The Wizard of Oz (RSC version)
Musical
Writers: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
The Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum’s classic 1900 children’s novel, has received many iterations on stage. L. Frank Baum himself created the first adaptation, a musical extravaganza that drew from theatre, operetta, and vaudeville. This production is only loosely based on the events of the novel. It was immensely successful, playing on Broadway and touring the United States for seven years. In 1945, a new adaptation of the story was produced at the MUNY. This production stuck closer to its
to read the context for The Wizard of Oz (RSC version) and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
Dorothy Gale, a young girl, rushes home with her dog, Toto. Toto has just been threatened by a mean, nasty woman, Miss Gulch, who lives nearby. Dorothy arrives home to her aunt and uncle’s farm, desperate with anxiety over Toto, but Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are too busy with farm work to pay her any attention. She appeals to three of the farmhands - Hunk, Hickory, and Zeke - but they too brush Dorothy aside. Feeling unappreciated and ignored, Dorothy dreams of escaping to a
to read the plot for The Wizard of Oz (RSC version) and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
|
|
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
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
The sequence of steps and movements in dance, also the orchestrated and rehearsed movements for actors, based on the script.
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
A fictional story of the fantasy genre – idealised, romantic, and magical.
A type of song, usually early in the musical, in which the protagonist expresses their desires. The "I Want" song establishes the character's objectives.
Magical or supernatural qualities or events presented in an otherwise realistic setting.
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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