Library of Congress Expands Collection with Newly Added “The Wizard of Oz” Musical Sketches

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the data contained within the provided HTML snippet, focusing on the image gallery:

Overall Structure:

This is a section of HTML defining a carousel (image slider) of images related to the recent Library of Congress acquisition of The Wizard of Oz materials. The code uses CSS classes like “carousel-cell” and “carousel-figure–image” which suggest this is built using a JavaScript carousel library (likely Flickity, based on the class names).

Individual Slides/Images:

Each

represents a single slide in the carousel. Within each slide:

: This is the container for the image and its caption.

: Ensures the image doesn’t overflow its container.

: The actual image.
src: The URL of the image.all images are hosted on assets.playbill.com/editorial/_embeddedGallerySize/. The file names (20250122SM011.jpg, 20250122SM012.jpg,etc.) suggest the photos where taken on January 22, 2025.
alt: Provides option text for screen readers and if the image fails to load. The alt text is consistently “Library of Congress Wizard of Oz Acquisition 2025 HR”.

: The caption for the image.

: A black backgrounded, padded, full-width container for the text.

: Text styling, larger for medium and larger screens.

: The caption text itself. Most captions say “Original music manuscript from The Wizard of Oz“. One set of slides (cells 4 and 5) specifically details the manuscript for the song, “We’re Off to See the Wizard”.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

: Attribution/credit for the image.

Key Observations & Summary

Ten Images: The snippet defines 10 carousel slides.
Focus: The images predominantly feature what appear to be the original music manuscripts of songs from The Wizard of Oz.
Source: All materials come from the Library of Congress.
Date: The images were likely captured on January 22, 2025.* Content variations: There is a specific focus on the original manuscript of “we’re Off to See the Wizard” within the 4th and 5th images.

Let me know if you’d like me to analyze any specific aspect of this code in more detail! For instance, if you’d like me to extract just the image URLs, or the alt text.

How do the costume designs in these sketches differ from those in the 1939 film adaptation?

A Treasure Trove for Theater & Film History Buffs

The Library of Congress has significantly enriched its already vast collection with the recent acquisition of original sketches related to the iconic 1903 musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. These aren’t just doodles; they represent a crucial,early visual record of how the stage show – a precursor to the beloved 1939 film – came to life. This addition is a boon for researchers, theater historians, and fans of L. Frank Baum’s classic story. The sketches offer a unique glimpse into the creative process behind a landmark production, showcasing costume designs, set concepts, and character interpretations from over a century ago.

Details of the Newly Acquired Sketches

The collection comprises approximately 150 individual sketches, primarily in watercolor and pencil. they were originally part of the estate of Ethelbert Nevin, the musical director for the 1903 production. Key highlights include:

Costume Designs: Detailed renderings of Dorothy’s dress, the Scarecrow’s patchwork outfit, the Tin Woodman’s metallic appearance, and the Fainthearted Lion’s mane. These designs reveal stylistic choices distinct from the later film adaptation.

Set Sketches: Preliminary drawings of the Emerald City, the Wicked Witch’s castle, and the poppy field. These sketches demonstrate the enterprising scale of the stage production and the challenges of bringing Baum’s fantastical world to the stage.

Character Studies: Exploratory sketches of the main characters,capturing different poses and expressions. These provide insight into the actors’ interpretations and the director’s vision.

Prop concepts: Initial ideas for iconic props like the ruby slippers (though initially silver in the stage version!), the Wizard’s apparatus, and the flying monkeys.

The Past Importance of the 1903 Musical

Before Judy Garland graced the silver screen, The Wizard of Oz captivated audiences on Broadway. The 1903 musical,composed by Paul tietjens and written by Baum himself,was a groundbreaking spectacle for its time.

Early Adaptation: It was one of the first major stage adaptations of Baum’s novel, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900).

Musical Innovation: the production featured elaborate sets, special effects, and a full orchestra, pushing the boundaries of musical theater.

Cultural Impact: The 1903 musical helped solidify the Wizard of Oz as a cornerstone of American popular culture, paving the way for future adaptations.

Differences from the Film: Notably, the musical differed significantly from the 1939 film in terms of plot, characters, and musical numbers. The sketches help illuminate these differences.

Accessing the Collection & Research Opportunities

The Library of Congress is making these sketches accessible to the public through its online catalog and digital collections. Researchers can:

1. View High-Resolution Images: Detailed scans of each sketch are available for close examination.
2. Download Digital Copies: Researchers can download digital copies for scholarly use.
3. Request Physical Access: Arrangements can be made to view the original sketches in person at the Library of congress in Washington, D.C. (subject to preservation guidelines).
4. Explore Related Materials: The Library of Congress holds a wealth of othre materials related to The Wizard of Oz, including first editions of the novel, sheet music, and photographs.

Implications for Theater and Film Studies

These sketches offer invaluable primary source material for scholars studying:

The History of Musical Theater: The sketches provide a window into the evolution of stagecraft and musical production in the early 20th century.

Adaptation Studies: Comparing the sketches to the novel and the film reveals the complexities of adapting a literary work for different media.

Visual Culture: The sketches demonstrate the power of visual design in shaping audience perceptions and creating immersive theatrical experiences.

American Popular Culture: The Wizard of Oz remains a potent symbol of American identity and nostalgia. These sketches shed light on the origins of this enduring cultural phenomenon.

Preservation Efforts & Long-Term Care

The Library of Congress is committed to preserving these fragile sketches for future generations.Conservation specialists are employing state-of-the-art techniques to:

Stabilize the Paper: Prevent further deterioration of the paper support.

Clean the Surfaces: Remove dirt and grime without damaging the artwork