Shoshana Bean Steps In for Idina Menzel in Wicked

0:00On April 28, Shashana Bean stepped in for Idina Menzel as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, a full day earlier than planned. Menzel had broken her ribs after falling through an escape door during a mad nasho. Bean, who was the standby, jumped in to finish that performance by singing for good and taking the final bow with the cast. She and fellow standby Megan Hilti were upstairs reviewing details with the stage manager when the call came. Bean figured she had time since her official takeover was Tuesday, but they rushed her on stage after just seven minutes of prep. The makeup team slapped on the pain, and she made it just in time for the end. Bean felt horrible about it. Convinced Menzel would return for the evening show since she only had a few performances left. Fans had flown in from everywhere to see the Tony winner, so Bean worried the crowd would hate her for cutting in early. Instead, the audience embraced her completely. The next night, Menzel powered through the pain to take her official final bow at the Gershwin Theatre.

1:02Menzel later praised Bean for stepping up, saying not everyone would have, and she'll love her forever for it. Moments like that prove the show really must go on. Entertainment and celebrity news today, powered by AI bringing you what's trending.