Wizard of Oz MUNY CD

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 1:38am

I just found a highlights recording of the Wizard of Oz on itunes based on the 1945 MUNY adaptation. It's just as scary as I thought it would be. It has the song "Evening Star" recorded which just seems to make no sense for a 12 year old Dorothy to be singing. Does anyone know who actually wrote that song? Has anyone seen the MUNY adaptation? Is it as bizarre as I imagine?
Updated On: 11/28/07 at 01:38 AM

[jagfkb]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 6:29am

From what I've heard about MUNY's wizard, it's a VERY bizarre show, with a spaceship, several other extremly strange added parts, and a skeleton yizard.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 1:42pm

The MUNY first produced the show in the 1940s and they were able to secure the rights to the music but not the script from the MGM film. As such they did their own adaptation.

The script actually isn't that bizarre - its in fact very traditional with a lot of "operetta" flourishes and some very campy humour. Having the Wizard leave Oz in a spaceship was probably an appealing idea in 1940s-space-obsessed America.

The original actress who played Dorothy at the MUNY was a popular singer at the time and "Evening Star" was added to give her an additional solo.

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 2:13pm

Where did you find it? I can not find it on ITUNES!

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 2:23pm

I can't either.

I've actually seen it once, done very well by a Church Kid's Group. It's not "Oz" as we know it, but still quite good.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 2:49pm

I found it - I think its CC productions or something like that. Its only 10 tracks but includes "Evening Star" and a "Ballet" which (without having heard the CD) I would assume is the dance that happens in the Witch's castle.