Artwork by Susan Shorter
WFIU is partnering with Starrynight Productions and Soundbooth Theater on a new four-part audio play adapted from L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Writer/director Russell McGee (Big Finish Doctor Who plays) and producer/actor Michael Brainard (All My Children) are collaborating with Soundbooth’s Jeff Hays to produce The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as both a radio series and podcast. Previously, McGee and Brainard worked with WFIU on the podcast and radio series The Ernie Pyle Experiment!, released in 2020.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz follows the adventures of young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto. After their Kansas home is swept away by a cyclone, Dorothy and Toto find themselves in a strange land called Oz. Here Dorothy meets the Munchkins and joins the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion on an unforgettable journey to the Emerald City, where lives the all-powerful Wizard of Oz. Along the way, Dorothy and her friends must fend off the Wicked Witch of the West.
The audio series features the talents of actors Franc Ross (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Deadwood), P.J. Ochlan (Emmy nominee for Young Sheldon, Little Man Tate, Police Academy: The TV Series), Greta Lind (Rudy, All My Children), Bert Rotundo (Silicon Valley, Marvel’s Agent Carter), and Leraldo Anzaldua (Gatchaman, Highschool of the Dead, Starship Troopers: Invasion), among others.
The first episode of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz airs Saturday, February 4 at 5 p.m. on WFIU2 and Sunday, February 5 at 6 p.m. on WFIU. Subsequent episodes will air Saturdays at 5 p.m. on WFIU2 on February 11, February 18, and February 25 and Sundays at 6 p.m. on WFIU on February 12, February 19, and February 26. The series will also be distributed by Soundbooth Theater as a podcast starting this May.
A special behind-the-scenes episode of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz will air Saturday, March 4 at 5 p.m. on WFIU2 and Sunday, March 5 at 6 p.m. on WFIU. The cast and crew reveal how the series was made and share what Oz means to them and why the story is relevant for today’s audience.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is made possible with support from Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations.
EPISODE 1 – THE COMPANY OF FRIENDS
Saturday, February 4 at 5 p.m. on WFIU2
Sunday, February 5 at 6 p.m. on WFIU
The adventures of young Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto, begin as their Kansas house is swept away by a cyclone and they find themselves in a strange land called Oz. Here she meets the good witch, Locasta Tattypoo, and the Munchkins. Then she joins the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion on an unforgettable journey to the Emerald City, where lives the all-powerful Wizard of Oz.
CAST LIST
Michael Brainard - Narrator/L. Frank Baum
Ellise Chase - Dorothy
Josh Burkholder - Toto
P.J. Ochlan - Scarecrow
Franc Ross - Cowardly Lion
John Kraft - Tin Woodman
Megan Massie - Locasta Tattypoo
Annie Ellicot - Wicked Witch of the East
Roy Sillings - Uncle Henry, Boq
Kate Braun - Aunt Em
Emily McGee - Malvonia
Andrea Emmes - Premonia, Nimmie Amee
Sheryl Doades - Semponia
Nicholas Krohn - Peter Pop, Crow Three
Thomas Tiggleman - Tommie Top, Crow Two
Eric Shelley - Simon Slick, Old Crow, Farmer
Steve Scott - Ku-Klip, Crow One, Robbie Rock
EPISODE 2 – THE JOURNEY TO THE GREAT OZ
Saturday, February 11 at 5 p.m. on WFIU2
Sunday, February 12 at 6 p.m. on WFIU
Dorothy and the company of friends continue to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. Along the way, they have countless adventures, from the monstrous Kalidahs to the field of deadly poppies. They also make many new friends who help them, like the Queen of the Field Mice. But will the great Wizard of Oz grant Dorothy and her friends their hearts’ desires?
