For these unfamiliar with Depraved, they might be stunned to search out out that director Jon M. Chu’s adaptation, cut up into two elements, is simply technically a prequel to The Wizard of Oz for the primary two-thirds of the story. Halfway by Depraved: For Good, occasions start to happen that align with the plot of the traditional 1939 film, which incorporates the sudden arrival of Kansas farmgirl Dorothy Gale by way of twister/flying home.
[Editor’s note: The following contains very mild spoilers for Wicked: For Good.]
Depraved: For Good focuses totally on the “actual” story of the Depraved Witch of the West, or as her associates name her, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), in addition to Elphaba’s sophisticated friendship with fellow witch Glinda (Ariana Grande). Moreover, as For Good progresses, Dorothy’s companions on the Yellow Brick Highway are launched, albeit with a couple of stunning twists.
Whereas we ultimately get to see the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion in all their remixed glory, one wide selection made by Chu is that every one the scenes that includes Dorothy make a deliberate level of not displaying her face. The character is simply seen from behind, in excessive close-ups (like, say, on these shiny new footwear somebody simply gave her), or in silhouette.
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There was an actress solid within the function, although: Bethany Weaver, a British dancer, actor, and choreographer with credit on productions together with Oklahoma! and Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing facility. Her Instagram account doesn’t embrace any behind-the-scenes Depraved content material, however presumably she was fairly tightly restricted from saying something in regards to the manufacturing previous to its premiere.
Dorothy will get barely extra of a highlight on this film than she does within the authentic stage manufacturing, although the best way she’s framed permits for the phantasm that this Dorothy might probably be the one performed by Judy Garland within the authentic movie. This was a part of Chu’s design, because the director informed Folks that “I didn’t wish to step on who you assume Dorothy is in no matter story that you simply got here into this with.”
You possibly can see Weaver (her ankles, a minimum of) in Depraved: For Good, now in theaters. Nevertheless you would possibly really feel about Dorothy’s portrayal right here, realize it’s way more form than what the Sphere did to Garland’s face for its model of The Wizard of Oz.