Overview

Synopsis

L. Frank Baum’s classic novel comes to life in The Wizard of Oz. This faithful adaptation by the Royal Shakespeare Company features all the most beloved songs and moments from the 1939 classic film, brought to life onstage. Young Dorothy Gale is swept away by a tornado from her Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz. There, she encounters a host of whimsical characters: good witches, bad witches, animals that talk, scarecrows that walk, and things magical to behold. To find her way home, she must journey along the Yellow Brick Road to see the mysterious and all-powerful Wizard in Emerald City. Along the way, she makes new friends, but must also brave many dangers, including the Wicked Witch of the West, who will stop at nothing to get her hands on Dorothy’s magical ruby slippers. To make it home safely, Dorothy must learn an important lesson: there’s no place like home.

Show Information

Book
John Kane
Music
Herbert Stothart , Harold Arlen , E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
Lyrics
Harold Arlen , E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
Based on the Play/Book/Film
The Wizard of Oz
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1987
Genres
Fairy Tale/Fantasy
Settings
Contemporary, Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
1930s, Uncle Henry and Aunt Em's farm in Kansas, the magical land of Oz
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Some Dance
Licensor
Concord Theatricals
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Elementary School, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Middle School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Early Teen, Late Teen, Adult, Child, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Dorothy Gale

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Scarecrow

Lead

Male

Baritone

Tin Man

Lead

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Lion

Lead

Male

Baritone

Wizard

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Wicked Witch of the West

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Glinda

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Aunt Em

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Uncle Henry

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Miss Gulch

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Zeke

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Hunk

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Hickory

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Professor Marvel

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Guard

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Nikko

Featured

Either Gender

Non-singer

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

ACT ONE

  • Overture - Orchestra and Girls Chorus

  • Over the Rainbow - Dorothy

  • *Munchkin Musical Sequence (“Come Out, Come Out,” “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead”) - Glinda, Dorothy, and Munchkins (featured: Mayor, Barrister, Coroner, 3 City Fathers, 3 Tots, 3 Tough Guys, 2 School Teachers, and a Braggart)

  • Yellow Brick Road - Munchkins (featured soloists: Mayor, Coroner, Fiddler)

  • *If I Only Had a Brain - Scarecrow, Dorothy, 3 Crows

  • We’re Off to See the Wizard - Dorothy and Scarecrow

  • If I Only Had a Heart - Tin Man, Dorothy, and 3 Trees

  • We’re Off to See the Wizard (Trio) - Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Tin Man

  • Lions, Tigers, and Bears - Dorothy, Tin Man, and Scarecrow

  • If I Only Had the Nerve - Lion, Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Tin Man

  • We’re Off to See the Wizard (Quartet) - Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion

  • Poppies - Glinda and Female Ensemble

  • Act I Finale - Glinda, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Glinda, and Ensemble

ACT TWO

  • Entr’acte - Orchestra and Girls Chorus

  • *Merry Old Land of Oz - Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Emerald City Guard, Ozians (featured: Beauticians, Polishers, and Manicurists)

  • King of the Forest - Lion, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man

  • March of the Winkies - Winkies

  • *Jitterbug - Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, and Jitterbugs

  • March of the Winkies (Reprise) - Winkies

  • Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Reprise) - Dorothy

  • Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead (Reprise) - Winkies

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Adaptation

    A version of a work modified from another medium or language, making it suitable for a new performance context.

    Choreography

    The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.

    Ensemble

    A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.

    Fairy Tale

    A genre of story involving magical and fantastical elements, sometimes adapted for theatrical performance.

    I Want Song

    A staple of musical theatre where the protagonist expresses a deep personal desire, setting the emotional tone for the narrative.

    Magical Realism

    A literary and theatrical style blending realistic narrative with fantastical elements to explore complex truths.

    Star Vehicle

    A production created to showcase the talents of a specific star performer, often tailored to their strengths.

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Guide Written By:

Marielle Renée Rousseau

Marielle Renée Rousseau