to The Wiz resource guide.

CAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATRE
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Department of Education and Outreach
Resource Guide for Students
Book by William F. Brown
Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls
Compiled by Molly Malone
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Table of Contents
CFRT SHOW INFO……………………………….…………………………………………………………………………..3
CAST LIST …………….………………………….………………………………………………………...……………….…..4
ORIGINS...…………………………….……………………………………..…………………………………………………..5
SYNOPSIS…………………….…………………………………………………………….…….…....................................8
DISCUSSION POINTS…..………………………………………………………………………………………………..12
ACTIVITIES ……………………….……………………………...….……………..………………………..……………….14
CONTACT …………..…………..………………………………………………………………………….…..….………...18
CLASSROOM FLYER ………………………………………………………………………………………..…………...19
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Origins
The Wiz has large “family tree” as it, among other works, has grown
out of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The
Wonderful Wizard of Oz first introduced the world to Dorothy and
the land of Oz on May 17th 1900. Since then it has been deemed an
American Fairy Tale, and has inspired millions of readers with its
strong female protagonist and creative imagery. The main
adaptations of the book are the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz
in 1975, and most recently in 2003 Wicked, a musical take on the
Wicked Witch’s side of the story. With such an inspirational
foundation, the story has spread across the world and been used as
inspiration for hundred of stories, movies, TV shows, and more.
QUESTIONS:
1. After reading the book or viewing the film and then seeing the
CFRT production: Discuss the similarities and/or differences
between the two different presentations of the same story.
2. Why has this story done so well in such different areas?
3. Do you agree that this is an American Fairy Tale? Why or why not?
L. Frank Baum was born in New York in 1856. He had his first best-selling children’s book in
1899 with Father Goose, his Book. The following year, Baum
scored an even bigger hit with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and
went on to write 13 more Oz books before his death in 1919. His
stories have formed the basis for such popular films as The Wizard
of Oz (1939) and Oz the Great and Powerful (2013).
During his life, he never received a high school diploma yet went on to
own a manage a theatre, and work as a journalist and businessman. He
worked hard to help contribute to his home-life which included a wife
and four sons. His mother-in-law was the suffragist Matilda Joslyn
Gage, who might have influenced him to write strong female characters.
Writing was always one of his favorite past-times as he loved creating
stories for his children and grandchildren.
Taken from: http://www.biography.com/people/frank-baum-9202328
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Oz-Inspired Adaptations
The Wiz,
1987 movie
The Patchwork Girl
of Oz, 1914 film
Wicked,
2003 musical
Legends of Oz:
Dorothy’s Return,
2013 animated
film
Tin Man, 2007
Sci-Fi mini-series
The Wonderful
Galaxy of Oz,
1990 anime
series
The Muppets’
Wizard of Oz,
2005 film
The Wonderful
Wizard of Oz,
1900 book
Oz, 1976
Australian rock
musical
The Wiz, 1975
musical
Emerald City,
2014 TV series
Oz the Great and
Powerful, 2013
movie
The Wizard of
Oz, 1939 musical film
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptations_of_The_Wizard_of_Oz
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The Men Behind The Wiz
William Brown, was born April 16, 1928 in Jersey City, New Jersey. He has led a quiet life while continuing
to write and create as often as possible. When he was 46 he won a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk Award
for writing the book of The Wiz, one of the most successful musicals ever to come to Broadway and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical of the Year.
Off-Broadway and in regional theatre, Bill wrote the books for other
critically-acclaimed musicals including How to Steal an Election and
The Nutley Papers. In television, he has over 100 credits to his name.
Joan Rivers has been indebted to him for special material, as has
Georgie Kaye, Joey Foreman, and Joel Grey, for whom Brown created
one of his four produced TV pilots.
He has been a syndicated cartoonist with the comic strip ”Boomer,”
and has written and illustrated five books of his own, as well as illustrating six others.
Adapted from http://gurmanagency.com/selected-clients/william-f-brown/
Charlie Smalls, studied music at the Henry Street Settlement and was a 1961 graduate of the Juilliard School.
