Films

Since her first adventure 125 years ago in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale has become a cultural touchstone, symbolizing courage, curiosity, and resilience for generations. In It’s Dorothy!, director Jeffrey McHale (You Don’t Nomi) traces the evolution of this iconic character – from the original novel to Judy Garland’s legendary 1939 portrayal, The Wiz, Wicked, and countless other reinterpretations across stage and screen.

Featuring interviews with former Dorothys such as Fairuza Balk and Ashanti, alongside cultural icons including John Waters, Margaret Cho, Rufus Wainwright, Lena Waithe, and Amber Ruffin, the documentary blends archival footage, dazzling musical sequences, and incisive commentary to celebrate Dorothy’s enduring influence, exploring how her story has long served as a stand-in for the oppressed and overlooked.

“More than anything, it’s a documentary about joy.”
-Michael Frank, The Film Stage