Tuesday, March 05, 2024

The Royal Podcast of Oz: New episodes!

 Well, there's two episodes I haven't posted about on here yet. To stay on top of the podcast, be sure to follow The Royal Podcast of Oz on your favorite podcast service.

Last month, Angelo Thomas and I went frame by frame for the first look trailer for the movie adaptation of Wicked.


Meanwhile, last week, Erica Olivera joined Sam and I to discuss the short film Heartless: The Story of the Tin Man. (This has explicit language. If you know Erica, you get it.)

It had opened on Tuesday night with a great feast and so many more people - but I made it to the end so it was easier to walk around and talk about.
Matt and I looked around the large collection, in a small yet comfortable space, as we talked to the owner Dorothy Overton who said she had left others in order to make the packing and travel easier.  Among the things she said was how she met Munchkin Margaret Pellegrini and got her autograph with a photo.
Eventually we met another Oz fan, Christie Wilson, who was relieved to find other adult Oz fans at a children's funland without any children of their own ... likewise she seemed very knowledgeable of Oz and its various books and films too, without knowing or seeing everything.
We discussed our disappointment with "Great and Powerful", our opinions of "wicked" and a bit about MGM, we had a look at the other Oz displays in the other glass cabinets that are already displayed at Funland - Oz cows and ducks, figures ("Simpsons"), plates, etc. - under a selection of posters for MGM, Wiz and Betty Boop.
It was through Christie that I learned how during Nikki Webster's performance that she was putting on a Californian accent (I never noticed that or gave it much thought before, to be honest, I miss some of those unless they're really obvious or noticeably strong). There were programs and merchandise and a few things for sale . . . but if you wanted Ruby Slippers, they were $150 - however you could get them custom-sized or get some soft slip-ins. Set-up seemed the same as before. The only difference between the first visit and this time was that I was able to drive myself. Exhibition closed after 2 pm, Matt and I both content at our varying Oz collection sizes.
(originally handwritten Friday February 22, 2019, with additional entries on Monday night Feb 25 and Tues Feb 26, from own recollection and second-hand information; slightly revised on typing


* Yes.  5 years ago, to this day.

Happy Anniversary to this special event with a long-awaited overdue Blog (originally intended as a Baum Bugle article, but never happened.)

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

OzCon 2024 announcement


Hello, everyone!

This year, we will return to Kellogg West Conference Center and Hotel in Pomona, California, from July 19-20. Yes, that's two full days of programming at Kellogg. Additionally, we are looking into events outside of Kellogg for an early meet-up on Thursday evening to warm us up for the convention with extra activity in the planning stages for Sunday. To finish, you can once again hang out with your Oz buddies on a trip to Disneyland on Monday, 22.

This year, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of OzCon International, our major theme is celebrating the Royal Historians of Oz. We wouldn't have the Famous Forty Oz books without them! There would be no MGM classic movie musical (which celebrates its 85th anniversary this year) or Wicked (which is getting the first part of its film adaptation this year) without the stories by Baum, Thompson, Neill, Snow, Cosgrove or the McGraws.

In addition, we're also exploring the many Oz games invented over the years, allowing fans to interact with Oz in fun and competitive ways. I've even been preparing a presentation looking at the evolution of Oz video games, even touching base with some of the people who made the earliest games.

Colin Ayres and I have been working on a schedule of events with early volunteer presenters (thank you!) to be sure to have a great convention ahead.

Last but definitely not least, we are celebrating sixty years of OzCon. Our programming will offer plenty of opportunity for cozy chats with new and old friends, one of the features that make our conventions so memorable. We'll still have favorites such as Show and Tell to showcase your treasures; the Masquerade costume contest to channel your favorite characters, and the return of the Treasure Hunt to find some Ozzy treasure.

We will be having a single track program this year, aside from having alternate activities during the auction on Saturday. You won't need to miss a thing!

