10-27-2022 Howard Mag - Flipbook - Page 36
Best of Howard
OUT & ABOUT
Mark Minnick,
associate
producer and
artistic director,
left, and Toby
Orenstein,
owner and
artistic director
of Toby’s Dinner
Theatre, have
worked together
for decades.
PHOTO BY AMY
DAVIS
36
BEST PERFORMING ARTS GROUP
Toby’s Dinner Theatre
5900 Symphony Woods Road. tobysdinnertheatre.com
Since 1979, Toby’s Dinner Theatre has entertained Columbia
crowds and garnered local theater nominations and awards with
productions, such as the current show “Ghost the Musical,” which
runs until Nov. 6. Mark Minnick, Toby’s associate producer, said
it’s the organization’s founder Toby Orenstein 85, that keeps the
theater thriving.
“It comes from dedication and heart and Toby has never been
afraid to take a risk,” Minnick said. “With risk comes reward.”
Having worked alongside her for a decade, Minnick said Orenstein, who recently celebrated 50 years of her school Columbia
Center for Theatrical Arts, has always prioritized quality arts education and entertainment.
“She, and the entire staff at Toby’s, puts their best foot forward
to provide an outstanding experience where families can come
| Fall 2022 | howardmagazine.com
together and share a meal and performance,” he said. “Where you
can put your phones down.”
From the moment they’re seated, audiences become part of the
on-and-off stage action.
“Patrons get to interact a little bit with our actors — before the
show and during intermission — where it becomes a mutual admiration society. We get to thank them for supporting the arts,” he
said. “They get to learn about our performers and they get to show
their appreciation. There’s a personal touch that comes with an
evening at Toby’s.”
Toby’s “is in an intimate, in-the-round setting, where no table is
more than 30 feet from the stage. The intimacy just makes everything 100 times better,” he said. “You’re right there with the actors
as they’re laughing as they’re crying. It draws you in.”