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THE SCARECROW’S GOT A BRAIN!
Delia Petrus
Characters:
JANE, acompassionate, sweet young girl in seventh grade that loves theatre and her friends, but despises another girl named Marcie. Although she is a great actor, she sometimes thinks she is the best and is a bit arrogant. Jane is very nice and understanding, with a yearning for adventure and fun. Her favorite play is The Wizard of Oz. Jane is accepting of bad things thrown at her, but that is not to say she doesn’t stand up for herself.
ARIELLE/TIN MAN, one of Jane’s friends that is also in seventh grade and likes theatre. Arielle is a bit mean and snarky, and she feels she lacks compassion.The Tin Man is a tin woodsman that is nothing like he is in the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” He has a heart and is very compassionate.
ANNIE/SCARECROW, Jane’s closest friend, who is also involved in theatre productions and is in seventh grade. Annie is not the brightest of their friend group, and often feels she could be smarter. The Scarecrow is Jane’s closest companion in Oz. The Scarecrow, unlike in the Wizard of Oz movie, definitely has a brain! He is very, very smart because the world of Oz is all turned around. He also seems to know a lot more about the history of Oz, more so than the other characters do. The Scarecrow is very patient and caring.
LAUREN/LION,another of Jane’s friends, Lauren is in seventh grade and is involved in theatre and helps with costumes. She is very shy, and has a quiet voice. A lot of the time, Lauren wishes to bebraver and not as cowardly and afraid of things. The Lion is another creature in Oz that is different from in the movie. The Lion is a typical lion and has a lot of courage. He does not have any fear and is not startled or frightened by anything in Oz.
MARCIE/WICKED WITCH, a young seventh grader additionally involved in theatre. When the larger roles are casted, the competition usually lies between Marcie and Jane as they both show a lot of promise as young actors. Marcie always thinks that she is so much better at Jane at everything. She also has started bullying Jane around the time play rehearsals started. The Wicked Witch is a very wicked addition to Oz. She is green and looks very frightening. She is very evil and has very powerful powers.
MRS. CARRIE/GLINDA,The school’s theatre teacher who helps direct and work through plays. She is middle aged and really nice. Glinda is the good witch in Oz and is older and very helpful. She is also not as powerful as the Wicked Witch.
MUNCHKINS 1, 2, 3, 4,are four little munchkins who bobble and bubble with every word. They are very happy and extroverted. The munchkins like to practice their songs to anybody that will listen.
*APPLE TREE- A tree that bears apples and is getting over a cold, therefor has a very deep scruffy voice. The apple tree is nice, as there are no bad guys I this Oz, and happily lends out his apples to the Scarecrow and Jane.
*MONKEY- A monkey in Oz, that is just trying to eat a banana in the woods. He is not evil, and really just wants to mind its own business.
* (Has a singular, very short appearance with very few[yet important] lines, around minimal characters, and can easily be double casted by someone not in thatscene.)
Setting:
The play is set in the modern day world in California. More specifically, inside a middle school. It is very hot out, and inside the school there is a theatre. Inside the theatre there is a stage where they rehearse, next to some chairs where the kids work on scripts and costumes.
The second setting is mainly in Oz, with a small pond, the yellow brick road, and lollipop trees, which completes Oz to be a beautiful place. Later on the setting changes to the cornfields where there is a lot of corn, and some fences. After this there is also the apple orchards which can be shown by the apple tree itself. After this the setting takes place in the woods. Finally, the play wraps up in the emerald city and then Glinda’s castle, connected by the yellow brick road. Once Jane makes it back home, she is in a hospital bed next to Marcie, who is also in a hospital bed.
These settings, although many, are crucial to keeping the “Wizard of Oz” feeling. The settings are already shown vividly throughout dialogue, so minimal props will be needed to further show the “elaborate” settings.
