Judy Garland’s Daughter Lorna Luft Says Mom ‘Would’ve Loved’ Wicked Movie (Exclusive)

Judy Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft, says her late mother “would’ve loved” the movie Wicked.

“She would’ve loved it [Wicked],” Luft, 72, tells PEOPLE at the opening night of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends on Broadway on Tuesday, April 8.

When asked what songs Luft thinks her mother would have loved the most, she says, “I have no idea. But she would’ve loved it.”

Luft also shared her love of Sondheim’s extensive body of work. “I think it’s just an honor to be here. I really, really do,” Luft tells PEOPLE. “And Stephen Sondheim is a treasure, a national treasure to all of us.”

Garland, who died in 1969, starred as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz . The late actress went on to become an American cultural icon, winning a Golden Globe for her 1954 performance in A Star Is Born, the Cecil B. DeMille Award for “outstanding contributions to entertainment” in 1961, and a Tony Award.

Wicked gives a voice to the original story of The Wizard of Oz‘s two warring witches, Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, offering a heartfelt look at the importance of friendship and the nuances of politics.

The film was based on Stephen Schwartz’s Tony-winning Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on Gregory Maguire’s novel. The musical’s second act is the focus of the upcoming sequel, Wicked: For Good. It’s unclear if Dorothy will make more than a cameo in the second part.

Wicked earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. It won for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.

In December 2024, Grande was presented Glinda’s original wand from the 1939 classic film during an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show. Grande has been open about the emotional journey of portraying Glinda, which had been her dream role throughout her career.

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“Me, everyone, we all cried every day,” Grande told the Broadway Podcast Network’s Sentimental Men podcast in November 2024.

Garland is also survived by her son Joey Luft, 70, and her daughter Liza Minnelli, 79. Wicked: For Good hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2025.

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends features an all-star cast including Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. Tickets for the Broadway production at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre are now on sale.