Dorothy Gale, the iconic girl from Kansas, has an unusual role in the world of Wicked. Unlike in The Wizard of Oz, where she is the central character, in Wicked — both the Broadway musical and the upcoming film Wicked: For Good — Dorothy is a supporting figure, often appearing in the background or even off-screen.
Dorothy in the Musical
The original Wicked musical, based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, from her perspective. Dorothy is not the main focus and appears only occasionally. In stage productions, her presence is often symbolic: she is shown in shadows, silhouettes, or glimpsed briefly, but her face is rarely revealed. This creative choice reinforces the narrative focus on Elphaba and Glinda while maintaining Dorothy as a recognizable but secondary figure.
Dorothy in Wicked: For Good
In the new film adaptation, Wicked: For Good, Dorothy Gale is portrayed by British actress and dancer Bethany Weaver. Even in this cinematic version, Dorothy’s face is deliberately not fully shown. Director Jon M. Chu explained that this choice allows audiences to maintain their own mental image of the classic character while keeping the story centered on the witches.
While Dorothy appears more frequently in For Good than in the stage musical, she remains a supporting character. Her appearances are often from behind or in shadow, emphasizing her symbolic rather than central role. Notably, she wears silver heels in the film instead of the iconic ruby slippers, giving a fresh visual interpretation of the character.
Narrative Function
Dorothy serves as a bridge between the familiar Wizard of Oz world and the Wicked universe. According to Chu, she acts almost as a narrative device, a “pawn” in the larger story of Elphaba and Glinda. This approach keeps the focus on the witches’ journeys, their friendship, and Elphaba’s moral and ethical dilemmas, while still grounding the story in the familiar mythos of Oz.
Conclusion
Dorothy in Wicked is a unique reinterpretation of a classic character. Whether on stage or on screen, she is present, recognizable, and important to the story’s context — yet her supporting role and intentional mystery allow Elphaba and Glinda’s story to shine. Fans can expect Bethany Weaver’s portrayal in Wicked: For Good to honor the classic character while maintaining the creative choices that make Wicked distinct.
Sources
Wikipedia – Wicked (musical): https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_%28musical%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com
ScreenRant – Role of Dorothy in Wicked musical and movie: https://screenrant.com/wicked-movie-dorothy-role-broadway-musical/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
NBC Insider – Why Dorothy’s face isn’t shown in the film: https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/who-plays-dorothy-in-wicked-for-good-and-why-isnt-her-face-shown?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Parade – Who plays Dorothy in Wicked: For Good: https://parade.com/movies/who-plays-dorothy-in-wicked-for-good?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Forbes – Wicked: For Good details on Dorothy’s appearance: https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2025/11/21/who-plays-dorothy-in-wicked-for-good-and-why-we-dont-see-her-face-on-screen/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
PinkNews – Discussion of Dorothy’s role in the film: https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/11/24/wicked-for-goods-dorothy-unveiled-in-photos-but-why-dont-audiences-see-her-face-in-the-film/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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