Is Dorothy In Wicked? The Surprising Truth About Her Role In The Movie And Musical
The question of whether Dorothy Gale appears in Wicked is one of the most enduring mysteries for fans of The Wizard of Oz and the Broadway phenomenon. Despite being the central figure of the story that Wicked serves as a prequel to, Dorothy’s presence is far more nuanced and surprising than a simple yes or no. As of December 23, 2025, with the highly anticipated two-part film adaptation—*Wicked* and *Wicked: For Good*—on the horizon, the details of Dorothy’s role have become clearer, confirming a significant difference between the stage production and the new cinematic universe.
The short answer is yes, Dorothy is in Wicked, but not in the way you might expect. She is not a main character, but rather a powerful, unseen catalyst whose arrival in Oz fundamentally alters the lives of Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch). Her story is the conclusion to Elphaba’s journey, making her a critical plot device rather than a primary player.
The Definitive Role of Dorothy Gale in the World of Oz
To fully understand Dorothy's place in the narrative, it's essential to look at the three main sources: the original novel, the iconic 1939 film, and the modern musical and its upcoming film adaptation. Dorothy Gale is the character who sets the events of the second half of Wicked into motion, serving as the unwitting antagonist to Elphaba.
1. Dorothy’s Role in the Broadway Musical: The Unseen Catalyst
In the beloved Broadway musical, Dorothy Gale is a pivotal, yet mostly unseen, character. Her arrival is the single most important event in the second act, but she never appears on stage, nor does she have any lines or songs.
- The Plot Device: Dorothy is the girl who arrives from Kansas in a farmhouse, accidentally crushing Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (the Wicked Witch of the East).
- The Ruby Slippers: Her sudden appearance allows Glinda to claim the famous Ruby Slippers from Nessarose's feet before Elphaba can, escalating the conflict between the two witches.
- The Off-Stage Presence: She is constantly referred to by the main characters, and her actions—such as traveling the Yellow Brick Road with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion—are discussed and reacted to by Elphaba and Glinda.
- The Reason for the Absence: Historically, the musical's creators did not have the rights to use the iconic imagery and specific appearance of Dorothy Gale from the 1939 MGM film, which is why she remains an off-stage presence.
2. The Movie Adaptation Casting: A New Level of Visibility
The upcoming two-part film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, has changed the game regarding Dorothy's visibility. Recent reports indicate that the character will be seen on screen, though perhaps only briefly or without her face fully revealed, maintaining a nod to the musical's tradition.
- Confirmed Casting: Actress Bethany Weaver has been confirmed to play Dorothy in the film, specifically in the second part, *Wicked: For Good*.
- Early Appearance: Spoilers from the movie suggest that Dorothy is welcomed by Glinda in Munchkinland.
- The Unseen Face Debate: Some speculation suggests that while a full actress is cast, the film may still honor the musical by keeping Dorothy’s face obscured or only showing her from behind, reinforcing the idea that the story is about the witches, not her. This narrative choice ensures the focus remains on Elphaba's origin story.
How Dorothy’s Arrival Drives Elphaba’s Tragic Transformation
Dorothy’s journey is the ultimate trigger for Elphaba’s tragic fate. The entire purpose of Wicked is to show the audience how the misunderstood, green-skinned Elphaba becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. Dorothy's arrival is the final, devastating straw.
The Catalyst for Conflict: Elphaba’s primary motivations in the second act are to save her sister and to expose the corruption of the Wizard and Madame Morrible. When Dorothy's house lands on Nessarose, it is a personal tragedy for Elphaba. The subsequent theft of the Ruby Slippers by Glinda, who gives them to Dorothy, is the final betrayal that cements Elphaba's villainous reputation in the eyes of the public and the propaganda machine run by the Wizard.
The Hunt for the Slippers: Elphaba’s relentless pursuit of Dorothy is not out of pure malice, but a desperate attempt to reclaim the slippers, which she believes hold a powerful, sentimental value (or, in the novel, a magical power she needs). This hunt is what leads to her encounters with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, all of whom are revealed to be people from Elphaba’s past—including her former love, Fiyero.
The Final Confrontation: The narrative culminates when Dorothy douses Elphaba with water, believing she is destroying an evil witch, a direct parallel to the ending of The Wizard of Oz. Wicked reframes this moment, showing it as the final, heartbreaking act of misunderstanding and misrepresentation that completes Elphaba’s martyrdom. Dorothy is simply a pawn, unaware of the deep political and personal drama she has stumbled into.
Topical Authority: Key Entities and References in Wicked
Wicked is a masterpiece of storytelling because it meticulously weaves its new narrative into the fabric of the classic Oz story, using Dorothy as the thread that connects the two worlds. The musical is filled with subtle and overt Easter Eggs and references to the 1939 film and L. Frank Baum's original books.
The entire storyline is built on answering the "why" behind the events of The Wizard of Oz, making every character and prop from the original story a key entity in Wicked. The musical and the upcoming film use these connections to deepen the world's lore and provide a richer context for Elphaba's journey.
Key Entities and References:
- The Wizard of Oz: The corrupt, manipulative ruler of the Emerald City who is the true villain.
- Madame Morrible: The Wizard's press secretary and propagandist who coins the name "Wicked Witch of the West."
- The Ruby Slippers: Originally belonging to Nessarose, they are seized by Glinda and given to Dorothy, becoming the object Elphaba desperately seeks.
- The Scarecrow: Revealed to be Elphaba’s former love interest, Fiyero, who is transformed after being captured by the Wizard’s guards.
- "Surrender Dorothy": The iconic phrase is directly referenced, often appearing as a cloud-written message in the movie trailers, linking the two stories visually.
- Poppies: The field of poppies that puts Dorothy to sleep is shown to have a connection to Elphaba’s magical abilities.
- The Bucket of Water: The most famous reference, which is the instrument of Elphaba's supposed demise at the hands of Dorothy.
In conclusion, while Dorothy Gale is not a main character in Wicked, she is arguably the most important element of the plot's climax. She is the final piece of the puzzle, the catalyst that transforms Elphaba from a misunderstood idealist into the legendary, feared Wicked Witch of the West. The upcoming film, with the casting of Bethany Weaver, confirms that we will finally get to see the girl from Kansas in the world of the witches, even if her role remains secondary to the powerful friendship and rivalry between Elphaba and Glinda.
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