The Wizard of Oz

By L. Frank Baum
With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harbug
Background Music by Herbert Stothart
Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard
Orchestration by Larry Wilcox
Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company
Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
Directed by Linda Hartzell

Dorothy Gale, a Kansas farm girl, dreams about going "over the rainbow." One day a tornado rips through her family’s farm and lands Dorothy, her house and dog (Toto), in a magical, vibrant, and strange land. When her house lands there, it happens to kill the Wicked Witch of the East. Of course, the Munchkins, the diminutive people who populate this area, are thrilled to be free of the terrors of the Witch. However, the Witch’s sister, the Wicked Witch of the West, is not so pleased, until she realizes that this is her opportunity to get her hands on her dead sister’s magic shoes. Before the Witch has a chance to grab the slippers, the Good Witch, Glinda, magics them onto Dorothy’s feet, multiplying the Wicked Witch’s anger at the poor girl. The Witch vows she will have her revenge, and those ruby slippers, too. Through all of this mysterious behavior, Dorothy just longs to return safely home to her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Glinda suggests that Dorothy travel to the Emerald City and ask the Wonderful Wizard for help.

Setting off for the Emerald City along the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy makes several dear friends also in need of help from the Wizard—Scarecrow, who seeks a brain; Tinman, who yearns for a heart; and Cowardly Lion, who just wants courage. In the first of many attempts to thwart Dorothy’s quest to reach the Wizard, the Wicked Witch conjures a field of poisoned poppies to put Dorothy and her comrades to sleep before they reach the city’s gates. Luckily, Scarecrow and Tinman aren’t affected by the spell and, once Glinda makes it snow to dampen the potency of the poppies, they are able to cart Dorothy, Lion, and Toto to the Emerald City.

Oz is a glorious, gorgeous land, filled with delights, and delightful people. Unfortunately, once they finally gain an audience with the Wizard, he is reluctant to help, demanding the Wicked Witch’s broomstick as payment before he’ll come to their aid. So, off they troop, determined to overcome this obstacle to get what they each want. The Witch has a different agenda, however. She sends her flying monkeys to attack the band of adventurers, stealing Dorothy and Toto away. Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion may be frightened but they won’t let their friends down—they sneak into the Witch’s castle to save the girl and her dog. Before the friends can make their escape, they are cornered and the Witch sets fire to Scarecrow. Trying to douse him, Dorothy throws a bucket of water, which accidently lands on the Witch, melting her away into nothingness. Free of their horrid mistress, the guards rejoice and give Dorothy the broomstick she needs to secure the Wizard’s assistance.

Back at the Emerald City, the Wizard tries to renege on his deal, until Toto exposes him as the charlatan he is—why he’s just a man from Kansas himself, and he decides to return with Dorothy and Toto. First, he grants the friends their wishes, giving a diploma to Scarecrow, a heart-shaped watch to Tinman, and a medal of valor to Lion. Before Dorothy and Toto have a chance to join the Wizard, his hot-air balloon floats away, stranding them in Oz. Just when all seems lost, Glinda tells Dorothy that she has the means to get herself home and has all along. With three clicks of her heels, Dorothy bids her new friends goodbye and wakes to find herself back in Kansas, with her family and friends worriedly staring down at her. It seems the entire journey was but a dream.

A Note from the Artistic Director: L. Frank Baum’s works are so rich and beautiful; they deserve to be re-discovered by a new generation. This spectacular stage version has all the songs and heart that you loved in the movie classic.

ASL Interpreted dates:
Public - January 10 @ 2pm
Schools - January 7 @ 10:30am

Family Date Night Dinner: December 12

Target Series: November 29 @ 5:30pm

In the Wings: December 13

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