Brittney Johnson, who made history this past February as the first Black actor to assume the role of Glinda in Broadway's Wicked full-time, has announced that she will leave the production February 12, 2023, one year after she began her celebrated run at the Gershwin.
Johnson announced her intended departure on social media October 30, coinciding with the 19th anniversary of the long-running Oz-inspired musical. Her replacement will be announced at a later date.
Formerly the Glinda standby, Johnson—who has also appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables, Motown, Sunset Boulevard, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls—took over the role of Glinda February 14, 2022. Her ascension was praised by both fans and industry members, with Johnson receiving the seal of approval from Broadway's original Glinda, Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth.