Description
Here is another rare piece of Wizard of Oz ephemera–an original Playbill (program) from the Wizard of Oz musical play. L. Frank Baum was a theatre aficionado and wrote the play after the great success of his book in 1900. Composer Paul Tietjens wrote the music. Heavily modified from Baum’s original work, the play premiered at the Grand Opera House in Chicago in June of 1902. Very successful, by Jan 1903, it had moved to the Majestic Theatre on Broadway. This program is from the Majestic the week of Sept 21, 1903.
The Oz program sections have been removed from their original booklet and neatly pasted together, though all the Oz information is included as well as the Majestic Theatre header. Measures 4.5″ x 23″ when unfolded. It includes all the acts, scenes and actors in the play, It even lists every chorus actors-as well as the list of songs. The musical is very different from the 1939 movie adaptation– in this play, Dorothy has a pet cow, Imogene, instead of Toto! Much of the play’s success was also due to vaudeville comics Fred Stone and Dave Montgomery as the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman. Also worthy of note were director Julian Mitchell and producer Fred Hamlin, and W W Denslow who is credited for the “character costumes”.
Printed on fragile acidic paper, with age toning but otherwise in nice condition. A wonderful historical Oz reference.
