My favorite musical has always been The Wizard of Oz. This is because my mother introduced it to me at a very young age and I would watch it on repeat, at nausea. As I grew older, I discovered the vast repertoire of Hollywood musicals but The Wizard of Oz will always have a special place in my heart.
There are multiple factors that make The Wizard of Oz so enticing. First, is the ethereal world of Oz; lollipop kids, talking trees, an Emerald city, and a horse of a different color. I, for one, love dreaming and the vibrancy of Oz's dreamlike character keeps me coming back for more. Secondly, I believe that everyone can relate to at least one of the main characters, if not more. This musical is for those who doubt their mental capabilities (the Scarecrow), are fearful of loving themselves or another person (the Tin Man), who yearn to be fearless (the Lion), or who are searching for a place to call home (Dorothy). Lastly, The Wizard of Oz immortalizes some of the greatest Hollywood artists of its time including Judy Garland, Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, and Bert Lahr. It is a true masterpiece that has withstood the test of time.
In addition to its appeal as a musical, The Wizard of Oz has also had a profound cultural impact. Prior to becoming a musical, L. Frank Baum wrote the American fairytale "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" which is one of the most-read children books worldwide, due to its universal appeal. Following the production of the 1939 film, numerous sequels and reinterpretations have appeared in various forms throughout the years. A few examples include a one-hour radio play, an animation, a film for television, and Broadway musicals. Two well-received and award-winning Broadway musicals to derive from The Wizard of Oz is "The Wiz" (a staged reworking staring African-Americans), and "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" (a story taking place prior to the arrival of Dorothy). What's more, it's hard to talk about The Wizard of Oz without talking about ruby slippers. Dorothy's ruby slippers gained such cultural stature that they were placed and are still displayed at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institute, in Washington D.C. (I was lucky enough to view them in person, 20 years ago, on my eighth grade field trip to D.C., and they were everything I could have hoped for! I truly felt them radiating the magic of Oz even though it had been decades since they were last worn.) These iconic slippers represent not only the value that a culture has placed on this film's memorabilia but also on the treasured importance of this classic musical.
My favorite musical has always been The Wizard of Oz. This is because my mother introduced it to me at a very young age and I would watch it on repeat, at nausea. As I grew older, I discovered the vast repertoire of Hollywood musicals but The Wizard of Oz will always have a special place in my heart. There are multiple factors that make The Wizard of Oz so enticing. First, is the ethereal world of Oz; lollipop kids, talking trees, an Emerald city, and a horse of a different color. I, for one, love dreaming and the vibrancy of Oz's dreamlike character keeps me coming back for more. Secondly, I believe that everyone can relate to at least one of the main characters, if not more. This musical is for those who doubt their mental capabilities (the Scarecrow), are fearful of loving themselves or another person (the Tin Man), who yearn to be fearless (the Lion), or who are searching for a place to call home (Dorothy). Lastly, The Wizard of Oz immortalizes some of the greatest Hollywood artists of its time including Judy Garland, Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, and Bert Lahr. It is a true masterpiece that has withstood the test of time. In addition to its appeal as a musical, The Wizard of Oz has also had a profound cultural impact. Prior to becoming a musical, L. Frank Baum wrote the American fairytale "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" which is one of the most-read children books worldwide, due to its universal appeal. Following the production of the 1939 film, numerous sequels and reinterpretations have appeared in various forms throughout the years. A few examples include a one-hour radio play, an animation, a film for television, and Broadway musicals. Two well-received and award-winning Broadway musicals to derive from The Wizard of Oz is "The Wiz" (a staged reworking staring African-Americans), and "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" (a story taking place prior to the arrival of Dorothy). What's more, it's hard to talk about The Wizard of Oz without talking about ruby slippers. Dorothy's ruby slippers gained such cultural stature that they were placed and are still displayed at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institute, in Washington D.C. (I was lucky enough to view them in person, 20 years ago, on my eighth grade field trip to D.C., and they were everything I could have hoped for! I truly felt them radiating the magic of Oz even though it had been decades since they were last worn.) These iconic slippers represent not only the value that a culture has placed on this film's memorabilia but also on the treasured importance of this classic musical.