Glee actress Lea Michele has been working on the upcoming animated musical ‘Dorothy of Oz’.  Voicing the title role, a first look has been released of the singing beauty’s on-screen character. The 2012 release is a follow up to the classic, and well known, ‘Wizard of Oz’. The adaption, based on the book by writer Roger S. Baum, follows Dorothy’s return to the magical land of Oz in search of the notorious cowardly lion, the tin man, and her friend, the scare crow.  Talking about the project to EW last year, Michele stated that “[Dorothy] does definitely have that elegance and softness that Judy Garland brought to the role, but I feel I’m showing a little bit more of her youthful side.”

Voicing Dorothy, and singing, Lea Michele is being joined by ‘Frasier’ star Kelsey Grammer, Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi, Tacey Adams, Patrick Stewart, and Hugh Dancy.  The movie’s screenplay was written by Barry Glasser and Adam Balsam, and is being directed by Dan St. Pierre of ‘Lion King fame.  Here’s the full official synopsis:”

“There is trouble in Oz and Dorothy is needed!  With Glinda’s help, she and Toto return to Oz.  Joined by her old friends the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion as well as exciting new characters, Dorothy sets out on a perilous journey to stop the crafty Jester from using the power of the Wicked Witch of the West’s wand to turn the people of Oz into puppets. That seems to be the least of Dorothy’s problems as her travels lead her straight into a treacherous maze, a cave full of very hungry dragons and an evil spell that could destroy the Yellow Brick Road.  Dorothy has the daunting knowledge that it is up to her to stop Jester’s terrible plan.  Audiences will welcome the return of the old Oz favorites and will love meeting new friends like Tugg a gruff talking boat and Wiser an owl with an unlucky attraction to molasses.

Written in the whimsical style of L. Frank Baum, “Dorothy of Oz” is sure to delight Oz fans old and new as they journey once again into the magical land of OZ.”