Read and discuss the books that inspired Broadway musicals, enriching understanding and enjoyment of both!
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written by L. Frank Baum in 1900. It is a fantasy adventure novel following Dorothy Gale, transported to the Land of Oz during a Kansas Tornado, working with new whimsical friends on trying to find her way home. While adapted into several stage musicals in the early 20th century, the most iconic adaptation was 1939 film musical The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland.
"The Wiz ('The Super Soul Musical "Wonderful Wizard of Oz')" opened on Broadway in 1975, starring an all-Black cast. It is the most renowned adaption of the book to stage, winning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The musical itself went on to be adapted into the 1978 film, The Wiz, produced by Berry Gordon's Motown Records and starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor.
Copies of the book can be found on display at the Northeast library. To reserve you own copy, check the Catalog or a web-based audio version with Access Video here.
To see past and upcoming Page to Stage Book Club selections and more about the book club, check here!
We typically meet the fourth Thursday of the month at the Northeast Neighborhood Library at 6:30pm in the Mezzanine Conference Room. This month, we will meet Thursday, June 22, 2023. Please click "Register" or email Jeff at jeffrey.gluckman@dc.gov if you would like to attend!
To go beyond the text:
