Part of the cast of Cabrillo Music Theater’s ‘The Wizard of OzWitches casting spells? Munchkins running around without supervision? A lion that’s afraid of his own shadow? Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.

Cabrillo Music Theatre is presenting “The Wizard of Oz,” directed by Shauna Markey, in the Fred Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. It reminds the audience that it’s never too late to take a trip somewhere over the rainbow.

The play is filled with a talented cast with fun musical numbers, including many favorites such as “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” and “Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead” that get the audience clapping to the beat.

The musical follows the same story line as the original movie with Judy Garland and uses similar music.

After getting hit on the head during a Kansas tornado, Dorothy (Marissa Fuhrer) travels to the colorful land of munchkins, wizards and witches.

Fuhrer, 15, has acted in about 20 performances since the age of 7. She provides a spunky rendition of Dorothy, whom you can’t help but love.

Along her journey, Dorothy meets the Scarecrow (Scott Dreier), the Tin Man (Ryan Ruge) and the Cowardly Lion (Jay Brian Winnick), who follow her to the land of Oz so they can get a brain, a heart and courage, respectively. Dreier, Ruge, and Winnick play off one another very well, which results in many comedic moments during the show.

Their journey to Oz isn’t without complications as they encounter the Wicked Witch (Anette Michelle Sanders). Sanders portrays a very believable Wicked Witch, right down to the evil cackle, making the line “I’ll get you my pretty, and your little dog, too” rather frightening.

The part of Toto is played by Daisy, a purebred Cairn terrier, the same breed as the original Toto. Daisy appears to love being a part of the musical and at times steals the show.

The talented ensemble, which is comprised mostly of kids, performs beautifully choreographed numbers.

The set design is colorful and intricate and adds to the overall performance. There are also plenty of pyrotechnics coinciding with the set design, making the scenery more authentic. The play includes many characters flying in—literally—such as the Wicked Witch on her broomstick, which is fun to watch.

The lighting adds to the mood and tone of the play and is perfectly in sync with the music.

The costumes are colorful and detailed, making the characters quite believable.

Some of the sound cues, however, were a few seconds off. And the Wicked Witch’s first big entrance came with a belly flop onto the stage, but the actress quickly recovered and the mishap might have gone unnoticed by some of the audience. This musical is fun for the whole family and reminds children and adults alike that there really is no place like home.

Remaining performances are 8 p.m. tonight, Thurs., Aug. 4 through Sat., Aug. 6. Matinees are 2 p.m. Sat., Aug. 6 and Sun., Aug. 7. Tickets ranging from $19 to $45 are available at the box office or through Ticketmaster.

For more information or to reserve tickets, please call the box office at (805) 499-2787.