Dorothy | Scarecrow | Tin Woodman | Cowardly Lion | Wicked Witch of the West | Miss Gultch Wizard of Oz / Professor Marvel | Glinda | Aunt Em | Uncle Henry | Hunk | Hickory | Zeke
Dorothy is the story's heroine, whose travels to see the Wizard of Oz bring her friendship and adventure. She lives with her aunt and uncle on a small farm in Kansas. Her best friend is her small dog, Toto. When a tornado whips across Kansas, Dorothy and Toto are carried away in the small farmhouse and eventually are set down in the land of the Munchkins. When Dorothy discovers that her house has landed on (and killed) the Wicked Witch of the East, she is horrified, despite the gratitude and wonder of the Munchkins. Dorothy only wants to return home, and she is told by the Good Witch of the North ‘Glinda’ that she must see the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy takes the Wicked Witch of the East's Ruby Slippers, and she and Toto head out on the yellow brick road. Dorothy is a determined child who is single-minded in her goal to get back home. She is brave, smart, compassionate, selfless, and encouraging to the other members of the traveling party. Although Dorothy is honoured for killing both of the wicked witches, she never means to hurt anyone. Although she’s a bit naïve, she is very kind hearted and loyal to her friends. Dorothy is an inadvertent liberator, who improves the lives of everyone (except the wicked witches) with whom she comes in contact. She feels badly about killing anyone, even a wicked witch, but she is glad that doing so will enable her to get home. Dorothy thinks and speaks for herself. When she and the others discover that the Wizard of Oz is nothing but a "humbug" with no real powers, she expresses her anger openly. This is also reflected in Act 1 at the start of the show when she desperately tries to save Toto from the clutches of Miss Gultch! Later, when ‘Glinda’ tells her how to get home, Dorothy is sympathetic to the feelings of her friends who will miss her terribly, but she follows through on her own desire to return to her aunt and uncle in Kansas. Despite the wonders and magic of the new land, she is anxious to get back to the grey setting of Kansas because it is her home, which is most important to her. Requirements This part requires a very good Singer/ Actress, who is able to dance. Should show the potential to be able to command the stage whilst being capable of moving and captivating an audience. Should have the ability to portray the character traits described above in a believable manner. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Scarecrow is the first companion who joins Dorothy on her way to see the Wizard of Oz. He is mounted on a pole in the middle of a field where crows are not at all afraid of him. The Scarecrow is humble in appearance, and his single desire is to have a brain. His only fear is fire, and he never needs to eat or sleep. The Scarecrow is very nurturing toward Dorothy, gladly watching over her and Toto as they sleep and often finding fruit and nuts for them to eat. On the other hand, he is a bit clumsy and is not strong like the Lion, so he is not terribly helpful in physical struggles. Because he is not subject to pain, however, he often volunteers to go ahead of the group to test treacherous landscapes, such as jagged rocks. The Scarecrow believes that if he only had great intellect he could do great things. He is so obsessed with his shortcomings that he fails to realise what he does have ……… Common sense. He usually comes up with plans that save the travelers, and he is quick to come up with solutions to problems. The Wizard realizes that the Scarecrow is already intelligent, but to make him happy, he presents him with a Diploma, which all great academics should have. When he presents the Scarecrow with this, the Scarecrow is delighted and feels smart instantly. When the Wizard of Oz builds a balloon to carry him back home, he leaves the Scarecrow in charge of the Emerald City. Requirements The part has one solo song and 133 lines of dialogue in the script. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dorothy and the Scarecrow discover the Tin Woodman in the woods. He is rusted in position with his axe in the air and has been stuck this way for more than a year. He explains that he was caught in the rain and has been waiting for someone to come by and save him. Once Dorothy retrieves his oil can from his nearby cottage, the Tin Woodman is oiled and able to move freely again. The Tin Woodman tells a sad story about when he was fully human and planned to marry a Munchkin girl. She lived with an old woman, however, who relied on the girl to care for her so she had the Wicked Witch of the East put a curse on the Tin Woodman's axe. The curse caused him to chop up his own body, little by little. After each "accident," he had a local tinsmith craft a new body part out of tin for him until eventually he was made entirely of tin. He remembers how happy he was to be in love, and so his desire is to have a heart again. He truly believes that he cannot love anymore as a result of his past misfortune. This defines everything about him. He is somehow both stilted and deeply sentimental. The Tin Woodman is like the Scarecrow in that he already possesses the quality he hopes to be given by the Wizard. He believes that he has no heart, yet he is the most compassionate and emotional member of the group. When he sees the Wizard of Oz, he is given a heart shaped watch that is merely symbolic yet makes him feel different right away. After Dorothy returns to Kansas, he goes back to the Land of the Winkies, who have asked him to be their leader after the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. Requirements This part has a solo song and 90 lines of dialogue in the script. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cowardly Lion is the third and final creature who joins the Oz-bound group. