The Mountain Play, the San Francisco Bay Area’s most magical outdoor theater experience, After a one-year hiatus from their signature production on Mount Tamalpais, the Mountain Play, the San Francisco Bay Area’s most magical outdoor theater experience, is thrilled to announce a return to their much beloved home at the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre in 2026 for a production of the family-favorite musical, The Wizard of Oz, June 7, 13, 14, and 21. T
The Wizard of Oz marks Mountain Play’s 113th year and will be directed by Bay Area veteran Director and Performer Dyan McBride. For more information, visit www.mountainplay.org
Over the last year, the organization has done major fundraising, market research, brainstorming, and programming research to understand more about what the community wants from the organization.
“There is a reason why this organization has been around for 112 years, and that’s because the Mountain Play is a unique experience that families and friends have enjoyed for generations,” said Eileen Grady, Mountain Play Executive Director and Artistic Producer. “We want to preserve that tradition, continue to provide what the public holds dear and let go of the pieces that do not promote a financially viable experience.
While the Mountain Play plans to return this season with a full production, they will continue to use research, exploration, and more fundraising to address the combined financial effects of bad weather, employment law changes, and the pandemic.
Adds Grady: “The organization needs to evolve to create a sustainable future, but we can’t do it alone. We are looking forward to a sustainable Mountain Play that puts its focus on our community’s needs and desires for the future of the organization.”
The season will kick off with the annual fall benefit Up Where We Belong on November 15, 2025 at the Corinthian Yacht Club. The evening will include a wine reception, appetizers, a delicious three-course dinner, live auction, fund-a-need, and musical selections celebrating songs that have made the journey from Hollywood to Broadway.
“I am so thrilled to partner with Director Dyan McBride to present this joyful, iconic musical. Dyan’s generous, creative energy and expert storytelling are the perfect match for this show,” said Grady. “Dyan’s wisdom and experience on the mountain are also a major benefit for the organization as we evolve for a stronger, thriving future.”
“I am over the rainbow to direct The Wizard of Oz for the Mountain Play. I hope that its timeless messages of friendship, home, and self-discovery appeal to a broad audience of theatre lovers, families and adventurers,” said Dyan McBride.” I promise a show filled with show-stopping talent and inventive design to honor L. Frank Baum’s classic text and Harold Arlen/Yip Harburg’s flawless score.”
About the Wizard of Oz:
Follow the yellow brick road to Mount Tamalpais in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. The timeless tale, in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, continues to thrill audiences worldwide. “Over the Rainbow,” “We’re Off to See the Wizard” and “If I Only Had a Brain” are just a few of the musical gems included in this production. THE WIZARD OF OZ is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com
About Dyan McBride:
Dyan McBride makes her living in showbiz as an actor, director, teacher and singer.
As a performer or director, Dyan has worked with notable companies such as 42nd St. Moon, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Hillbarn Theatre, Lucky Penny, The Mountain Play, Center Repertory Theatre, Woodminster Summer Musicals, The Lark, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Sacramento Theatre Company, Ray of Light, Marin Theatre Company, Laguna Playhouse, Broadway by the Bay, Utah Musical Theatre, Performance Riverside and many others.
Multimedia work includes film, TV, voice-over, print, writing and web for companies such as Progressive, Yahoo, Nintendo and Comcast. Dyan is the inaugural director of the new award-winning holiday classic, Scrooge in Love, written by the acclaimed writers Larry Grossman, Duane Poole and Kellan Blair, and starring Broadway’s Jason Graae. Available through Concord Theatricals/Tams-Witmark.
She currently serves on the theatre faculty at Las Positas College and Cal. State East Bay. Dyan has previously taught at UC Davis, The Academy of Art, Solano College, San Jose State, and she is the founding Educational Director of MoonSchool in San Francisco.
She is happily married to Dennis O’Brien, dog mom to Violet Beauregarde Jones and cat mom to Jamboree Hootenanny Jones. She has seen Bruce Springsteen in concert 55 times. She likes to read, garden, and rock out. www.dyanmcbride.com
About the Mountain Play
Rooted in more than a century of theatrical tradition, the Mountain Play Association provides enriching live performances that stimulate creativity, engage our community and foster a lifelong enjoyment of the arts. Our signature event is a spectacular outdoor production that celebrates musical theatre and nurtures respect for the unique natural beauty of Mount Tamalpais. www.MountainPlay.org.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.MountainPlay.org
About the Mountain Play: Rooted in more than a century of theatrical tradition, the Mountain Play Association provides enriching live performances that stimulate creativity, engage our community and foster a lifelong enjoyment of the arts.
Our signature event is a spectacular outdoor production that celebrates musical theatre and nurtures respect for the unique natural beauty of Mount Tamalpais.
