The Wizard of Oz (MUNY Version)
Harold Arlen
The Wizard of Oz (RSC Version)
by Harold Arlen, L Frank Baum, E. Y. Harburg, Herbert Stothart, Peter Howard, Larry Wilcox, John Kane
Highlights
120 mins 1930s Expandable Casting Unit Set/Multiple Settings Fantasy Costumes
Awards & Recognition
Academy Award
Winner! 1940 Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song (“Over the Rainbow”) Winner! 1940 Academy Award for Best Music, Original Score
Synopsis
Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film.
The timeless tale, in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, continues to thrill audiences worldwide.
There are two full-length versions of The Wizard of Oz : MUNY and RSC.
Both include the songs “Over the Rainbow,” “Munchkinland (Ding Dong!
The Witch Is Dead),” “If I Only Had a Brain/a Heart/the Nerve,” “We’re Off to See the Wizard (Follow the Yellow Brick Road),” “Jitterbug,” and “The Merry Old Land of Oz.”
The MUNY version also has “Evening Star.”
The RSC version also includes “Poppies (Optimistic Voices)” and “If I Were King of the Forest.”
This RSC version is a more faithful adaptation of the film.
A more technically complex production, it recreates the dialogue and structure of the MGM classic nearly scene for scene, though it is adapted for live stage performance.
The RSC version’s musical material also provides more work for the SATB chorus and small vocal ensembles.
The MUNY Version is more theatrically conservative, employing its stage, actors, singers, dancers and musicians in traditional ways.
Using L. Frank Baum’s book – and not the MGM film – as its inspiration, this version employs story and songs as elements of a classic stage musical, adding a bit more humor to the witch and her cronies.
The MUNY version does not include Toto, but instead adds new characters, including Farmhand Joe, Gloria of Oz, Lord Growlie, Tibia (the witch’s skeletal assistant), two comical neighboring witches and the Royal Army of Oz.
Professional Artwork Available for Your Production of The Wizard of Oz (RSC Version) !
Concord Theatricals has collaborated with Subplot Studio to create high-quality artwork that complies with your license.
Promoting your show has never been easier!
Learn more at Subplot Studio .
Press Reviews
"Iconic’ is an overused word these days, but when you’re talking about The Wizard of Oz, there’s really no other – whether you mean the 1939 film with Judy Garland, L. Frank Baum’s book (it came first, you know), or a stage version... this Oz, brimming with color, seduces and delights."
— Collin Kelley, Atlanta In Town
"Since this classic movie first delighted children and grownups back in 1939, L. Frank Baum’s glorious fantasy has been a continual favorite. Whether on film, in print or live on stage, as it is at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, this fanciful story, with its inspiring lesson about friendship, is one of the most beloved in children’s literature... Did Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen have any idea of the enduring musical magic they’d created when they composed all those wonderful, infectious songs?"
— Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review
Characters
| Character |
|---|
| Principals (3 female; 5 male. Roles intended to be doubled are indicated with a slash.) |
| DOROTHY GALE G3-C5 (opt. E5 (Range: G3-C5 (opt. E5)) |
| AUNT EM Emily Gale |
| / GLINDA G3-C5 The Good Witch of the North (Range: G3-C5) |
| UNCLE HENRY Henry Gale |
| / EMERALD CITY GUARD Bb2-Eb4 (Range: Bb2-Eb4) |
| ZEKE Farmhand |
| / COWARDLY LION Bb2-F4 (Range: Bb2-F4) |
| HICKORY Farmhand |
| / TINMAN Bb2-G4 (Range: Bb2-G4) |
| HUNK Farmhand |
| / SCARECROW Bb2-F#4 (opt. Ab4 (Range: Bb2-F#4 (opt. Ab4)) |
| MISS ALMIRA GULCH / THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST non-singing role |
| PROFESSOR CHESTER MARVEL / THE WIZARD OF OZ non-singing role |
| Ensemble/Chorus Roles (Minimum of 16 ensemble performers required. The original RSC production featured 38 ensemble performers.) |
| CITIZENS OF MUNCHKINLAND Bb2-Eb3 or Bb3-Eb4 Mayor – (Range: Bb2-Eb3 or Bb3-Eb4) Coroner – (Range: Bb2-A3 or Bb3-A4) Barrister Fiddler – (Range: C3-C4 or C4-C5) Braggart 3 Tots – (Range: Bb2-D4 or Bb3-D5) 3 Tough Guys – (Range: Bb2-D4 or Bb3-D5) 3 City Fathers 2 School Teachers Three Crows – male trio (Range: B2-E4/B4) Three Trees – female trio (Range: B3-C5/E5) Poppies – female chorus Snowmen – male chorus |
| OZIANS B2-G3 Beauticians – female chorus Polishers – male chorus Manicurists – female chorus 2 Oz Men 2 Oz Women Winkies – male chorus Winkie General – Leader of the Winkies (Range: B2-G3) Flying Monkeys – dancers Nikko – Commander of the Monkeys Jitterbug – Lead Dancer Jitterbugs & Ghosts – SATB chorus/dancers |
Videos
The Wizard of Oz – Tuacahn Center for the Arts Promo
Publication
The Wizard of Oz (RSC Version) is a play written by Harold Arlen and published by Tams-Witmark .
Community Reviews
No community reviews yet
Buy Play
Performance Rights
Available for Licensing
Amateur Only
Fee: PLEASE BE ADVISED: There are multiple versions of this title. Before you proceed, please double-check to ensure that you are applying for the version you want. We will not be able to refund rental or shipping fees if you pay for the wrong version.If you’re not sure which version best suits your needs, you may purchase a perusal for each available version.THE WIZARD OF OZ (RSC VERSION)THE WIZARD OF OZ (MUNY)THE WIZARD OF OZ (YOUTH EDITION)
Restrictions: Major Markets Plus (US) / Standard Plus Add'l Postcodes (UK)
Apply for RightsSimilar Plays
Plays with similar themes, style, and content.
More from Harold Arlen
More plays from Harold Arlen that we think you'll enjoy.