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman meet him when he jumps out at them as they make their way through a forest. He knocks over the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, and when he tries to bite Toto, Dorothy slaps him and calls him a coward. He is ashamed and admits that Dorothy is right. He wants to have the courage that the King of the Beasts should have. Dorothy agrees to allow him to accompany them, reasoning that he needs courage and that he could be helpful in frightening away other creatures. The Lion is sensitive, neurotic, and probably like doing knitting in his spare time! Something he would be deeply ashamed of.Despite his belief that he lacks courage, the Lion often demonstrates bravery. He fails to understand that courage is not the absence of fear, but is taking action in the face of fear. Just as in the cases of the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, the Wizard soon sees that the Cowardly Lion already possesses the courage he so desires. He gives the Lion a special Medal of courageous honour. The Cowardly Lion feels empowered instantly. After Dorothy leaves for Kansas, he returns to a forest where he previously killed a giant spider because the animals asked him to return as their leader, and so really does become “King of the Forrest”. Requirements The part has 2 solo songs and 103 lines of dialogue in the script. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Wicked Witch of the West is ugly both in appearance and in her heart and soul. She is neurotic, compulsive, and afflicted by a freakish green colour to her skin. Convinced that the world hates her, and driven to remake it in her image, she terrorises and wreaks havoc on all who cross her path. Who needs friends when you have slaves. She is enraged when she hears news of the death of her sister the Witch of the East, and moves to confront whoever killed her. She is horrified to find it is a girl ‘Dorothy’ who now wears her sisters enchanted Ruby Slippers. The witch wants the Ruby Slippers back and tries several ways of retrieving them during Dorothy’s journey to Oz, including using her enslaved flying monkey’s and ‘Winkie’ Guards. Eventually after capturing Dorothy she tries to take the slippers by force ultimately threatening to kill the girl, but is destroyed herself when she is covered by water thrown by Dorothy. To Dorothy's surprise, the witch melts before her eyes, and so frees those cursed by the witch. Requirements This part is non singing, and has 47 lines of dialogue in the script. This part requires an excellent character actress. Ability to sing or dance not necessary but a good ability to portray a convincing physicality to the part is a must. The person playing this role must have the ability to strike instant fear into an audience by ner stage presence, the way she moves and how she sounds. The witches performance needs to be convincing, and not that of a pantomime villain. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A difficult, introverted, and unpopular woman. Uses her money and power to compensate for this. Narrow minded and sees things in black and white. Likes to think she is an upstanding member of the community, a church going puritan type, but can appear to others as being as wicked as a witch. She attempts to remove Toto from Dorothy because it has been Chasing her cat, but the dog escapes from her basket before she can dispose of it, thereby forcing Dorothy to run away with Toto. Requirements This part requires an excellent actress able to portray the characteristics listed above. Appears at the beginning of the show, as an integral part of the story. The person who plays this role will also appear in the ensemble in Oz. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wizard of Oz / Professor Marvel The Wizard of Oz is reported to be "great and terrible" and able to appear in any form he pleases. He promises each that he will grant his or her wish once they have all killed the Wicked Witch of the West. After they have done so, however, they discover that he is not really a wizard at all and cannot grant their wishes with magical powers. He admits that he is a "humbug" who should not have deceived the good people of the Emerald City for so long but says that he means no harm. He tells Dorothy that he is not a bad man, just a bad wizard. The Wizard explains that he originally also came from Kansas where he was a circus balloonist. A mysterious wandering entertainer, he is perhaps more than he seems. In trying to do the right thing by Dorothy, he inadvertently sends her straight into the path of a tornado, with terrible consequences. One day, his balloon was caught in a great wind, and he landed in Oz, where his descent from the sky made everyone believe he was a wizard. He decided to let them believe this, and so he created a persona for himself. He commanded the people to build the great city and made them believe everything was made of emeralds by making everyone wear green glasses. Constantly fearing he will be found out, with the help of gadgets and illusions, he was able to pretend to be a great wizard. He feared the witches, however, because he knew they had real powers, which is why he sent the group to kill the Wicked Witch of the West after Dorothy inadvertently killed the Wicked Witch of the East. The Wizard knows that he can grant the wishes of the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion with false charms because they already possess the qualities they want. He agrees to return Dorothy to Kansas, by resurrecting his Balloon, but Dorothy misses the launch by seconds and is left behind. They never hear from the false wizard again. Requirements This part is non singing, and has 76 lines of dialogue in the script. The person who plays these roles should be able to portray discrete differences in character yet give the audience a clear indication that this is in fact one in the same person. The professor is a conman, professor by name only he travels the country using trickery and slight of hand to make his way in the world. Believes in his own hype, but knows deep down he is full of bluster. The Wizard on the other hand is a ‘godlike’ figure to the Ozians, with a booming big voice of authority and grandiose. The reality however shows him to be a bit of a bumbling fool, but hides this by reverting to the conman antics we see in the professor. However he does show some empathy with our leading characters by bestowing on them the things they most desire, even though he knows its all just a con, it has the desired effect on the recipients. He shows them that their actions in helping Dorothy meant they always had within them what they thought were missing all along. Perhaps he is not as foolish as we thought, and is indeed great in the end. