Zach Theater: The Wizard of Oz
August 13 – September 21, 2025 | Zach360 in The Topfer
(AUSTIN, TX) – Zach Theater announces cast and creatives for The Wizard of Oz, with a book and lyrics by Jim Eiler and music by Jeanne Bargy and Jim Eiler adapted from the book by Frank L. Baum. Directed by Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley with musical direction by Allen Robertson and choreographed by Josh Assor, The Wizard of Oz will play August 13–September 21, 2025 as a Zach360 production in The Topfer.
In an immersive Zach360 experience, yellow brick roads will wind through The Topfer guiding the audience’s journey to see the wonderful The Wizard of Oz. Performed in the round with interactive components, Dorothy and friends from L. Frank Baum’s classic novel comes to life this summer in a reinvention of the most beloved story of all time.
“I’m very excited to create a new fully immersive Zach360 version of The Wizard of Oz, an experience made specifically for families and the young at heart. Inspired by our recent production of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet…, The Topfer will reconfigure again into theater in the round, where the action of the musical takes place both on stage and in the house where the audience is seated. A 1930s-style singing cowboy and cowgirl band will greet audiences with musical fun that springs out of the Western heartland,” said director Steakley. “I invite you to join us in creating the scarecrow’s cornfield, the stunning poppy field, and the parade of bubbles that accompany Glinda. And when we’re off to see the Wizard, Munchkinland turns into a boot-stompin’ hoedown to raise our spirits as we begin this adventure together. Slip on your cowboy boots and join us on the yellow brick road, ‘cause there’s no place like home.”
The Wizard of Oz includes both an adult and student cast. The adult cast includes Moira Poh as Dorothy Gale; Elise Ogden as Auntie Em; Rick Roemer as Uncle Henry/Professor/The Wizard; Raphe Gilliam as Hunk/Scarecrow; Connor Coughlin as Hickory/Tin Man; Ryan Everett Wood as Zeke/Cowardly Lion; Elora von Rosch as Miss Almira Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West; and Mariel Ardila as Glinda/Ensemble. Ian Bethany, Ryan Sytsema, Caleb Sporrer, Ben Milan-Polisar, Maggie Colleen Anderson, Jenna Napolitano, and Sophie Beck will round out the cast.
The alternating student cast includes Anais Molin, Madeleine Yang, Hadley Arndt, Ainsley Jones, Annie Curtis, Alexandra Guerrero as the Lullaby League; Kolbie Schneider, Camille Bergmann, Livie Kass, Caroline Copeland, Vivienne Robichaux, Reagan Roaquin as Lollipop Guild; Henry Walk and Rayan Jogee as Mayor; Luke Cantu Gutierrez and Wilder Vail-Gutweiler; and Riley Richichi and Lucas Edwards as Barrister.
The Wizard of Oz is directed by Dave Steakley with musical direction by Allen Robertson and choreography by Josh Assor. The additional production team includes assistant choreographer Brooke Cox; scenic design by Stephanie Busing; costume design by Susan Branch Towne; lighting design by Benjamin Gantose; sound design by Joshua Millican; properties design by Brady Flock; hair and makeup design by Anna Fugate-Downs; AEA production stage manager Caroline Ragland; AEA assistant stage manager Brennah Galvin; and assistant stage manager Ezra Rose.
Special events in celebration of The Wizard of Oz:
- Zachademia Night – Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 7:30 pm
- Champagne Opening – Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 7:30 pm
- ASL Performance – Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 2:30 pm
The Wizard of Oz
When: August 13 – September 21, 2025
Where: Zach360 in The Topfer at Zach | 202 S. Lamar Blvd. | Austin, TX | 78704
Tickets: Single tickets start at $25 and are available at Zach’s box office – 512-476-0541 x1, zachtheater.org.
Buckle up for a reimagined journey over the rainbow! Zach’s uniquely Austin staging of this iconic story features a Dust Bowl-era cowboy band, a glittering mirror ball experience, and plenty of chances to get in on the action. Whether you’re a parent or grandparent, a kid, or just a kid at heart, follow the yellow brick road into The Topfer for this spectacular musical, a timeless reminder that there’s no place like home.
Age Recommendation: Ages 5 and up
Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes including one 20-minute intermission
TICKETING AND SUBSCRIPTIONS:
Single tickets start at $25 and are available online at zachtheater.org, or by phone at 512-476-0541 Tuesday through Friday, 12–5 p.m. Free, short-term, and convenient parking available at the front entrance. Zach Theater is wheelchair accessible. A limited number of Pay What You Wish tickets are available the first week of the performances only. Groups of 8 or more may request reservations by calling 512-476-0541 x126 or by emailing groupsales@zachtheater.org.
Zach XP subscriptions are $39 per month and give access to all current season shows including Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, now through July 20; Waitress, June 11 – July 13; The Wizard of Oz, August 13 – September 21; and all 2025-26 Season shows. Zach XP subscribers get early access to reserve seats for the 2025-26 Season in Summer 2025. Visit zachtheater.org/zachxp to learn more.
2025-26 ticket packages start at $240 and are currently on sale at zachtheater.org/subscribe. For more information call 512-476-0541 x1 or go to zachtheater.org.
To sign up for updates on subscriptions, season info or general on sale, please visit zachtheater.org/newsletter.
Round the Rock attended Press Night on Saturday, August 16, and we loved it! The theatre-in-the-round put us right in the middle of the action, and audience participation was a fun surprise that made the show even more engaging. The cast was excellent; the costumes were fantastic—and Toto completely stole the show as the cutest performer.
Round the Rock images
About Zach Theater
Zach Theater is the longest-running professional theater in Texas and one of the ten oldest in the country. Founded in 1921 as Austin Community Players, incorporated in 1932 as Austin Little Theater, and sometime later became Austin Civic Theater; it was renamed the Zachary Scott Theater Center in 1968. Zach is a nonprofit arts organization that creates theater, education, and training programs designed to ignite connection between artists, audiences, students, and the community.
As Austin’s leading professional producing theater, Zach employs more than 300 actors, musicians, and designers each year to stage a bold and diverse array of plays and musicals under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Jamie Herlich.
Zach serves nearly 140,000 Central Texans annually—including more than 35,000 children and youth through innovative education programs, camps and classes, and community outreach including over $110,000 annually in financial aid to students to ensure access to theater education. With a strong commitment to inclusion, Zach offers over 52,000 in discounted or free tickets to the community each year.
Guided by a vision to be the place for everyone’s story, Zach is committed to artistic excellence, belonging, innovation, and integrity in everything they do. Learn more at zachtheater.org.
Connect with Zach:
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TikTok: tiktok.com/@zachtheater
Copy and images courtesy of Zach Theater
