A spokesperson for the musical confirmed that Menzel, who stars as Elphaba, and Grey, who portrays the Wizard, have signed on to stay with the show through Jan. 2, 2005. Wicked producer David Stone told Playbill On-Line, "We're thrilled that both Idina and Joel will be staying with us until the New Year. It's a testament to the show and these two great roles that two such immensely talented people are willing to put off other opportunities to stay with us a while longer."

As previously reported, Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth will leave her role as Glinda after the July 18 performance.

Idina Menzel created the role of Maureen in the original Broadway company of Rent, and her other theatrical credits include the City Center Encores! production of Hair, the Manhattan Theatre Club The Wild Party and the benefit Funny Girl concert.

Joel Grey won a Tony Award for his role as the Emcee in the original Broadway production of Cabaret. He later repeated the role on film to Oscar-winning effect. Grey's other theatrical credits include roles in George M!, Goodtime Charley and The Grand Tour, receiving Tony nominations for all three productions. A Kennedy Center honoree, Grey was last on Broadway in the Tony-winning revival of Chicago. The actor is also a best-selling author; his book of photographs, "Pictures I Had to Take," is available from PowerHouse Books.

Directed by Joe Mantello — a 2003 Tony Award winner for Take Me Out — Wicked boasts a score by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman and choreography by Wayne Cilento. The creative team includes Eugene Lee (set design), Susan Hilferty (costume design), Kenneth Posner (lighting design), Tony Meola (sound design), Stephen Oremus (musical director), William David Brohn (orchestrations) and Jim Abbott (dance arrangements). The Gershwin Theatre is located in Manhattan at 222 West 51st Street. Tickets are available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.