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Glinda is the Witch of the North. She is a good witch and is youthful and stunningly beautiful, who is a friend of the Munchkins. - Notice we said "Good", not necessarily "Nice". A glamorous, seductive creature whos striking dress is made of ice and snow. She is bound by her nature to do the right thing....... by whatever means necessary, even including putting a young girl in danger. She initially believes that Dorothy must also be a witch because her house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East. She tells Dorothy that to return home, she will have to see the Wizard of Oz. She insists that Dorothy take the Wicked Witch of the East's Ruby Slippers, which possess a secret charm that protects the girl on her journey. She helps Dorothy on her travels to Oz by reversing the poppy spell laid by the witch. At the end of the story she tells Dorothy that she has always had the power to return to Kansas all along because of the Ruby Slippers. Glinda explains the secret charm of the shoes, which is that they will take the wearer anywhere she wants to go in three clicks of their heels. (Why did she not tell Dorothy this at the beginning?? Perhaps to help Dorothy find the answers she was seeking about herself………….. or was it to further her own goals by using the girl to help dispose of the Witch of the West)??? Requirements This Character is involved in 2 songs, and has 38 lines of dialogue in the script. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aunt Em is Dorothy's mother figure. Although she was once a vibrant woman, years on the harsh prairie have taken their toll on her appearance and spirits. A woman capable of great love, made hard by a life of depravation and duty. Has no idea what to do with Dorothy. The definite boss in her relationship with her husband, but would be lost if anything were ever to happen to him. Why does she have the responsibility of taking care of Dorothy, where are Dorothy’s parents, what is/was her relationship to them…. Things to think about? Requirements This character is a non singing role, and has 30 lines of dialogue in the script. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dorothy's father figure, Uncle Henry is quite a grim man. He is Practical and a very hard worker who rarely gets the opportunity to laugh. However he does try to use humour to diffuse tense situations. Defers to Auntie Em more often than not. He is a ‘hen-pecked’ husband who tends to keep a low profile for an easy life. Loves his wife dearly, but has probably never told her for many years……. Its just known between the two of them. Looks out for Dorothy, but is often too busy on the farm to let her know that he really cares. Requirements This character is a non singing role, and has 35 lines of dialogue in the script. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He is Simple, and solid, but a little bit dim. Feels inadequate around the other farm hands. Consequently he plays the know-it-all. Shares some of the more discrete characteristics of the scarecrow. Requirements This is an acting part with 18 lines of dialogue and requires the ability to portray the above characteristics convincingly. Appears at the beginning and end of the story. The person who plays this role will also appear in the ensemble in Oz. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Young and handsome, just a really nice guy. Quite shy around girls, a real gentleman who is looking for the perfect girl. Always seems to be the one who ends up getting his heart broken. A mirror for some of the emotions portrayed by the Tin Man. Requirements This is an acting part with 13 lines of dialogue and requires the ability to portray the above characteristics convincingly. Appears at the beginning and end of the story. The person who plays this role will also appear in the ensemble in Oz. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He is physically quite a big strong man. He acts the big guy because he feels it is expected of him, but in reality he is actually terrified of confrontation. Characteristics he shares with the Cowardly Lion. Requirements This is an acting part with 15 lines of dialogue and requires someone who is quite large in stature with the ability to portray the above characteristics convincingly. Appears at the start and end of the story. The person who plays this role will also appear in the ensemble in Oz. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Singing role- A blustering, self-important, over officious bureaucrat. He/She loves to organize things. Hates being the last to know what's going on…….. But is usually the last to know what's going on! Very proud of being the ‘official’ spokesperson and major-domo of the Great and Wondrous Oz. Requirements Can see this role being that of a woman, so both male and female auditionee’s welcomed. Must be able to show the characteristics mentioned above. The person who plays this role will also appear in the ensemble in Oz. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Singing and acting role. Appears in Munchkinland Singing solo lines in the song ‘Ding Dong The Witch is Dead’. A small part, but one that still demands the performer to take on the persona and affected Munchkin ‘voice’ of the Munchkinland Mayor. Requirements ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A singing role, similar attributes as the Mayor described above. Requirements |