Scene 1
Scene begins inside a middle school in California. Inside the theater room, there is a stage and chairs to one side. LAUREN, ANNIE, and ARIELLE enter the theater together and walk up to Jane. They have needles and threads, fabrics, lace, and buttons. Jane is in her dress rehearsal Dorothy dress.
JANE
Hey guys! Oh I couldn’t wait to see you today! My algebra class is so hard, it’s nice to have theater to look forward to, especially my favorite play, “The Wizard of Oz!”
ARIELLE
Theater sucks, but I’m glad you like it Jane! I only come so I don’t have to spend time with my annoying little brother, and then I shove it in his face when I get a good role to make costumes for!
(ARIELLE sews buttons onto JANE’s dress.)
ANNIE
Wow Arielle, that’s mean!
(ANNIE sews different rips together. Then LAUREN sits on the floor, and puts lace on her dress with a hot glue gun.)
ARIELLE
I’m trying to be nice Annie, but it’s hard. You’re right though, I should stop being mean to my little brother!
ANNIE
Hey no hard feelings! My little sister is so annoying, I sometimes wish I was an only child.
LAUREN(shyly)
More like lonely child! I would trade anything for a sibling.
JANE
Oh you can have my older stinky brother. All he does is watch TV in his underpants, and eat day-old pizza!
ANNIE
We’re good, Jane!
(They all start laughing and smiling.)
JANE
Guys, I’m so happy I got the part of Dorothy!
ARIELLE
Well you're the best actress, of course you would! After I finish up here, I still have to sew this costume for a stupid tree.
ANNIE
Cool! You should sew real apples on! And I don’t think my mom will let me help with costumes much longer, she says I have to get a tutor for math.
JANE
Oh Annie that sucks! Maybe I can help you with your math, we can’t break up the costume crew!
ARIELLE
We’ve been together through everything! The beauty and the beast play, the little mermaid play, Cinderella, and about a dozen more. And we’ve made the costumes rule!
ANNIE
Don’t forget about Jane’s acting, she’s made the audience sit at the edges of their seats!
JANE
Aww thanks! It is so amazing working on the plays with you guys, you make everything so enjoyable, and…well I really could use some joy in my life.
LAUREN (whispers)
Because of Marcie?
ANNIE
She’s been so unbearable ever sense about a month ago, when the play rehearsals started. Jane, you need something to take your mind off all this stress. Hey I have an idea! Let’s go ice-skating after theater.
ARIELLE
(Looks up at Annie and stops what she’s doing.)
You do know it’s basically summer here in California, right?
ANNIE
Yes, but…well…
LAUREN
There is an indoor skating rink just a little west of Sacramento.
JANE
Well that sounds awesome, guys!
ARIELLE
No way! I’d rather get milkshakes!
ANNIE
I want to go ice-skating! Jane loves ice skating! It’s her favorite activity.
(ANNIE gives Jane a questioning look and JANE nods to confirm her question.)
JANE
I do love ice-skating, but why don’t we just look up the hours to both places.
(JANE looks at her phone.)
Ok, so the ice rink is open until five, and the ice cream shop is open until ten.
ANNIE
Well, we could still make it if we hurry!
ARIELLE
Annie, it’s already 4:30, and theater doesn’t end until six!
LAUREN
So are we getting milkshakes?
JANE
Looks like it!
ANNIE
Fine, but I call not the wobbly stool!
ARIELLE
Whatever Annie. Okay…and…done!
(Stops working on costume) Jane, you’re costume looks awesome so far! Now I have to sew these tree branches for the apple tree.
(Begins working on tree branches.)
JANE
Okay, and thanks for all the work on this, it’s gonna be so pretty! Oh and Lauren, can you curl my hair opening night?
LAUREN
I’d love to, but the iron might burn me! I’ll get Stacy to.
ANNIE
Ok, and I already sewed Jane some blue and white bows for her hair.
ARIELLE
Yes, Jane’s costume will look amazing! But uh, guys... Marcie is over there. I think she just saw you Jane! Quick, turn around!
