Why Jonathan Bailey Missed Wicked: One Wonderful Night Special
Jonathan Bailey was absent from NBC's Wicked: One Wonderful Night special due to scheduling conflicts. Bowen Yang performed the song "Dancing Through Life" in his place.
About the Special
The television event aired on Thursday, November 6, featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The two headlined a one-night-only concert, singing songs from Wicked and the upcoming Wicked: For Good. They were joined by several of their co-stars who shared their enthusiasm about making the original film and teased the sequel’s plot twists.
Story and Cast Details
The musical, adapted from the Broadway hit by Chu, explores the lives of the Wicked Witch of the West (Erivo) and Glinda the Good Witch of the North (Grande) before Dorothy’s journey down the yellow brick road.
In the first film, both Elphaba and Glinda develop feelings for new Shiz University student Fiyero, played by Bailey. The cast also includes Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, and Bowen Yang—all of whom appeared on stage during the special.
Reason for Bailey's Absence
“They were trying to move mountains to make it happen,” said choreographer Christopher Scott to Variety, explaining that Bailey's absence was due to scheduling conflicts.
Despite efforts to accommodate him, the conflict prevented Bailey from performing in the event.
Summary
Jonathan Bailey’s absence from the Wicked: One Wonderful Night special was unavoidable, but the event still celebrated the cast’s joy and anticipation for the film’s sequel.
Author’s note: Jonathan Bailey missed the special due to scheduling conflicts, though the cast's enthusiasm for the Wicked franchise shone throughout the event.