In the years that followed, he was a pianist with the New York Jazz Repertory Company and toured with Harry
Belafonte and Hugh Masekela, among others. Mr. Smalls came to prominence in January 1975, when The Wiz a
musical version of L. Frank Baum's Wonderful Wizard of Oz with a black cast opened at the Majestic Theater. His
music and lyrics for The Wiz won two Tony Awards in 1975. The
show was a popular success and, in 1978, was made into a film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
''The music in The Wiz probably reaches deeper into black consciousness than has been generally recognized,'' Bryant Rollins wrote in The
New York Times in December 1975. ''The score by Charlie Smalls
intersperses songs of fantasy and humor with songs of protest. Innovation in black music follows a tradition of protest against oppression.''
Mr. Smalls was performing and working on a new musical at the time of his death. He died on August 27, 1987
in Bruges, Belgium. He was 43 years old and lived in Manhattan.
Adapted from http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/04/obituaries/charlie-smalls-is-dead-composer-of-the-wiz.html
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Synopsis
O
Act One
n a small farm in Kansas, Dorothy, a bright, energetic
young teenager, is being scolded by her Aunt Em, a
farmer's wife who is disappointed that Dorothy isn't ready to accept the
adult responsibilities necessary to life on a farm. Despite her strict manner, it is obvious that Aunt Em cares very much for the girl ("The Feeling
We Once Had"). A tornado, played by a colorful mass of dancers
("Tornado Ballet") sweeps up Dorothy's house, and carries it to the
strange, mystical and magical land of Oz, where it kills the Wicked
Witch of the East. The witch's death causes quite a stir among the
Munchkins and the Good Witch of the North, Addaperle, an extremely
zany comic character. When Dorothy asks the Munchkins and Addaperle how she is to get back to Kansas they advise her to visit the great
Oz ("He's the Wizard").
A yellow brick road appears, played by four men, but Dorothy is
frightened of the journey she must take ("Soon as I Get Home"). Her
fears are alleviated by a friendly Scarecrow perched on a pole in a cornfield whom she frees. He tells her about his dream to have brains ("I was
Born the Day Before Yesterday"). Dorothy tells the Scarecrow that the
Wiz could probably help him and the two decide to join forces with the
"road" on their way to the Emerald City ("Ease on Down the Road").
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Synopsis
In a small patch of woods along the yellow brick road, they find a
rusted Tinman who begs for some oil ("Slide Some Oil to Me") and tells
the two he wants a heart to make his life complete. They ask him to join
them and the three set out ("Ease on Down the Road - Reprise"). Their
journey is interrupted by the Cowardly Lion who tries to convince them
of his ferocity ("I'm a Mean Ole Lion"). He turns out to be under the psychiatric care of an owl and decides to go to Oz in hopes of finding courage ("Ease on Down the Road - Reprise"). When the Lion shows his cowardice in a fight with the Kalidahs, a frightening witch like gang ("Kalidah
Battle"), Dorothy comforts him ("Be a Lion"). When the four find themselves in a poppy field, Dorothy remembers the warning that Addaperle
gave her about the dangerous Poppies. She warns everyone to leave the
field but the Lion succumbs to
the treacherous Poppies. Luckily a paddy wagon containing four
mice from the "Mice Squad" comes in and rescues the four travelers
from the sensual Poppies.
After many trials and tribulations, the group arrives in the futuristic
Emerald City and meets its exotically and exquisitely dressed inhabitants.
All the citizens wear green glasses as part of their apparel ("Emerald City
Ballet"). The four eventually meet the Wiz who makes a fantastic entrance. He strikes a magnificent pose, which overwhelms everyone. The
Wiz theatrically introduces himself to the travelers, who are thoroughly
frightened by what they have just witnessed ("So You Wanted to Meet
the Wizard"). The Wiz listens to their problems and though he appears
very harsh with everyone's requests, he is deeply moved by the Tinman's
song ("What Would I Do If I Could Feel?"). He
agrees to grant their wishes if they kill Evillene, the
Wicked Witch of the West and the most powerful
witch in Oz.
