Melissa Minyard as Maud

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

Elizabeth Meckler as Dorothy and David Foley, Jr. as L. Frank Baum

photo by Michael Raabe

LYRICS

Roxanne Fay, Elizabeth Meckler, David Foley, Jr., and Melissa Minyard

photo by Julia Rifino

1. IN OTHER LANDS THAN OURS

(ON THE PRINCESS IRENE. JANUARY, 1906.)

FRANK

LET’S GO ON AN ADVENTURE.

A TRIP ‘ROUND THE WORLD MIGHT BE GRAND.

MAUD
I concur, Mr. Baum.

LET’S GO ON AN ADVENTURE,

BOTH
THE PLACES AND SIGHTS WE HAVE PLANNED,

MAUD

ME AND MY DREAMER

ON A LUXURY STEAMER

BOTH

OFF TO FOREIGN LANDS...

AND WE’RE OFF.

ALL

AND WE’RE OFF.

AUNT EMILY

Look, Marie. It really is him.

MAUD

AND WE’RE OFF
ON THE PRINCESS IRENE.
I FEEL LIKE A QUEEN.
THEY SERVE EIGHT MEALS A DAY.

THE SEA IS ROUGH,
BUT HERE MID-ATLANTIC
OUR WORLD IS LESS FRANTIC.

IT’S A GREAT GET AWAY.

AT NIGHT WE LAUGH AND SIP FINE GIN,

PLAY CARDS AND DANCE TO VIOLIN.
I FIND I’M FEELING LIKE MYSELF AGAIN

IN OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

OH THE SIGHTS!

GIBRALTAR’S ENORMOUS,

THOUGH A LADY INFORMED US

IT’S PEELING AWAY.

LATE AT NIGHT
I JOT DOWN SOME RAMBLINGS

IN LETTERS TO FAMILY.
OH HOW TO CONVEY

ALL OF THESE THOUGHTS SWIMMING THROUGH MY HEAD,

TO BE IN THE PLACES OF WHICH I’VE READ.
SOME NIGHTS I HAVE TO FORCE MYSELF TO BED
IN OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

MARIE
Excuse me, sir. My aunt says you’re Mr. L. Frank Baum. Are you really?

FRANK
I am. How may I be of service?

MARIE
The Mr. Baum who wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

FRANK

The very same.

AUNT EMILY
Marie! There you are. I’m so sorry Mr. Baum.

Come along Marie. Let’s leave the poor man to his holiday.

FRANK
(signing her book)

It’s no trouble at all, madame.

AUNT EMILY
I’m Emily.

FRANK
Marie! You didn’t tell me you had an Aunt Em.

AUNT EMILY
You’re always so clever Mr. Baum. And the way the illustrations blend with the words on the page. They’re really quite modern.

MARIE
Thank you Mr. Baum.

AUNT EMILY

AND SHE’S OFF.

MAUD
Well she was charming. We’ll have plenty of that over the next few months, I’m sure. Tonight will it be cards then dancing, or dancing then cards? Frank?

AND HE’S OFF.

I couldn’t have known it then, but at that very moment he was thinking of the opening scene of his next book. An unassuming girl from Kansas named Dorothy on the deck of a ship not unlike this one.

DOROTHY

AND WE’RE OFF,
UNCLE HENRY AND ME.
WE’RE SAILING AT SEA
AS THE SKIES TURN TO GREY.

I AM TOSSED

OVERBOARD IN A SNAP.

HENRY’S TAKING A NAP

AS I’M FLOATING AWAY.

I KNOW THERE’S DANGER ALL AROUND,
YET I FEEL ADVENTURE BOUND,
LIKE WHEN OUR FARMHOUSE TOOK ME MILES AWAY

TO OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

CHORUS

I’M ON AN ADVENTURE,

DOROTHY
WHERE YELLOW BRICK ROADS NEVER END.

CHORUS

I’M ON AN ADVENTURE,

DOROTHY
AND OZMA IS MY NEW BEST FRIEND -
A MARVELOUS PLACE WHERE YOUR DREAMS COME ALIVE

RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES

(CAIRO, EGYPT. FEBRUARY, 1906.)

MAUD

FOOD AND DRINKS

AT THE SHEPHERD’S HOTEL

IN CAIRO FOR A SPELL.
OH THIS COUNTRY’S SUBLIME.

SAW THE SPHINX
AND HER COUNTENANCE CALM,

AND RAMSES EMBALMED,

STARING BACK FOR ALL TIME.

WE TRAVEL THE DESERT BY CARAVAN
AND WATCH THE MOON RISE FROM A SEA OF SAND,

MARVELING AT THESE EMPIRES BUILT BY HAND,

IN OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

Come on, Frank. I’ll race you to the top.

FRANK
I’ll watch from here and make your picture

if you make it all the way.

MAUD

I’m sure you mean when I make it all the way.

CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.

I DID. YES, I DID.

FRANK

My feet hurt.

MAUD
BUT I HIKED UP MY SKIRT AND I DID. YES I DID.

FIVE-HUNDRED-FIFTEEN FEET ABOVE GROUND,

BUT THERE AT THE TOP
I COULD SEE ALL AROUND -

THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION.
MY GOD THIS IS QUITE A VACATION!

LINKED TO THE PRESENT AND PAST.

Frank, take a picture.
I NEED THIS MOMENT TO LAST.

STEAMSHIP CAPTAIN
All aboard the Steamship Ramses for all points of archeological interest along the Nile. First stop Sakkara, site of the ancient city of Memphis.

(SAKKARA, EGYPT.)

FRANK

I’M AMAZED AT THE WAYS WE LEAVE OUR NAME BEHIND,

MEN OF THE THRONE CARVED INTO STONE FOR ALL TIME.

HIEROGLYPHS SHOWING US EVERYDAY LIFE,

BUILDING A HOME WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND WIFE.

ON PAPER OR CLAY, THIS IS THE WAY
THEIR LEGACY’S ENSHRINED.

AS THE YEARS PASS ON,
HOW WILL WE BE REMEMBERED WHEN WE’RE GONE.

MAUD

WE’RE ON AN ADVENTURE,

TOMORROW A CRUISE DOWN THE NILE.
WE’RE ON AN ADVENTURE.
WE’LL BE PHARAOH AND QUEEN FOR A WHILE.

HISTORY’S BREATHING AND COMING ALIVE

RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES.

(NAPLES AND POMPEII, ITALY. APRIL 1906.)

MAUD

OFF WE GO.
HEAR VESUVIUS ROAR.
LAVA REACHES THE SHORE
AS ITS FLAMES SPARK THE SKY.

JUST LIKE SNOW,
ALL IS COVERED IN ASH,

FRANK

INCLUDING MY MUSTACHE,

AND IT SINGES MY EYES.

MAUD
WE TRAVEL THROUGH STREETS THAT ARE ANKLE DEEP,

A CITY IN SMOKE AS THE SHOVELS SWEEP.
IT’S QUITE A MEMORY WE COULD NOT HAVE PLANNED

IN OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

FRANK
I reckon Mt. Vesuvius smokes almost as much as I do.

I’M AMAZED AT THE WAYS WE LEAVE OUR NAME BEHIND.

ONE DAY IN POMPEII, FIRE POURED DOWN FROM THE SKY.

A LOOK TO THE PAST OF EVERYDAY LIFE,

BUILDING A HOME WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND WIFE.

