In the 1980s, the concept of a "Teen Witch" gained popularity in popular culture, particularly through movies and television shows. This trend was heavily influenced by the success of the film "Teen Witch", released in 1989. The movie tells the story of a young girl named Louise, who discovers that she is descended from a long line of witches on her 16th birthday. With the help of her newfound powers, Louise transforms from an outcast in high school to the most popular girl. The "Teen Witch" trend was marked by its portrayal of young witches as relatable and likable characters. These characters often navigated the challenges of teenage life while also dealing with their magical abilities.
It was based on a book
Winkies male chorus Winkie General Leader of the Winkies Range B2-G3 Flying Monkeys dancers Nikko Commander of the Monkeys Jitterbug Lead Dancer Jitterbugs Ghosts SATB chorus dancers. Reunited with all her loved ones, and relieved to learn the storm has left Miss Gulch incapacitated by a broken leg, Dorothy shares the tale of her miraculous journey, celebrating the joy and healing power of home.
These characters often navigated the challenges of teenage life while also dealing with their magical abilities. They faced typical adolescent struggles such as fitting in, finding love, and asserting independence, but with the added dimension of their supernatural talents. The popularity of "Teen Witch" in the 1980s reflected a growing interest in fantasy and magic among young audiences.
The Wizard of Oz (RSC Version)
Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard / Orchestration by Larry Wilcox
Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company
Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
We're off to see the wizard! This beloved tale, in which a Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home, has entertained audiences for generations.
Image: 1939 Film Version (THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements © & TM Turner Entertainment Co. (s19))
Get an estimateThe Wizard of Oz (RSC Version)
Get an estimate- Cast Size
Cast Size
3f, 5m, 16 any genderDuration
120 minutes (2 hours)Subgenre
Fantasy, Adventure, Adaptations (Literature), Adaptations (Stage & Screen), Theatre for Young Audiences, Fables/Folktales
Target Audience
Appropriate for all audiences, Young Children (Age 2 - 5), Children (Age 6 - 10), Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13)
AccoladesAccolades
- Winner! 1940 Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song ("Over the Rainbow")
Winner! 1940 Academy Award for Best Music, Original Score
Details
Summary
Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. The timeless tale, in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, continues to thrill audiences worldwide.
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There are two full-length versions of The Wizard of Oz: MUNY and RSC. Both include the songs “Over the Rainbow,” “Munchkinland (Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead),” “If I Only Had a Brain/a Heart/the Nerve,” “We’re Off to See the Wizard (Follow the Yellow Brick Road),” “Jitterbug,” and “The Merry Old Land of Oz.” The MUNY version also has “Evening Star.” The RSC version also includes “Poppies (Optimistic Voices)” and “If I Were King of the Forest.”
This RSC version is a more faithful adaptation of the film. A more technically complex production, it recreates the dialogue and structure of the MGM classic nearly scene for scene, though it is adapted for live stage performance. The RSC version’s musical material also provides more work for the SATB chorus and small vocal ensembles.
The MUNY Version is more theatrically conservative, employing its stage, actors, singers, dancers, and musicians in traditional ways. Using L. Frank Baum’s book – and not the MGM film – as its inspiration, this version employs story and songs as elements of a classic stage musical, adding a bit more humor to the witch and her cronies. The MUNY version does not include Toto, but instead adds new characters, including Farmhand Joe, Gloria of Oz, Lord Growlie, Tibia (the witch’s skeletal assistant), two comical neighboring witches, and the Royal Army of Oz.
History
The MGM film The Wizard of Oz, based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, premiered Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on August 15, 1939. This stage adaptation, presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company, premiered at the Barbican Centre in London on December 17, 1987. The production starred Imelda Staunton as Dorothy and featured Bille Brown as the Wicked Witch of the West, Paul Greenwood as the Scarecrow and John Bowe as the Tin Man. Imelda Staunton's husband, Jim Carter (of Downton Abbey fame) played the Cowardly Lion.