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Synopsis
I
Act Two
n Evillene's perfectly dreadful castle, with its large ugly throne,
covered with bones, the large, grotesque Witch harshly instructs her slaves, the Winkies, not to bother her for she is in a bad
mood ("No Bad News"). When an unfortunate messenger has the bad
luck to have to report on the presence of Dorothy and her friends the
angry Witch kills the messenger and summons the winged monkeys.
The scene shifts to another part of the stage where the monkeys do a
wild dance, which includes the capture and eventual kidnapping of
Dorothy ("Funky Monkeys"). At Evillene's castle, when Evillene starts victimizing the Lion, Dorothy hurls a bucket of water on the unsuspecting
Witch, who promptly shrieks in horror, begins to melt and finally is reduced to a pile of smoldering cloth. The Winkies shout with joy at the
death of their despicable Witch ("Everybody Rejoice").
The four return to Emerald City where they discover the Wiz is a
fake. Dorothy and her friends angrily comment ("Who Do You Think
You Are?"). The Wiz reveals to Dorothy and the others that he really isn't a Wizard but a plain old nobody from Omaha, Nebraska who's hot
air balloon got swept up in a big storm and landed in the middle of a ladies social in Oz. These women, having never seen a
hot air balloon before, expected him to do another
miracle so he devised the green glasses that everyone
wears. The four friends are puzzled until he explains
that the miracle behind the glasses is what you allow
yourself to see ("If You Believe"). The Wiz reaches
into his magic storage chest and begins to hand out
his miracles: a box of all bran sprinkles for the Scarecrow, which he dubs "all brain"; a large, red satin
heart for the Tinman; a whiskey bottle marked O &
Z, which he throws together in a chalice and has the
lion drink for courage; and a promise to take Dorothy back to Kansas in the balloon he arrived in.
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Synopsis
At a farewell launching where the citizens are bidding their leader goodbye
("Y'all Got It"), the balloon accidentally ascends without Dorothy. Dorothy, in a fury,
throws a temper tantrum which is interrupted by a puff of smoke and a dazed Addaperle who tells the foursome that her sister, Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, is
on her way. She arrives and she tells Dorothy to rest her body and her mind ("A
Rested Body is a Rested Mind"). Glinda then tells Dorothy she can go home if she
believes in herself ("If You Believe - Reprise"). Dorothy begins to sing of her "Home"
and is reminded by her friends that she can return to Oz by clicking her silver shoes
and thinking of them. All her friends in Oz fantasy slowly disappear, leaving her
alone. Toto, her dog, appears and Dorothy realizes that she's home.
-ENDTaken From http://thewizthemusical.com/synopsis.php
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DISCUSSION POINTS
FAIRY TALE noun
a children's story about magical and imaginary beings and lands.
Some people have called The Wonderful Wizard of Oz the first American Fairy Tale.
The Wiz is said to be closer to the original book than the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.
As you watch The Wiz make a mental note of the elements that reinforce the idea that
this is a fairy tale.
QUESTIONS:
1. After seeing the show, would you identify this story as a
fairy tale? What points can you make to back up your
claim either way?
2. Research other fairy tales from different countries. How is
The Wiz similar and different from from those stories?
3. Identify and analyze what makes this story an American
fairy tale? How does it reflect American culture and societal norms? As The Wiz brought the story into the 1970s
from the 1900s, what would it take to bring the story into
the 2010s?
HOME noun
the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or
household.
Dorothy’s quest is to return home again. She trusts her new friends to help her find
her way, and while the journey becomes extremely important, in the end she still
chooses to return home.
QUESTIONS:
1. Consider the above definition of “home.” Reflect on your own experience or perception of
“home.” How would you define the idea of “home” to some one who is searching for one?
2. Some people feel more at home away from home– they love to travel or feel more secure at
a friend’s house; what makes the place you call home the perfect place for you?
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DISCUSSION POINTS
CULTURE noun
the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time
Since it first premiered on stage, The Wiz has been seen as a reflection of pieces of
Black culture in 1975. Through the songs and dialogue, this show brought to the
Broadway stage and mainstream conscience a positive expression that had before
been neglected. Many families have even made watching the 1987 movie of The Wiz a
family tradition, and speak highly of how it featured an all African American cast in a
time when television, film, and theatre were ignoring roughly 12 percent of the population of America.
