Fun Freetime - The Wizard of Oz (CTC - MN)

 Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is thrilled to announce the complete cast and creative team for the upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz, based on the classic motion picture. Directed by CTC Artistic Director Rick Dildine†, with music direction and orchestrations by Victor Zupanc and choreography by Christopher Windom, The Wizard of Oz will run from April 21-June 14, 2026, on the UnitedHealth Group Stage. Opening night is Friday, April 24, 2026, at 7pm.

 

“This spring, we’re thrilled to bring the one and only The Wizard of Oz to the stage,” said director Rick Dildine. “This beloved production resonates across generations, touching on themes of self-discovery, courage, and the power of friendship. Dorothy’s journey to find her way home is a timeless story of growth and resilience. Few stories have had such an enduring impact, and I’ve been dreaming of this production for a decade. We’re especially excited to have [CTC Acting Company member] Autumn Ness star as the shoe-obsessed Wicked Witch of the West!”

 

It’s not every day that a wild tornado whizzes right over your head, taking the house and the whole farm with it! Or that the entire world magically shifts from black and white to technicolor right before your very eyes. But there’s nothing everyday about a shoe-obsessed witch, flying monkeys, or a yellow brick road, either. Join Dorothy, her three oh-so-curious friends, and Toto (played by a real dog!) in this grand spectacle, featuring songs you know and love from the classic film!

 

CTC’s production of The Wizard of Oz is recommended for all ages. Tickets may be purchased at childrenstheatre.org/oz or by calling the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400. Ticket prices start at $25.

 

The adult cast of The Wizard of Oz features Becca Claire Hart* as Aunt Em/Glinda the Witch of the North, Riley McNutt as Uncle Henry/Gatekeeper/Ensemble, Reed Sigmund* as Zeke/Cowardly Lion, Regina Marie Williams* as Hickory/Tin Man, Dean Holt* as Hunk/Scarecrow, Autumn Ness* as Almira Gultch/Wicked Witch of the West, JoeNathan Thomas* as Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz/Ensemble, Janely Rodriguez* as Ensemble (Understudy: Aunt Em, Glinda, Almira Gultch, Wicked Witch), Bella West as Ensemble (Understudy: Dorothy), Keegan Robinson as Ensemble (Understudy: Hunk/Scarecrow), Bradley Johnson as Ensemble (Understudy: Hickory/Tin Man), and Brendan Nelson Finn as Ensemble (Understudy: Zeke/Cowardly Lion).

 

The student cast of The Wizard of Oz features Aniya Bostick and Harriet Spencer alternating as Dorothy. The student ensemble of The Wizard of Oz includes Aliya Bailey, Truman Bednar, Brody Breen, Zhandile Chidothe, Charles Foster, Morgan Houser, Wren Lillian Hatling, Addica Sharbono, George Wellens, and Julia Wissink.

 

The adult understudies are Monty Hays and Joshua Row.

 

The student understudies include Evie Blake, Logan Gordon, Luciana Erika Mayer, and Chloe Sorensen.

 

In addition to Rick Dildine†, Victor Zupanc, and Christopher Windom†, the creative team and production staff for CTC’s production of The Wizard of Oz includes Adam Koch^ (scenic designer), Lex Liang^ (costume designer), Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew^ (lighting designer), Reid Rejsa (sound designer), Kylee Loera^ (projection designer), William Berloni (animal trainer), Lara Hayhurst (lead dog handler), Landon Tate Boyle (dog handler), Alli St. John (student actor coach), Hannah Steblay (assistant director), Gabrielle Dominique (assistant choreographer), Ellie Simonett (assistant lighting designer), Daniel J Hanson* (stage manager), Z Makila* (assistant stage manager/stage manager), Nate Stanger* (assistant stage manager), and Ashley Pupo (stage management fellow).

 

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.
 

†Member of SDC, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.  

‡Member of the Twin Cities Musician Union, Local 30-73, AFM.  

 

^Member of the United Scenic Artists, Local 829.  

 

Ticket Information
 

Tickets may be purchased at childrenstheatre.org/oz or by calling the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400. Ticket prices start at $25.

 

School groups interested in attending The Wizard of Oz can contact schools@childrenstheatre.org for more information.

 

The Wizard of Oz has a run time of 2 hours, with one 15-minute intermission.

 

This production is recommended for all ages. Lap passes are available for children 3 years and younger.

 

The Wizard of Oz
By L. Frank Baum

With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg

Background Music by Herbert Stothart

Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard

Orchestration by Larry Wilcox

Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company
Music Direction and Orchestrations by Victor Zupanc
Choreography by Christopher Windom†

Directed by Rick Dildine†

 

Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by

Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
 

April 21-June 14, 2026
UnitedHealth Group Stage
Best for all ages

 

 

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is the nation’s largest and most acclaimed theatre for young people and serves a multigenerational audience. It creates theatre experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire more than 200,000 people annually. CTC is the only theatre focused on young audiences to win the Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is the only theatre in Minnesota to receive three Tony nominations (for its production of A Year With Frog and Toad). CTC is committed to creating world-class productions at the highest level and to developing new works, more than 200 to date, dramatically changing the canon of work for young audiences.
 

CTC is the most significant provider of theatre education opportunities in the region. Every year, thousands of children experience theatre for the first time at CTC. Our student matinees and education programs demonstrably benefit the community, from the intergenerational conversations sparked by our world premieres, to the sequential skill-building that happens in our Theatre Arts Training, to the pre-K focus of our Early Childhood Initiative. ACT One is CTC’s comprehensive platform for access, diversity, and inclusion in our audiences, programs, staff, and board that strives to ensure the theatre is a home for all people, all families, reflective of our community. childrenstheatre.org