Dorothy (played by Maggie Tarpley) wishes she was somewhere other than on the farm with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry (Brenda Brunston, David Bass) in 'The Wizard of Oz.'

VALDOSTA — Somewhere over the Dosta, the Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta has been preparing to bring “The Wizard of Oz” to the stage.

There may not be dozens of lions and tigers and bears (oh, my!), but there are plenty of Munchkins, Winkie guards, winged monkeys, Ozians, a Wicked Witch of the West, and yes, one lion of the cowardly variety, a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, Dorothy, and a little dog, too.

Maggie Tarpley plays Dorothy. She has played several roles locally through the years, including Scout with Theatre Guild’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Jane Banks in Peach State Summer Theatre’s “Mary Poppins” and young Fiona in Lowndes High School Off-Broadway’s “Shrek.” Audiences can expect her to sing the iconic “Over the Rainbow” as Dorothy.

Audiences can expect to hear most of the songs from the classic film version of “The Wizard of Oz,” with a few twists, said Bethanie Bass, the show’s director.

“Many of us remember anxiously awaiting Dorothy’s colorless world to become one of magical color as she arrives in Munchkinland,” Bass commented in her director’s notes. “More than anything, Dorothy’s story is a familiar one to all, as she longs for somewhere to be where there are no troubles. The idea has her coming full-circle to find that the love of family and friends are singularly the most common ingredients of home.”

The production’s familiar songs includes “If I Only Had a Brain,” “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” “Yellow Brick Road,” “If I Were King of the Forest,” etc.

But it also features a song cut from the movie, “Jitterbug,” which has Dorothy and company in a dance-off with Jitterbugs and Jitterbug Trees. Bass said the “Jitterbug” number is one of the cast’s favorites.

Gingerbread Players’ “Wizard” version is one specifically developed for young actors. Gingerbread Players is the children’s theatre branch of Theatre Guild Valdosta. “The Wizard of Oz” features a cast mix of children and adult performers.

THE CAST: Maggie Tarpley, Brock Gilliard, Shannon Winthrop, Andrew Thomas, Catherine Allbritton, Kaitlyn Allbritton, Jackson Anderson, Stephenie Austin, David Bass, Kamry Boyd, Karsyn Boyd, Brenda Brunston, Diane Brunston, Dian Candelario, Chase Cook, Kalyn Cooper, John Laurent Dean, Bardin Dickson, Dallas Freeman, Kendall Haden, Loughren Haden, Rachel Hansford, Kimble Hunt, Madelyn James, Isabel Kassum, Katelyn Lancaster, Rebecca Lancaster, Kayla Martinez, Christie Jo Mayo, Joely Montgomery, Mattie Ryan, Kendall Sasser, Aaron Seppala, Mark Seppala, Shelby Stacey, Allison Stangl, Ava Thomas, Gracie Tinsley, Allie Rae Ward, Aidan Williams, Ashton Williams.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Bethanie Bass, director; Lois Allbritton, Robin McLendon, assistant directors; Ashley Cooper, musical director; Shannon Thomas, choreographer; Lynnette Kenworthy, set design, light design; Diane Brunston, stage manager; Sommers Coleman, assistant stage manager; Brock Gilliard, publicity; Parker Allbritton, lights; Danielle Costello, sound & microphone.

SHOWTIME

Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta presents “The Wizard of Oz.”

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m., March 27, 28; 3 p.m., March 29.

Where: The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St.

More information: Call (229) 247-8243; visit www.theatreguildvaldosta.com