Back to top
Home | Node | Follow the Yellow Brick Road to This Year's Mountain Play

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to This Year's Mountain Play

Dorothy and Toto from the 2008 Mountain Play, The Wizard of OzI’ve always wanted to experience one of the Mountain Plays up on beautiful Mount Tamalpais--with a picnic lunch, of course--but so far have just never made it. The 2008 production will be a family favorite, The Wizard of Oz. My son, who recently saw part of The Wizard of Oz on TV (we skipped the creepy flying monkeys and other scary stuff), noticed the Mountain Play flyer the other day, and decided that he wanted to go. Here is my chance to finally experience one of these unique productions! See you favorite characters, including Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and Glinda the Good Witch, all portrayed by talented actors from Marin and across the Bay Area. This year's production is directed by James Dunn, Mountain Play veteran and founder of the College of Marin Theatre Department.

If you purchase your tickets before April 15, you get an early bird discount of $2 off each ticket. Performances will be on Sundays May 18 and 25, and June 1, 8, and15, as well as Saturday, June 7. All shows are at 1pm. Parking at the Cushing Memorial Amphitheater up on the mountain is very limited, so everyone is encouraged to hike, bike, or take one of the free shuttle buses to the venue. Shuttle buses pick up playgoers in Mill Valley at the Manzanita park-and-ride lot or at Tamalpais High School. This year all the shuttle buses run on biodiesel fuel, so you can be assured that your ride up the mountain is an ecologically sound experience.

Each performance also features family-friendly pre-show entertainments, including face painting and puppet shows. There will also be a costume contest prior to each performance, so come dressed as your favorite character from The Wizard of Oz and you might win a free pair of tickets! It’s traditional to bring your picnic lunch (some get quite elaborate), but food and drinks are available from concession stands at the theater. If you decide to go, make sure you dress in layers; it can be cold and foggy earlier in the day, but quite warm when the sun finally breaks through. Hats and sunscreen are a must as well.

Tickets can only be purchased online or by phone. Prices are: Adults $35.00 online, $37.00 phone, $39 at gate; juniors (ages 4–17) and seniors (ages 65+) $24.00 online, $26.00 phone, $28 at gate; children 3 and under free. For tickets and more information visit mountainplay.org or phone (415) 383-1100.

Pictured: Dorothy and Toto. Photo courtesy of Mountain Play