From animated adventures to live-action favorites, musicals continue to play an increasingly important role in children’s entertainment. Now, PBS KIDS is inviting its youngest audiences to discover that magic for themselves.
Premiering July 13, Alma’s Way: Alma in Oz – The Musical! reimagines L. Frank Baum’s timeless classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz through a colorful, music-filled adventure inspired by the Bronx, introducing preschool viewers to the joy of musical storytelling while delivering the thoughtful lessons families have come to expect from the beloved series.
The special begins after Alma’s younger brother, Junior, has his tonsils removed and worries he may never roar like a dinosaur again. To comfort him, Alma creates an imaginative journey through a Bronx-inspired version of Oz, where unforgettable characters set out in search of courage, confidence, creativity and friendship while learning that the answers they seek may have been inside them all along.
More than simply adapting a literary classic, Alma in Oz serves as an accessible introduction to musicals for young audiences. Through original songs, memorable characters and storytelling that naturally weaves music into the narrative, the special helps children experience how songs can express emotions, move a story forward and bring characters to life.
That musical experience is further enriched through the series’ continued celebration of culture. The special features bomba-inspired choreography animated in Colombia and developed alongside choreographer Luam Keflezgy, while Puerto Rican musician Fabiola Méndez once again contributes to the score alongside the Alma’s Way songwriting team.
At the heart of the adventure is the uplifting original song “You’ve Got It in You,” reinforcing the importance of believing in yourself, thinking critically, advocating for your needs and supporting those around you—messages that have long defined the series.
Families can also begin the musical celebration early, with “Let’s Go! Let’s Go!” and “I’m the World’s Greatest Everything” now available to stream ahead of the full soundtrack’s release on July 10.
As musicals continue finding new audiences across children’s entertainment, Alma in Oz demonstrates that the genre isn’t just for Broadway stages or blockbuster films. Through imaginative storytelling, memorable songs and meaningful life lessons, the special offers young viewers a joyful first step into a storytelling tradition that has inspired generations.
Alma’s Way: Alma in Oz – The Musical! premieres July 13 on PBS KIDS.