Do you have an idea for a presentation, panel or activity? Do you want to be on a panel about a particular Ozzy topic? There’s still plenty of time to put yourself forward. Don’t miss a chance to join our Ozzy lineup! We’re accepting presentations for proposals until March 31. Go ahead and email Colin and me at chair@ozcon-international.com

You can follow updates on our social media outlets on Facebook (OzCon International) and Instagram (ozconinternational), The OzConnection on YouTube and for the first time, we have a Discord server! If you're not familiar, Discord is a messaging platform. A server is a space specifically for a group of users to chat and share information with each other, with it being further broken into specific channels for specific topics. Using Discord, OzCon attendees can get breaking announcements, find people to share rooms with, meet up before and after the convention and quickly get in touch with convention organizers. To join the OzCon server, follow this link, sign up for Discord and get in there. Stay tuned for more announcements coming soon!

Jared "Jay" Davis

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Dee and Friends in Oz

 

Despite being the streaming service that made streaming by subscription a thing, it's not until now that Netflix has turned their heads to having an Oz-based show. (Amazon has Lost in Oz and Warner Brothers' Boomerang had Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz as a streaming exclusive before it moved to broadcast.)

Dee and Friends in Oz is aimed for a preschool audience, featuring child characters inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in a brightly-colored magical world.

Dorothy "Dee" Davis from New Jersey is visiting her grandmother when she discovers the music box in her room can be unlocked with a key, transporting her to the wonderful world of Oz, where the kind Miss Emerald shares magic with everyone from her Wonderful School of Oz.

The show has three parts currently on Netflix. It's officially broken into two seasons, with the first season being a single 48 minute episode establishing the lore of the show before the 16 episode proper season begins. The episodes break into two 8 episode arcs. (Wikipedia says these are separate seasons, but Netflix lists it as a single season.)

In the prequel, we meet Miss Ruby, the villainous sister of Miss Emerald, who wants all the magic of Oz for herself. We also meet her minion Stuffley, a teddy bear with mechanical wings that allow him to fly. Miss Ruby locks Miss Emerald in her school and begins draining Oz of its magic, while Dee heads down a multicolored brick road, meeting new friends Tin, Scarecrow and Lion who join and help her out.

The first eight-episode arc has Dee begin finding the four magic gemstones that will create the Gemstone Loop, creating a magical transit system around Oz. Stuffley at first tries to get the gemstones for himself, but eventually decides to help Dee and reforms.

In the second arc, Miss Ruby returns to find four crown pieces that will give her great power and let her take the title of the Wizard of Oz, with Dee and her friends trying to find the pieces first.

As you might have guessed, this isn't a straightforward adaptation of Oz lore. Tin, for example, lives in a town of tin people like himself, and doesn't have the tragic origin of Nick Chopper from the original Baum books. Scarecrow is a young boy from a village of living Scarecrows. Only Lion isn't shown to have a family.

In the first batch of eight episodes, we also meet magic-working girls Eastyn and Westyn who happily join the school. Instead of Munchkins, Winkies, Gillikins or Quadlings, we have the Ozlings, humanoids with acorn-shaped heads. They reminded me a bit of the Munchkins as they appeared in Tales of the Wizard of Oz.

There's a few other nods to other takes on Oz. Dee's grandmother looks very similar to Miss Emerald and they are both voiced by LaChanze. Similarly, all five of the other students in the school have counterparts in children who live around Dee's grandmother's apartment with their clothing and hair suggesting the characters they are similar to and being voiced by the same performers. (They seem to have gotten an age-appropriate cast, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's eventual recasts if the show keeps going.)

At the start of the second arc, Dee is reading her own chronicle of her Oz adventures to the neighboring kids who love it and want to hear more, but Dee says that her new adventures haven't happened yet before her key starts glowing and she hurries back to Oz. This struck me as being similar to how Baum eventually settled on the idea that Dorothy relayed him Oz adventures he'd write into books, but now, our Dorothy character is telling her story herself.

Miss Ruby is basically a classic Oz villain, whose wickedness is based around only caring about herself, stealing all the magic and taking over Oz. Miss Emerald is the opposite, wanting to share magic with everyone, keeping Oz a bright, happy and welcoming place.

Stuffley's reformation feels like a nice Oz-appropriate character development. He's voiced by James Monroe Igleheart, who originated the Genie in Disney's Broadway adaptation of Aladdin, recently going to the Broadway production of Spamalot, working with Oz fan Michael Urie and original Wicked Broadway Boq Christopher Fitzgerald and Wicked movie Boq Ethan Slater. He also voiced Calvin Carney and the Jitterbug in Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz.

