OZ – A Script

PART I

We are looking at a high school classroom. At front is Dr. Osmond

Osmond is composed of two actors:

1. The objective Osmond

2. Alter: This character is Osmond’s internal monologue. He delivers asides to the audience, unheard by other characters.

OSMOND: OK everyone, how did you like the movie? Classic! 1939 Wizard of Oz!! Does it get any better?

There is approving class reaction

ALTER: “If you’re the only teacher in a high school with a PhD., should you be really proud or really embarrassed?

OSMOND: Who wants to tell us what the major themes of the movies were?

ALTER: Man, I love block scheduling. If not for that I’d have had to come up with a whole lecture instead of watching a movie.

OSMOND: Anyone? Dorothy?

ALTER: Let’s try her first; see if we can get something going. She’s usually doesn’t need any coaxing to do her hipster routine. She thinks philosophy makes her cool. At least someone is listening.

DOROTHY: [Flippantly] Maybe it’s about the alienation of modern man?

ALTER: What? Oh yeah, last week’s Camus reading.

OSMOND Well… yes … perhaps. Anyone else?

TOTO: I agree with her!

ALTER: Of course you do, Toto. Wait a minute …

OSMOND Dorothy and Toto, isn’t that nice!

Did your parents name you after this movie?

TOTO: No. After the band. They took a trip to Africa.

ALTER: They should have named you after the movie. You follow Dorothy around like you’re her pet dog.

OSMOND: Anyone?

ALTER: Jeez! Someone needs to wake these kids up. OK, just five more minutes of class. Time to hit them with the grand statement.

OSMOND: So let’s boil this down to something even you people might understand. There are two rules by which one ought to live one’s life: First – fight for what you believe in; Second – be loyal to your friends. On those two principles there can be no compromise. Questions?

ALTER: Yeah, that seemed to go over pretty well. A couple of minutes of student comment and we are done for the day! Hmmm. There are several unusual hands up. Interesting. There, two rows back, that’s Sara Crow. Who thought that putting a cheerleader into my philosophy class was a good idea? Let’s test the theory that there are no stupid questions.

OSMOND : Yes Sara?

SARA: You mean that’s all? Just don’t give up and be nice to your friends?

OSMOND [sarcastic]. Well put, Sara. It fits wonderfully on a Hallmark card when you say it that way.

ALTER: Keep moving -- class is almost over; next hand. Ah, Tim Woodsman, trying to look very bored. He fancies himself quite the intellectual. Head of the chess club, you know.

OSMOND Yes. Tim.

TIM: ‘No place like home?’ Really? A cliché to feed the emotions. I don’t see the logic of the script. What was the point?

ALTER: Yeah, kid, real deep.

OSMOND: Well, sometimes feelings do matter.

ALTER: I think that will hold him. Three more minutes.

Oh my, way in the back, Ben Lyon has raised his hand. I don’t get Ben. You’d think a linebacker on the football team would be able to stand up for himself but he can’t or won’t. But, as they told us in grad school, every student is special, aren’t they?

OSMOND: [rather threateningly] Yes, Ben, perhaps you disagree?

BEN: Never mind.

OSMOND: As you wish. OK, I’ll tell you. There is a more significant theme to the movie. I’m not sure that the makers even knew it. The real theme is …

Knock on the door

OSMOND: Ah, Ms. North how nice to see you.

NORTH: Just a moment if I may. I’m so excited that we’ve been given permission to create a mural on the cafeteria wall as our art project for the year. I just wanted to get you all thinking about what we should do. Thanks. Bye.

Principle West enters

OSMOND. Principal West. Good morning. Always a pleasure.

ALTER: Ah, the wicked witch.

WEST: Dr. Osmond I want you to read this to the class immediately. Thank you

West leaves quickly.

OSMOND (reading) “We are pleased to announce the outcome of last night’s meeting of the Strategic Implementation Consolidation Coordination Committee for Kansas (SICCCK) High. It was decided that Kansas High will be instituting student uniforms effective the beginning of next month. Our designated hall monitors will be distributing information as to the chosen uniform and where these will be available. Thank you for your cooperation.”