QUESTIONS:
1. Have you ever seen a movie or read a book that you felt reflected your culture? Identify
those elements and explain what makes you connect to them.
2. What are traditions your family has? How similar are they to others shared in your classroom?
3. Do you feel media in America portrays more diversity now? Cite specific examples to support your claim.
FRIEND noun
a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affec-
tion
Dorothy finds herself in a foreign place where she knows no one, yet on her quest she
meets three people who help her along the way. They look out for each other, protect
each other, and in the end support what is best for each other even when it means
being separated. In rehearsals, the stage managers have grouped Dorothy, Tin Man,
Scarecrow, and Lion under the heading of “The Four Friends” on most reports.
QUESTIONS:
1. After watching The Wiz, do you feel that Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Lion are
friends? What helped create that bond?
2. What is the fastest time you have ever made a friend? What helped bring you two together?
3. What makes a strong friendship? What does it take to break a friendship?
4. How would you react to the idea of meeting a stranger and inviting them on a journey with
you? What elements of strong friendship would need to come faster than others? For example, how would you build trust and communication as quickly as possible?
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Writing a Play Review
Common Core State Standards
Reading: Literature
-Grade 9-12, Standard 5
North Carolina Essential Standards
Theatre Arts: Analysis
-Beginning-Advanced, Clarifying Objective A.1.2
Essential Question
What is a play review, and how does one craft a well-written review?
Materials
CFRT’s Resource Guide for Students (for reference to details as needed)
Paper
Writing Utensil
Play Analysis Review Worksheet from TheatreFolk
Examples of Play Reviews for Student Reference
Pre-activities
As a class, students should view the live performance of The Wiz produced by Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Students may also participate in the talk-back following the production.
Activities
Have students quickly write down their thoughts about the performance of The Wiz they saw. Encourage them to put
as much as they remember down on paper, from the smallest to largest details, so they can refer back to it in later.
Introduce to students the idea of a play review.
Preview what a review is, the purpose of one, and what should we learn from one.
A review is a critical article or report; it is subjective, but informed by the viewing of a performance
The purpose is to give potential audience members an idea of what they are going to see. Should they spend
money on it? If it is good, what stood out? If the reviewer is unimpressed, what specifically brought the
show down?
A review should introduce us to the plot of the play without giving too much away, examine the different elements of a show individually and how they came together to form the final product.
Hand out two or three different play reviews over the same production for students to read. Links to a few options are
listed under “Main Resources.”
Lead them in a discussion over the difference between a well-written and a poorly-written review.
Is the reviewer able to see the vision for the production? How does the reviewer feel about the execution of
that vision?
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Does the reviewer go into details and back up his/her response to the show other than like/dislike or good/
bad?
Does the reviewer back up positive and negative comments with explanations of why?
Does the reviewer let their personal opinion or biases about the subject matter influence their review of the
play?
Does the reviewer acknowledge the audience’s reaction to the production?
Use that discussion to guide students into how they can write a good review.
Hand out the Play Analysis Review Worksheet from TheatreFolk. This will guide you as you discuss the parts of a review.
Revisit what the students wrote about the performance of The Wiz they saw.
Now have students begin filling in the Play Analysis Review worksheet. Encourage them to be specific, check their facts
(actor and character names, synopsis, etc.), and include why they felt they way they did about their experience.
As students finish their reviews, you may either stop here, or push them further to share with a partner, edit, give feedback, and develop this piece into a more polished final draft.
Main Resources
Base Article
http://www.theatrefolk.com/blog/write-play-review/
Various Reviews of Little Shop of Horrors
http://www.whatsonstage.com/edinburgh-theatre/reviews/08-2011/little-shop-of-horrors_7331.html
http://www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/edinburgh-fringe/theatre/little-shop-of-horrors-thespaces-on-niddry-street
http://www.broadwaybaby.com/shows/little-shop-of-horrors/20228
Resources for Further Development and Cross Referencing
Writing a Play Review
https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/PlayReview.html
http://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2012/oct/04/theatre-criticism-cat-hot-tin-roof
Critical Thinking
http://www.theatrefolk.com/podcast/develop-critical-thinking-skills/
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Fairy Tales
VARIOUS STORIES
Cinderella– France
The Ugly Duckling– Denmark
Anansi– Ghana
Aponibolinayen– Philipines
Undine– Germany
ACTIVITY
1. Have student create a KWL chart. Under the “Know” section, have them write as many facts as possible about
fairy tales.
