Menzel rose to prominence as a stage actress when she originated the role of Maureen Johnson in the Broadway musical "Rent", her Broadway debut. Her performance got her nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. After appearing in several smaller-scale stage and Off-Broadway productions, she originated the role of Elphaba Thropp in the Broadway musical "Wicked" in 2003, a performance for which she received critical acclaim, being awarded the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. The popularity of Menzel's character earned her a devoted following among theatre enthusiasts. She reprised the role in West End productions of the musical until 2006. Menzel returned to Broadway as Elizabeth Vaughan in the 2014 musical "If/Then", which earned her a third Tony Award nomination.