The show opens The Humana Loft Series 2 at the 219-seat Loft Theatre in Dayton.

"Two worlds, set one hundred years apart, collide in this breathtaking new musical by the award-winning team," according to the announcement. "Based on the celebrated cult novel by Geoff Ryman, Was begins in the 1870s when a newly-orphaned young girl named Dorothy Gael is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in the desolate region of Manhattan, Kansas. Jump to the 1980s where Jonathan, a successful actor obsessed with 'The Wizard of Oz,' journeys to Kansas desperately searching for some proof of Dorothy Gael's existence. Was offers a compelling and richly tuneful footnote to L. Frank Baum's timeless story, as well as a uniquely memorable evening in the theatre. This production is not intended or recommended for children."

Thalken's Harold and Maude musical will have its premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2004-05.

The Human Race's 2004-05 season will also include the popular regional play, The Drawer Boy, Jan. 27-Feb. 13, 2005; Tom Stoppard's rare play-with-orchestra, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, a collaboration between Human Race and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Mead Theatre in the Schuster Center, Feb. 25, 2005; Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart, a collaboration between The Human Race Theatre Company and Victoria Theatre Association as part of the three-play series known as The Humana Loft Series 1, Dec. 2-19, at The Loft; William Nicholson's divorce drama, The Retreat From Moscow, March 24-April 10, 2005, at The Loft; Steve Martin's The Underpants, June 9-26, 2005, at the Loft.

Also on the 2004-05 season for Human Race is the new musical, Green Gables, at the Victoria Theatre, May 3-15, 2005. Human Races produces it and Victoria presents it. Green Gables was produced as a musical theatre workshop at The Loft Theatre in 2003 and then seen in a reading presentation in New York. Green Gables is based on Lucy Maude Montgomery's beloved book, "Anne of Green Gables," which has inspired a number of musicals, including a popular annual presentation on Prince Edward Island in Canada.

This Green Gables is penned by the Cincinnati based writing team of Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman. "Audiences will travel back to Avonlea and relive the adventures of the precocious, high-spirited orphan Ann Shirley," according to the announcement. "Mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who are expecting a boy, Anne's undeniable spirit captures the hearts of everyone."

For additional information regarding current offerings by The Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton's resident Equity company, call (937) 461-3823 or visit www.humanracetheatre.org.

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Founded in 1986, The Human Race Theatre Company moved to the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at The Loft, a 219-seat thrust theatre. In addition to The Humana Loft Series 1, produced in collaboration with the Victoria Theatre Association, The Human Race produces The Humana Loft Series 2, the Musical Theatre Workshop series, and special event programming.  The Human Race is under the direction of artistic director Marsha Hanna and executive director Kevin Moore.