Photo Credit: Wicked
Stage actress Brittney Johnson just made history!
She is the first Black performer to take on Glinda, the legendary good witch in popular musical Wicked. Johnson made her debut last week on Broadway in New York.
In an interview with ABC News, she says:
“My heart is bursting with gratitude. God is 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.”
Johnson continues,
“The importance of this moment in history is only amplified by the message of this beautiful show: Love, friendship, and kindness are stronger than the fear of “otherness.” Love can break down barriers to change the world. I’m so grateful to the Wicked team for trusting me to tell this story. My hope and prayer is that people see my story and have faith that they can achieve their dreams too. Nothing is impossible! And no dream is too big.”
Fans and fellow actors were overwhelmed with joy when a Broadway photographer captured the shot below of Johnson as Glinda.
Just photographed Brittney Johnson, the first Glinda of color, as she prepares to go on in Wicked for the first time. pic.twitter.com/gbO4BWcVj9
— The Dressing Room Project (@TDRPBway) January 11, 2019
Check out some of the reactions below:
Sending love and utmost pride over to #BrittanyJohnson who is gonna be the first black Glinda on broadway in @WICKED_Musical shine sister!!!! pic.twitter.com/kejmxTIRDn
— ChristianDanteWhite (@dantechristian) January 11, 2019
YES MAAM. WE DID IT. WE GOT THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN GLINDA pic.twitter.com/QlDECgPVRu
— liv loves brittney johnson (@bwayliv) January 11, 2019
Yaaaaas @WICKED_Musical The First black Glinda on Broadway!!! Go Brittney Johnson @sunnybrittney !!! pic.twitter.com/pLEpeMqVs4
— Mark MacKillop (@mark_mackillop) January 11, 2019
Congrats to Brittney Johnson!!