The Wizard of Oz (1987 musical)

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The Wizard of Oz (1987 musical) is a stage adaptation by the Royal Shakespeare Company. It has a book by John Kane, music by Harold Arlen, and lyrics by E. Y. Harburg, with some background music by Herbert Stothart. It’s based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and on the 1939 film version. Earlier Baum-inspired stage versions appeared in 1902 and 1942, but the 1987 RSC version was made to feel closer to the film.

Development and style
The RSC wanted to recreate the 1939 film’s atmosphere on stage. Director Ian Judge and writer John Kane shaped the show to follow the film’s vibe, using many of its songs and keeping the film’s spirit. A notable feature is that extra material from the movie was added back in, including a new verse for Over the Rainbow and the number The Jitterbug. The version described here is licensed as The Wizard of Oz (RSC Version) by Concord Theatricals.

Plot in brief
Dorothy Gale, a girl on a Kansas farm, yearns for something more. A tornado takes her and her dog Toto to the magical Land of Oz. There, Dorothy meets the Good Witch Glinda and learns her house has killed the Wicked Witch of the East. The Witch of the West vows revenge. Dorothy follows the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz for a way home. Along the way she makes three friends who each wish for a missing trait: the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. They travel with Dorothy and try to outsmart the Witch and reach the Wizard. After a series of adventures, the Wizard appears powerful but turns out to be a humbug. He grants the friends what they seek, but for Dorothy, the power to return home is inside her all along. Glinda tells Dorothy to click her heels three times and say, “There’s no place like home.” Back in Kansas, Dorothy learns her journey was real in a dream-like way, and she is happy with her family.

Impact and notable productions
The 1987 London premiere at the Barbican Theatre, with a design blending Baum’s art and The Wiz style costumes, was a hit. Imelda Staunton played Dorothy in the London opening, followed by other cast members in later versions. The U.S. first toured the RSC version in 1988, starring Cathy Rigby as Dorothy. In 1989, an arena-style touring production toured the United States. The show has since had many productions around the world, including Australia in the early 1990s, and frequent U.S. tours and school productions. A 1993 U.S. touring version used the RSC book and score and was filmed for television by TNT with a star cast. A 1997–1998 Madison Square Garden run featured a shorter version designed for younger audiences and produced several cast recordings. The musical continues to be revived by many theatres and schools because it brings the beloved film story to the stage with familiar songs and engaging stage effects.