FROZEN IN TIME.
THEIR STORIES LEFT BEHIND.

(Maud is looking at paintings by the great Renaissance masters in a museum in Florence. Frank has drifted off in a daydream.)

DOROTHY
Aren’t you having fun on your adventure Mr. Baum?

FRANK
I think it’s just a lot to take in, so many unbelievable things all at once.

DOROTHY

I know what you mean.

FRANK

I suppose if anyone does, it’s you. I think I am beginning to be able to distinguish one great Renaissance Master from the next.

DOROTHY
That’s a very clever trick. How do you do it?

FRANK
I read the name on the little plaque next to the masterpiece.

DOROTHY
Don’t you want to go home yet, Mr. Baum? Don’t you miss it?

(PARIS, FRANCE. APRIL 1906.)

MAUD

AND WE’RE OFF.
BON APRES-MIDI.
WE ARE NOW IN PAREE

WHERE LOVE’S NEVER PASSE.

THE EIFFEL TOWER
AND THE ROSES IN BLOOM,

SAW NAPOLEON’S TOMB.

FOUND A CHARMING CAFE.

THE LOUVRE HAS DE MILO AND ALL HER CHARMS.

HER EYES ARE SO LIFELIKE,

FRANK

But she has no arms.

MAUD
AT SUNSET WE BOTH STROLL ALONG THE SEINE

AGAIN AND AGAIN,
IN OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

ALL

WE’RE ON AN ADVENTURE

THE RINGING OF NOTRE DAME’S BELLS.

WE’RE ON AN ADVENTURE
I STOOD RIGHT IN ANTOINETTE’S CELL.

HISTORY’S BREATHING AND COMING ALIVE RIGHT

BEFORE MY EYES.

DOROTHY
No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful.

FRANK
If your heads were stuffed with straw like mine, you would probably all live in beautiful places, and then Kansas would have no people at all. It is fortunate for Kansas that you have brains.

DOROTHY

Did you figure out how I make it home this time?

FRANK

Magic belt.

DOROTHY
How clever. And the grown up book?

FRANK
That one’s a bit trickier.

(Frank and Maud stand at the rail of the steamship as they enter New York Harbor.)

FRANK

THERE’S LADY LIBERTY GUIDING US HOME.

BOTH

WE’RE HERE AT LAST.

MAUD
OH WHAT ADVENTURES FROM CAIRO TO ROME,

BOTH

BUT WE’RE BACK HOME.

MAUD
LOOK THERE’S THE HOUSE AND THE BOYS ON THE LAWN

OH HOW I MISSED THEM WHEN WE WERE GONE.

BOTH
OUR TRAVELS I WILL OFTEN CALL UPON.

ALL

TO OTHER LANDS,

ON AN ADVENTURE

VAST AND GRAND,
BUT THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

Elizabeth Meckler, David Foley, Jr., and Melissa Minyard

photo by Dalton Hamilton

2. MR. BAUM

THEODORE

MR. BAUM, MR. BAUM

I’M WRITING YOU THIS LETTER.
MR. BAUM, COULD YOU MAKE ME ANOTHER BOOK?

I LIVE WITH MY GRANDMA
SINCE MY PAPA DIED.
I READ TO HER EVERY NIGHT.
SHE CANNOT USE HER EYES.
I READ YOUR BOOK SO MUCH, SHE TOLD ME THAT IT’S TIME

FOR A NEW BOOK,

SO WOULD YOU WRITE ONE FOR ME?
YOUR FRIEND, THEODORE, FROM BROOKLYN

PAUL

MR. BAUM, MR. BAUM

I’M WRITING YOU THIS LETTER.
MR. BAUM, I LIKE YOUR BOOKS VERY MUCH.

MY MOTHER TOOK A VISIT TO THE LIBRARY TODAY.

SHE SAID YOUR BOOKS WERE GONE,
SO I HAVE TO WAIT TILL TUESDAY.
I KNOW WHICH BOOKS ARE YOURS

‘CUZ THEY’RE TATTERED, AND THEY’RE FRAYED.

I THINK IT WOULD BE NICE IF DOROTHY COULD GO SWIMMING

AND MEET SOME DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN THE WATER.
I’D LIKE TO LEARN TO SWIM MYSELF,
BUT I AM ONLY EIGHT YEARS OLD

AND THIN,
SO PAPA THINKS I WILL NOT FLOAT VERY WELL.

YOUR FRIEND, PAUL WILLIAM LAWRENCE

ALL THREE
MR. BAUM, BA BAUM BA MAUM BA BAUM BAUM... ETC.

FRANK
Dear Sam,

I was very glad to get your nice letter, with the pictures you drew, and to know that you like my books. I think you are very clever to make all my strange characters. I hope to hear from you again, Sam, for to be able to make things must be nicer than just to think them. Always your friend, L. Frank Baum.

MAUD

(reading letter from Marian)

MR. BAUM
I HAVE READ ALL OF YOUR BOOKS.

MY CHUM AND I PLAY OZ.
I AM GLINDA THE GOOD,
AND SHE IS OZMA.

WHEN WE PLAY OZ I FEEL SO VERY GREAT.

I AM TWELVE YEARS OLD,
AND MY FRIEND IS ONLY EIGHT.
I DON’T THINK I’M TOO BIG FOR OZ.

DO YOU?

YOUR FRIEND, MARIAN WINCHESTER

P.S. -
PLEASE WRITE.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHICH ONE HAS THE MOST POWER

OZMA OR GLINDA?
AND PLEASE WRITE MORE BOOKS.
LOVE, MARIAN

THEODORE

PAUL

ALL THREE

YOUR FRIEND

Melissa Minyard as Maud Gage Baum

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

3. he tells stories

MAUD

TO BE FRANK,
YOUR FATHER IS

OUT OF HIS MIND.
HE SCRIBBLES HIS WORDS ON THE WALL.

I’ve wallpapered four times, I recall.

ONE MUST LIVE REFINED.

AND THE BANK
MAY BE RUNNING QUITE LOW ON OUR FUNDS.

WE TAKE ANOTHER LOAN

ALWAYS KEPT A PROPER HOME

FOR US AND OUR SONS.

(The lights shift and we are back in...

HUMBOLDT BLVD, CHICAGO. 1899.)

(We hear the sound of their boys running by.)

THEY ADORE THEIR FATHER AND RESPECT THEIR MOM.

I BRING THE ORDER AND KEEP FRANK CALM.
SUCH IS THE LIFE OF MRS. MAUD GAGE BAUM.

(An outburst of racket from the boys.)

Boys!

HE WON’T SPANK.
TRIED IT ONCE AND HE CRIED THROUGH THE NIGHT.

I’M THE ONE TO REPRIMAND.
CHILDREN NEED A STEADY HAND
TO KNOW WHAT’S WRONG AND RIGHT.

TO BE FRANK
IS TO HAVE YOUR HEAD IN THE STARS.

MY FEET ARE HERE ON THE GROUND
TO KEEP US SAFE AND SOUND.
IT’S A LIFE THAT’S OURS.

A LIFE AS EQUALS DAY TO DAY
BOTH OF US HAVE OUR ROLE TO PLAY,
AND WHEN LIFE IS HARD AND DREAMS SEEM FAR AWAY,

HE TELLS STORIES.
HOW THE BOYS LOVE HIS STORIES.
HE’S A WIZARD OF WORDS,
OF WORLDS QUITE ABSURD AND BOLD,
NOT TOO GORY -
HIS WONDERFUL STORIES.
I WATCH HIS WORDS LEAP INTO THEIR HEADS.

