, I did know that it was happening. I knew that Getty was going to be there. I knew that like, there was going to be like, I knew that they knew that Cynthia and Ari, Ari were coming and they were going to take pictures with us too. But the vibe was like, it's so, I wish you guys could have seen like the difference of the vibe between the Glinda's and the Alphabuzz because like, it was like the Glinda's were like, take another picture of me. And then Kristen comes in and they're all like, even GC, it's like, I see like my friends, I'm like, what is happening? And then all the Alphabuzz are like, literally we're all in the corner just like, so like how are your rehearsals going? Are your rehearsals good?

Like, or people being like, Hey, are you okay? How's it going? Do you need any help? Like truly people being like, how's, how are you? Are you okay right now? Can I get you anything? Like there's just such a, there was such a different vibe. Oh my God. I know. And I'm in like in the background of some of those photos, just like, you know but it was really, I mean, it was sweet to meet Cynthia and Ari and that was all really cool. I, something else that was funny about seeing the movie is that I feel like afterwards I was talking to the crew and they were like, we were running our cues the whole time. Like, oh my God, I gotta get this statue down, but there's all this extra time. And so that was all really fun and funny. And obviously the movie is like so special and so beautiful.

[54:10] Quincy Brown: Yeah. What were your immediate takeaways from the movie?

[54:13] Mary Kate Morrissey: I think my immediate takeaways that was that like, I love that they showed Asta's ballroom from Elphaba's perspective and not from Glinda's perspective, because in the show, I feel like it's very much from Glinda's perspective. Like Glinda's at the front of the stage, Elphaba comes down and we're watching her watch her. And we're watching everything through Glinda's eyes. We're seeing how like the audience is laughing when Elphie is dancing because-

[54:34] Kevin Bianchi: Right. Like it's very played for laughs on stage.

[54:38] Mary Kate Morrissey: And, and then Glinda comes in and makes it all better. She takes like the hard, hardness of it and she softens it and makes it sweet and gets everybody on board. And that's like her, that is her superpower. That is what she does in the show. But in the movie, it's so different. It's told from Elphaba. Elphaba has the power in that moment. And I thought that that was like a really, really interesting, bold, different, like sort of change in the storytelling of it. That was really cool.

[55:10] Kevin Bianchi: MK, you and Lyssa and a third person made like a trailer watch video, like a first reaction video.

[55:19] Mary Kate Morrissey: And ingrained in my mind is your reaction to them hugging in that scene.

[55:26] Quincy Brown: I know, me too, me too. And it's like, I think something that's so beautiful about the movie and especially like thinking about the act or the singing coming from acting is there, like you said, there's just so much more room for them to have this emotional journey. And then obviously they're two of like the sickest singers in the world. That then when the singing comes from that, it's like, oh, I wish the stage show could be six hours long. Not for you all, but for us.

[55:55] Mary Kate Morrissey: There's something that I wish that made it into, I wish would like make it into the stage. The stage show will never change. But like one thing from Oz does that I wish would make it in is not even the hug, it's when Ari says, it's okay. Or doesn't she say something like she reaches up and she's like, it's okay. Yeah. And wipes the tear. Like that, because in that moment, I'm like, that is...

[56:18] Quincy Brown: When she says no to Fanny and Shen Shen, when you're like, but she's like, no.

[56:23] Mary Kate Morrissey: It's like, I think that all of those little added moments really clarify the chunk of their friendship between popular and Defying Gravity. There's like no book scenes in the show that like explore their friendship in that way. We just kind of are like, oh, she took her glasses off. She put a flower in her hair. Now that now they're friends, they're good now. But to see those moments really explored. I too wish that some of that could make it into the show.

[56:53] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah. Because I feel like that all it's kind of unsaid on stage and can't always read because the house is so big. So when you put words to it, it's like, I'm like, yes, that's exactly what that actor should be thinking in that exact moment. And they're saying it. I wish that we could do that.

[57:13] Mary Kate Morrissey: So then what was it like to see the movie know that the movie has turned into such this cultural moment and then be actively having to tell that same-ish story on stage? Are you able to separate it? Do you feel pressure to incorporate some elements or are you doing your thing?

