One of those cooperative efforts -- Titanic, the Musical -- was nominated this year for four Helen Hayes Awards, which honor outstanding work at theaters in the Washington metropolitan area. She and Lawrence Munsey have each been nominated for outstanding direction of a resident musical. The musical direction of Christopher Youstra and the musical itself have been nominated as well. Winners will be announced April 28.
"Toby has been a vital force in changing the way people think about the arts," said longtime friend and colleague Carolyn Keleman, who produces A Labor of Love, the county's annual AIDS benefit, and teaches dance at Howard Community College.
"She is so honest in her approach to theater," Keleman continued. "She's vibrant and down-to-earth and people want to do things for her. She can pull from her performers above and beyond what they can normally give."
"People often ask me if I have any hobbies, and I say that I am one of the lucky ones whose hobby is also her career," Orenstein said. "How many people can say that their work is also their passion?"
She said she enjoys playing bridge on occasion and takes in quite a few plays locally and in Washington and New York.
"Theater is a global concept -- when you want to see a good play, you will get to wherever it is," she said, adding that her theaters draw from communities within an hour's drive.
That explains why her two locations each offer five productions each year -- there is a loyal fan base who attend performances at both theaters, she said.
Orenstein recalled recently being at the Columbia theater to take notes on a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat when a woman from a large family came over to her and asked, "`Are you Toby?'" Orenstein added, "When I said yes, she hugged me and thanked me for the joy I've brought to her family."
The family of 10 revealed they had come to every new show for the past 10 years, the director said.
"When you hear something like that," said Orenstein, "what is there left to say?"
The Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts will hold a benefit May 19 at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore, 5625 O'Donnell St. The show is "The Three Phantoms in Concert," which features three Broadway performers who have all played the Phantom of the Opera, singing songs from many well-known musicals. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and there will be cocktails, light fare and desserts. For more information, call 410-381-0700 or visit CCTArts.com.
