Fellow Ozians. A mystery has eluded Wicked fans since filming commenced in 2023 has finally been revealed.
Director Jon M. Chu was mum as to the identity of who would be playing Dorothy Gale, the protagonist of The Wizard of Oz (and tertiary villain of Wicked's second act). Rumors swirled, with fans throwing their support behind everyone from Matilda the Musical star Alisha Weir, to Oz social media influencer Victoria Calamito, to the granddaughter of 1939 film star Judy Garland, Vanessa Hooker.
Well, wait no more, because the release of Wicked: For Good to cinemas has also come with the reveal of the blue-gingham frocked actress. For the Wicked films, Dorothy is played by newcomer Bethany Weaver. While Weaver's face is never seen on screen, only in profile and silhouette, the moment is still a momentous start to a screen career. Weaver had the following message for Wicked fans in a post to her personal social media, which also included photos of her in full Dorothy gingham, as well as a shot with her own Oz crew, including Ethan Slater's Tin Man, and Jonathan Bailey's Scarecrow (Colman Domingo, the voice of the Cowardly Lion, was not present on set).
Wrote Weaver: "This has been a life changing experience, it’s changed me in so many ways and most importantly, for good. It’s been an honour to carry the legacy of the brilliant women before me who have stepped into these shoes, and embarked on the yellow brick road. I hope I have made them proud.
"Thank you for the sheer volume of love, kind messages and support from all of my friends and family and the glorious wicked fans, I love you all so much! Lots of love, your friend, Dorothy."
Wicked: For Good was released in cinemas November 21. Starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the films also feature West End Company Olivier winner and Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, SpongeBob SquarePants star Ethan Slater as Boq, Emmy winner Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond, Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose, the first wheelchair-using actor in the musical's history to take on the role.
READ: All the Changes Wicked: For Good Made to Act 2 of Wicked
Stage and screen star Keala Settle, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Aaron Teoh, and Colin Michael Carmichael are also in the cast, with Settle as Miss Coddle, Carmichael as Professor Nikidik, and Yang, James, and Teoh as Shiz students Pfannee, ShenShen, and Avaric, respectively.
The screen adaptation, which includes new songs by Stephen Schwartz, is helmed by In the Heights screen director Jon M. Chu. Wicked book writer Winnie Holzman penned the screenplay with Dana Fox, and Tony winner Paul Tazewell designed the Oscar-winning costumes.
READ: Wicked: For Good Is For the Gelphie Shippers
Wicked, injecting a new backstory onto the classic tale The Wizard of Oz, debuted on Broadway in 2003 and continues to be an audience favorite at the Gershwin Theatre. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, the musical features music and lyrics by Schwartz and a book by Holzman. The original cast included Tony winners Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. The musical is now the fourth longest-running production in Broadway history.
The show won 2004 Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical (Menzel), Best Costume Design (Susan Hilferty), and Best Scenic Design (Eugene Lee).
