“Wicked” is a Broadway musical based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and a book by Winne Holzman. “Wicked” has been a blockbuster since its opening at Gershwin Theatre in 2003. The story is inspired by “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” but instead of focusing on the main character of Oz, Dorothy, “Wicked” follows the story of an unlikely friendship between the misunderstood witch Elphaba and the popular Glinda.
In 2019 Brittney Johnson was the first woman of color to play Glinda in the production of “Wicked” as an understudy. Now she has made history again, taking over full-time as the first Black leading lady of the show, she started this position on Feb. 14th.
Johnson expressed her excitement for her new role, “I’m really excited for people to be able to see someone who looks like them on stage, wearing the crown.”
Original post by: Donna M. Owens/NBC News
Read more here: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/meet-brittney-johnson-broadways-first-black-glinda-rcna15766
