Broadway’s hit musical “Wicked” takes center stage beginning Feb. 14, 2022, and Brittney Johnson will be proudly rewriting the eighteen-year history as the first black woman to take on the role of Glinda full time.
Although the 31-year-old currently stands as stand-by in the production of Wicked, she will be the first Black actor to assume the role of the good witch full-time, thereby making history.
The Stephen Schwartz-created musical
“Wicked,” since its 2003 debut has been a smash hit, reputed as the fifth longest-running production in Broadway history.
It follows the origin story of the witches from “The Wizard of Oz,” and has been performed in over 100 cities in 16 countries.
This isn’t the first time Johnson is making history, in 2019 she also made history as the first actress of color to portray Glinda in part on Broadway.
“My heart is bursting with gratitude,” she said at the time. “God is so good! I am so humbled to be the first Black Glinda and honored to fulfill the dreams and hopes of so many! I feel like my feet have yet to touch down.”
Kristin Chenoweth, who took on the role of Glinda when the production was first, also sent out heartfelt congratulations.
“I am so proud of you,” she told Johnson via video message on Tuesday. “You’ll be handling the wand and crown just as I did, and probably better. I even wore pink for you! I’m saying congratulations, break a leg, and you know I love you, baby!”
Johnson is also known for her appearance on Broadway in “Les Misérables,” “Motown the Musical” and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”
With her new role in the musical, she will succeed Ginna Claire Mason and will star opposite Lindsay Pearce as Elphaba.
“If this is a dream, don’t wake me. I cannot WAIT to be your Glinda. I’m honored, grateful, and speechless. I simply couldn’t be happier,” Johnson tweeted on Tuesday.
1 comment
Nice one . Congratulations