Wicked stars get character-inspired tattoos ahead of Szeged premiere

The two leading actresses in the Hungarian production of Wicked have marked their roles with permanent mementos ahead of the musical’s open-air world premiere in Szeged, the production informed Szegedify.

Angelika Tóth, who plays Glinda, and Stéphanie Schlesser, who stars as Elphaba, each got a small tattoo inspired by their characters while rehearsing for the production in Szeged. Wicked premieres Aug. 14 at the Szeged Open-Air Festival in Dóm Square.

The actresses had decided earlier that they wanted tattoos to commemorate their experience working on the Erkel Theater production, but settled on the final designs during the rehearsal period in Szeged.

“The protagonists of Wicked have become incredibly important in both of our lives,” Tóth said. “They are such iconic female roles, and we both felt so strongly that we needed something to mark this experience.”

Tóth chose Glinda’s signature pink bubble, while Schlesser had a green emerald tattooed as a reference to Elphaba and the world of the musical.

“I’m so happy because playing Elphaba has been such an incredible experience, and I never imagined I would ever get to play her,” Schlesser said. “This emerald tattoo is now a lovely reminder of it.”

The tattoos were completed shortly before the Szeged premiere as rehearsals continued for the large-scale outdoor production.

The Aug. 14 performance will mark the open-air world premiere of Wicked. Following its run at the Szeged Open-Air Festival, the production will continue at Budapest’s Erkel Theater during the upcoming season, with Tóth and Schlesser reprising their roles as Glinda and Elphaba.