The designated hall monitors start to proudly rise to be acknowledged, but the student reaction is not good. Students are on their feet, mumbling in an ominous way. The monitors slink down.

DOROTHY to Osmond: This is what you were talking about, wasn’t it? This is one of those principles that we should not abandon. You should go to West and do something

OSMOND: Look, it’s not that big a deal. What’s so bad about uniforms?

Wait, you think I should go. No, I think this is purely an issue for students. I honor your freedom by allowing you to pursue your own interests as you see them, without interference.

ALTER: and West … She just really scares me.

TOTO: I’m with Dorothy! We’re not going to take this! “NO UNIFORMITY FOR KANSAS HIGH!”

A group of like-minded students takes up the chant and fist-pumps itself out of the room.

ALTER: Ah! The bell. That’s my cue. Out to the parking lot before they know I’m gone.

Lights DOWN and UP.

It’s the next day. Students are chanting, holding signs, etc. Osmond enters with Alter

ALTER: After yesterday, I seriously considered calling in sick today, but I figured, “Just get it over with.”

Oh, my, that is way too many students standing outside the cafeteria.

Oh, my, that’s a very bright red “NO UNIFORMITY” spray painted across the wall.

Oh no, Dorothy is headed towards me. Not before my coffee!

DOROTHY: Toto did it … she’s being expelled …

ALTER: Ah, yes. The “zero-tolerance for graffiti” policy.

DOROTHY: Do something Dr. Osmond!

ALTER: And again she’s with the “do something!” Do what!?

OSMOND: Dorothy, maybe we should just wait and see how this plays out.

SARA: I think I have an idea

DOROTHY: Oh, right Ms. Genius. I bet you have an idea! Sara, you are where ideas go to die!

TIM: Toto is sitting outside West’s office. She must be feeling pretty bad right now.

DOROTHY: Feeling! Yeah, Mr. Emotion, what would you know about how anyone feels?

BEN: Someone needs to go talk to Principal West.

DOROTHY: Oh, right, Big Ben! And you would be just the one to stand up and tell her what’s what, wouldn’t you? I’m going to talk to Osmond. He can fix this.”

ALTER: Oh no, not me again.

OSMOND: Dorothy. Watch where you’re going! Don’t walk into that scaffold.

ALTER: And she did … and it fell… and she is out cold.

LIGHTS DOWN

The trip to Oz is all in song, and is rather sketchy, relying (too heavily?) on an audience familiar with Judy Garland.

PART II OZ Happens in song

THE SONGS

1. Sing!

Dorothy arrives in Oz. We establish that in Oz there is no dialogue, only singing.

2. Something You Have To Learn

The good witch (Ms. North) tells Dorothy that she has come to Oz to learn something

Wicked Witch West watches them leave.

3. On Our Way To Oz #1

With variation, this song is sung after each member joins the trip.

This time it’s Munchkins, Dorothy and Toto

4. Everybody Knows the Scarecrows Got No Brains

Dorothy meets the Scarecrow (Sara)

5. On Our Way To Oz #2

Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow resume the trip

6. A Man Without A Heart

They meet the Tin/Tim Woodsman

7. On Our Way To Oz #3

Off the four of them go on.

8. Stand Up Straight

They meet Ben Lion who recounts his father unsuccessfully telling him

to act more like a man/lion.

9. On Our Way To Oz #4

And off they go again

10. Toe the Line

The Wicked Witch (Principle West) tells the monkeys (hall monitors) the secret to

success.

11. Great and Terrible Oz

We meet Oz, who tells them to get the witch’s broom.

12. Back With A Broom

They return with the broom. They discover the truth about Oz.

13. A Bad Man

Oz apologizes, but they are crestfallen

14. All That You Wanted You Already Had

Oz cheers three of them up, revealing that each of them is better than they knew.

15. Why The Hurry To Awake

The people of Oz – Dorothy’s dreams – want her to stay.

