Dorothy Gale, a young girl living on a Kansas farm with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, dreams of escaping her mundane life (“Over The Rainbow“). The family’s mean neighbor, Miss Gulch, threatens to impound Dorothy’s cherished dog, Toto, so Dorothy and Toto run away. They meet up with kindly Professor Marvel, who subtly convinces Dorothy to return home. Suddenly a cyclone hits, and Dorothy and Toto, seeking shelter in the house, are transported to the Land of Oz.
In Oz, Dorothy meets Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Apparently, Dorothy’s house has landed -fatally - upon the Wicked Witch of the East. The Munchkins, now freed from their oppressor, celebrate and hail Dorothy as their new heroine (“Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead/Munchkin Musical Sequence”). The celebration is interrupted as the Wicked Witch of the West suddenly appears, seeking vengeance. Unable to reclaim her sister’s shoes, which are now on Dorothy’s feet, the Witch vows to return and quickly vanishes. Dorothy, seeking a way back home to Kansas, sets off to seek help from the mysterious Wizard of Oz (“Follow the Yellow Brick Road”).
Along the way, Dorothy meets three new friends, each of whom lacks a crucial characteristic: The Scarecrow (“If I Only Had A Brain”) The Tinman (“If I Only Had A Heart”) and the Lion (“If I Only Had The Nerve”). Together, the four new companions make their way towards Oz (“We’re Off To See The Wizard”).
The Witch attempts to ambush the travelers with the help of the Jitterbugs, energetic insects who are directed to make Dorothy and her friends dance uncontrollably until the Ruby Slippers fall off her feet. Dorothy outdances them all and the Witch's plan fails. (“Jitterbug”).
The travelers, arriving at the Emerald City ("Optimistic Voices"), are delayed by a trio of stubborn Gatekeepers, but Dorothy’s tears convince them to relent and let them in (“Merry Old Land Of Oz”). The Witch makes another appearance, this time writing "SURRENDER DOROTHY" in the sky using her broomstick. As the group awaits its audience with the Wizard, once again delayed by an over-zealous Guard, the Lion daydreams of the day when he'll be crowned “King Of The Forest.” Finally, they meet the imposing and irritable Wizard, who agrees to help them only if they will bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West.
The four friends and Toto travel deep into the haunted forest. The Wicked Witch’s Winged Monkeys intercept them, capturing Dorothy and Toto. At the castle, the Witch vows to take Dorothy’s life in order to access the Slippers. Meanwhile, the Lion, Scarecrow, and Tinman infiltrate the castle disguised as Winkie guards. The friends are all reunited, but the Wicked Witch reappears, threatening the Scarecrow with fire. Dorothy, dousing the flames with a bucket of water, accidentally splashes the Witch, who smolders and melts into nothing (“Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead – Reprise”). The four friends, triumphant, take the Witch’s broom back to the Wizard.
