Everyone thought they knew Glinda the Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz, but that was before the Wicked musical became an international phenomenon.

Those that watch Glinda in Wicked get a whole new side of the witch, one which may also make them find many new sides to the hilarious, but diva-like woman.

Helene Yorke plays Glinda nightly in the touring company of Wicked, but said it's the other lead character in Wicked, Elphaba, that she may relate to more.

"I identify with her," Yorke said. "I was awkward in high school and I wasn't very popular. So I definitely think her story has more of an influence on me."

Yorke's Glinda shares the lead role with Elphaba, who turns into the Wicked Witch of the West. Glinda's popular girl routine clashes with Elphaba's bookish personality and green skin when they become roommates at boarding school.

Yorke said her relationship with Marcie Dodd, who plays Elphaba has become quite close.

"It's like twins, we have a symbiotic relationship," Yorke said. "We've done it so much, we can read one another. If one of us is having a bad day, the other will do something goofy to make the other laugh. But we usually know how the other is feeling."

This is Yorke's second chance playing a character that people love to hate, but eventually crowds may grow to love. She also played Sharpay in a traveling production of High School Musical.

"I'm just right for it," Yorke said. "I guess it comes easy for me. But both characters grow and change and you learn to love them."

Traveling is the hardest part, Yorke said, of doing something like the traveling company of Wicked. Yorke said she usually stays in an apartment during the show's run in a city and forgoes hotel living.

With Thanksgiving coming up and family coming to town, Yorke said the only time she will get nervous for a show is with her mother and brothers in the audience.

"I'm going to be so nervous," Yorke said. "It's people like that who can make me nervous ... But they will be standing up and cheering for me. It keeps you on your toes."

Yorke said she has probably performed Wicked more than 300 times and said that what makes each show special is the fact it's unique.

"What sticks out are the mistakes I've made or other people have made that catch you off guard and just the spontaneous reaction of the cast," Yorke said. "Making mistakes is not something we strive for, but you're doing live theater."

And when it's the middle of the week on a rainy Wednesday, Yorke said it's the reaction of the crowd that reaffirms why she got on stage.

"When you get that standing ovation -- every time it's magical," Yorke said. "It sounds cliche and cheesy, but when you're tired and you come through those stage doors, that's why we do it. You have to love to do it to be a part of this 2-hour, 45-minute behemoth."

Yorke said she'll be happy to spend Thanksgiving in Kansas City with her family and said she gets to see some of the sites in most cities she's in. She has high praise for what she's seen in Kansas City.

"I love it," Yorke said. "I love the Plaza and there is a really dynamic downtown. I have an apartment with a view, so it's really nice."

Yorke said no matter the city or which show she's in, she knows that fans of Wicked come with big expectations and that forces the entire cast to always be on their game.

"This has touched so many people," Yorke said. "Whether it's their first time or their 15th time, it's about showing up and creating that magic. It's why we do this."