16. Look Inside

North reappears to tell Dorothy that she must return to Kansas, knowing what she

now knows.

The point of OZ is that people are not what they seem. Ben, Sara and Tim are better than they seem, while Osmond is worse. Dorothy has changed into a more empathetic person.

Dorothy regains consciousness.

PART III BACK TO KANSAS

OSMOND: Is she OK? Getting up? She looks fine. Good.

ALTER: There is so much paperwork when someone gets hurt around here.

DOROTHY: (hesitantly singing the last song from Oz) Look Inside and see what every open heart knows. kindness … honor … (She stops singing): It’s gone

ALTER: Wait. She’s singing! Oh that’s not good. What is she saying?

Dorothy wakes all the way up and notes the dust on her sleeve.

DOROTHY: We’ve got to help Toto and I know how, Dr. Osmond.

Sara, you said you had an idea. What is it?

SARA No, never mind. It’s stupid …

DOROTHY: I doubt it. Tell us.

SARA Well, remember Ms. North told the class that we could put a mural on that wall. Maybe we can say NO UNIFORMITY was the beginning of the mural.

ALTER: Woah. Nice idea there kid.

Everyone else seems to think so too. And Dorothy is smiling!

DOROTHY: Toto is still sitting outside West’s office. She must be scared to death. Tim, you ought to go calm her down and let her know we’re behind her.

OSMOND: Why are you sending him?

DOROTHY: Because he’s the woodsman, don’t you see? He knows how people feel.

ALTER: Tim!? What is going on around here?

DOROTHY: Ben, you need to go to West’s office and set her straight

ALTER: Ben? Ben to lead the charge into West’s office?

OSMOND: Dorothy, why Ben?

ALTER: I would have sworn she would ask me.

DOROTHY: Dr. Osmond, did you see what he just did? He put his arm around one of his football buddies. Don’t you see? He’s gay and he just came out … in front of all of us!

ALTER: Oh, of course, the lion is gay. The ribbons in his hair should have given that away! That was the secret that made him a coward.

DOROTHY: Ben, you ready?

BEN: You bet. After what I just did, talking to West should be easy. Let’s go.

ALTER: And off they go. I’ll just keep a reasonable distance back

We see into West’s office.

BEN: So we can paint over and around. It will be a metaphor for the how freedom and order can coexist.

TIM: I think it could be really good for school spirit.

WEST: I’m sorry, but that will not possibly work. The policy here is clear.

SARA: My father is a lawyer and last night he said he’d be willing to bring a lawsuit against the school to help Toto.

WEST: Oh no, Not a lawsuit. My beautiful school …

ALTER: I’ll tell you, if there’s one thing administrators fear as much as witches fear water, it’s a lawsuit.

BEN And we can forget about the uniform policy, can’t we?

West mutters, defeated and they all march out in triumph.

ALTER: Wait. Dorothy, Toto, lion, woodsman, Sara Crow. Oh my. This really is OZ. And … oh my God, I’m Oz!

Not much of a wizard …

But not a bad man

DOROTHY: to Osmond What’s up for class today?

OSMOND: We’re starting Chapter 12, Ethics, the study of how we ought to behave.

But I thought you guys should do this presentation instead of having me lecture.

LYRICS TO THE LAST THREE SONGS

ALL THAT YOU WANTED (YOU ALREADY HAD) (Oz and cast)

WITH MY LAST WISP OF WISDOM I WILL SAY THIS TO YOU

DO WITH IT ANYTHING YOU WANT TO, BUT YOU MUST KNOW

ALL THAT YOU WANTED YOU ALREADY HAD

SCARE CROW, YOU KNOW YOU’RE SO MUCH MORE

THAN ANYONE EVER GAVE YOU CREDIT FOR

YOU SAW AND UNDERSTOOD

WHEN NO ONE THOUGHT THAT YOU COULD

ALL IT TOOK WAS YOU BEING AWOKEN

Chorus: TRUTH WAS HIDING WAY DOWN INSIDE YOU

HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW FROM EVERY ONE, INCLUDING YOU

