Compare RSC, MUNY, Youth and Prince Street Players versions of The Wizard of Oz using their separate licensing records.
MTL editorial planning guide · Updated
Our recommendations apply published production information to common theatre situations. Educators’ advice is paraphrased and credited below; cited authors and organisations have not endorsed MTL.
Start with the people, room and resources you have. These are suggested starting points for perusal, not promises of availability or cost.
Investigate the Youth Edition first because of its shorter recorded duration. Compare the actual adaptation with the story and songs your audience expects.
Before choosing: Leave room for introductions and bows. Obtain the exact script before promising familiar moments from a film or another stage version.
Read the RSC and MUNY versions side by side. Make separate scene, costume and musician lists before deciding which is a stronger fit for your company.
Before choosing: Do not price one version using another’s materials or orchestration. Ask for a quote for the named adaptation and your production details.
Use a paper staging exercise for each candidate: draw where performers and each scenic element wait, enter and leave. Shortlist the version with a workable transition plan in your room.
Before choosing: A familiar fantasy story does not oblige you to imitate a large commercial production. However, any proposed changes to the licensed text or score must be referred to the rights holder.
Recorded catalogue details; confirm current materials and availability with the linked rights holder. Missing details are left unconfirmed.
| Show | Recorded cast / duration | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| The Wizard of Oz (RSC Version) Official Concord source ↗ | 3w, 5m, plus ensemble 120 minutes (2 hours) Full length | Compare the book and score with MUNY using the exact licensed materials. |
| The Wizard of Oz (MUNY Version) Official Concord source ↗ | 4w, 4m, plus ensemble 120 minutes (2 hours) Full length | A separate adaptation, not an alternative label for RSC. |
| The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition Official Concord source ↗ | 5b, 4g, plus ensemble 60 minutes (1 hour) Junior / JR. | Consider the shorter recorded running time and youth casting. |
| The Wizard of Oz (Prince Street Players Version) Official MTI source ↗ | See official page See official page Catalogue listing | MTI source: check this adaptation’s materials and duration directly. |
The Wizard of Oz name appears on multiple adaptations from different providers. Start with the complete version name. Do not assume the book, music, orchestration or casting is interchangeable because the story is familiar.
The catalogue lists the Concord Youth Edition at about one hour and the RSC and MUNY versions at about two hours. These recorded durations are planning references, not a timed guarantee. Where a record lacks duration, ask the provider rather than guessing.
Request perusal information for two specific versions. Compare songs, scenes, ensemble involvement, available orchestrations and scenic demands. Ask the relevant provider for your territory’s availability and a quote for that exact version.
Wayth describes the impact that actors and storytelling can achieve with modest staging. Our application here is to test each adaptation against the room, rather than equating spectacle with quality.
Read: Advice for First-Time Theatre Directors ↗Compare two exact editions with your director, musical director and production lead. Record what is confirmed, what needs a quote and who will check it.
Open the printable comparison worksheetFree to print for your school or theatre. You can share a link to this guide with your team.
For show facts, use the official rights-holder links in the comparison above. MTL is an independent discovery guide and does not issue performance licences. The rights holder confirms availability and the terms for your production.
Search the musical catalogue