Cates was then cast in the new musical Wicked as an ensemble member and understudy for the role of Elphaba, which was played by Idina Menzel. The show opened October 30, 2003, after previews from October 8. She can be heard on the original Broadway cast recording of the show. As a member of the cast, she performed on the 2004 Tony Awards, Late Show with David Letterman, and at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. In March 2005, when Stephanie J. Block, who was set to play Elphaba on the show's first national tour, was injured, Cates flew to Toronto to play the role as Stephanie recovered. Cates then returned to the Broadway production and played her final performance May 29, 2005, to originate the role of Standby Elphaba in the Chicago sit-down production of the musical, to Ana Gasteyer's Elphaba.
The Chicago production began previews June 24, 2005, and opened on July 13, 2005. On January 24, 2006, Cates replaced Gasteyer in the lead role. She appeared at the Taste of Chicago and sang the National Anthem on Veterans Weekend at a Chicago Bears football game. Cates left the show on December 10, 2006, and was replaced by Dee Roscioli.
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Famous quotes containing the word wicked:
“Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I,
To mourn, and murmur and repine,
To see the wicked placed on high,
In pride and robes of honor shine.
But oh, their end, their dreadful end,
Thy sanctuary taught me so,
On slipp’ry rocks I see them stand,
And fiery billows roll below.”
—Isaac Watts (1674–1748)
“I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow?”
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 19:22.
“However wicked men may be, they dare not profess themselves enemies to virtue; and when they wish to persecute it, they either call it false, or impute crimes to it.”
—François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)