NO WORRY AND DREAD, THERE’S LIGHT INSTEAD

ON THEIR FACES,
TRAV’LING MAGICAL PLACES...

(Flashback to Frank and Maud’s first meeting)

FRANK’S AUNT JOSEPHINE
This is my nephew, Frank. Frank, I want you to know Maud Gage. I'm sure you will love her.

FRANK
Consider yourself loved Miss Gage.

MAUD
Thank you, Mr. Baum. That's a promise. Please see that you live up to it.

FRANK

Call me Frank.

MAUD
HE AMUSED ME THE MOMENT WE MET,

OUTSPOKEN MISS MAUD GAGE.
He was an actor on the stage,

AND I’M NO JULIET.

LEAN AND LANK,
HIS KINDNESS I FOUND QUITE PROFOUND.

HE SWEPT ME AWAY FROM CORNELL.

MOTHER RAISED A LITTLE HELL,
BUT SHE’S COMING AROUND.

HE THINKS WITH HIS HEART AND NOT HIS HEAD.

THAT’S WHY HE’S THE MAN I CHOSE TO WED,
AND WHEN IT IS TIME TO TUCK OUR BOYS IN BED,

HE TELLS STORIES,
BEAUTIFUL STORIES.
HE TAKES US AWAY
FROM LANDS THAT ARE GREY AND COLD,

AND THE GLORY,

OF HEARING EACH STORY.
I WATCH HIS WORDS FLOAT INTO THEIR HEADS.

NO DARKNESS AND DREAD, THERE’S LIGHT INSTEAD

ON THEIR FACES,
AND I KNOW MY PLACE IS

HERE WITH FRANK.

TO BE FRANK.

David Foley, Jr. and Drew H. Wells as L. Frank Baum and Denslow

photo by James Welsh

4. on the same page

FRANK AND DENSLOW

IT’S COLLABORATION

DENSLOW

(to Frank)

WORDS

FRANK

(to Denslow)

AND ILLUSTRATION.

BOTH
OUR WORK TOGETHER WILL BE ALL THE RAGE.

FRANK

A PERFECT PUBLICATION,

DENSLOW

BINDING OUR CREATION

BOTH
WHEN WE’RE ON THE SAME PAGE.

BAUM AND DENSLOW:

DENSLOW

(To Frank)

MIDWEST CHARM

FRANK

(To Denslow)

AND ART NOUVEAU,

WITH MY FICTION AND YOUR DEPICTIONS

BOTH

SIDE BY SIDE.

DENSLOW

COLOR PLATED.

FRANK

EMERALD GATED.

BOTH

LITERARY
SOUL-MATED,
AND WE’RE ON THE SAME PAGE.

(Frank and Denslow are in the office of George M. Hill, publisher. Frank slams a proof of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on the desk.)

FRANK

What in tarnation is this?

DENSLOW

Tarnation?

FRANK

Take one look at the cover of this proof and tell me what I might be irate about.

DENSLOW

Looks great to me. I painted it.

FRANK
Your name is three times the size of mine.

DENSLOW
Well I did three times the work. Let’s not kid ourselves. Your little story is clever, but it’s my illustrations that are going to sell this book.

FRANK
Mr. Hill, will you please say something?

GEORGE

Den, make your names the same damn size, so we can get this book on the shelves by Christmas.

BOTH

IT’S COLLABORATION:

FRANK

WORDS

DENSLOW

AND ILLUSTRATION.

BOTH

OUR WORK TOGETHER

WILL BE ALL THE RAGE.

FRANK

HE’S LIKE A BLOOD RELATION:

BOTH

LOVE AND AGGRAVATION,

BUT WE’RE ON THE SAME PAGE

MAUD
In September of 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz hit the shelves in a tempting, dark green cloth cover with the title announcing itself in bright red ink.

FRANK

They can’t keep it on the shelves, so they keep printing more! Get a load of that.

(Frank hands Maud a check. She is stunned.)

MAUD

That’s a lot of zeroes.

FRANK
They’re all ours.

MAUD

OZ IS A SENSATION!

I THINK YOU’VE FOUND YOUR TRUE VOCATION.

FRANK

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE,

MY DEAR MAUD GAGE.

MAUD
The pleasure was mine.

FRANK

YOU’RE MY INSPIRATION.

MAUD

I’M IN FOR THE DURATION.

FRANK

ME TOO.

BOTH

GLAD WE’RE ON THE SAME PAGE.

(Denslow enters.)

DENSLOW
Congrats, Frank. What do you think of this idea George has to turn our book into a Broadway musical? Think of the money, Frank. Talk about a yellow brick road.

(A LAKE HOUSE AT MACATAWA PARK - SUMMER 1901)

(Frank and Denslow dance around and sing while the composer, Paul Tietjens bangs away at the piano.)

FRANK and DENSLOW

IT’S AN ADAPTATION

OF OUR OWN CREATION,

FRANK

WITH WORDS

DENSLOW
AND COSTUMES

BOTH

DIRECT FROM THE PAGE.

FRANK

WRITING GREAT ORATION,

BOTH

GIVING MOTIVATION,

WHEN WE’RE HERE ON THE STAGE.

(In the manner of a vaudeville comedy team)

DENSLOW

Heya Frank!

FRANK

Yeah Den?

DENSLOW

What’ya say you, me, and Paul here split the royalties for this here show equally?

FRANK
What’ya say we split ‘em according to how much work we each did?

DENSLOW
(as a punchline)

You call this work?

BOTH

(sarcastically)

GLAD WE’RE ON THE SAME PAGE.

FRANK

Heya Den!

DENSLOW

Yeah Frank?

FRANK

What’ya think that highfalutin theatre director thought of our script?

DENSLOW
What did that highfalutin theatre director think of your script?

(Frank holds up the script, with his hand over part of the cover page. We see the word “GOOD” written in big red letters on it.)

DENSLOW

Good?

(Frank moves his hand to reveal the word “NO” above the word “GOOD.”)

DENSLOW

No good.

THERE GOES YOUR REPUTATION.

FRANK

WHERE’S MY MEDICATION?

BOTH

WE’RE NOT ON THE SAME PAGE.

FRANK

Heya Den!

DENSLOW

Yeah Frank?

FRANK

They’ll only produce our show if we let that theatre director, Julian Mitchell, change whatever he wants, gut my original story, and fill it with a bunch of cheap jokes.

DENSLOW

Will we make money?

FRANK

A boatload.

DENSLOW
Then I say, “darn-tootin.”

FRANK
But what if seeing my work gutted makes me feel dead inside?

DENSLOW
You’ll run it off climbing the stairs of your mansion.

FRANK

What mansion?

DENSLOW
The one you’ll buy with all that dough!

(The music builds and segues into the opening night performance of “The Wizard of Oz” musical extravaganza in Chicago. The Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow are a song-and-dance comedy team.)

BROADWAY TIN WOODMAN

GOT NO PALPITATION.

BROADWAY SCARECROW

MENTAL CONSTIPATION.

BROADWAY TIN WOODMAN

MY HEART AIN’T TICKIN’.

BROADWAY SCARECROW

DON’T FEEL LIKE A SAGE.

BROADWAY TIN WOODMAN

BUT WITH SOME LUBRICATION

BOTH

AND COMIC DEVIATION

WE’LL BE A HIT ON THE STAGE.