2. Direct their attention to the “Want to Know” section, and have them fill with their ideas.
3. Group/Independent Work– Divide students into groups and assign them a story to research, or have students
select a story and work independently.
4. Students alone or in groups will then use all resources available (books, laptops, smart phones) to find 20 facts
about their story.
5. Share your facts.
6. Have students fill in the “Learned” section of their KWL charts with at least 5 facts from each section they heard
about during the fact sharing.
VARIATIONS
1. Write a paper about the story chosen/assigned.
2. Create a Venn Diagram using their story and The Wiz from the list to find similarities and differences.
3. Have students create posters with facts, pictures, and a resource page to display in class.
4. Have students create a new American fairy tale that reflects their family’s culture at home.
QUESTIONS
1. What stories are you familiar with?
2. Which of these stories was new to you? How is it similar to what you are familiar with already? How is it different
from what you are familiar with?
3. How would you explain the story you researched to someone who knew nothing about fairy tales?
RESOURCES
1. Stories from Around the World http://www.storynory.com/category/myths/various-fairy-tales/page/2/
2. Fairy Tales of the World http://fairytalesoftheworld.com/
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More Ideas for Your Classroom
Grades K-5
Common Core Anchor Standard 3 for Reading
Key Ideas and Details: “Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course
of a text.”
Have students identify the main characters, settings, and major events in the play. If using the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz have students differentiate between the characters they saw on stage and the characters they
heard/read about in the text. At higher levels, have students compare and contrast among the friend characters
– Dorothy, Tin Man, Lion, Scarecrow. What bring them together? What makes them unique?
Common Core Anchor Standard 1 for Writing
Text Types and Purposes: “Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using
valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.”
Refer to page 14 for the lesson plan about writing a play review. Should you use this lesson plan, please share
your reviews with us at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. We would love to post them for the actors to read.
Grades 6-12
Common Core Anchor Standard 3 for Writing, grades 6-12
Key Ideas and Details: “Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course
of a text.”
Common Core Anchor Standard 7 for Literature, grades 11-12
Integration of Knowledge and ideas: “ Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem, evaluating
how each version interprets the source text (Include at least one play by an American dramatist).”
Have students rebuild the plot line of the performance. If you have read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in class,
have students then rebuild the plot line from the book. Ask students to analyze the differences and similarities.
Encourage them to consider those differences and offer their opinion of why William Brown made what
changes he did when adapting L. Frank Baum’s story for the stage. Have student weigh in with how they felt
those changes enhanced or hurt the story line of the original text.
Common Core Anchor Standard 1 for Writing
Text Types and Purposes: “Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.”
Refer to page 14 for the lesson plan about writing a play review. Should you use this lesson plan, please share
your reviews with us at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. We would love to post them for the actors to read.
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Tell us what you think:
Cape Fear Regional Theatre is more than happy to receive teacher and student feedback. Please share your thoughts about the play, the Resource Guide, and your experience at CFRT.
Feedback is welcome at:
Cape Fear Regional Theatre
Attn: Education and Outreach
1209 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC 28305
Or by e-mail at [email protected]
Registration Is Now Open For Summer Camps
Camp Schedule
June 13 - June 25 (ages 8-15) James and The Giant Peach, jr
June 27 - July 2 (ages 5-8) Willy Wonka, kids
July 11 - July 16 (ages 5-8) Willy Wonka, kids
July 18 - July 30 (ages 8-15) James and the Giant Peach, jr
July 25 - August 6 (ages 14-19) James and the Giant Peach, jr
Visit www.cfrt.org/education for more information.
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Interested in Theatre?
You Should Check Out
Theatre Classes and Camps
at
at Cape Fear Regional Theatre
Spring Studio Starts
April 4th
Summer Camp Registration
Is Open Now
Visit cfrt.org/education
today!
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