It's Wonderful: Toby's Presents THE WIZARD OF OZ, A Treat For the Whole Family

Is there any American who hasn’t experienced THE WIZARD OF OZ? You may have seen a version or three of this story, or you might be my age and have the MGM version practically memorized from it having been aired on network television every single year for two and a half decades. Or - and it's a big OR- you might be a kid, unfamiliar with any version, including the 14 (yes, really) Oz books, written by L. Frank Baum between 1900 and 1963. In any case, the whimsical, fantastical tale is certainly worth looking at as live theater, especially this excellent offering by Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia. Even if you’re a skeptic and wonder why a displaced kid with a dog of dubious temperament takes the advice of some little folk and a bimbo in a bubble to embark on a long foot journey, picking up strangers with baggage along the way, you’re likely to be delighted by the visual richness and wonderfully rendered musical numbers of this production. 

Director / Choreographer Mark Minnick works his magic yet again, blending creative blocking with engaging choreography. The run crew, Tori Alioto, Natalie Britt, Kristin Rigsby, Betsy Sawdy, Sarah Tossman, Brian Wensus, who are instrumental in making this show work, have their own choreography interacting with set pieces, some quite elaborate, courtesy of Scenic Designer Shane Lowry, and it all blends beautifully. 

The Musical Direction of Conductor Ross Scott Rawlings creates strong, pleasing vocal numbers, blended with excellent instrumentation by the live band of musicians. 

The cast at Toby’s is absolutely luminous. Playing Dorothy Gale, our protagonist, is Emily Signor, capably delivering a version of Dorothy which is sweet and sincere, and similar enough to Judy Garland’s performance to satisfy old-schoolers. As the antagonist, Ms. Gulch, and also the Wicked Witch, Tina Marie DeSimone is absolutely splendid. Her delivery is sharp and tart, with an overtone of Karen-ness. Playing Auntie Em is the glorious Heather Marie Beck, whose voice and bearing are the very soul of grounded farm-woman capability. David Bosley-Reynolds is a sympathetic Uncle Henry, with a delightful surprise additional role in Act II. In the role of Farmhand Zeke, Jordan B. Stocksdale’s slapstick skills are well showcased, and he makes a very loveable Cowardly Lion. Farmhand Hickory, who becomes Tinman, is played by Jeffrey Shankle with steady humor and (may I say) a lot of heart. David James, playing Hunk/ Scarecrow, shows off his flexibility and floppy but precisely choreographed dance moves. The three companions and Dorothy form a cohesive unit together and they are a delight. As Toto, the impetus for the entire story, Moritz Vincent-Lowry is adorable and well-behaved.

In the magical land of Oz, where Dorothy and Toto wind up due to a brilliantly staged intersection of weather and supernatural elements, additional characters introduce themselves to Dorothy. Among these is Glinda, the Good Witch, played with an inner glow and a gorgeous gown by MaryKate Brouillet, who leads the Munchkinland operetta, which is possibly the best-written portion of any MGM-adjacent version of THE WIZARD OF OZ. The Toby’s rendition is no exception, and is charming, delightful and an explosion of color, with special effects by Lighting Designer Lynn Joslin, which also make The Great and Powerful Oz, played by the steadfast Robert Biederman, more Great And Powerful. Joey Ellinghaus is very convincing as a flying monkey. 

The Ensemble for THE WIZARD OF OZ is really stellar this time around. Featuring several members who have played leads in the not-too-distant past at Toby's, this Ensemble is rich with top tier talent. 

The beloved Toby's Dinner And Show in Columbia, Maryland is blessed with high end technical staff who consistently create magical settings within which the performers can shine.  Costume Co-Ordinators Sarah King & Janine Sunday deliver a candybox of brilliance to adorn the residents of Oz, and meat-and-potatoes textured earth tones for the residents of Kansas. 

 Director/ Choreographer Mark Minnick, who unfailingly delivers immersive, 3-dimensional action and lively dance sequences suitable for in-the-round performance, goes beyond the ordinary to deliver some surprising sequences and fantastical visuals. Music Director and Conductor Ross Scott Rawlings fosters powerful, note-perfect sound from the excellent cast, and it’s a wonderful treat for the whole family. You'll find it familiar enough to be comforting, fresh enough to be surprising and tender enough to be heartwarming. It's a well-crafted production, and if THE WIZARD OF OZ is one of your favorites, or if you want it to be so for your family, this is a solid choice.

Photo, L to R: Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Dorothy, Toto and Tinman, played by Jordan Stocksdale, David James, Emily Signor, Moritz Vincent-Lowry and Jeffrey Shankle

Photo Credit: Jeri Tidwell Photography

THE WIZARD OF OZ plays at Toby’s Dinner And Show, 5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia, MD 21044, through June 7, 2026, Tuesday - Saturday, 6 PM for dinner; Wednesday and Sunday 10:30 for brunch. Here's info about the menu. Phone the Box Office 410-730-8311 Monday- Saturday 10:00am- 8:00pm; Sunday  10:00am – 7:00pm for tickets or buy them through Ticketmaster. Ticket are priced $70- $95.00, depending on day of the week and your age.

Next up at Toby’s: MEAN GIRLS, June 12 - August 23, 2026

The construction for the new arts center is underway, so your parking situation at Toby’s is different than it was. The entrance has also been altered. If you’ve visited Toby’s in the past, allow a bit more time for arrival and disembarkment.

Final Factoid: L Frank Baum (first name “Lyman,” which he disliked) wrote a total of 14 books about Oz, often pressured by publishers and the public. He wrote many other, unrelated stories, with the intent to turn a number of them into theatrical productions, an endeavour that ultimately was evidenced as one of passion, not profit or popularity.

More on Toby's Dinner Theatre

Upcoming Shows

The Wizard of Oz

3/20 - 6/7/2027

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It's Wonderful: Toby's Presents THE WIZARD OF OZ, A Treat For the Whole Family

4/21/2026