SO YOU NEVER KNEW

ALL THAT YOU WANTED YOU ALREADY HAD

THERE’S NOBODY DOUBTING THAT

WHILE YOU WERE SEARCHING, YOU WERE LEARNING

TO LOVE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAD. WHAT YOU HAD

AND YOU, MISTER TIN MAN BE REMINDED

IT WAS ALWAYS THERE BUT YOU HAD TO FIND IT

NOW YOU CAN SEE IT

NOW YOU CAN BE IT

BUT WATCH OUT HEARTS CAN BE BROKEN. Chorus

AND MR. LION YOU HAVE COME SO FAR

IT’S BEEN SAID THAT COURAGE LIES IN BEING WHO YOU ARE

SO NOW THAT YOU KNOW IT

IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO SHOW IT

NOW THAT THE WORDS HAVE BEEN SPOKEN. Chorus

SO TO YOU I’VE GOT TO SAY

HERE’S WHAT WE ALL LEARNED TODAY

EACH OF YOU IS BETTER THAN YOU KNEW

YOU DON’T NEED A WIZARD TO TELL YOU IT’S TRUE.

ALL THAT YOU WANTED YOU ALREADY HAD

THERE’S NOBODY DOUBTING THAT

WHILE YOU WERE SEARCHING, YOU WERE LEARNING

TO LOVE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAD.

WHY THE HURRY (Cast)

Chorus. DOROTHY DON’T LEAVE US,

DON’T ACT AS IF YOU DON’T NEED US

DON'T YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GO,

HOW MANY HEARTS YOU'LL TAKE

ONE DAY YOU'LL BE ASKING DID THIS REALLY HAPPEN

EVEN IF IT'S JUST A DREAM WHY THE HURRY TO AWAKE

1. WHY MUST YOU WAKE UP AND GO

FLY AWAY ACROSS THE RAINBOW

DON'T YOU KNOW THAT DREAMS GET LONELY TOO

SOME DAY YOU’LL LOOK BACK AND SEE

THROUGH A MIST OF A MEMORY

YOUR DREAMS STARING BACK AT YOU. Chorus.

2. AFTER ALL OUR TIME TOGETHER

DON'T YOU KNOW YOURSELF BETTER

AFTER ALL, THAT IS WHAT LIVING'S FOR

CAN YOU SAY WHICH ONE IT WAS

KANSAS PLAINS OR LAND OF OZ

WHICH OF THE TWO TAUGHT YOU MORE. Chorus.

3. HERE’S SOMETHING FOR THE KEEPING

LEST YOU THINK YOU WERE ONLY SLEEPING

SHOULD YOU EVER DOUBT YOU WERE EVEN HERE

THERE IS DUST HERE ON YOUR SLEEVE

WHEN YOU WAKE YOU WILL BELIEVE

AND A PIECE OF ADVICE AS A SOUVENIR

LOOK INSIDE (North and cast)

Chorus: LOOK INSIDE AND SEE WHAT EVERY OPEN HEART KNOWS

KINDNESS AND HONOR, THOSE THINGS THAT MATTER

YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR THOSE

DON’T GIVE UP SO SOON BEFORE YOU’VE EVEN TRIED

ALL THAT YOU NEED IF YOU HOPE TO SUCCEED

YOU WILL FIND IF YOU LOOK INSIDE

DOROTHY, WHEN YOU GO BACK HOME

NOW THAT YOU’VE LEARNED WHAT YOU’VE ALWAYS KNOWN

THERE WILL BE FEARS TO FACE

AND FACE THEM YOU WILL

BUT YOU KNOW YOU’RE NO LONGER ALONE NOW. Chorus:

DOROTHY AS WE SAY GOODBYE

KEEP THE LESSON YOU CAME TO TAKE

THERE’S MORE TO YOU, THERE’S MORE TO THEM

THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED

DON’T LET THE DREAM FADE AWAY AS YOU WAKE UP

ALL THAT YOU NEED IF YOU HOPE TO SUCCEED

YOU WILL FIND IF YOU LOOK INSIDE