Chait, who is also the understudy for Kristin Chenoweth's Glinda, suffered a very minor stroke March 8 at 3 AM. According to a production spokesperson, "Melissa was taken to the hospital immediately, and the doctors have said that she will have a 100 percent recovery. Her speech and other faculties were not affected." The Wicked spokesperson also said that Chait worked at the ballet bar in the hospital, and she is now home in good spirits, vocalizing, singing and laughing. She is expected back in the musical in a few weeks.
On Broadway the young actress has been seen in Titanic, Grease, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Thoroughly Modern Millie. She also appeared in the national tour of Titanic and created the role of Ariele in the world premiere of Maury Yeston's In the Beginning. Melissa Bell Chait is married to actor Marcus Chait.
Wicked, which officially opened Oct. 30, stars Idina Menzel as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. The cast also includes Tony and Academy Award winner Joel Grey as The Wizard, Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero, Carole Shelley as Madame Morrible, Michelle Federer as Nessarose, Christopher Fitzgerald as Boq and William Youmans as Doctor Dillamand.
With a book by Winnie Holzman and direction by Joe Mantello — a 2003 Tony Award winner for last season’s Take Me Out — Wicked features choreography by Wayne Cilento. Tickets are available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.