[57:30] Mary Kate Morrissey: No, I mean, it's they really have ingrained in us that it's so separate, but also like, and I've said this on my social, like, Cynthia had so much agency in creating Elphaba, like she had so much say she had so much. It was such a collaborative effort on her part. And like from the braids to the nails, to the way she sung things to the, like the way they dressed her. And that is not what happens on Broadway. And so like, I could never play Cynthia's Elphaba because that is not the Elphaba that we're doing. Do you know what I mean? It's just different. And that is beautiful. And I'm so glad that we have the opportunity to have that like immortalized in the movie, like how cool that someone got to really step with their full self into it and have it fit them and catered to them.

Whereas on Broadway, I feel like we are finding ways to try on the qualities of Elphaba and use that in the story. You know what I mean? Not ourself in it, but actually just trying on like what we have from the text, what we have from the design. So like there is no way for me to play that side of it because that's not the show that is every night on Broadway. Does that make sense?

[58:00] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah. No, Cynthia was offered, was allowed to bring so much of Cynthia to the role. And I think too, like a less self-confident actress playing this role on Broadway when the movie came out could have gotten stuck in that pressure.

[59:09] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah. A little easier. You know what I mean? Like I think it would be easy to get into self-comparison when like the biggest movie in the world is also your job every night.

[59:20] Quincy Brown: Yeah. But they're still on their feet at every single curtain call. And like I truly, I can't do anything better than what I'm doing right now. Like I'm doing my very, very best every single show. And that they, like I'm in the track right now. So I'm who you're going to see like, you know what I mean? Like it's like, that's just, and that's just like kind of is what it is. So that, and that's something that I'm not in control of. And that's something that like, I can't apologize for. I can only be like, hey, I have worked my entire career for this moment and I'm going to do my very best for you. And that's like kind of enough. I think personally. And so I feel, I feel like, I don't feel like the comparison thing is something we've all like, oh my God, like she doesn't sound like Jeff Vosk.

You know what I mean? Yeah. So like that, that has been like the whole, the story the whole time you have to sort of shake that off your back and not let it get to you as it is. I guess it's just one more alphabet to be compared to. It's just one more. Now you're the fifth instead of the fourth. Exactly. I'm like, whatever. And hopefully, and you know what, I know too, that like going down the line, people will be compared to me. Yeah. Like, and, and maybe, you know, maybe I'll get lost to the ether. Maybe like no one will remember that will be like the alphabet that no one remembers and who cares at the end of the day, who cares? But like, but like, I do know that like Lencia coming in will be compared to me for good or for bad or like it. Yeah. It just is what it is. It's just, and she'll be compared to Cynthia too. Like it's all totally what it is.

[1:00:02] Kevin Bianchi: Okay. Let's talk about this next duo coming in because we have Allie Trim who you stood by with and Lencia, which is like a major moment for Wicked Broadway. Massive, massive. Have we talked to either of them since the announcement? I'm sure you found out ahead of time. Lencia is in the building now. Wow. Okay. Tell us about that.

[1:01:16] Mary Kate Morrissey: Which is like a whole nother thing. That's early for her to be in the building. Yeah.

[1:01:20] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah. So they gave her, I think five weeks. Wow. Usually it's two, right? Two or three.

[1:01:27] Mary Kate Morrissey: I think I had three. But, and then they're taking Jordan out of a lot of shows to rehearse with her, which is tough for me because I'm like, that's my Vero.

[1:01:34] Kevin Bianchi: But they're taking him out of a lot of shows to rehearse, which is like, it's what it is. Is she shadowing you yet or is that later?

[1:01:49] Mary Kate Morrissey: No, but she's going to do a lot of shadowing, I think, which will be great. From what I have talked to her, just from voice notes and things like that, I couldn't be more excited and feel safe passing the wand, the broom to her. First of all, she has an immense talent. I don't know if you guys have heard her sing, but she has an immense talent. She has led a major show before. A big corporate show, yeah. She's used to this dynamic. It's not going to affect her in that way. I mean, it'll affect her, but she'll know how to handle it. And also, she has all of us rooting for her. I think everybody in the world is rooting for her. Everybody in the world was ready for Wicked to have a Black Elphaba, and now we do. I think everyone just wants her to succeed, and however I can help her succeed, that is what I want. You know what I mean? I'm so excited.

[1:02:46] Kevin Bianchi: I'm so excited. I'm psyched for her. I hope that she feels settled in the role as soon as possible so that she can let herself enjoy the rest of the ride and not have it just be about doing the show. Because the whole second movie's going to come out. She's going to get to do all that stuff. I bet you Cynthia's going to come and see her in it. People are going to know her name, and that is amazing.

