U.K. executive producer Michael McCabe said in a statement, "Since first joining our cast in March 2010, Rachel has thrilled audiences and critics alike with her powerful and passionate performance as Elphaba. We are all absolutely thrilled that Rachel has now decided to continue leading the company with her extraordinary professionalism and great dedication to the role - we couldn't be more proud of her success."

Also continuing with the show are Madame Morrible Julie Legrand, Nikki Davis-Jones (standby Elphaba) and Chloe Taylor (standby Glinda).

Louise Dearman, who plays Glinda, will offer her final performance Dec. 10 along with Mark Evans (Fiyero), Ben Stott (Boq) and long-standing cast members Clive Carter (The Wizard), Julian Forsyth (Dr. Dillamond) and Zoe Rainey (Nessarose). 

Based on Gregory Maguire's novel, which turned every Oz myth inside out, Wicked explores the early life of the witches of Oz: Glinda and Elphaba. The two main characters meet at Shiz, a school where both hope to take up sorcery. Glinda is madly popular and Elphaba is, well, green. By a misunderstanding, they wind up roommates and, after an initial period of mutual loathing, begin to learn something about each other. Their life paths continue to intersect through a shared love, entry into the Emerald City and interaction with the Wizard himself. Eventually, their choices and convictions take them on widely different journeys.

Wicked features a score by Schwartz, a book by Holzman, direction by Joe Mantello and musical staging by Wayne Cilento. The creative team also includes scenic design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Tony Meola, projections by Elaine J. McCarthy, wig and hair design by Tom Watson, music supervision and arrangements by Stephen Oremus, orchestrations by William David Brohn and dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott. To book tickets and for further information, visit www.WIckedTheMusical.co.uk.