There's also songs. You won't find show stoppers like The Wiz's "Home" or Wicked's "Defying Gravity," or perennial classics like "Over the Rainbow," but the songs are charming, and a few are catchy. (I missed Stuffley's villain song, which disappears after his reformation.) Dee sings a variation of a journey song every episode, re-establishing that she's her own hero in her own story. LaChanze and Tarriona "Tank" Ball as Miss Ruby also get a number of songs as well.

To be clear, I'm writing this after watching the first ten episodes and the prequel so I haven't watched it all yet, only watching one episode a day, but I've got a pretty good feel of the show.

While this might not be the Oz adaptation of your dreams, it's a fun take on Oz if you need a bright-colored escape for a moment now and then, or if you have appropriately-aged kids who you want to get into Oz.

An additional thing I noticed is that while I have an ad-supported Netflix plan, ads don't play during these episodes. It might be just for Netflix Kids programming, though I don't watch much of that.

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Sunday, December 10, 2023

The Royal Podcast of Oz: New episodes!

We have new episodes for The Royal Podcast of Oz!

The Movies of Oz: Tom and Jerry in Oz

It's a double feature as Jay and Sam Milazzo discuss Tom and Jerry's take on MGM's The Wizard of Oz from 2011 and then they turn to its far more worthy sequel in 2016's Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz.

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Angelo Thomas Interviews Kirk Thatcher

Angelo Thomas gives us a holiday surprise with an interview with Kirk Thatcher, director of The Muppets Wizard of Oz.

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There's another episode of Movies of Oz coming very soon.

Sunday, September 03, 2023

The Little Wizards of Oz - Review


 In November last year, I spotted a Blu-Ray titled Blood on Melies' Moon in my RSS feed reader for Blu-Ray.com's feed. I was about to scroll past when I looked at the image of the cover and noticed it mentioned a movie titled The Little Wizards of Oz. The Blu-Ray set actually contained three films by Italian director Luigi Cozzi, who's nicknamed "Italy's Ed Wood." (The famous director who would make films on a shoestring budget but clearly really had a passion for doing it.) I didn't pick it up, hoping to hear some feedback about the movie first.

Well, yesterday I saw the movie was on the free streamer Tubi and decided to check it out.

This is not a straightforward adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. We open with a quick rundown of the origin of the book, and a reveal of its sequels and many of its adaptations and a note that children in Italy also enjoy the book while at school.

Moving onto children rapping, we see some what appears to be behind the scenes shots of the crew working with the children who play the students in a classroom that a substitute teacher is taking over the Italian lesson. The children did reports on the first chapter of the book, which get presented with some charming cheap animations depicting how the children are reimagining the story.

The substitute is taken with the children interacting with the story and wants to complete the story with them, despite higher ups at the school wanting her to stick to a lesson plan. This includes scenes from the story, often with twists from the original text, played with the children as Dorothy and her friends and people who work at the school filling in for other Oz characters. The CGI shots are clearly CGI, but given that this is how a class is imagining the world of Oz, we can accept it.


There's a few fun touches, like the Wicked Witch of the West using an Etch-A-Sketch to spy on Dorothy, with the screen claiming it's "TV-OZ STATION 666."

While anyone wanting a great Oz adaptation or a new Oz story in film might be disappointed, I thought The Little Wizards of Oz was fairly charming in how it celebrates Oz stimulating the imagination. I was also reminded of the documentary film Yellow Brick Road about a special needs school putting on a performance of The Wizard of Oz, except that followed a real production at a real school, while the story of Little Wizards is fiction. But both are about people connecting with the story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.


If it wasn't clear above, The Little Wizards of Oz is actually in Italian. On Tubi, the version offered includes "hard subs" (they're actually part of the image and can't be turned off) in addition to a subtitle track. I found it easier to turn off Tubi's subtitles and just go with the subtitles in the image.

As I've picked up DVDs and Blu-Rays with less Oz content before, I might very well get a copy of Blood on Melies' Moon to own a copy of The Little Wizards of Oz in my collection.

Wednesday, August 02, 2023

Diverse Dancers of Oz - A ChatGPT generated Oz story

We've heard a lot about AI lately and there's definitely concern about it as people believe language models like ChatGPT could ultimately replace writers.

