The Marvelous Land of Oz (musical)
Encyclopedia
The Marvelous Land of Oz is a musical play by Thomas W. Olson (book), Gary Briggle (lyrics), and Richard Dworsky
(music), based on the novel
by L. Frank Baum
. Briggle originated the role of the Scarecrow
in the original 1981 production, directed by John Cark Donahue at The Children's Theatre Company and School of Minneapolis.
The production was film
ed (videotape
d) for television
under the direction of John Driver, the first of six such productions with Television Theatre Company and the only one to be strictly bound to the theatre. The overture in the film depicts the cast and crew getting ready for the performance, while the other five films had openings that were shot on location or in studios.
's Nest, are eliminated for the sake of time and stageability. In addition, the role of Jellia Jamb
is expanded to give the story a greater female presence. In the original/film General Jinjur, contrary to the novel, appears dressed in red, despite being from the Munchkin Country
, and none of the soldiers have green tops as in the novel. An added character is Colonel Cardamom, a Winkie
, as Jinjur's second in command. Mombi's visits to Dr. Nikidik are also depicted onstage. Unlike the novel, the play hints that King Pastoria
may still be alive with the exchange between the Scarecrow
and Glinda
, "Isn't Pastoria dead and gone?" "That is the popular belief." This is a nod to Ruth Plumly Thompson
's The Lost King of Oz
, in which Pastoria is found in an enchanted form and restored to normal, though declines returning to his duties as King. In the novel, the Scarecrow's question is a statement to which Glinda has no response in this regard.
The play has been produced elsewhere, including a 2007 production at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
.
Richard Dworsky
Richard A. Dworsky is a pianist, a composer, and appears weekly on the A Prairie Home Companion public radio variety show from American Public Media as the resident pianist and band leader...
(music), based on the novel
The Marvelous Land of Oz
The Marvelous Land of Oz: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, commonly shortened to The Land of Oz, published on July 5, 1904, is the second of L. Frank Baum's books set in the Land of Oz, and the sequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This and the next...
by L. Frank Baum
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
. Briggle originated the role of the Scarecrow
Scarecrow (Oz)
The Scarecrow is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum and illustrator William Wallace Denslow. In his first appearance, the Scarecrow reveals that he lacks a brain and desires above all else to have one. In reality, he is only two days old and merely...
in the original 1981 production, directed by John Cark Donahue at The Children's Theatre Company and School of Minneapolis.
The production was film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
ed (videotape
Videotape
A videotape is a recording of images and sounds on to magnetic tape as opposed to film stock or random access digital media. Videotapes are also used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram...
d) for television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
under the direction of John Driver, the first of six such productions with Television Theatre Company and the only one to be strictly bound to the theatre. The overture in the film depicts the cast and crew getting ready for the performance, while the other five films had openings that were shot on location or in studios.
Adaptation
The adaptation remains very faithful to the novel. Some more elaborate moments, such as the JackdawJackdaw
The Jackdaw , sometimes known as the Eurasian Jackdaw, European Jackdaw or Western Jackdaw, is a passerine bird in the crow family. Found across Europe, western Asia and North Africa, it is mostly sedentary, although northern and eastern populations migrate south in winter. Four subspecies are...
's Nest, are eliminated for the sake of time and stageability. In addition, the role of Jellia Jamb
Jellia Jamb
Jellia Jamb is a fictional character from the Oz series by L. Frank Baum. She is the head of all the maids at the palace in the Emerald City and in The Road to Oz, is described as Princess Ozma's favorite servant...
is expanded to give the story a greater female presence. In the original/film General Jinjur, contrary to the novel, appears dressed in red, despite being from the Munchkin Country
Munchkin Country
Munchkin Country is the Eastern region in the fictional Land of Oz in L. Frank Baum's Oz books, first described in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In Wizard it was originally called "the land of Munchkins", and "Munchkin Country" in all subsequent Oz books...
, and none of the soldiers have green tops as in the novel. An added character is Colonel Cardamom, a Winkie
Winkie
Winkie can refer to:*Winkie, South Australia*Winkie Country, a place in the Wizard of Oz novels by L. Frank Baum and the people that inhabit it*Winkie , a 2006 novel by Clifford Chase about a teddy bear accused of terrorism...
