The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition

By L. Frank Baum
With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg

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.
Adaptation and support materials for the Youth Edition developed by iTheatrics under the supervision of Timothy Allen McDonald

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition

By L. Frank Baum
With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg

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.
Adaptation and support materials for the Youth Edition developed by iTheatrics under the supervision of Timothy Allen McDonald

Overview

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition is a one-hour adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, specially tailored for elementary and middle school-aged actors. The materials have been prepared to help your school or organization mount the best possible production and to give your young cast and crew an exciting and rewarding experience.

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L. Frank Baum’s beloved story of a young girl’s adventure in a magical land has been entertaining audiences for over a century. MGM’s blockbuster 1939 film adaptation, featuring the timeless songs of Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, along with the brilliant instrumental music of Herbert Stothart, elevated the popular novel to even greater heights. This stage adaptation, featuring the characters and celebrated songs from the film, brings the wondrous Land of Oz to life in a jubilant theatrical experience.

Join Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto as they “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz, determined to reach the Emerald City, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will help them get home. Of course, along the way, Dorothy encounters witches (both good and bad), Munchkins, talking trees and winged monkeys. But most importantly, she befriends three unique characters: a Scarecrow with no brain, a Tin Man with no heart, and a Lion with no “nerve.” Their journey to happiness – and self-awareness – is a glowing testament to friendship, understanding and hope in a world filled with both beauty and ugliness.

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Details

  • Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Adaptation (Literature), Adaptation (Stage & Screen), Fable/Folktale
  • Time Period: 1930s
  • Cast Attributes: Expandable Casting, Features Children, Role(s) for Teen(s), Flexible Cast Size, Roles for Children, Room for Extras, Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle), Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)
  • Target Audience: Appropriate for All Audiences, Young Children (Age 2-5), Children (Age 6-10)

Authors

L. Frank Baum

Lyman Frank Baum (May 15, 1856 – May 6, 1919) was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900. One of the most successful novels in American literature, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz sold out instantly, became a cu ...

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Harold Arlen

Harold Arlen (1905-1986) wrote some of the greatest hits from the 30's and 40's, including the entire score to the classic movie The Wizard of Oz. Songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Get Happy,” “Stormy Weather,” “It's Only a Paper Moon,” “I've Got the World on a String” and “ ...

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E. Y. Harburg

One of America’s greatest lyricists for stage and screen, Yip Harburg (1896-1981) was the son of poor Russian-Jewish immigrants and attended CCNY. Also a book writer (usually with Fred Saidy), director, and poet, Harburg wrote lyrics for more than 550 songs, including “It’s O ...

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Herbert Stothart

Herbert Stothart (1885-1949) was nominated for nine Oscars and won for Best Original Score for his work on the 1939 film of The Wizard of Oz. As a young man, he studied music in Europe and at the University of Wisconsin, where he also taught. He worked as a musical director f ...

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Peter Howard

Peter Howard (1927-2008) was an American musical theater arranger, conductor and pianist. Howard served as either music director or dance music arranger for 38 Broadway shows, including Chicago; Fosse; Carnival; The Sound of Music; Hello, Dolly!; 1776; Annie; Baby; My One and ...

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Larry Wilcox

Larry Wilcox (1935-1993) orchestrated over 25 Broadway shows and tours, including The Yearling, The Three Musketeers, Singin’ in the Rain and Aspects of Love. He arranged and conducted recordings for the Boston Pops, the Milwaukee Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Paul ...

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John Kane

John Kane is an accomplished British actor and writer. An associate actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Kane played Puck in Peter Brook's acclaimed production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, alongside Ben Kingsley, Alan Howard and Frances de la Tour, before turning to com ...

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