Wicked: For Good press cycle has officially begun, following the release of the brand new trailer!
We’ve also had confirmation of a number of returning cast members in the sequel, based on the second half of the Wicked stage show. Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), Ariana Grande (Glinda), Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Marissa Bode (Nessarose), Jeff Goldblum (The Wizard), Ethan Slater (Boq) and Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible) are all back for part two, driving the revisionist twist on The Wizard of Oz.
But some minor characters will, it turns out, also be making a comeback. Bowen Yang (Pfannee) and Bronwyn James (ShenShen) have now been upgraded from Glinda’s fawning classmates at Shiz University to her fawning assistants, likely working with her in the Emerald City, while interestingly, multi-award-winning star Sharon D Clarke will be back as the voice of Elphaba’s childhood nanny, Dulcibear. It’ll be interesting to see whether she appears in a flashback or the present day.
Also returning will be Adam James as Glinda’s father Mr Upland – adding weight to speculation that there will be additional scenes taking place at Shiz University. Another interesting note is Rehema Muthamia will be playing a “Winkie” – who according to George Maguire’s series of novels that inspired Wicked, are the inhabitants of The Vinkus, the western province of Oz.
Beyond that, some names that will be familiar to West End fans include stage veteran Liz Izen, currently on stage in Mrs Warren’s Profession in the West End, playing a “Glinda Fan” (and let’s face it, who isn’t?), while former stage Glinda Emily Tierney is confirmed as part of the ensemble. If part one is anything to go by, expect a raft of cameos from theatre favourites!
