DAYTON – If you find yourself mingling with Winkies, Munchkins, Poppies, and Jitterbugs, there's only one place you can be – traveling the legendary yellow brick road to Oz.

It's been twelve years since local actors have walked that road on Dayton's Liberty Theater stage, and they're about to do so again. The Touchet Valley Arts Council's 2015 fall musical, "The Wizard of Oz," begins Fri., Nov. 13.

Following a four-year hiatus from the stage, Brenda Henderson and Mike Ferrians, who last co-directed "A Christmas Carol" in 2011, have reconnected with their theater family to co-direct this year's production - a show they both know very well.

Ferrians played Scarecrow and Henderson played a crow and a townsperson in the 2003 Wizard of Oz production, directed by Elizabeth Arabelos-Jagelski. In fact, it was during that show that Henderson says she first met Ferrians and his wife, Melissa, who directed the music.

"When we were discussing options for this year's show we liked the idea of 'My Fair Lady' but the rights were unavailable. Finally, we realized that all of our past Munchkins were grown up, so it was time to reprise Wizard. I'm glad we did because the cast has been almost tailor-made for this show," Ferrians said.

Roslyn Edwards returns to the stage in her spectacularly-played role as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Jack McCaw and Chuck Reeves once again portray the once good and friendly Ozian Winkies who have been taken slave by the Wicked Witch

Several young TVAC favorites perform in central roles this year. Savannah McFarland stars as Dorothy Gale, alongside Cougar Henderson as Scarecrow and Chad Pearson as Tinman.

"It's nice to see the kids who have grown up in our theater family on stage taking on larger roles," said Henderson.

Melissa Petrello is Dorothy's understudy, Tony Sykes plays Cowardly Lion, Elizabeth Arabelos-Jagelski stars as Glinda the Good Witch, Bret Moser is Professor Marvel and Fred Crowe gives life to the Voice of Oz.

Munchkins, Poppies, Jitterbugs, Flying Monkeys, and Ozians are just some of the characters and fantastical beings that make up the remainder of the approximately 75 cast and crew members involved in this year's production.

"There is a great variety of talent this year. There are many people involved who have never been on stage before. As a director, what rewards me most is watching young people and adults explore a part of them they didn't know existed, or do something they didn't think they could do," Ferrians said.

"People grow and develop in unique ways through performing arts," he added. "Every Broadway show is rooted in the 'amateur' community theater experience. Central to TVAC's mission is to give people this opportunity. It's profound to watch a character develop."

Both directors say the talent behind the scenes plays just as large a role as the stage talent in making this year's production particularly spectacular.

"The set design and artistry is magical and amazing, drawn from the artistic talent of Dayton residents Mike and Argina Williams, who have only been Valley residents for a short time," Ferrians said. "They are putting together an art studio on Main Street in Dayton. Her work is magical. She can turn a junk yard into a palace and does amazing things with glass."

Kris Takemura and Meredith Dedman also put their artistic talents to work on set design, creating a world of Midwest twisters, the rolling hills of Munchkinland, the emerald sparkle of Oz, dark dungeons, and poppy fields. Veteran seamstress Mary Luce continues to oversee the highly-reputed costuming of the Liberty stage.

Patti Jo Amerein and Henderson worked together on the show's creative choreography, assisted by Cougar Henderson.

"Cougar has been a wealth of knowledge to have with us this year, bringing with him all the knowledge he's learned performing elsewhere," Henderson said.

Dena Wood

Tinman (Chad Pearson) takes advantage of his newfound freedom after being oiled up by Scarecrow (Cougar Henderson) and Dorothy (Savannah McFarland.

"I'm excited for people to see the show. We've got great talent; the vocals are beautiful and smooth. I haven't had to stress and we've always been ahead of schedule," she added.

"I think people are going to be quite impressed with the way we tell the story of the girl from Kansas. For a tiny community theater in a small-town rural area, we have received accolades from a lot of places because of the artistry and sincerity with which we work together. Brenda and I are really grateful for the people who have made the show what it is," Ferrians said.