SHOWMAN

IT’S AN ADAPTATION.

SETS WITH INNOVATION.
ROMANCE IS BLOOMING CAUSE DOROTHY’S OF AGE.

(Cat call whistle.)

ADULT DOROTHY

Oh, thanks boys!

(A small dog appears)

(uncomfortably referencing the dog)

Oh Imogene...

(The dog is replaced by a cow.)

the cow!

I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore!

FRANK AND SHOWMAN

IT’S THE SAME FOUNDATION,

BUT A GROSS MUTATION
THAT IS HERE ON THE STAGE.

(The chorus of showgirls dressed as “poppies” appear.)

POPPIES

AHHHHHHH

POPPIES AND SHOWMAN

HEAR THAT MODULATION,

BIG BUDGET PRESENTATION.

SHOWMAN

A CHORUS OF GIRLIES

SURE TO ENGAGE.

POPPIES

WE’RE DEADLY VEGETATION

CAUSED BY POLLINATION.

ALL

THERE’S NO MODERATION.

WE WANT BIG OVATIONS,

AND THE ADORATION

FROM THE POPPY-LATION!

FRANK

Ya know, the book is always better.

ALL
WHEN WE’RE HERE ON THE STAGE.

5. WONDERFUL

FRANK

A YOUNGER MAN THAN I

SET OUT ON THE ROAD TO FIND HIS WORTH.

HE SAID “I’LL PLAY UPON THE STAGE

AND BRING FOLKS SOME JOY AND MIRTH.”

WHEN HE WAS TWENTY-THREE
HE LOOKED AROUND TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE.

HE WROTE A PLAY WHERE HE COULD PORTRAY

THE HERO AND BE ALL THE THINGS
HE’D EVER WANT TO BE,
AND THE PEOPLE AGREED.

THEY SAID,

FRANK AND ENSEMBLE

“IT’S WONDERFUL. WONDERFUL.

THE WAY YOU USE THE WORDS IS SIMPLY

WONDERFUL.”

FRANK
WHEN THE WORLD STOPS MAKING SENSE,

LET YOUR PENCIL’S WORK COMMENCE,
AND IN THE END YOU HOPE THEY THINK IT’S

WONDERFUL.

BUT SOMETIMES THE WORDS’ RHYMES

WON’T DO JUST AS THEY’RE TOLD.

THE LIMELIGHT, THE GREASEPAINT -

DON’T YOU SEEM A BIT TOO OLD

TO STRUT AROUND UPON A STAGE

YOU BARELY EARN A LIVING WAGE.
WITH A SON ON THE WAY,
THOSE ARE DREAMS FOR OTHER DAYS.

IT’S TIME TO FIND A GROWN UP KIND OF

WONDERFUL.

AN OLDER MAN THAN HE
THEN SET OUT TO FIND A DIFFERENT PLAN.

AT THIRTY-FOUR
HE OPENED UP A STORE
TO PEDDLE GOODS AND WONDERS IF HE CAN.

NOW A FAMILY MAN,
HE LOOKED AROUND TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE.

HE FILLED THE SHOP FROM THE FLOOR TO THE TOP

WITH CHINA DOLLS AND YO-YO STRINGS.
EVEN WROTE A MAGAZINE
FOR OTHER MERCHANTS TO READ.

THEY SAID,

FRANK AND ENSEMBLE

“IT’S WONDERFUL. WONDERFUL.

YOU DISPLAY A TURN OF PHRASE THAT’S SIMPLY

WONDERFUL.”

FRANK
WHEN THE WORLD STOPS MAKING SENSE

LET YOUR PENCIL’S WORK COMMENCE
AND IN THE END YOU HOPE THEY THINK IT’S

WONDERFUL.

BUT DROUGHT COMES AND TOY DRUMS

DON’T MATTER WHEN YOU’RE COLD.

WITH NO CROP, THE SALES DROP

DON’T YOU SEEM A BIT TOO OLD

TO SHILL YOUR WARES TO HUNGRY MOUTHS?

WHEN TIMES WERE FAT YOUR WORDS AROUSED

THE FARMERS’ WIVES TO PAY.
SAVE THOSE DREAMS FOR BETTER DAYS.

IT’S TIME TO FIND A GROWN UP KIND OF

WONDERFUL.

THINGS IN LIFE DON’T ALWAYS GO AS PLANNED.
TAKE THE CHANCE TO REARRANGE. FACE THE SHIFTING SAND.

AN OLDER MAN THAN HE

TOOK ONE MORE CHANCE TO MAKE HIS MARK.

FROM TALES THAT HE TOLD TO HIS SONS,

A STORY APPEARED LIKE A SPARK

WHEN HE WAS FORTY-THREE

HE LOOKED AROUND TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE.

ALL COLOR FROM GRAY,
A PLACE FAR AWAY,
LIKE THIS ONE, BUT ONLY MORE JUST,

WHERE EVERYONE IS FREE.
AND THE CHILDREN AGREED.

THEY SAID,

FRANK AND ENSEMBLE

“IT’S WONDERFUL. WONDERFUL.

THE PICTURES AND THE WORDS ARE SIMPLY

WONDERFUL.”

FRANK
WHEN THE WORLD STOPS MAKING SENSE

LET YOUR PENCIL’S WORK COMMENCE
AND IN THE END YOU HOPE THEY THINK IT’S

WONDERFUL.

BUT WIZARDS AND WITCHES
ARE NOT THE COMMON MOLD
FOR AUTHORS OF IMPORT -

DESPITE WHAT YOU’VE BEEN TOLD.

IT’S NO MORE PENCIL ONLY PEN
FOR TRULY LITERARY MEN.
A FAIRY TALE IS FINE,
AND VERY FEW COMPARE WITH MINE.

IT’S TIME TO FIND A GROWN UP KIND OF

WONDERFUL.

IN OTHER LANDS THAN OURS (REPRISE)

FRANK

THIS IS THE MOMENT OF MY REBIRTH.

I’LL WRITE A NOVEL OF SERIOUS WORTH.

MAYBE I WILL FIND MYSELF AGAIN
IN OTHER LANDS THAN OZ

(GLINDA’S CASTLE. THE END OF “THE EMERALD CITY OF OZ.”)

(Dorothy and Ozma enter.)

DOROTHY
Ozma, I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you for bringing Uncle Henry and Aunt Em to live here in Oz.

OZMA
I knew it was the only way to get you to live here, little friend.

DOROTHY
I know they will be ever so happy in the Munchkin Country.

(Glinda enters.)

OZMA

GLINDA, THE GOOD

I’M SURE THAT YOU KNOW

MY CONCERNS ONLY GROW

OF TECHNOLOGY’S RISE.

WHAT IF ONE
OF THESE NEW AEROPLANES

TRAVELED THROUGH OUR DOMAIN

AND WE WERE FOUND FROM THE SKY?

GLINDA
NOW THAT OUR DOROTHY IS HERE FOR GOOD,

WE MUST HIDE OUR LOCATION FROM ALL THE WORLD,

GLINDA AND OZMA

SO NO ONE ELSE CAN VISIT US AGAIN

FROM OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

(A large white feather falls from above. Frank picks it up.)

FRANK
The writer of these Oz stories has received a little note from Princess Dorothy of Oz, written on the broad white feather of a stork’s wing.

DOROTHY
You will never hear anything more about Oz, because we are now cut off forever from all the rest of the world.

