The Wizard of Oz

Well - its "Glinda" in the WIZARD OF OZ. Galinda wasn't invented yet. There are two versions of the script that Tams Witmark Licenses - one is from the 1940s - one from the RSC from about 15 years ago. Both use the movie songs, but the script from the 40s production is less faithful. The one from the RSC is basically the movie on stage.

According to the Tams website - the RSC version is encouraged for groups with a lot of technical resources, while the 1940s script is better on a budget.

In both versions, Glinda sings her "Come out, come out" thing from the MGM movie. In the RSC version she also sings "Optomistic Voices" (You're out of the woods, you're out of the dark...) after the poppies scene.

Updated On: 1/13/07 at 07:33 PM

Sorry -- for the longest time I thought her name was "Belinda" anyways...shows how much I don't really even want to do this show

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I think Belinda was the name of the chicken in Return to Oz, yes?

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Never saw it.
Just was never fond of anyone except Dorothy

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First, in "Return to Oz" the chicken's name is Billina.

Moving on-
Wizard of Oz is CERTIANLY a glamorous musical. There are two primary versions of the musical for liscencing. The MUNY and RSC. The MUNY was written around 1944 (I think, do NOT hold me to this) by Frank Gabrielson for the St. Louis Municipal Opera House. At that point in time, MANY of the films effects were not easily achieved. At this point flight in a play was limited to up and down and occasional side to side. Therefore an almost entirely new script was written. They retained all of the songs from the film, plus a new song called "Evening Star." The biggest differences being there is no Toto, no flying monkeys, no poppy field and no ruby slippers. The role of Glinda is relegated to "Sorceress of the North" and stays in Act 1 only (However she doesn't stay passive like usual which is kinda nice). The Wicked Witch is played totally for humor, and instead of melting shrinks in a magic potion. The most shocking difference is that since there are no ruby slippers, Dorothy goes home with the Wizard in a rocketship. Yes...that's right, a rocketship...hello Space Race thinking.
The RSC is INCREDIBLY faithful to the MGM film we all know and mostly love. It was commisioned in 1987 for the RSC's newest theatre the Barbican. The script was adapted by John Kane and got a whole new set of orchestrations. It created the dual role of Aunt Em and Glinda (instead of seperate actresses, which bothers me, b/c if Aunt Em is "in" Oz, why doesn't Dorothy just stay?), and makes Uncle Henry into the Gatekeeper. This is the effect heavy show, but is easily done on a modest budget. The typical complaint from most critics is that the Wicked Witch, while keeping the films lines, also has a LARGE amount of comedy, which isn't keeping with our image of the scary Witch. Consequently when Phyllis Diller did the role in 1997 at the MUNY she was ripped to shreds for not being scary enough. (The lines can easily be played with malice for an uncomfortably creepy laugh). Some versions even give the Witch the intro verse of "The Jitterbug" to sing. (Most recent being Eartha Kitt in the MSG National Tour).

Now, this may not seem like the biggest splashiest thing, however on a resume, it looks good. The roles are fun, the audience will be amazing, and as it's been pointed out you WILL sell out every performance. And, if it turns out to NOT be the RSC, the MUNY is still fun, even if just to laugh at it's bizzareness.

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Spacedog-
My thoughts EXACTLY. She spends WAY to long ranting about Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. If they are there, I wouldn't go back to Kansas...I'd stay in technicolor with awesome friends and kick ass shoes.

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MB-
You would be correct, aside from one production I did see that did that...but they were one of those insane by the book types of schools.

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While I agree, the fact that it is all a dream makes it possible that she would see her Aunt Em as a guardian figure. One who is always there to protect her from harm. It is a logical choice, althought it MAY not be the MOST effective one. I see why they did it.

NONONONONONONONONONONONONONOSTUPIDSTUPIDSTUPIDSTUPIDSTUPIDSTUPID

Get over it queens. It is a FEMALE ROLE! To be played by Miss. Gulch. A female.

Who ever thought a male could play that role? Stupid.

MB is right about the reaction to the show. I played the Tinman in a regional production back in the '80s for the Kansas Repertory Theatre.

It was a big "to do" at the time, and we sold out every show. Elizabeth Dole was there on opening night.

But it took me 90 minutes to get into my makeup, skull cap, and costume. Agony! And once I was wired in, I couldn't sit down for the rest of the show. (The barrel around your torso goes below your hips, so you can't raise up your legs very far and bend at the waist. No sitting!)

I actually lost 8 pounds at every performance, basically locked in a silver/tin can (even if it wasn't actually TIN, the lights reflecting off of the material casing turned me into a baked potato). I had to eat giant meals and drink lots of liquids during our run... just so I could lose 8 pounds again every night.

But it was a dream come true for me... since it's my favorite film of all time. To sit in that chair each night and have a makeup artist apply the same makeup process to my face that Jack Haley went through back in '39 was surreal and SO very fulfilling.

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Updated On: 1/24/07 at 10:39 AM

I guess I always figured the only reason to have a male play the role would be to play up the "oh I'm a man playing a woman *wink wink*", because otherwise why wouldn't you cast a female in the role? Also, 95% of the time there are always more male roles than female roles in a show, so why not let a woman play a woman. Especially a juicy role like The Wicked Witch of the West!

Does anyone know where a male playing the role started? Was it the original RSC production in London? Or was it going on before then? As an Oz Fanatic I have always been curious about when and why it started! Anyone know?

Edit: After rereading my post last night, I would like to preface it with the fact that I may or may not have been slightly intoxicated. That may explain why it seems like such a random, uncalled for outburst. I guess you got to see how a really feel about the matter!

Updated On: 1/14/07 at 01:10 PM

How does everyone feel about having a person play Toto?

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