There's certainly some concern as you could certainly use ChatGPT to quickly write copy you might need for a website or a press release. When it comes to writing research pieces and creative fiction, it's limited. It's hard to put all the needed information to give a piece context without essentially writing it yourself.

When it comes to creative works, it lacks the human element to help the writer connect to the reader. Still, it can be fun to give it a general goal. It's essentially like having it ghostwrite for you. There's other uses, like using it to brainstorm story ideas. While its output can be serviceable, a good writer's take on the same concept is much better when it comes to a finished pieces.

With that in mind, I decided to ask it to write some pieces of an Oz story about two characters I haven't seen interact much. What I'm presenting are my prompts and what I got from ChatGPT. (My prompts are in italics.)
 
Write a story in which Polychrome, the graceful dancing daughter of the Rainbow, visits the Emerald City of Oz. She dances to music being played by the royal coronet band. She's joined by the fun-loving Scraps, the Patchwork Girl, who does her own dance along with her, but definitely isn't trying to copy. Dorothy Gale, Princess Ozma and other Oz citizens watch enraptured and amused by the two very different but very dedicated dancers.

In the vibrant and enchanting land of Oz, a special event was taking place in the majestic Emerald City. Polychrome, the graceful dancing daughter of the Rainbow, decided to pay a visit to her dear friend Dorothy Gale and the beloved ruler of Oz, Princess Ozma.

As she arrived at the Emerald City, Polychrome's radiant presence filled the air with an array of sparkling colors. The royal coronet band, playing cheerful melodies, welcomed her with joyous tunes. With a twirl of her ethereal gown, Polychrome gracefully began to dance, her movements perfectly synchronized with the music.

Meanwhile, the fun-loving and whimsical Scraps, the Patchwork Girl, couldn't resist joining in the celebration. She had her own unique style of dancing, filled with quirky moves and spontaneous jumps. As she danced alongside Polychrome, she made sure to add her own flair to the performance, never trying to imitate the Rainbow's daughter but reveling in her own exuberant dance.

Dorothy Gale, Princess Ozma, and the other citizens of Oz gathered around, completely enraptured and amused by the spectacle before them. The contrasting styles of the two dancers created a captivating display, showcasing the beauty of individuality and the power of celebrating uniqueness.

With every twirl and leap, Polychrome displayed the fluidity of the rainbows, while Scraps showcased the vivid patchwork of her personality. Their joyful energy seemed to fill the Emerald City with even more magic and wonder.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the city, the dancers' enthusiasm showed no sign of waning. The crowd joined in, clapping to the beat and encouraging the duo with cheers and laughter.

In that moment, as the two very different but equally dedicated dancers wove their artistry together, it became evident that friendship and acceptance knew no boundaries in the Land of Oz. Their dance represented the harmony that existed between them and the celebration of their diverse talents.

As the night wore on, the Emerald City became alive with merriment and camaraderie. Polychrome and Scraps continued to dance, feeding off each other's energy, and inspiring everyone around them to embrace their own uniqueness.

From that day on, whenever festivities graced the Emerald City, Polychrome and Scraps were inseparable on the dance floor, their enchanting performances leaving a lasting imprint on the hearts of all who witnessed them. And so, the friendship between the graceful dancing daughter of the Rainbow and the fun-loving Patchwork Girl grew even stronger, a testament to the beauty of embracing one's true self and celebrating the differences that made them who they were.

Polychrome appreciates that she inspired Scraps to let loose and be herself.

Polychrome couldn't help but feel a warm sense of joy and fulfillment as she noticed how her dance had inspired Scraps to be her true self. Seeing her fun-loving friend embrace her uniqueness and let loose on the dance floor brought a smile to Polychrome's radiant face.

After the festivities had ended, Polychrome and Scraps found a quiet spot in the lush gardens of the Emerald City to catch their breath and share a moment of reflection. Scraps looked at Polychrome with a grateful expression, her mismatched button eyes gleaming with happiness.

"You know, Polychrome, your dance was simply amazing! I couldn't help but feel like dancing along with you, but I didn't want to copy your moves," Scraps said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

Polychrome chuckled softly, her melodious laughter echoing through the garden. "Oh, Scraps, you were wonderful! Your dance was filled with so much energy and spontaneity. I loved every moment of it. You didn't need to copy me because you have your own unique style that is simply delightful."

