Wizard of Oz’s 70th Anniversary

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz, and as the play WIcked was based on the novel of the same name which was based off of the the Oz story by L. Frank Baum’s 1900 book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” let’s pay tribute to that tale and the film that went with it. For those in Kansas, members still celebrate its legacy with a line of designer ruby red slippers, a hot air balloon tour around the coutnry and OZtoberFest Festival and International Oz Club Convention in Wamego and Manhattan.

Though ‘Wicked’ became one of the most well known stories to come out of Oz, written as a prequel to the story played out by Judy Garland, there are many more depictions of what happened before and after the hit Broadway play and film. One such is Rob Schneider’s “Silver Shoes,” a story that follows Donald Gardner (sound familiar? Garland’s character was Dorothy Gale), the mother and father, a reclusive man - all who have characteristics that resemble Dorothy’s friends in the story. “The story itself is very reflective of Kansans’ inferiority complex,” Craig Miner said, professor of history at Wichita State University. OZtoberFest will also be in conjunction with the International Wizard of Oz club’s international convention from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4 in Wamego and Manhattan.

If you want to see one of the great versions, get Wicked tickets today.

Posted in Uncategorized on August 25, 2009

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