Howard is one of the youngest actresses to play Dorothy in a professional production of The Wizard of Oz. Judy Garland was 16 when "The Wizard of Oz" was filmed. Performances continue through Dec. 21.

Directed by Karen Carpenter (Love, Loss and What I Wore) with choreography by Matt Williams (Carrie) and music direction by Charlotte Evans, the cast also includes Michael J. Farina (Professor Marvel and The Wizard of Oz), Stephanie H. Gilmore (Aunt Em/Glinda), James Young (Uncle Henry/Guard!), Kathryn Kendall (Elmira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West), Timothy J. Allen (Hunk/Scarecrow), John H. Thyen (Zeke/Cowardly Lion) and Will Sevedge (Hickory/Tinman).

Rounding out the ensemble are Chrissy Albanese, Hannah Balagot, Stephanie Bissonnette, Jessica Crilley, Nicole Curnan, Caleb Dicke, Jessica Foster, Abigail Hartwell, Josiah Jacoby, Nadia Jewel, Isabella Moitoso, Courtney Moran, Brandon Roach, Joseph Rosario, Sharrod Williams and Russell Zacher.

The Wizard of Oz is adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company from the 1939 MGM film screenplay based on the novel by L. Frank Baum. The show features the music and lyrics of the MGM motion picture score by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg and background music by Herbert Stothart.

The creative team also includes Steven Lee Burright (scenic design), Stacey Juengling (costume coordinator), Benjamin Weill (lighting design), Matthew Haber (projection design), Mark Keeler (sound design), Ryan PJ Mulholland (wig and hair design), Jana Lynn (production stage manager) and Wojick-Seay Casting (casting).

The Wizard of Oz is produced for Surflight Theatre by William C. Martin (general manager).

Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven, NJ. For single tickets call (609) 492-9477 or online at Surflight.org.