Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for WickedAlthoughWickedis prominently focused on the relationship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande),The Wizard of Oz’Dorothy does have a small cameo. Despite being the main character inThe Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s time in the spotlight is quite limited in 2024’sWicked, and the same is true in the original Broadway musical production with a very small spotlight. However, her presence is no less crucial toWicked’soverall narrative.
The leading protagonist inThe Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale finds herself in the Land of Oz after surviving a Kansas twister. After walking down the Yellow Brick Road and making new friends along the way, Dorothy is tasked with defeating the Wicked Witch of the West at the request of The Wizard. However,Wickedprovides an alternate retelling of what really happened in Ozbefore Dorothy’s arrival and during the originalWizard of Ozstoryline. As such,Dorothy’s role takes a backseat inWicked, though her cameo speaks to her future and likely a somewhat bigger spotlight in next year’s sequel.
Dorothy Has A Cameo At The Beginning Of Wicked
Leading Into “No One Mourns The Wicked”
2024’sWickedopens very much like the original Broadway musical with its opening number “No One Mourns The Wicked”.Ariana Grande’s Glinda the Goodis shown recalling her relationship with Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba as Munchkinland celebrates the Wicked Witch’s apparent demise at the hands of Dorothy, who was seemingly able to melt her with a bucket of water. To that end, Dorothy, Toto, The Tin Man, The Scarecrow, and The Cowardly Lion are all seen from behind, walking down the Yellow Brick Road with Elphaba’s broom in hand to deliver it to the Wizard back at the Emerald City.
The appearance of Dorothy inWicked’sfirst act is quite brief as it leads into “No One Mourns The Wicked”. That said, the trailers for 2024’sWickeddid feature other shots of Dorothy wearing silver slippers, as well as the girl and her friends meeting The Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) himself. However, it seems these other sequences were cut aside from the Yellow Brick Road sequence ahead of the movie’s opening song number.
How Dorothy’s Role In Wicked Compares To The Musical
Keeping Her Out Of The Spotlight
In the original Broadway musical, Dorothy is similarly and intentionally kept out of the spotlight. That said, references are made, and her presence is certainly felt especially during the second half of the production when the events ofThe Wizard of Ozbegin. However, Dorothy Gale never appears on stage aside from her silhouette being shown as she throws the bucket of water to “melt” Elphaba.
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In the same vein, it looks like 2024’sWickedand its sequel intend to keep Dorothy’s role largely in the background as well. After all, the focus is meant to be squarely on Elphaba, the truth of her story as the Wicked Witch of the West, and her relationship with Glinda. That said, one can imagine thatDorothy could indeed have a bigger role inWicked’ssequel next year compared to the original Broadway production.
Will Dorothy Be In Wicked: Part 2?
Her Role Will Likely Stay Small
It wouldn’t be surprising if the unused shots of Dorothy seen in the trailers might have been saved for the sequel (rather than being cut altogether). Due to the new medium of a cinematic experience as opposed to a live stage production,it follows that Dorothy’s role might be expanded inWicked: Part 2. After all, a theatrical adaptation has a greater ability to provide further and greater context into howWicked’sstory intersects and retells the originalWizard of Ozstory.
“Although her presence is crucial to the events ofWickedand its story, it’s quite likely that Dorothy Gale’s face might not ever be shown inWicked: Part 2…”
As far asWicked 2is concerned, Dorothy’s role will likely be bigger than a silhouette. That being said, audiences still shouldn’t expect too much of an increased role in the upcoming sequel set to release on November 21st next year. Although her presence is crucial to the events ofWickedand its story, it’s quite likely that Dorothy Gale’s face might not ever be shown inWicked: Part 2, effectively maintaining the intention of the original story and musical that the story instead belongs to Elphaba and Glinda and the truth about Oz.
Wickedis now playing in theaters,whileWicked: Part 2is to release on November 21st, 2025.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