JANE
I can't believe that horrible threat she sneered at me before class, I don't understand!
ANNIE
Yeah, you're like the nicest person ever! You should get a golden globe award for that.
ARIELLE
That’s…not exactly how it works Annie. And don't look now, she's coming our way!
(Girls stop working on Jane’s dress and she steps out of it. They pull their scripts up to their faces. Then Marcie comes up to them and the girls pull their papers down, annoyed.)
MARCIE
(The three girls stand behind Jane as Marcie stands across from them.)
Hello losers. Jane. Rather, Dorothy. Well I received the best role, the wicked witch. Mrs. Carrie probably didn't think you could be bold or loud enough for this role. Or maybe she just needed some random little girl to fill the role of that boring country girl, while she gave me power!
JANE
There’s something wrong with the role of Dorothy? I'm quite satisfied.
MARCIE
Oh of course you are! You’re satisfied by anything, just like that
baggy sweatshirt from goodwill!
(MARCIE pulls her sweatshirt off.)
Or maybe that skirt that’s way too short!
(MARCIE pushes JANE to the ground.)
JANE
Hey! Those are my clothes! You can't do that! Please, just leave me alone!
(LAUREN backs up, and exits.)
MARCIE
Yeah, well I just did. What are you gonna do about it Dorothy? Go run to little Toto!
(Snickers meanly.)
ARIELLE
Hey, leave my friend alone. Stop being so mean! She didn't do anything to you.
(Walks in front of Jane.)
MARCIE
Yes she did. She was born.
ANNIE
Well I can’t believe you would act this way to my friend. You should seriously go to jail for life!
(Walks in front of Jane also.)
JANE
Marcie, this is my favorite play, and I got my favorite part! Can you please not ruin this for me!
(Sits down and tries to highlight her script.)
MARCIE
What am I ruining? I mean, there are bad guys in the play, I guess you’ll just have to stick through it. Or are you gonna have to quit? Poor little Janie can’t handle meanie bad guys, and is going to quit.
(Pulls script away from Jane.)
JANE
Of course not! I would never! You can’t ruin this for me; I won’t let you!
(Pulls script back.)
ANNIE
Way to get her, Jane!
JANE
I guess…was I too mean?
ARIELLE
Of course not! Maybe I’d think so if I had enough compassion as you though.
MRS.CARRIE
Okay ladies and gentlemen! Let's start with a scene towards the end I need to work out a bit.
(Flips pages.)
Okay, there are only two characters here, Dorothy and The Wicked Witch.
(JANE and MARCIE walk up onto the stage and ARIELLE, ANNIE, and LAUREN exit to the dressing rooms.)
Okay, so in this scene, page 60
(Both girls flip their pages and start reading.)
The Wicked Witch has Dorothy tied up, and is threatening her for her red slippers.
(JANE gets into the chair and ties herself. MRS.CARRIE starts some dramatic music on the piano, and MARCIE starts with her lines.)
MARCIE
So Dorothy, you thought you could out wit me, huh! Well you're wrong of course!
JANE
(Mutters)
Why do bad guys have to exist in stories?
MARCIE
(Yelling)
Dorothy, some little farm girl. What on earth are you doing, killing my sister and trying to steal my slippers!!! You are a horrible person and don't deserve to walk the lands of Oz. Why can't you just leave!!! Well I did give you a chance but you didn't take it. I HATE you and everything you bring to Oz.
JANE
(Crying)
Why do there have to be bad guys in Oz!
(An earthquake rumbles and everyone falls down and the lights go dark. Seconds later the lights come back on, and JANE is wearing an elaborate Dorothy dress. All around her are lollipops and pretty flowers and a beautiful little pond.)
JANE
Wh- where am I?
(GLINDA enters in an elaborate costume.)
GLINDA
You are in Oz my dear!