Scraps beamed at the praise, her colorful patchwork glowing with pride. "Thanks, Polychrome! I've always felt a bit different from everyone else, but today, dancing with you, I realized that being different is what makes me special. Your grace and beauty inspired me to embrace who I truly am."

"That's the spirit, my dear friend!" Polychrome exclaimed, placing a reassuring hand on Scraps' patchwork shoulder. "In Oz, we celebrate uniqueness and individuality. It's what makes our land so magical. Embracing who you are is a beautiful thing, and your dance was a true reflection of your vibrant spirit."

As the two friends sat together in the moonlit garden, they shared stories and laughter, deepening their bond even further. Polychrome felt a sense of fulfillment knowing that her presence had encouraged Scraps to be herself fully and unapologetically.

From that day forward, Polychrome and Scraps continued to dance together whenever they had the chance. Each time they took the stage, their performances were filled with even more passion and joy, inspiring others to embrace their own uniqueness and follow their hearts.

In the land of Oz, their dances became legendary, a symbol of friendship, self-expression, and the beauty of being true to oneself. And as they twirled and leaped through the colorful tapestry of their lives, Polychrome and Scraps knew that their bond was a testament to the magic of acceptance and the power of inspiring others to let loose and be themselves.

Scraps listens to Polychrome talk about living on the rainbow and wishes she could go.

As the moon continued to cast its gentle glow over the garden, Polychrome and Scraps found themselves lost in conversation. Polychrome spoke animatedly about her life on the rainbow, describing the breathtaking vistas and the wondrous experiences she had enjoyed.

"Scraps, you won't believe the beauty of living on the rainbow," Polychrome said, her voice filled with nostalgia. "It's like dancing on the very colors of the sky. Each day brings a new adventure as I travel from one end of the rainbow to the other. The hues blend and flow, creating a breathtaking display of light and magic."

Scraps listened intently, her button eyes reflecting both admiration and a hint of longing. "Oh, Polychrome, that sounds so amazing! I can only imagine how wonderful it must be to live on a rainbow. The thought of dancing among the colors of the sky sounds like a dream come true."

With a gentle smile, Polychrome replied, "It truly is a magical existence. But you know, my dear friend, you don't need to live on a rainbow to experience magic. The Land of Oz is filled with wonders and enchantment. You bring your own special magic to our world with your vibrant personality and unique dance."

Scraps nodded, absorbing Polychrome's words. "You're right, Polychrome. I may not be able to live on a rainbow, but I can find magic and joy right here in Oz. I have incredible friends like you and Dorothy, and the adventures we have together make every day extraordinary."

Polychrome placed a hand on Scraps' shoulder and said warmly, "Absolutely! The magic of Oz comes from the friendships we forge and the moments we share. Your presence brings so much happiness and laughter to all of us. You're an essential part of the tapestry that makes our land so special."

Feeling reassured, Scraps smiled brightly. "Thank you, Polychrome. I'm grateful for your friendship and for showing me that being myself is a wonderful thing. I'll cherish the memories of our dance together, and I promise to keep embracing my uniqueness."

Polychrome hugged her dear friend, a shimmering display of colors enveloping them both. "And I'll cherish the memories of our dance too, Scraps. Our friendship is a treasure, and I'll always be here to share in your adventures and celebrate your joyful spirit."

As the night continued, Polychrome and Scraps sat side by side, basking in the beauty of their friendship and the magic of the Land of Oz. While Scraps may have wished to live on the rainbow, she knew that her true home was among the friends who accepted and celebrated her for who she was—a vibrant and cherished member of the wonderful world they called home.

The Rainbow returns to the Emerald City to pick up Polychrome. Scraps says a loving goodbye to one of her best friends and makes up a little song about Polychrome to sing in tribute.

Polychrome hugged her friend Scraps tightly, tears of both joy and sadness sparkling in her eyes. "Oh, Scraps, my dear friend, thank you for the wonderful time we had together. Your dance and your friendship mean the world to me."