Cast Attributes
- Expandable casting
- Roles for Teens
- Roles for Children
- Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)
- Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)
Keywords
Performing Groups
- Jr High/Primary
- High School/Secondary
- College Theatre / Student
- Community Theatre
- Dinner Theatre
- Professional Theatre
- Outdoor
- Large Stage
- Church / Religious Groups
- Youth/Camp Programs
Act I
Dorothy Gale, a young girl living on a Kansas farm with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, dreams of escaping her mundane life (“Over the Rainbow”). The family’s mean neighbor, Miss Gulch, threatens to impound Dorothy’s cherished dog, Toto, so Dorothy and Toto run away. They meet up with kindly Professor Marvel, who subtly convinces Dorothy to return home. Suddenly a cyclone hits, and Dorothy and Toto, seeking shelter in the house, are transported to the Land of Oz.
In Oz, Dorothy meets Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Apparently, Dorothy’s house has landed upon – and fatally stricken – the Wicked Witch of the East. The Munchkins, now freed from the Wicked Witch of the East, celebrate and hail Dorothy as their new heroine (“Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead/Munchkin Musical Sequence”). Suddenly, the Wicked Witch of the West appears, interrupting the celebration and seeking vengeance. Unable to reclaim her sister’s shoes, which are now on Dorothy’s feet, the Witch vows to return and disappears in a cloud of smoke. Dorothy, seeking a way back home to Kansas, sets off to see the Wizard of Oz (“Follow the Yellow Brick Road”).
Along the way, Dorothy meets three new friends, each of whom lacks a crucial characteristic: The Scarecrow (“If I Only Had a Brain”) The Tinman (“If I Only Had a Heart”) and the Lion (“If I Only Had the Nerve”). Together, the four new companions make their way towards Oz (“We’re Off to See the Wizard”). The Witch attempts to sedate the travelers with a poisonous field of poppies, but Glinda reverses the spell with healing snowflakes (“Poppies/Optimistic Voices”).
Act II
The travelers, arriving at the Emerald City, are delayed by a stubborn Gatekeeper, but Dorothy’s tears convince him to relent and let them in (“Merry Old Land of Oz”). As the group awaits its audience with the Wizard, the Lion boasts he is “King of the Forest.” Finally, they meet the imposing and irritable Wizard, who demands the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West.
The four friends travel deep into the haunted forest. Suddenly, they encounter jitterbugs, who make them dance until they collapse from exhaustion (“Jitterbug”). The Wicked Witch’s flying monkeys swoop down, capturing Dorothy and Toto. At the castle, the Witch vows to take Dorothy’s life (“Over the Rainbow” Reprise). Meanwhile, the Lion, Scarecrow, and Tinman infiltrate the castle disguised as Winkie guards. The foursome and Toto are reunited, but the Wicked Witch interferes, threatening the Scarecrow with fire. Dorothy, dousing the flames with a bucket of water, accidentally strikes the Witch, who smolders and melts into nothing (“Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead” Reprise). The four friends, triumphant, take the Witch’s broom back to the Wizard.
The Wizard remains imperious and imposing, but Toto pulls aside a curtain to reveal a meek and ordinary man speaking into a microphone. The Wizard, revealed to be a “humbug,” nonetheless grants each traveler’s request, giving the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion each a token of his newly acquired ability. The Wizard offers to take Dorothy back to Kansas in his hot-air balloon, but the balloon accidentally takes off, and Dorothy is left alone and crestfallen. Glinda appears and explains that Dorothy has always had the power to return home. All she has to do is close her eyes, tap her heels together three times, and repeat to herself, “There’s no place like home.”
Back in Kansas, Dorothy awakens, confused, with a bump on her head. Reunited with all her loved ones, and relieved to learn the storm has left Miss Gulch incapacitated by a broken leg, Dorothy shares the tale of her miraculous journey, celebrating the joy and healing power of home.
Principals
(3 female; 5 male. Roles intended to be doubled are indicated with a slash.)