CAST LIST
Michael Brainard - Narrator
Ellise Chase - Dorothy
Josh Burkholder - Toto
P.J. Ochlan - Scarecrow
Franc Ross - Cowardly Lion
John Kraft - Tin Woodman
Jeff Hays - Oz, all parts
Greta Lind - Mouse Three
Annie Ellicot - Mouse Two, Jellia Jamb
Brandon Wentz - Guardian Gruph
Emily McGee - Queen Mouse, Oz Woman
Andrea Emmes - Mouse One, Oz Child
Leraldo Anzaldua - Omby Amby
Zach Johnson - Oz Man
EPISODE 3 – THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST
Saturday, February 18 at 5 p.m. on WFIU2
Sunday, February 19 at 6 p.m. on WFIU
The Wizard sends Dorothy and her friends to destroy the Wicked Witch of the West but before they may act, the Witch sends her minions to foil their plans. Soon King Crow and his flock descend upon them, followed by a pack of ferocious wolves and the mischievous Winged Monkeys! Will Dorothy ever get back to Kansas or will she spend the rest of her days as a slave of the Wicked Witch?
CAST LIST
Michael Brainard - Narrator
Ellise Chase - Dorothy
Josh Burkholder - Toto
P.J. Ochlan - Scarecrow
Franc Ross - Cowardly Lion
John Kraft - Tin Woodman
Greta Lind - Mouse Three
Annie Ellicot - Mouse Two, Gayelette
Roy Sillings - Grandfather Winged Monkey
Kate Braun - Wicked Witch of the West
Nate Erdel - Winged Monkey Leader, Wolf Two
Brandon Wentz - Guardian Gruph, Wiljoy
Emily McGee - Queen Mouse, Kamie Soforth, Kitten
Andrea Emmes - Mouse One, Peasant Girl
Leraldo Anzaldua - Omby Amby
Bert Rotundo - Wuzzlegum, Wolf One
Thomas Tiggleman - Winged Monkey Two, Crow Two
Eric Shelley - King Crow, Winged Monkey One
Zach Johnson - Winged Monkey Three, Quelala, Wolf Three
Steve Scott - Leader of the Wolves, Crow One
EPISODE 4 – THE MAGIC ART OF OZ
Saturday, February 25 at 5 p.m. on WFIU2
Sunday, February 26 at 6 p.m. on WFIU
The Wizard is true to his word, and he grants each of the company of friends their hearts’ desires. However, as Dorothy prepares to leave, Toto is missing and the Wizard is unable to delay the balloon’s launch. And so, the group of friends set out yet again across the marvelous land of Oz, meeting the Porcelain Princess and the obnoxious Hammer Heads, as they seek Glinda the Good to help Dorothy find another way home.
CAST LIST
Michael Brainard - Narrator
Ellise Chase - Dorothy
Josh Burkholder - Toto
P.J. Ochlan - Scarecrow
Franc Ross - Cowardly Lion
John Kraft - Tin Woodman
Jeff Hays - Oz, all parts
Greta Lind - Glinda
Megan Massie - China Princess, Fox One, Beatrix
Annie Ellicot - Jellia Jamb, Lyrix
Roy Sillings - Uncle Henry
Kate Braun - Aunt Em
Nate Erdel - Winged Monkey Leader, Wolf Two, Hammer Head Three
Brandon Wentz - Guardian Gruph, Tiger One
Andrea Emmes - Hammer Head Four
Sherly Doades - China Milkmaid, Fox Two, Farmer’s Wife
Leraldo Anzaldua - Omby Amby, Hungry Tiger
Thomas Tiggleman - Winged Monkey Two, Crow One, Hammer Head Leader
Eric Shelley - Winged Monkey One, King Crow, Hammer Head One
Zach Johnson - Winged Monkey Three, Wolf Three, Hammer Head Two
Steve Scott - Spider Monster
EPISODE 5 – BEHIND THE CURTAIN OF OZ
Saturday, March 4 at 5 p.m. on WFIU2
Sunday, March 5 at 6 p.m. on WFIU
Join the cast and crew of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as they pull back the curtain and discuss the behind-the-scenes process of the production. They share personal stories about the importance of this beloved fairytale and the relevance of the story today for a modern audience. The cast and crew also reveal some tricks of the trade, such as how the actors found their voice in each character and how the novel was adapted into a full-cast audio play.