THIS IS OUR FINAL ADVENTURE,
YET WE WILL ALWAYS BE FRIENDS.

IT’S BEEN QUITE AN ADVENTURE,
BUT THIS IS WHERE OUR JOURNEY ENDS,

FRANK

AND ANOTHER BEGINS.

I WILL WRITE A NEW STORY,
THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN STORY.

LIKE MELVILLE OR JAMES,
NEXT TO THOSE NAMES FOR ALL TIME.

NO MORE TALKING CHICKENS
I COULD BE THE NEXT DICKENS.

L. FRANK BAUM ON THE SPINE OF A MASTERPIECE.

THIS IS HOW I DEFINE MY LEGACY.

I’LL MAKE SOMETHING GRAND.

NOW MY FUTURE’S PLANNED

FOR OTHER LANDS THAN OZ.

David Foley, Jr., as L. Frank Baum

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

Elizabeth Meckler as Florence

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

6. entr'acte/Mr. baum 2

FLORENCE

MR. BAUM, MR. BAUM

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S OVER.

ARE YOU SURE, REALLY SURE

THAT YOU CAN’T WRITE ANOTHER

BOOK ABOUT THE LAND OF OZ?

I THINK THEY ARE THE BESTEST BEST KIND OF BEST BOOKS

AND WHAT WILL SANTA BRING ME NEXT CHRISTMAS?

LAST NIGHT WE READ THE PART WHERE DOROTHY SAID GOODBYE.

I DON’T LIKE WHEN THINGS END.
DOROTHY’S MY FRIEND.

IF YOU SEE HER

TELL HER I MISS HER

YOUR DEVOTED PAL, FLORENCE STROHFUS

P.S. -
ONE MORE THING:
DO YOU HAVE ANY LITTLE GIRLS OF YOUR OWN?

IF YOU DO, I HOPE THAT THEY GET SICK,

‘CAUSE THEN YOU COULD TELL THEM NEW STORIES.

P.P.S. -
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE,

WRITE ANOTHER BOOK.
IF YOU WANT TO.
THEY’RE THE BEST.

Elizabeth Meckler and Drew H. Wells

photo by Dalton Hamilton

7. not there (brain)

SCARECROW

I’VE SPENT MY WHOLE LIFETIME

FEELING NOT QUITE WHOLE.

IT’S ONLY BEEN TWO DAYS,
BUT IT’S BORING ON THIS POLE.

FRANK
Not now. I’m trying to concentrate.

SCARECROW

HANGING AROUND
I’M GLAD YOU FOUND ME.

HOPE YOU’LL STAY.
I’VE SO MUCH TO SAY,

AND NO ONE’S BEEN THERE.

THE CROWS DON’T CARE.

FRANK AND DOROTHY
I think you’re supposed to scare the crows and not have conversations with them.

SCARECROW

I know.

FRANK
Now that’s enough out of you. I’m trying to write something that doesn’t concern you.

SCARECROW

THEY EAT THE CORN.

THAT’S WHY I WAS BORN
TO KEEP THEM AT BAY.
A FARMER TOOK HIS OLD CLOTHES

AND STUFFED ME WITH FRESH HAY,

PAINTED TWO EYES
OF DIFFERENT SIZE,
BOTH SEE THE SAME WAY.
THOSE INCOMING BIRDS BETTER BEWARE.

THEY JUST STARE.

ALTHOUGH I’VE BEEN RIGHT ON THE FENCE,

I KNOW MY LIFE DOESN’T QUITE MAKE SENSE.

THE CROWS ALL LAUGH AT MY EXPENSE,

‘CAUSE I HAVEN’T A BRAIN,
JUST STRAW AND GRAIN.

I KNOW I’M QUITE LUCKY.

I COULD BE A STRAW BALE.
THE FARMER DID A NICE JOB,

BUT I NEED ONE MORE DETAIL.

THIS YEARNING FOR NEW LEARNING

COULD USE SOME HARDWARE,
AND I DECLARE
NOTHING’S THERE.

MY HEAD’S BARE.

(He plops a huge volume down on the table. It is Matilda’s “Woman, Church and State”)

SCARECROW

Now THAT’S what I call a book. Whoever wrote it must have lots of brains.

FRANK

Indeed she did.

ALTHOUGH

SCARECROW

ALTHOUGH

BOTH

I’VE BEEN RIGHT ON THE FENCE,

FRANK

I KNOW

SCARECROW

I KNOW

FRANK

MY

BOTH

LIFE DOESN’T QUITE MAKE SENSE.

THE CROWS ALL LAUGH

FRANK

AT MY EXPENSE,

BOTH

‘CAUSE I HAVEN’T A BRAIN,

SCARECROW

JUST STRAW AND GRAIN.

FRANK

I KNOW I’M QUITE LUCKY.

SCARECROW

COULD BE A STRAW BALE.

FRANK

THE FARMER DID A NICE JOB,

SCARECROW

BUT I NEED ONE MORE DETAIL.

BOTH
THIS YEARNING FOR NEW LEARNING

COULD USE SOME HARDWARE,

SCARECROW

AND I DECLARE

FRANK

NOTHING’S THERE

BOTH

MY HEAD’S BARE.

NOT MUCH

THERE.

Drew H. Wells, Roxanne Fay, Elizabeth Meckler and Melissa Minyard

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

8. BELIEVE IT, OR NOT

MATILDA

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,

THAT PLACE SO FAR AWAY
WHERE MEN ARE STUFFED WITH HAY,

MAUD

A TENDER TIN POT,

AND A LION DISTRAUGHT...

MATILDA
Oh Frank, that’s the ticket.

THEY’RE WAITING FOR YOU IN THE LAND OF OZ.

WHEN YOUR DAD WAS JUST A LAD

NIGHTMARES EVERY NIGHT HE HAD.
A SCARECROW DRESSED IN FADED PLAID

KEN
WOULD CHASE HIM THROUGH THE NIGHT,

AND JUST BEFORE HE’D WAKE FROM SLEEP

MATILDA
THAT SCARECROW FELL DOWN IN A HEAP.

THOSE ARMS WOULD WAVE AND HE’D BE QUITE A SIGHT.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
THE THING THAT CAUSES STRIFE

KEN

MAY BE A FRIEND FOR LIFE.

MATILDA

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
HE HAS TO GET BACK TO THE LAND OF OZ.

MAUD
AT BAUM’S BAZAAR IN ABERDEEN,

WITH PROFITS LOOKING MIGHTY LEAN,
YOU THOUGHT AN ELABORATE WINDOW SCENE

WOULD HELP TO MOVE THE MERCH.
AND SO YOU MADE A CHARMING MAN
OF WASHBOARD, AND STOVEPIPE, AND PAN,

AND ON HIS HEAD A FUNNEL HAT WOULD PERCH.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
IF YOUR LIFE NEEDS A KICK,

OZ WILL DO THE TRICK.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
YOU HAVE TO GET BACK TO THE LAND OF OZ.

MATILDA

JUST TAKE THE DULL AND DREARY

AND ADD A LITTLE LIGHT.
EXTRAORDINARY THINGS ARE OFTEN JUST IN SIGHT.

NOW LISTEN TO ME CLEARLY,
PICK UP YOUR PEN AND WRITE.

WE NEED MORE MAGIC FROM THE LAND OF OZ.

