ThoughtGallery.org > ‘Off to See the Wizard: The Extraordinary History of Oz’ Webinar

‘Off to See the Wizard: The Extraordinary History of Oz’ Webinar

While the masterpiece 1939 fantasy movie musical The Wizard of Oz and contemporary variations such as Wicked and The Wiz  have captured the hearts and minds of millions around the world, the story of Oz dates back well before there were movies or even a Hollywood. From Dorothy Gale to the Cowardly Lion — and on stage to the big screen — it’s time to explore the all-time classic children’s novel throughout over the past century.

Join New York Adventure Club as we uncover the incredible origins of the Oz series, the first and greatest “fantasy franchise” in history. Starting with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by the remarkable L. Frank Baum in 1900, this epic children’s series continues to be adapted through books, theatrical productions, and film & TV releases, thanks to its memorable characters and impactful stories.

Led by award-winning author Will Friedwald — one of the most respected and widely-read historians of music and popular culture — our virtual discussion and analysis of the Oz phenomenon will include:

  • The remarkable life of author L. Frank Baum, and his unique journey from chicken-farmer to best-selling author — not to mention his role as a pioneering advocate of gender equality and women’s suffrage
  • The literary legacy of the The Wonderful World of Oz and its characters, and how the smashing success of the first book led to 13 more books written by Baum and an unending line of sequels that continues to this very day
  • Adaptations of Oz stage and screen, including how the 1902 theatrical adaptation became one of the very first blockbuster hits of the new medium known as “The Broadway Musical” (think Wicked and Hamilton combined)
  • A discussion of the masterpiece 1939 MGM musical, The Wizard of Oz, which made the Marvelous Land of Oz story a permanent fixture in all of our hearts — and the young lead actress, Judy Garland, a genuine legend
  • A look at modern variations of this classic series, such as The Wiz (on stage and screen), Wicked, and Oz the Great and Powerful

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Will — any and all questions about the Oz series are welcomed and encouraged!

Can’t make it live? Don’t worry, you’ll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you’re using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Will

Will Friedwald is a featured arts writer for The Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair, and the award-winning author of ten books on music and popular culture, including the new Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole, as well as A Biographical Guide To The Great Jazz And Pop Singers, Sinatra: The Song Is You, Stardust Melodies, Tony Bennett: The Good Life, Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies, and Jazz Singing. He has written over 600 liner notes for compact discs, received ten Grammy nominations, and appears frequently on television and other documentaries. He is also a consultant and curator for Apple Music.











When: Wed., Mar. 3, 2021 at 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Where: No Location
Via livestream

Price: $10
Buy tickets/get more info now
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While the masterpiece 1939 fantasy movie musical The Wizard of Oz and contemporary variations such as Wicked and The Wiz  have captured the hearts and minds of millions around the world, the story of Oz dates back well before there were movies or even a Hollywood. From Dorothy Gale to the Cowardly Lion — and on stage to the big screen — it’s time to explore the all-time classic children’s novel throughout over the past century.

Join New York Adventure Club as we uncover the incredible origins of the Oz series, the first and greatest “fantasy franchise” in history. Starting with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by the remarkable L. Frank Baum in 1900, this epic children’s series continues to be adapted through books, theatrical productions, and film & TV releases, thanks to its memorable characters and impactful stories.

Led by award-winning author Will Friedwald — one of the most respected and widely-read historians of music and popular culture — our virtual discussion and analysis of the Oz phenomenon will include:

  • The remarkable life of author L. Frank Baum, and his unique journey from chicken-farmer to best-selling author — not to mention his role as a pioneering advocate of gender equality and women’s suffrage
  • The literary legacy of the The Wonderful World of Oz and its characters, and how the smashing success of the first book led to 13 more books written by Baum and an unending line of sequels that continues to this very day
  • Adaptations of Oz stage and screen, including how the 1902 theatrical adaptation became one of the very first blockbuster hits of the new medium known as “The Broadway Musical” (think Wicked and Hamilton combined)
  • A discussion of the masterpiece 1939 MGM musical, The Wizard of Oz, which made the Marvelous Land of Oz story a permanent fixture in all of our hearts — and the young lead actress, Judy Garland, a genuine legend
  • A look at modern variations of this classic series, such as The Wiz (on stage and screen), Wicked, and Oz the Great and Powerful

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Will — any and all questions about the Oz series are welcomed and encouraged!

Can’t make it live? Don’t worry, you’ll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you’re using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Will

Will Friedwald is a featured arts writer for The Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair, and the award-winning author of ten books on music and popular culture, including the new Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole, as well as A Biographical Guide To The Great Jazz And Pop Singers, Sinatra: The Song Is You, Stardust Melodies, Tony Bennett: The Good Life, Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies, and Jazz Singing. He has written over 600 liner notes for compact discs, received ten Grammy nominations, and appears frequently on television and other documentaries. He is also a consultant and curator for Apple Music.

Buy tickets/get more info now