JANE
Hey, you look an awful bit like my theater teacher!
GLINDA
What is this theater you speak of?
JANE
Oh it’s where…OH MY GOSH!!!!!!! ARE THOSE LOLLIPOP TREES?
GLINDA
Yes, would you like some?
JANE
Of course!
(JANE runs over and grabs two lollipops then runs back and hands one to the witch, and licks the lollipops.)
GLINDA
So, I am Glinda the good witch! Who are you?
JANE
Well, I’m Jane! Oh I LOVE Oz! I hope I killed the wicked witch?
GLINDA
You should never wish to kill someone! And who’s the wicked witch?
JANE
You know! In the “Wizard of Oz” there’s two wicked witches; one that Dorothy kills right away, and one that torments Dorothy. But right before I came here I wished there weren’t any bad guys so maybe that altered the story.
GLINDA
Maybe…did you say the wizard of Oz?
JANE
Yeah! I love the movie so much!
GLINDA
Movie? I was talking about the WIZARD of Oz.
JANE
Oh yeah! He’s in the movie too! Oh and I can’t wait to see the Emerald City, it sounds so cool!
GLINDA
Well… it is very green. I would take you there myself Jane, but I’m sorry, I have to go and complete my duties as a good witch.
JANE
Ok, but…how will I get home?
GLINDA
Go back the way you came?
JANE
I don’t even know how I got here! I can’t be stuck here forever!
GLINDA
Well then, if you don’t know, and I don’t know; then you’ll have to see the wizard. In fact, I’ll take you over to the munchkins right now, and they’ll show you the way!
(GLINDA walks JANE over to a big patch of flowers, where they suddenly pop up and are munchkins!)
JANE
Oz without bad guys is gonna be so awesome!
(GLINDA exits and waves to JANE)
MUNCHKIN1
Hello, young gal!
MUNCHKIN2
Are you a witch?
MUNCHKIN3
She’s a witch?
MUNCHKIN4
She’s a witch!
JANE
Oh, I’m not a witch, my name is-
MUNCHKIN1
It doesn’t matter, let us sing our song to you!
MUNCHKINS
(Pulls JANE to them to dance with them)
Oz is so wonderful, Oz is so great!
Go on the frozen pond and begin to skate!
There’s so much candy, don’t worry about going overweight!
Just enjoy your time and laugh away the day,
Nothing passes time like skipping stones on the bay!
JANE
I love your- uh, song…but I should be getting o my way, I eventually want to see the wizard; see in a while I want to get home to California…
MUNCHKIN2
She wants to see the wizard!
MUNCHKIN3
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz?
MUNCHKIN4
The powerful wizard of Oz!
JANE
SO, do you know where to find him?
MUNCHKIN1
Of course! He’s in Emerald City.
MUNCHKIN2
You’ll have to follow the yellow brick road!
MUNCHKIN3
The yellow brick road?
MUNCHKIN4
The yellow brick road!
MUNCHKIN1
Let’s sing her another song!
MUNCHKINS
She wants to see the wizard of Oz!
She’ll follow the yellow brick road!
She wants to get home to Cali
MUNCHKIN2
-fornia!
MUNCHKINS
She wants to visit the wizard of Oz,
So she must follow the yellow brick road!
MUNCHKIN3
Ok, we’re done with this song, it’s not our best!
MUNCHKIN4
So, you’re off to the yellow brick road?
JANE
Oh, yes, thank you! But I love Oz so much I do suppose I could stay awhile…
MUNCHKIN1
We know you’ll like it here!
MUNCHKIN2
Ok, just follow the yellow brick road right here until you get to the wizard, but take your time in Oz!
(JANE starts walking down the road, smiling and waving bye.)
MUNCHKIN3
Hope you don’t get bored!
MUNCHKIN4
We’ll see you around!
JANE
I sure do hope so! I hope I have as much fun in the rest of Oz as I did here! No bad guys rules!