KEN
WHEN TRAVELING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR

ELECTRIC LIGHTS LIT UP THE AIR.

THE CITY THAT WE OOH-ED AND AHH-ED

FRANK
...was really just a cheap facade.

DOROTHY
WITH WOMEN’S VOICES STILL SUPPRESSED,

A LITTLE GIRL FROM THE MIDWEST

CAN TAKE US ON A DARING QUEST

OR BE A NOBLE SORCERESS.

DOROTHY AND MATILDA

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,

DOROTHY

WHERE WOMEN RULE THE LAND,

MATILDA

OH WOULDN’T THAT BE GRAND.

BOTH

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,

IT’S TIME TO GET BACK TO THE LAND OF...

FRANK
I KNEW THIS LAND OF FANTASY

AT THE DAWN OF A NEW CENTURY
WOULD NEED A NAME OF PEDIGREE,

SIMPLE AND YET GRAND.

I SPOTTED IN MY LIBRARY
A FILING DRAWER MARKED O TO Z.
I KNEW THAT’S WHAT WE’D CALL OUR MAGIC LAND.

ALL

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,

MATILDA

AN ORDINARY THING

ALL

CAN BE INSPIRING.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE LAND OF OZ.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,/TAKE THE DULL AND DREARY

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,/AND ADD A LITTLE LIGHT.

THERE’S MAGIC ALL AROUND/EXTRAORDINARY
WAITING TO BE FOUND.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,/LISTEN TO ME CLEARLY

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,

KEN
I COULD WHILE AWAY THE HOURS

WITH IMAGINATION’S POWERS,

ALL
WHEN YOU’RE IN THE LAND OF OZ.

MATILDA

Believe it or not.

Melissa Minyard and Roxanne Fay

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

9. MOTHER, SISTER, FRIEND

MAUD

MOTHER, SISTER, FRIEND,
HOW DID I THINK YOU’D BE HERE TILL THE END?

WHEN THE NIGHT IS LONG I RECALL YOUR SONG,

AND BEFORE I KNOW THE MORNING COMES AGAIN.

HEARIN’
MAMA WILL MAKE IT BETTER.
MAMA MAKES EVERYTHING OK.
COME THE WIND AND WEATHER,

YOU’LL LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.

MAMA DON’T NEED PERMISSION.
MAMA WILL KEEP THE WOLVES AT BAY.

WHATEVER HER MIND AND MISSION,

GET IN LINE, OR CLEAR THE WAY.

MATILDA

DAUGHTER, SISTER, FRIEND,

NOW YOU’RE A MOTHER TOO.

THE CIRCLE HAS NO END.

WHEN THE WORLD GOES BLIND, HOW WILL HUMANKIND

BE REMINDED OF THE THINGS THEIR MAMAS SAID?

SINGIN’

BOTH

MAMA WILL MAKE IT BETTER.

MAMA MAKES EVERYTHING OK.

COME THE WIND AND WEATHER,

YOU’LL LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.

MAMA DON’T NEED PERMISSION.
MAMA WILL KEEP THE WOLVES AT BAY.

WHATEVER HER MIND AND MISSION,

GET IN LINE, OR CLEAR THE WAY.

MAUD
WHEN YOU PLANT HOPE IN THE GROUND

AND HOLD A PICTURE IN YOUR MIND
OF HOW YOUR CHILDREN AND THE WORLD WILL

BOTH

SOMEDAY BE,

MATILDA

YOU TRY TO BUILD A ROOF TO SHADE

THE SEEDLING FROM THE SKY,

BOTH

UNTIL YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE TO SET THEM FREE.

MAMA CAN’T MAKE IT BETTER.
YOU’VE GOTTA MAKE IT ALL OK.
COME THE WIND AND WEATHER,

YOU’LL LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.

YOU DON’T NEED PERMISSION.
YOU’VE GOTTA KEEP THE WOLVES AT BAY.

WHATEVER YOUR MIND AND MISSION,
YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAVE THE DAY.

Drew H. Wells as Frederick

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

10. MR. BAUM 3

FREDERICK

MR. BAUM,
COULD YOU SEND A COMPLETE LIST OF YOUR BOOKS,

BECAUSE I’D LIKE TO KNOW WHICH ONES I HAVE NOT?
EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY LIKES YOUR BOOKS.

LAST THANKSGIVING FOUR HARVARD BOYS WERE HERE,
AND AFTER DINNER THEY SAT DOWN WITH A BEER AND YOUR BOOKS.

AND THEY ENJOYED THEM, EVEN AS DIGNIFIED AS THEY SEEM.

YOUR ESTEEMED FAN, FREDERICK CARLSON

BOBBIE

MR. BAUM, MR. BAUM

I HOPE YOU GET THIS LETTER.
MR. BAUM, I LIKE YOUR BOOK A WHOLE LOT BETTER

THAN ANY OTHER BOOK I’VE READ.

AT FIRST I COULDN’T READ IT BY MYSELF.
MY MOM WOULD READ IT SO MANY TIMES
I WOULDN’T LET HER PUT IT BACK UP ON THE SHELF.

AFTER A WHILE I COULD SAY IT WORD FOR WORD.

MY MOTHER USED TO MAKE MISTAKES ON PURPOSE

SO I’D CORRECT HER.

THEN WE FOUND OUT THERE WERE MORE AT THE STORE.
AND NOW I’VE READ THEM,
SO PLEASE WRITE MORE.

FROM YOUR INTERESTED READER, BOBBIE RODGE

AGE SEVEN.
I’M A GIRL.

Elizabeth Meckler and Drew H. Wells

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

11. MOTHER, SISTER, FRIEND (REPRISE)

MAUD

MAMA CAN’T MAKE IT BETTER.
YOU’VE GOTTA MAKE IT ALL OK.
COME THE WIND AND WEATHER,

YOU’LL LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.

NOT THERE (HEART)

KEN

THEY SAY THAT LOVE WILL ALWAYS WIN

BUT I’M A MAN MADE OUT OF TIN
I PINE FOR A HEART TO BEAT WITHIN

FOR I’M HOLLOW INSIDE

(Dorothy bangs on his chest.)

OH, THE NIGHTS THAT I’VE CRIED.

I’M QUITE AN INVENTION

OF METAL AND GEARS
WITH MY TRUSTY AXE
I CAN CHOP ANY TREE HERE

THEN CAME A STORM

RUSTED MY FORM

NO OIL CAN NEAR
STUCK IN A STATE OF DESPAIR

NO ONE THERE

David Foley, Jr. as L. Frank Baum

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

12. NOT THERE (COURAGE)

FRANK (AS THE COWARDLY LION)

WHENEVER THERE’S DANGER,

I BELLOW AND I ROAR

INSIDE I’M LIKE JELL-O

SHAKEN TO THE CORE

I’M KING OF THE BEASTS
WHOSE WORRIES INCREASE
WITH EACH PASSING YEAR
MAYBE SOMEDAY I’LL FACE MY FEAR

(Frank moves to his desk area. He opens a letter.)

MR. BAUM 4

WILLIAM

MR. BAUM, MR. BAUM,

THANK YOU FOR WRITING NICE FAIRY TALES.
THEY’RE THE NICEST BOOKS I’VE READ.
WOULD YOU, OH COULD YOU, MAKE ANOTHER ONE FOR ME?

MY BIRTHDAY IS JUNE ELEVENTH.

I KNOW THAT DOROTHY SAID WE CAN’T VISIT ANYMORE.

