Doug Mitchell Memorial Theatre in Ayden, NC
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Friday 11/13/2026 7:00 pm | Saturday 11/14/2026 2:00 pm
Since 1986, Smiles and Frowns Playhouse has returned every ten years to the beloved story of The Wizard of Oz. For the 40th anniversary season we are revisiting the version written by Susan McCrea, originally staged in 2016.
Based on the original L. Frank Baum novel, this updated version has Dorothy in blue jeans, trying to educate the confused Ozians on how amazing Kansas is. All the major players are there–the cowardly lion, heart-broken tinman, the confused scarecrow, along with a couple of witches, a dog, and don’t forget those flying monkeys. You may think you know the story, but do you?
Come see what you haven’t seen before.
Advanced tickets are $7.
Door purchased tickets are $10.
Reserve your seat today!
Bringing Down the House
Friday 03/12/2027 7:00 pm | Saturday 03/13/2027 2:00 pm
Ever hear of a musical without songs? It just might make this madcap comedy a first!
Jules, Sydney, and Elliot have some big dreams. An up-and-coming musical team, they’ve rented a creaky old theater for six weeks to mount a production of their new show. Top Broadway investors are slated to attend, so the team is going to need every minute to rehearse the musical.
To their dismay, they discover that the theater is scheduled for demolition the very next day, and they don’t have the money to rent another venue! There’s only one thing to do: throw the show together in just two hours and present it to any investors who can make it on such short notice.
And so the rehearsal begins. But every time a performer gets ready to sing and the music starts to swell, someone bursts into the theater and cuts the song off! There’s the annoying child actor who desperately wants to be in the show, a group of very confused protesters, a pushy politician seeking a splashy photo op, and of course, the bumbling demo crew themselves.
The show must go on!
Advanced tickets are $7.
Door purchased tickets are $10.
Reserve your seat today!