When Kiara Hines speaks of Dorothy Gale, she practically glows. She bounces in her seat, her hands elegantly floating about and collapsing to her chest as she talks almost reverently of the little girl from Kansas — the hero who defeated the Wicked Witch of the West, exposed the major corruption happening in the Emerald City and who so desperately wanted to return home. Hines's infectious energy is apparent even before she steps into her blue and white gingham dress and ruby red slippers. And for Hines, Dorothy has returned her home.

Hines grew up in the area and now lives in New York City. But in one week, she will step onto the stage at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, as Dorothy, Toto in hand and alongside her three lovable companions — the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man — in search of home, truth and of course a heart, brains and courage. Hines's parents, who still live in the area, will be eagerly watching in the audience. For her, playing this iconic character from one of her favorite movies growing up is an honor. When she speaks of Dorothy, it's as if she is real.

"Dorothy is someone who is not afraid to say what she wants, and she is not afraid to tell the adults that you need to love me better. She's not afraid to tell the people in her life you've got to do better 'cause I'm a kid here, and I'm going with what you are giving me. There is so much bravery and courage in that … to say what you feel. It means so much to me. I'm learning so much from Dorothy," she said.

Hines auditioned for this same role many years ago, here, in Hope Mills as a teenager attending Jack Britt High School. Back then, things didn't go exactly according to plan.

"I did not get Dorothy because I was a shy girl back then," Hines laughs.

Her statement also sparks a laugh from her courage-seeking companion, Nick Pearson, who will play the Lion in this production. Pearson's personality is robust and seems to lack any timidness, a far cry from his character's humble beginnings. He sits confidently and dawns a hefty beard that Pearson says he has been growing since the summer when he heard he'd be playing the Lion. Pearson previously starred in a touring production of "The Wizard of Oz."

"For the first year of the tour, I was a munchkin. I took over as the Lion during the second year of the tour," Pearson said.

This time, Pearson read lines for the Tin Man, explaining the character has a clean slate and can evolve in many ways. But as luck would have it, he was given the role of the Lion.

"The lion will always have my heart," he said.

This "The Wizard of Oz" production was initially slated for the 2020-2021 CFRT season, just before COVID-19 shut the country down. For the administrative workers at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, this has been two years in the making.

"We always knew we wanted to do it," said Ashley Owen, marketing director at CFRT. "It'll be our first main stage show since March of 2020. Really, it's our first big musical since 'Shrek.'"

Hines, Pearson and their director Tiffany Green were all members of the "Shrek" production in January 2020. The three live in New York City and seem like the oldest of friends, a kinship that must have developed during that first production.

The friendship, kindness and laughter shared between them are fitting for the story they are telling — that of Dorothy Gale and her journey with the oddest of characters who become the dearest of friends.

"For us, this is like getting the gang back together in a way. These are incredible humans, incredible talents," said Green.

Green knew the performers she needed once she was named director. She wanted to bring back Hines to play Dorothy.

Hines played Gingy in "Shrek," and Green notes the "light and energy" she brings to a production. Playing the role was also a no-brainer for Hines, having auditioned for it during high school and Dorothy being a character she idolized.

Hines grew up memorizing the lines to The Wizard of Oz.

This time not only was she Dorothy, but she was Dorothy in a way she had never seen growing up.

"I'm a Black girl and being able to play a character who is iconically white. It's a dream come true, and it's going to brighten the hearts of so many Brown and Black girls. I'm really excited to represent them," Hines said.

The production will have 32 actors performing at each show, pyrotechnics, tons of technology and LED lighting systems and their very own Toto. Rolo, an energetic Morkie, will be playing the role of Toto. The "pint-sized" dog is full of personality. For the actors, this has brought a lot of joy, laughs and challenges, in the best way they say.

Pearson laughs as he demonstrates and recounts his favorite portion of the play, where the Lion has to explain Scarecrow's plan to Toto. Pearson's thick beard protrudes from his profile as he pretends to hold up a dog to his face. He laughs again and then returns back to his seated position.

"You just never know what a dog is going to do on stage. I cannot wait to get him in the scenes. It's going to be the cutest thing ever," he said.

On the other hand, Hines says her favorite part of the production is one of the last lines of the play. She will be saying goodbye to all the friends she made along her journey, and then she comes to the Scarecrow.

"I think I'll miss you most of all," Hines recites her line and then pulls her arms into her chest. "I know the final performance we'll all be boohoo-ing."

This sentiment is the real heart of the show according to the actors. It is the story and the message that lies underneath it all.

The lines that are "so beautifully written," as Hines recounts several times, — that people make a place a home.

"That last line — there's no place like home. I think home is where you put your heart. Within this show, there is a lot of heart. I think having that message in a time like this is so pertinent and important. I couldn't be happier to be one little element of it all," Pearson said.

When they interact, the performers also know that the real home is each other, and there's just no place quite like it.