This dramatization of L. Frank Baum's famous story adheres as closely to the original as the limitations of a stage will allow.

This musical or non-musical dramatization has all the lovable Oz characters and scenes as L. Frank Baum created them. There are Dorothy and Aunt Em and the house in Kansas; the tornado and then the land of the Munchkins...the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and the cowardly Lion; the Wicked Witch of the West and the beautiful Witch of the North; and, of course, the Wizard of Oz himself—in an enchanting dramatization as only Eugene Jackson can do it.

Premiered at the Pixie Playhouse, Mobile, Alabama, the play is easy to stage with cleverly designed set units and scene changes to capture the full magic delight of the original stories. One of the problems of any staging of The Wizard of Oz is the frequent change of scene. However, Eugene Jackson, a skilled author of children's plays, has solved the problem with simple set pieces which may be rolled or flown into position while the action continues on the apron or elsewhere in the auditorium. It is possible for much of the scenery (e.g., trees and cornstalks) to be played by actors, who can run on and off the stage rapidly. See the production notes in the playscript for further suggestions. Toto is a delightful role for a small child, 4 to 6 years old. He has no lines to memorize. A toy dog may be used if a child is unavailable.

In 2 mountings the Birmingham Children's Theatre Professional Company performed the play for approximately 50,000 cheering children. "Their mission is to entertain children and teach them about theatre...This time they've really done it...This is humor simple enough for the young, subtle enough for the adults...a strong production that looks good even when compared to the well-known movie."—Birmingham Post-Herald.
Popular everywhere, this Wizard of Oz invariably brings enthusiastic praise. "The Wizard of Oz was such a success that we are planning to give an encore performance...our fourth performance."—Lesha K. Barnett Nix, Travelers Rest, N. Car., High School.

Two acts; Set, fantasy cutouts to be moved quickly; "typical" Oz costumes.

Plays for Children and Young Adults recommends this Wizard for audiences of kindergartners to high school seniors: "All children (and children at heart) will enjoy it [and] be reminded of the values of friendship, cooperation, and belief in others and themselves." "Our school recently put on The Wizard of Oz and found it to be one of the most successful productions ever attempted in our school. We feel this can be attributed to the excellent script provided by your company."—Nancy S. Behney, Lebanon Junior High School, Lebanon, Pa.

Jackson's adaptations: Babes in Toyland, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunting of the Snark, Rumpelstiltskin Is My Name, The Secret Garden, Pinocchio, The Wind in the Willows, You're a Grand Old Flag

See also: Classics, Elementary/Jr. High and Musical/Non-Musical