Introduction : The Fairy Tale, the Musical, and "America" -- The Man Behind the Curtain : L. Frank Baum's Theatrical Fairy Tale -- My Own Backyard : MGM's The Wizard of Oz -- Easing Down the Road : The Soul of The Wiz -- Wicked : The Witch's Turn -- "And Then There Was Oz Again" : Making Believe Between Oz and Home -- Epilogue : What Have You Learned, Dorothy?
Exploring the intersection of musicals and L. Frank Baum's classic, this book delves into how adaptations like the MGM film, The Wiz, and Wicked reflect and shape American identity. Ryan Bunch draws on personal experiences to analyze the performative aspects of these adaptations, revealing how they create a vision of an American utopia while highlighting themes of inclusion and exclusion. Through this examination, the author offers fresh perspectives on the enduring popularity of Oz in various media.