ONE REASON THAT I REALLY WANT TO GO IS
I LOVE ADVENTURE,
AND I REALLY NEED COURAGE.

YOURS TRULY, WILLIAM BEARD

Elizabeth Meckler as Miss Cuttenclip

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

13. MISS CUTTENCLIP

MISS CUTTENCLIP

I LOVE TO MAKE THINGS ALL DAY LONG.

I’M A REALLY GOOD ARTIST.
I’LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT ME IN SONG.

2, 3,
SO LET’S START THIS.

ONCE I WAS QUITE LONELY.
I DIDN’T HAVE ANY FRIENDS.

I’D SIT AT HOME WITH ONLY
MY PENCILS, PAINTS, AND PENS.

THEN ONE DAY I MET THE NICEST WITCH UP FROM THE NORTH,

AND SHE GAVE ME SOME MAGIC PAPER.

I DREW A LITTLE MAN
OF MY VERY OWN DESIGN.
I COLORED HIM WITH CRAYON,

AND I STAYED INSIDE THE LINES.

AND WHEN I CUT HIM OUT THAT FELLA FULLY CAME ALIVE

IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MAGIC PAPER.

AT LAST I HAD MADE A FRIEND.
I COULD MAKE SO MANY MORE OF THEM.

WHEN I CUT AND CLIP
I FEEL A GREAT KINSHIP

TO ALL MY LOYAL FRIENDS LET THE PAPER SAY,

PAPERDOLLS

“AMEN!”

MISS CUTTENCLIP

SO COME TAKE A TRIP

TO THE TOWN OF CUTTENCLIP.

LIFE IS GREAT
IN THE WORLD I CREATE.

CAUGHT IN MY CREATION -

A LIVING WORK OF ART.

THERE IS NO SEPARATION

FROM THE WEIGHT
OF THE WORLD I CREATE.

FRANK
Your drawings are very cute...

MISS CUTTENCLIP

Umm... “Cute?”

MUCH MORE THAN DECORATION,
MY FRIENDS ARE WORKS OF ART.

THEIR BODIES ARE QUITE FLIMSY,

SO PLEASE DON’T SNEEZE OR FART.

THE WORK AND THE CREATOR CANNOT BE TORN APART,
AND LIFE IS GREAT
IN THE WORLD I CREATE.

FRANK

Ok, I’ll try not to sneeze.

MISS CUTTENCLIP

Thank you. My friends are delicate creatures. But they can always be replaced.

MISS CUTTENCLIP/PAPERDOLLS

HERE IN CUTTENCLIP

IT’S A DICTATORSHIP.

MISS CUTTENCLIP

WITHIN THESE CARDBOARD WALLS

I COMMAND MY PAPER DOLLS.

PAPERDOLLS

WE ARE TRAPPED WITHIN,

PAPERMAN

BUT MY WAIST IS PAPER THIN.

MISS CUTTENCLIP

YOU LOOK GREAT!

IN THE WORLD I CREATE.

PAPERDOLLS
MAKE NEW FRIENDS BUT KEEP THE OLD.

MISS CUTTENCLIP

WE’LL STAY FRIENDS

IF YOU DO WHAT YOU’RE TOLD.

Most of my paper doll pals are lovely creatures, but some of them are…

(She rips one of them apart.)

“tearable.”

(The Paperdolls gasp in horror)

And the paper I use, must be magic, otherwise the people would be... “stationary.”

(The Paperdolls laugh uncomfortably.)

(A beat. To Frank)

Am I not cutting you up?

FRANK
No, your jokes are “shear” genius.

(Paperdoll laughs)

MISS CUTTENCLIP

Oh! You’re clever!

FRANK
Thank you. We love puns in this house.

MISS CUTTENCLIP
Oh! A fellow “ar-teeeest!” Well I’m about to make you an “author” you can’t refuse. I feel no inspiration and I’m drawing a blank. Can you make me a book?

(Frank, as if under forces beyond his control, produces a book and hands it to her.)

MISS CUTTENCLIP

YOUR WORK IS QUITE SUFFICIENT.

LET’S MAKE A PARTNERSHIP,
AND OPEN UP A FACTORY
IN THE LAND OF CUTTENCLIP,

PRODUCING PAPER PEOPLE

TILL WE START TO CLOSE OUR GRIP.

THAT IS THE WEIGHT
OF THE WORLD I CREATE.

(He produces another book, then another and another)

MISS CUTTENCLIP/PAPERDOLLS

More!
More!
More! More!

More! More! More!

MR. BAUM, MR. BAUM,
WE NEED AOTHER STORY.
MR. BAUM, MR. BAUM,
THERE AREN’T ANY MORE TO READ.

FRANK

I FALL INTO MY STORY

AND LIVE INSIDE MY ART.

BEGIN ANOTHER CHAPTER

WITH APTITUDE AND HEART.

THE WORK AND THE CREATOR

CANNOT BE TORN APART.

THAT IS THE WEIGHT
OF THE WORLD I CREATE.

FRANK (CONT'D) MISS CUTTENCLIP/PAPERDOLLS

I FALL INTO A STORY, CAUGHT IN MY CREATION

AND LIVE INSIDE MY ART.

BEGIN ANOTHER CHAPTER A LIVING WORK OF ART

WITH APTITUDE AND HEART.

THE WORK AND THE CREATOR THERE IS NO SEPARATION

CANNOT NOT BE TORN APART.

THAT IS THE WEIGHT THAT IS THE WEIGHT
OF THE WORLD I CREATE. OF THE WORLD I CREATE.

CAUGHT IN MY CREATION

A LIVING WORK…

MISS CUTTENCLIP

Cut!

PAPERMAN
Didn’t you like the key change?

MISS CUTTENCLIP
No! Cut! I got a paper cut! Which one of you did this?

WHEN I FIND OUT WHO’S TO BLAME,

THEN MY SHEARS WILL SNIP AND MAIME.

(Evil laugh)
I’m kidding. But I am turning you into “origami.”

PAPERDOLLS

NO!

MISS CUTTENCLIP
Yes! The punishment will be “ten fold.”

(Paperdolls groan)

MISS CUTTENCLIP

THAT IS YOUR

MISS CUTTENCLIP/PAPERDOLLS

FATE

MISS CUTTENCLIP

IN THE WORLD I

MISS CUTTENCLIP/PAPERDOLLS

CREATE.

David Foley, Jf. as L. Frank Baum

photo by Dalton Hamilton

14. MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN

FRANK
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I THINK THAT I’M ALONE,

WHEN IT MUST BE SAFE TO DAYDREAM,

LET THOUGHTS WANDER WHERE THEY ROAM.

BUT IF THEY WANDER PAST THE FENCE

THE SENTENCE THEN IS QUITE INTENSE.

I’M DRAGGED AGAIN BEFORE THE THRONE.

MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN

MUSTN’T LET THEM SEE
YOU’RE NOT ANYONE OR ANYTHING

YOU CLAIM YOURSELF TO BE.

MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN
MUSTN’T LET THEM KNOW
YOU’RE JUST A SIDESHOW WIZARD,

ALL YOUR POWERS ARE JUST FOR SHOW.

THE WIZARD

Who do you think you’re talking to, Lyman? You’re always so clever, and the thing about you, Lyman: you know how to put on a show.

FRANK
I like to make people happy, get them to smile.

