However, the unexpected inspiration came from the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz." Anderson had a photo of the film's main characters, Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow and the Lion in his workshop.

Wicked features many overt references to The Wizard of Oz, but there are a variety of more subtle Easter eggs from the 1939 ...

Audience members can follow the yellow brick road alongside Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woman and the Cowardly Lioness as the Civic Ballet hosts performances of "The Wizard of Oz" this week ...

The River Raisin Ballet dancers as Ozian Attendants dance at Emerald City for Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Lion in the ...

WAMEGO HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST COLLECTIONS OF WIZARD OF OZ MEMORABILIA IN THE COUNTRY ... also express excitement about the story.“The Scarecrow... birds from the corn,” one child said ...