, as Jinjur's second in command. Mombi's visits to Dr. Nikidik are also depicted onstage. Unlike the novel, the play hints that King Pastoria
Pastoria
King Pastoria is a fictional character mentioned in the Oz books by L. Frank Baum. He was the rightful King of the Land of Oz, but was removed by an evil witch named Mombi, and his throne was taken by the Wizard of Oz...
may still be alive with the exchange between the Scarecrow
Scarecrow (Oz)
The Scarecrow is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum and illustrator William Wallace Denslow. In his first appearance, the Scarecrow reveals that he lacks a brain and desires above all else to have one. In reality, he is only two days old and merely...
and Glinda
Glinda
Glinda is a fictional character in the Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum. She is the most powerful sorceress of Oz, ruler of the Quadling Country south of the Emerald City, and protector of Princess Ozma.- Literature :Baum's 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
, "Isn't Pastoria dead and gone?" "That is the popular belief." This is a nod to Ruth Plumly Thompson
Ruth Plumly Thompson
Ruth Plumly Thompson was an American writer of children's stories.-Life and work:An avid reader of Baum's books and a lifelong children's writer, Thompson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and began her writing career in 1914 when she took a job with the Philadelphia Public Ledger; she wrote...
's The Lost King of Oz
The Lost King of Oz
The Lost King of Oz is the nineteenth in the series of Oz books created by L. Frank Baum and his successors, and the fifth written by Ruth Plumly Thompson. It was Illustrated by John R. Neill.-Thompson's approach:...
, in which Pastoria is found in an enchanted form and restored to normal, though declines returning to his duties as King. In the novel, the Scarecrow's question is a statement to which Glinda has no response in this regard.
The play has been produced elsewhere, including a 2007 production at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the world's largest children's museum. It is located in the United Northwest Area neighborhood on Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums. It is with five floors of exhibit halls...
.
Songs
- "Mombi's Brew"
- "All Alone"
- "I'm Your Son"
- "Women in Revolt"
- "Another Perfect Morning"
- "The Good Ol' Days"
- "Professor H. M. Woggle-Bug T. E."
- "One Happy, Hearty Band"
- "Look to Your Own Heart"
Original cast
- Wendy Lehr: MombiMombiMombi is a wicked old witch from L. Frank Baum Oz Books. She appears in the book The Marvelous Land of Oz and is alluded to in other works. Of all the wicked witches in L...
- Christopher Passi: TipTipA tip is an extra payment made to certain service sector workers in addition to the advertised price of the transaction. Such payments and their size are a matter of social custom. Tipping varies among cultures and by service industry...
/OzmaOzmaOzma may refer to:* Ozma of Oz, a 1907 and third book in the Oz series* Ozma , a 1989 album by the Melvins* Ozma , a rock band from Pasadena, California* Ozma Wars, a 1979 arcade game... - Carl BeckCarl BeckCarl Linnwood Beck was a professional football player from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After attending high school, Beck attended the West Virginia University, Bucknell University and Lafayette College. He made his professional debut in the National Football League in 1921 with the Buffalo...
: Jack PumpkinheadJack PumpkinheadJack Pumpkinhead is a fictional character from the Oz book series by L. Frank Baum.-In Baum:Jack first appeared in The Marvelous Land of Oz. Jack's tall figure is made from tree limbs and jointed with wooden pegs... - Gary Briggle: ScarecrowScarecrow (Oz)The Scarecrow is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum and illustrator William Wallace Denslow. In his first appearance, the Scarecrow reveals that he lacks a brain and desires above all else to have one. In reality, he is only two days old and merely...
- Stephen Boe: Tin WoodmanTin WoodmanThe Tin Woodman, sometimes referred to as the Tin Man or the Tin Woodsman , is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum...
- Rana Haugen: Jellia JambJellia JambJellia Jamb is a fictional character from the Oz series by L. Frank Baum. She is the head of all the maids at the palace in the Emerald City and in The Road to Oz, is described as Princess Ozma's favorite servant...
- Julee CruiseJulee CruiseJulee Cruise is an American singer, and actress.With a distinctive, airy voice, Cruise has recorded three albums, but is probably best known for the lead vocal on "Falling," the theme song for the cult U.S. television series Twin Peaks...
: Gen. JinjurJinjurJinjur is the main antagonist of The Marvelous Land of Oz. She is a character in the Oz books by L. Frank Baum and his successors. She first appears in The Marvelous Land of Oz as a self-appointed general leading an "Army of Revolt"—an all-woman force seeking to end the reign of the Scarecrow and... - Steve Huke: Guardian of the Gates
- Kathleen Wegner: GlindaGlindaGlinda is a fictional character in the Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum. She is the most powerful sorceress of Oz, ruler of the Quadling Country south of the Emerald City, and protector of Princess Ozma.- Literature :Baum's 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
- Tom DunnTom DunnTom Dunn was an anchor and reporter at several New York and Florida television stations.Dunn was born in Warwick, New York, and was a child actor at radio station WAAT in Newark, New Jersey. He started in television at WCTV in Tallahassee, Florida in 1959 after leaving the army. He served as...
: H. M. Woggle-Bug, T. E. - Garth Schumacher: Dr. Nikidik
- Suzanne Petri: Col. Cardamon
- Oliver Osterberg: Soldier of Oz (Omby Amby)
- James McNee: Voices of Sawhorse & Mouse Queen