[1:03:15] Mary Kate Morrissey: It is such a crazy time to be taking on Elphaba, brand new on Broadway, with all of the movie press happening as well.

[1:03:20] Kevin Bianchi: I know. So that's why I feel like as many people as can be her cheerleaders and on her support team and rooting for her, that is what Wicked needs. You know what I mean? We only want to see her fly and do the best job. We want her to be the best Elphaba ever. You know what I mean?

[1:03:42] Quincy Brown: And she has Allie, who's comfortable in this machine already.

[1:03:45] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah. And Allie is like, if you're going to have someone next to you, to have Allie Trim, I think that I was a little bit heartbroken when I heard that Allie was going to do it, because I was looking at Jordan going, wow, Azcapela could have been the trio on stage. You know what I mean? It could have been Azcapela. I mean, I'm so lucky with Sosha, but when I heard it was Allie, I was like...

[1:04:10] Quincy Brown: Now, Allie?

[1:04:11] Mary Kate Morrissey: I know. But I'm really... And they're both really tall. I think it's going to look good. I think that Allie... They both seem like really cool, vibey chicks too, so I feel like they're going to be good friends. Content's going to be there. We will be shed, you know? And I just think the show is going to feel so fresh with Lencia. I think it's going to be a really new, good chapter turn for the stage production.

[1:04:37] Kevin Bianchi: Well, it has to, right? Because this will be the first time that there will be replacements who have all seen the movie. This is the first time that the people doing the show will be influenced by the movie, whereas everyone before, their shows were built without it.

[1:04:51] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah. And Lencia's building it from scratch. You know what I mean? We're the last of the old guard, you know?

[1:04:58] Quincy Brown: Wow.

[1:04:59] Mary Kate Morrissey: And so now the new guard is coming in, so I feel like I'm the end of a big chapter. And I feel proud of that, and I also feel really excited and proud for the next chapter of it to happen, because Lord knows it needed to.

[1:05:11] Kevin Bianchi: Really exciting.

[1:05:13] Quincy Brown: Okay. Last time we spoke, you had told us that you were feeling like a Defying Gravity Elphaba, but that it also evolved and you started as a wizard and now you're Elphaba. Where do you feel like you land on the spectrum now as you close out your Broadway principal contract?

[1:05:27] Mary Kate Morrissey: I have been a No Good Deed Elphaba for a couple months now.

[1:05:33] Kevin Bianchi: Only a couple months?

[1:05:35] Mary Kate Morrissey: Yeah, only a couple months. And just being like, what you see is what you get. This is it. This is who I am. I am wicked. I am not wicked. Make up your mind.

[1:05:53] Quincy Brown: Whatever. I'm just literally going to keep doing me.

[1:05:58] Mary Kate Morrissey: And I love singing that song so much right now. I just feel like I love singing that.

[1:06:02] Kevin Bianchi: But I feel like I'm moving now into For Good Elphaba, which is like...

[1:06:12] Mary Kate Morrissey: Because it's been so long, you guys. It's been so long.

[1:06:16] Quincy Brown: It's a big chunk of your life.

[1:06:20] Mary Kate Morrissey: Early 20s to early 30s without playing Elphaba is a huge journey to go on. And to even from our last podcast to this one, I'm a different person.

[1:06:34] Kevin Bianchi: You are.

[1:06:34] Mary Kate Morrissey: And that is because of this gig and because of playing this part and being a part of the show. And so I feel like ready to leave it, very much ready to leave it, ready to just close it, close the grimmery. But I'm also like, wow, I truly have been changed for good by the experience of it.

[1:07:00] Quincy Brown: And what a beautiful blessing to be able to leave proud of what you've done.

[1:07:04] Mary Kate Morrissey: I know. I feel really lucky. That's therapy for you.

[1:07:09] Kevin Bianchi: I mean, Mary Kay, my heart is warmed. Your journey has been so beautiful. It's so amazing to see where you have landed with it all after this time. Just congratulations on an amazing run.

[1:07:17] Mary Kate Morrissey: Thank you so much.

[1:07:18] Kevin Bianchi: Congratulations.

[1:07:22] Quincy Brown: And that concludes the exit interview. You may leave.

[1:07:24] Mary