The Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum in 1900. It tells the story of Dorothy, a young girl who is transported to a fantastic world after being swept away by a tornado. In this strange world, she befriends a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion, and meets the mysterious Wizard of Oz, whom she must convince to help her return home.
The novel was an immediate success and was adapted into several works, including a 1939 film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Judy Garland as Dorothy. The film became a classic of American cinema and is considered one of the best films of all time.
The success of the story has also spawned a number of spin-off products, including toys, board games, Halloween costumes and collectors' items. The figurines of Dorothy and her travelling companions are particularly popular with collectors.
The Wizard of Oz has become a part of American popular culture and has inspired numerous references and tributes in other works of fiction. The film and its songs are still loved by audiences today, and the story's popularity has shown no signs of waning.
There has also been a prequel, Wicked. Wicked is a Broadway musical created by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. It is based on Gregory Maguire's novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West", which tells the story of the Wizard of Oz universe before the events of L. Frank Baum's book.
The show premiered on Broadway in 2003 and was an instant success, winning three Tony Awards. Since then, it has become one of the most popular and longest-running shows in Broadway history.
Wicked tells the story of two young women who become friends at Shiz School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. One of them, Elphaba, is disliked because of her green skin and is the target of prejudice. The other, Glinda, is beautiful and popular, but superficial. Their friendship is tested as they pursue their dreams and discover the truth about government practices and the origin of the Wicked Witch of the West.
The show is known for its spellbinding music, including the famous song "Defying Gravity", as well as its spectacular sets and incredible costumes. It has been translated into many languages and performed all over the world.
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