DOROTHY GALE – (Range: G3-C5 (opt. E5))
AUNT EM – Emily Gale / GLINDA – The Good Witch of the North (Range: G3-C5)
UNCLE HENRY – Henry Gale / EMERALD CITY GUARD (Range: Bb2-Eb4)
ZEKE – Farmhand / COWARDLY LION (Range: Bb2-F4)
HICKORY – Farmhand / TINMAN (Range: Bb2-G4)
HUNK – Farmhand / SCARECROW (Range: Bb2-F#4 (opt. Ab4))
MISS ALMIRA GULCH / THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST – non-singing role
PROFESSOR CHESTER MARVEL / THE WIZARD OF OZ – non-singing role
Ensemble/Chorus Roles
(Minimum of 16 ensemble performers required. The original RSC production featured 38 ensemble performers.)
CITIZENS OF MUNCHKINLAND
Mayor – (Range: Bb2-Eb3 or Bb3-Eb4)
Coroner – (Range: Bb2-A3 or Bb3-A4)
Barrister
Fiddler – (Range: C3-C4 or C4-C5)
Braggart
3 Tots – (Range: Bb2-D4 or Bb3-D5)
3 Tough Guys – (Range: Bb2-D4 or Bb3-D5)
3 City Fathers
2 School Teachers
Three Crows – male trio (Range: B2-E4/B4)
Three Trees – female trio (Range: B3-C5/E5)
Poppies – female chorus
Snowmen – male chorus
OZIANS
Beauticians – female chorus
Polishers – male chorus
Manicurists – female chorus
2 Oz Men
2 Oz Women
Winkies – male chorus
Winkie General – Leader of the Winkies (Range: B2-G3)
Flying Monkeys – dancers
Nikko – Commander of the Monkeys
Jitterbug – Lead Dancer
Jitterbugs & Ghosts – SATB chorus/dancers
We borrowed every unused arc light in Hollywood. It was brutally hot. People were always fainting and being carried off the set. - Wizard of Oz cinematographer Harold Rosson
It tapped into the desire for escapism and offered a fantastical world where teenagers had the power to control their own destinies. This trend also showcased the appeal of strong, independent female characters who embraced their unique abilities and challenged traditional gender roles. Following the success of "Teen Witch", numerous other movies and television shows were produced with similar themes. Some notable examples include "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" (1996-2003), which became a popular TV series, as well as "The Worst Witch" (1986) and its subsequent TV adaptation. Overall, the "Teen Witch" trend of the 1980s showcased the allure and empowerment of magic for a teenage audience. It provided a unique perspective on the challenges of growing up while incorporating elements of fantasy and adventure. This trend continues to resonate with audiences today, as young people continue to be drawn to stories that combine the relatability of teenage life with the excitement of supernatural powers..
Reviews for "The Magic of Teen Witch: A Deconstruction of the Film's Spellbinding Narrative"
1. Mark - 1/5 stars
"Teen Witch 1980 was a huge letdown for me. I had high hopes for a nostalgic feel and a compelling storyline, but it fell short on both accounts. The acting was abysmal, with stiff performances and lackluster delivery of lines. The plot was predictable and lacked any real depth, making the whole film feel like a cheap knockoff of other supernatural teen movies. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend wasting your time on this one."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars
While I appreciate the effort that went into creating the world of Teen Witch 1980, the execution fell short for me. The pacing was extremely slow, and the characters lacked any real development or likability. The script felt disjointed and the dialogue was often cringe-worthy. The special effects were laughable and took away from any potential excitement or suspense. Unfortunately, this movie did not cast its spell on me and I would not watch it again.
3. Chris - 1.5/5 stars
Teen Witch 1980 was a complete disaster. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, with many plot holes and unresolved subplots. The acting was wooden and unconvincing, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in the characters. Additionally, the cheap production values were obvious throughout, from the low-quality set designs to the mediocre special effects. Overall, this film failed to deliver any real entertainment value and I would not recommend it to anyone.