The Wizard of Oz: A Musical Play or Reader's Theater
Did you know that in 1902 Frank Baum's book, The Wizard of Oz, was adapted into a broadway musical, and that Frank Baum, himself, helped to write the lyrics to some of the songs? It's true! Although you might be surprised by the content of the musical itself. In the early 20th century, musicals didn't really have much story, they were a series of songs strung together, and the 1902 adaption was more of a way to feature the vaudevillian performers playing the tin man and scarecrow, than an accurate representation of the story. In fact, Dorothy isn't accompanied by Toto in this version... she has a cow.
But Wizard of Oz songs written by Frank Baum himself! That's a gold mine! The songs from the musical and the book itself are now public domain, so I've taken the songs, edited the lyrics to take out anarchistic terms and to fit the story of the book better and put them together with an easy to read script. You can teach the songs to the children as you read them the book. You can perform the script and songs a a musical theater. You can add lines for higher grades or subtract for lower grades, and if you decide to go all out with costumes, props, and scenery, and use this as a class play, I promise it will be what your students remember about your class!
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Description
Wizard of Oz and Wicked Fans alike will love this Wizard of Oz Musical Play for Young Children! Our goal is that as your students participate with this script and musical performance, they will, not only become more familiar with one of America’s great novels, but some musical history as well!
Put the Science of Reading into action the most authentic way possible! Integrate literature and music with this musical play of L. Frank Baum's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with song lyrics written by Baum himself! Your children will have the opportunity to participate in an experience they'll never forget.
These performance materials contain everything that you will need, including background information, 2 script versions (varying reading levels), sheet music for each song, and 2 mp3s for each song (one that has vocals to help the children learn the songs and one that is accompaniment only). These songs are both original and/or adapted by the Frank Baum's 1902 musical. This leads to a great opportunity for an author's study!
The parts for the play are: Narrator(s), Uncle Henry, Aunt Em, Dorothy, Locasta, Munchkins, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Poppies, Guardian of the Gate, Wizard, Wicked Witch, Flying Monkeys, Glinda, Chorus The numbers of poppies, monkeys, locust and munchkins can vary depending on class size. The show is easily adaptable in size!
There are ten songs in the play. (Of course you can add songs from the movies as desired).
Gray
Just a Little Girl
When We Get What's A-Comin' To Us
Locasta
The Poppy Song
The Guardian of the Gate
The Wicked Witch
Flying Monkeys
Humbug
Home Sweet Home
The performance lasts 30-40 minutes.
We have used this play with K-2 students and they love it!
What customers are saying...
"We have used this play with K-2 students and they love it!
"This was such a fun play!! Kids loved it."
"Great resource for my drama class! My students and I made adaptations and performed the play for our Spring Performance."
