

(In the original production, this ship appeared onstage and slowly moved offstage before “taking off.”)ĭorothy does not wear ruby slippers in this version instead, the Good Witch leaves a mark on her forehead to protect her.

At the end of the show, rather than attempt a journey by hot-air balloon, Dorothy and the Wizard set off for Kansas in a rocket ship. Toto does not appear, removing the need for an animal trainer, and the script requires fewer scene changes. Other added characters unique to this version include Farmhand Joe, the Royal Army of Oz (which consists of 24 generals and one private), an Ozian named Lord Growlie, and Gloria of Oz, a young woman who sings “In the Merry Old Land of Oz.”Ĭreated in an era before special effects were easily accessible, the MUNY Version was designed for a live theatre with simple effects and limited resources. In one scene, for example, the Wicked Witch of the West visits with two neighboring witches, trading comic puns like “I’m having dinner with an old ghoul friend.” The Wicked Witch also has a butler-like servant: a well-mannered skeleton named Tibia. The script for the MUNY Version deviates considerably from the film’s screenplay, and much of the dialogue reflects a vaudeville-style sense of humor. Louis, Missouri in 1942 and revived there several times, this adaptation originally featured Evelyn Wycoff as Dorothy and Al Downing as the Munchkin Mayor. The MUNY Version ( US/ UK) was the first stage adaptation of Baum’s novel to feature the songs from MGM’s 1939 film. The MUNY Version is a loose adaptation of the story, with new characters and a vaudevillian flair the RSC Version adheres closely to the MGM film and the Youth Edition is a 60-minute reduction of the RSC Version. Each of Concord Theatricals’ three stage adaptations, featuring celebrated songs from the film, brings the wondrous Land of Oz to life in a jubilant theatrical experience. Harburg, along with the brilliant instrumental music of Herbert Stothart, elevated the popular novel to even greater heights.

MGM’s blockbuster 1939 film adaptation, featuring the remarkable songs of Harold Arlen and E.Y. Frank Baum’s beloved story of a young girl’s adventure in a magical land, first published in 1900, has been entertaining audiences for well over a century. Here’s a brief guide to help you distinguish the three titles, along with two handy “at-a-glance” charts: one comparing the musical numbers and one comparing the cast of characters. Concord Theatricals proudly licenses three versions ( US/ UK) of The Wizard of Oz – two full-length versions and one 60-minute Youth Edition.
