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Isabella in Oz 

SUMMARY:

The thrilling and timeless journey to see the Wizard of Oz comes alive in an entirely new way  when Isabella Lucia, a teenage Latina living in the Midwest, is transported by a tornado to the land of the OZ TV network.   

Isabella had been displaced to her Aunt Em's farm when her magician parents have disappeared, and the only thing that makes her happy there is her favorite TV show, "Seriously Cindy!" on the OZ network.  As soon as she lands in OZ, she is signed by Tina, the "good" agent, and starts a journey down the winding red carpet to see the Wizard so he can give Isabella her own show.  On the way she meets many familiar characters -- the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Lion, and Duma, the Wicked Casting Agent of the West -- but they are also completely transformed here into modern characters from the world of Kids TV and the entertainment industry pursuing the dream of showbiz fame.

ISABELLA IN OZ is a comedic musical with 15 original songs and a serious underlying message, as it presents the story of a Latina teenager who is trying to come to terms with the disappearance of her two parents.  On the way to Oz she meets up with the Scarecrow (a neurotic woman writer), the Tin Man (a dancer who can no longer dance) and the Lion (he's an actor afflicted with stagefright, which sometimes causes him to eat his audience).  They are also befriended by Tick and Tock, a two-person girl-band.  They do make it to Oz and are even able to finagle a meeting with the head of the network, the Wizard.  He tells them that all their wishes can come true, but only if they bring back the magic Smartphone of Duma, the Wicked casting agent of the West.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

CAST:  8 females, 5 males  (can also be done with 9 females, 4 males)

ISABELLA – the lead role; she is in every scene except a few with Duma.  She is a 15 year old Latina whose life was turned upside-down when her parents went missing, and she was forced to move from Santa Cruz CA to a small farm in Kansas.  Now she’s a displaced person searching for where she belongs.

AUNT EM – Izzy’s aunt in Kansas. She is a sober, hard-working woman, who has lived all her life on a small-town farm; can also play MRS. CANDU and MOM

MRS CANDU – 40s, she runs the daily schedule at the Oz Network. She’s efficient but also kind of eccentric.  Cindy makes her life miserable.

MOM – Isabella’s mom, Charlotte “Charlie” Parker is also the sexy and flamboyant assistant to her flamboyant magician-husband, Peter Parker.

AUNT LINA – Izzy’s other aunt, a struggling cabaret singer with a messy love life but a good spirit, she means we8ll; can also play TINA.

TINA – the “good” talent agent of Oz. She is shrewd and big-hearted, the source of support and encouragement for Isabella.

CINDY PICKETT – big star on the Oz network; publicly she’s cute and funny and popular, but she’s really spoiled and selfish; actress can also play a CRITTER.

DUMA – the “wicked” casting director.  She has a plan to take over the Oz network. Her sister was killed by Isabella’s falling home, which Duma takes as a personal insult, even though she hated her sister.  She is very vindictive with a huge sense of entitlement, feels that everyone should be serving her.

THREE (Luka) – Has super-powers but low esteem, no self-confidence.  Glad to serve Duma, who gives her a sense of direction. double as ROBBER or CRITTER.

SCARECROW (Gabriella) – She is smart and has lots of ideas, but she’s self-conscious and self-critical; a dreamer; thinks she’s funny, but really isn’t. She’s a loyal friend to Isabella and brave.  Can also play a CRITTER in the second scene.

THE TIN WOMAN – She was once a wonderful dancer; now she trips over her own feet, uncoordinated, in conflict with herself. can play ROBBER or CRITTER.

THE LION – He dreams of being an actor, but this is taboo in his family; he goes out on his own, but is terrified of being a f do ailure.  Plays a CRITTER in Act 2.

TICK – boy band singer; double-cast as a ROBBER or CRITTER; also CLICK.

TOCK – boy band singer; double-cast as a ROBBER or CRITTER; also CLUCK.

FIVE – A natural-born follower, he works for Duma and enjoys being part of her team; can be CRITTER or ROBBER;  also, SUPER FAN and TV GUY.

SUPER FAN – huge groupie and fan of Cindy, and everything on Oz TV.

TV GUY – dream figure of a newscaster, hails the arrival of a new star – Isabella.

UNCLE JERRY – TV character in “Seriously Cindy”; same actor also plays the MAGICIAN, TECH GUY, WIZARD, DAD.

THE MAGICIAN – He was once a star magician, but then he was cursed by a witch, now he can’t do anything right.  He’s the brother of the Wizard.

THE TECH GUY – double-cast with the WIZARD (they are the same guy).

THE WIZARD – he is THE TECH GUY – because tech people are our wizards.

DAD – Isabella’s dad, flamboyant cruise ship magician who’s a real showman.

THE ROBBERS – two TV characters on “Seriously Cindy.”

THE CRITTERS – in Scene 2; these Critters are different than those in Oz.