From London Stages to Hollywood Stardom
Long before Cynthia Erivo captivated global audiences as Elphaba in the cinematic adaptation of Wicked, the British actor was building an impressive reputation on theatrical stages across London and New York. Her journey through musical theatre showcases a versatile performer who consistently delivered career-defining performances.
The Early Years: Building a Foundation
Erivo's stage career began gaining significant attention in 2010 when she appeared in I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky at Theatre Royal Stratford East. Fiona Maddocks of The Guardian noted that Erivo "sang deliciously" in John Adams's songplay, whose unusual title originated from a survivor's comment during the 1994 Californian earthquake.
The following year marked another important milestone when Erivo starred alongside Joanna Riding and Laura Brydon in Kneehigh's adaptation of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg at London's Gielgud theatre. This production demonstrated her growing versatility as a performer capable of handling diverse musical styles.
Breakthrough Roles and Critical Acclaim
2011 saw Erivo take on her first major leading role, playing Deloris Van Cartier in a touring production of Sister Act. This marked a significant step in her career, following in the footsteps of Whoopi Goldberg's iconic screen performance while making the character distinctly her own.
Her true breakthrough came in 2013 when she tackled another role associated with Goldberg - Celie in the Menier Chocolate Factory production of The Color Purple. Co-starring Christopher Colquhoun, Erivo's performance earned rave reviews, with Michael Billington describing it as "career-defining." This production would prove pivotal, transferring to Broadway two years later.
During this prolific period, Erivo also starred in Lift at Soho theatre, a musical by Craig Adams and Ian Watson exploring the lives of strangers sharing an elevator journey.
Broadway Success and Diverse Projects
The year 2014 showcased Erivo's range with two very different productions. She appeared at the London Palladium in I Can't Sing!, a television talent show parody by Steve Brown and Harry Hill, performing alongside Simon Lipkin and Alan Morrissey.
Demonstrating her versatility beyond musical theatre, Erivo also appeared in Phyllida Lloyd's all-female production of Henry IV at the Donmar Warehouse, playing Poins alongside Elizabeth Chan, Sharon Rooney, Ashley McGuire and Karen Dunbar.
2015 proved to be a landmark year as Erivo made her Broadway debut with the New York transfer of The Color Purple, this time co-starring with Jennifer Hudson. Reflecting on her powerful vocal abilities that year, Erivo told The Guardian: "When I let rip, I let rip!"
Her concert performances during this period included How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying with Jonathan Groff at Royal Festival Hall, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World with Damian Humbley at St James theatre.
International Recognition and Recent Work
Erivo's career continued to ascend with notable events including a 2016 concert performance of The Last Five Years with composer Jason Robert Brown for gun violence prevention in New York. That same year, she received recognition from Michelle Obama at a Broadway event focused on girls' education.
Her performance of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" at the 2019 Tony Awards in New York further cemented her status as a leading musical theatre performer.
Most recently, in 2025, Erivo took the title role in a Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar, co-starring with Tyrone Huntley and Phillipa Soo. Her appearance at the Wicked: For Good premiere in New York signals her ongoing connection to the franchise that brought her international screen recognition.
Looking ahead, Erivo will return to the London stage next year to play Dracula (and 22 supporting roles) at the Noël Coward theatre, demonstrating her continued commitment to theatrical innovation and challenging roles.