Scraps wiped away a tear with her patchwork sleeve, trying to maintain her cheerful spirit. "Oh, Polychrome, you're one of my best friends! I'm going to miss you so much, but I know you'll have an amazing time on the rainbow. Just remember, I'll be dancing and thinking of you here in Oz!"

With a playful grin, Scraps suddenly burst into a lively tune, singing a tribute to her graceful and radiant friend:

🎶 Oh, Polychrome, a rainbow bright,
 Your dance brings colors, what a sight!
With grace, you twirl upon the sky, 
In Oz, your spirit soars up high. 🎶

🎶 From hues of red to violet blue, 
You paint the sky with every hue, 
A dancer of the rainbow's crest, 
Your magic shines, you're truly blessed. 🎶

🎶 We danced together, side by side, 
Our friendship's woven, far and wide, 
Though now apart, our bond won't fade, 
In heart and soul, our memories stay. 🎶

🎶 So, as you fly on rainbow's art, 
Remember this, we'll never part, 
With every dance, your colors gleam, 
In Oz, you'll dance in every dream. 🎶

Tears welled up in Polychrome's eyes, touched by Scraps' heartfelt tribute. "Oh, Scraps, that's the sweetest song anyone has ever sung for me. I'll carry it in my heart wherever I go, and I promise to visit you and our friends in Oz whenever I can."

As the Rainbow gently descended, Polychrome climbed aboard with a final wave to her dear friends in the Emerald City. Scraps stood below, singing her song with love and pride, watching her friend ascend into the sky until she disappeared within the colorful arc of the rainbow.

And so, Polychrome returned to her home in the sky, carrying with her the cherished memories of her time in Oz and the love of her friends. Scraps continued to dance and sing, celebrating the magic of their friendship and looking forward to the day when the radiant dancer of the rainbow would grace the land of Oz with her presence once again.


Sunday, July 23, 2023

Ozma of Oz by the Toronto Civic Light Opera Company

 The Civic Light Opera is back with one more Oz story, the third Oz book, Ozma of Oz, which they have decided will be their final entry. They've released (and I've reviewed) The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Marvelous Land of Oz, so to avoid being an Oz company for a long time, they're concluding with Ozma and going on to other stories.

The CLO is sticking with MP3CD to distribute their audiobooks. These are CDs that have MP3 files on them as a data track, allowing for a lot more audio than you'd get from a standard audio track on a CD. Modern CD players can play these, and you can also play them back in a computer with a disc drive or use it to copy the files to a portable device. Or you can do what I did and put it in a home theater DVD or Blu-Ray player, pull up the folder of MP3 files and just start playing.

Ozma of Oz goes back to the Outside World (our world), where we find Dorothy and Uncle Henry on a trip to Australia on a stormy night. While looking around for Uncle Henry, Dorothy goes on deck, only to be washed overboard, finding refuge in a chicken coop. She awakens outside of the Land of Ev with Billina, a talking chicken. On their way to find out the best course of action, they meet the mechanical man Tik-Tok, and Princess Langwidere who has thirty interchangeable heads in her boudoir. But soon Dorothy and her companions fall in with the visiting princess Ozma of Oz, who's heading to the nearby Nome Kingdom to rescue the Royal Family of Ev from the Nome King.

If you're familiar with my previous reviews, you'll know what to expect. While the text is unabridged, the introductions and chapter titles are not read. Joe Cascone narrates with a full cast performing the dialogue, the cast returning from their roles in the previous two audiobooks.

To make it further stand out, classical music and sound effects are added. This is where I have to mention one thing. During the story, both Langwidere and the Nome King use bells to call for their subordinates or to be alerted. The same sound effect is used for all times, which is fine, it's just that this sound effect is very familiar if you've ever seen a commercial for Taco Bell.

Audio quality is good. I was playing it back with the audio going through the soundbar and found it sounded best if I used the music setting.

Overall, it's a great presentation of the story.

Again, we get a matching presentation in a jewel case, decorated with artwork by John R. Neill, photos of the cast, an introductory note from Joe, a cast list and a list of music used in the production. If you miss physical media, these are worth looking over.

To get a copy, Joe has it for sale on his website, along with the first two Oz books as well as music CDs and notices of his upcoming audio versions of A Christmas Carol and Animal Farm.