THE WIZARD
Or do you just like the attention? Admit it. If you were worth your salt as a writer, you’d be able to write something adults want to read. Your greatest success is behind you, Lyman: The Wizard of Oz. You say it yourself all the time. The Oz books just come to you. You can’t help it. Another one is coming to you now. How unfortunate that you let Ozma seal Oz. It makes it impossible to publish another one.

FRANK
There’s no other Oz book. How would you know anyway?

THE WIZARD
I know everything you know. At least. You’re all show – just like me.

FRANK

BRAVADO AND BLUSTER ASIDE,

IF YOU DIG BENEATH THE STAGECRAFT

WHERE THERE’S NOTHING LEFT TO HIDE,

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THEY SEE

BENEATH YOUR LACK OF PEDIGREE?

IF THEY PULL BACK THE CURTAIN AND SEE YOU LIED?

MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN

MUSTN’T LET THEM SEE
YOU’RE REALLY NOT AS SPECIAL

AS THEY LED US TO BELIEVE.

MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN
MUSTN’T LET THEM KNOW
YOU’RE JUST A SIDESHOW WIZARD,

ALL YOUR POWERS ARE JUST FOR SHOW.

“WONDERFUL. WONDERFUL.
THE WAY YOU USE YOUR WORDS IS SIMPLY

WONDERFUL.”

WHEN THE WORLD STOPS MAKING SENSE

LET YOUR PENCIL’S WORK COMMENCE...

David Foley, Jf. as L. Frank Baum

photo by Thee Photo Ninja

15. BELIEVE IT, OR NOT (REPRISE)

FRANK
That’s it! The telegraph. The rag doll.

THE STORIES OF OZ WILL CARRY ON

WITH ME AS THE ROYAL HISTORIAN.

FOR DOROTHY WE CAN CALL UPON

THROUGH WIRELESS TELEGRAPH.

SHE SENT THIS STORY THROUGH THE AIR
OF OJO THE UNLUCKY AND A PATCHWORK GIRL SO RARE.

(Frank brings the rag doll to life.)

SCRAPS (THE PATCHWORK GIRL)

I hate dignity!

FRANK

I’LL WRITE IT DOWN TO SHARE ON HER BEHALF.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
WHEN LIFE BRINGS YOU MISHAPS,

MAKE MAGIC OUT OF SCRAPS.

(Scraps falls down)

BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
IT’S TIME TO GET BACK TO THE LAND OF OZ.

Elizabeth Meckler and David Foley, Jr.

photo by Michael Raabe

16. A PLACE CALLED OZ

FRANK
Strange as it may seem, Dorothy had accomplished all these wonders not because she was a fairy or had any magical powers whatever, but because she was a simple, sweet and true little girl who was honest to herself and to all whom she met.

In this world in which we live simplicity and kindness are the only magic wands that work wonders.

DOROTHY

JUST BEHIND THE MOON,

FAR BEYOND THE RAIN,
A PLACE WE CAN DISCOVER

TIME AND TIME AGAIN -

IT’S WAITING THERE.
I CAN TAKE YOU THERE.

A ROAD THAT’S PAVED IN YELLOW

AT THE RAINBOW’S END.
YOU CAN MEET A FELLOW

STRANGE AND LOVELY FRIEND

ALONG THE WAY.

IT’S NOT FAR AWAY.

IN YOUR HEART YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THE COURAGE DEEP INSIDE.

CLICK YOUR HEELS THREE TIMES AND JUST ENJOY THE RIDE
TO A PLACE CALLED OZ.

ALL

IT’S FOR ALL OF US.

MATILDA

NO ONE EVER AGES.

EVERYONE IS FREE.

TRAVELING THE PAGES,

YOU WILL FIND THE KEY

TO TAKE YOU THERE.

ALL

THAT GREAT SOMEWHERE.

MAUD

A PLACE SO VERY REAL

WHERE WITCHES CAN BE GOOD,

AND THE THINGS YOU FEAR

MAY BE MISUNDERSTOOD -

ALL

A LAND OF LOVE.

KEN

A LAND OF LOVE.

ALL

A PLACE CALLED OZ.

FRANK
I believe that dreams - day dreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain-matter whizzing - are likely to lead to the betterment of the world.

THE CHILDREN WE PUT OUR HOPE IN

WHO DREAM WITH EYES WIDE OPEN.

INVENT, CREATE, AND INNOVATE.

A BRAVE NEW CIVILIZATION

ALL

OUT OF IMAGINATION.

KEN

JUST BEHIND THE MOON,

FAR BEYOND THE RAIN,
A PLACE WE CAN DISCOVER

TIME AND TIME AGAIN -

IT’S WAITING THERE.

ALL

THAT GREAT SOMEWHERE.

IN YOUR HEART YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THE COURAGE DEEP INSIDE.

CLICK YOUR HEELS THREE TIMES AND JUST ENJOY THE RIDE.

KEN
In 1914 Dorothy Duce and I were married right here at Ozcot.

FRANK
And two years later she gave birth to our first granddaughter.

MAUD
Whom you insisted be named Ozma.

FRANK
After The Patchwork Girl of Oz, I wrote another seven Oz books. One every year for the remainder of my life.

DOROTHY

Mr. Baum?

(Frank takes Maud’s hand.)

FRANK

IT’S BEEN AN ADVENTURE.

I DON’T WANT THIS JOURNEY TO END.
A BEAUTIFUL ADVENTURE
WITH YOU MY DEAR COMRADE AND FRIEND.

MY WIFE. MY LIFE.

(Frank and Maud share one final kiss)

And now I cross the shifting sands.

DOROTHY
IT’S TIME TO GO BACK TO THE LAND OF OZ.

FRANK
If I am to do any good in the world my highest ambition will be to make children happy.

(Dorothy and Frank’s family bring out a green velvet jacket which Maud dresses him in)

ALL

HE TELLS STORIES, BEAUTIFUL STORIES

DOROTHY

OF TIN MEN WHO RUST

AND A SCARECROW WHO MUST FIND A BRAIN.

ALL
FILL YOUR LIFE WITH STORIES.

THE WORLD NEEDS MORE STORIES.

KEN

TO CONNECT AND RELATE

THE THINGS WE HOLD DEAR.

MATILDA

LIVE ON AND INSPIRE

WHEN WE’RE NOT HERE.

MAUD
For a year after his death I couldn’t bring myself to tell the little children that he was gone, so I responded to each and every one of their letters as he always had - on his stationary and signing his name.

THE PEOPLE THAT HOLD A PIECE OF OUR HEART,

THE STORIES THAT SHAPE US
COURAGEOUS AND SMART,
LEAVING TRACES

ALL

OF MAGICAL PLACES.

(Dorothy hands Frank a green top hat.)

DOROTHY

JUST BEHIND THE MOON,

FAR BEYOND THE RAIN,
A PLACE WE CAN DISCOVER

TIME AND TIME AGAIN -

IT’S WAITING THERE.
I CAN TAKE YOU THERE

(Frank takes little Dorothy’s hand to cross over the “shifting sands” to his Land Of Oz.)

ALL

TO OZ.

music AND LYRICS BY by Michael raabe

LYRICS BY ERIC DAVIS (TRACKS 9 & 14)

lyrics by Michael Raabe & Eric Davis (TRACKS 5 & 11)

INSPIRED BY THE LIFE AND WORK OF L. FRANK BAUM

ARRANGEMENTS BY MICHAEL RAABE

the songs

LYRICS