Cast of ‘Hay Fever.’ Judd Plattenburg Photography
Dayton’s beloved Human Race Theatre Company is continuing its fantastic season with Noel Coward’s ‘Hay Fever!’ I had the pleasure of asking the Artistic Director, Emily Wells, all about it!
D9: Thanks, Emily, for taking some time to let us all know about your most recent production at HRTC! Why was ‘Hay Fever’ chosen for the Human Race this season?
EW: Bob Hetherington was one of the resident directors of The Human Race for the first 10 years of the company, and he’s also my directing mentor. We knew we wanted to have him back to direct this season all about family. When it came time to select a work together, we were dishing about the theme and classic titles that might be exciting for our audience to see our spin. Noël Coward’s HAY FEVER, with its family behaving badly, seemed like just the right fit!
D9: Sounds fun….what is the premise of the show for those who are unfamiliar??
EW: Hoping for a quiet weekend in the country with some guests, Judith and David Bliss find peace to be impossible when their children, Simon and Sorel, appear with guests of their own. A houseful of misunderstandings, games, and irrational tempers ensues as the quiet weekend comes to a hilarious and exhausting end.
D9: HRTC are masters at this type of comedy! With that in mind, what themes do you hope resonate most with audiences today?EW: I hope we’re all aware of how our words and actions affect those around us, but if we’re not, we’ll definitely sympathize with the guests who are treated badly by their hosts. You may see how Mr. Coward’s work has influenced modern comedies like “Modern Family” and “Schitt’s Creek” among others.
D9: Shows like this are really character-driven. What qualities were you looking for when casting this production?
EW: This script is over 100 years old, but it feels as fresh as yesterday. Bob was able to flip the gender of a key character, adding a flair that I think would delight Mr. Coward. For a script like this, we also looked for great physical comedy skills, and timing, timing, timing!
D9: This sounds fun and inventive! What do you want audiences to feel when they leave the theater?
EW: Giddy, laughing, and just maybe a slightly better host for their next party.
D9: Ha, ha, ha!! What does the rest of this season hold for folks?
EW: We want to see folks turn out for our 40th birthday party on the 28th – Certified Human Night. Come as you are with a dash of 80’s fashion, and help us celebrate turning 40! Then, in June, The Hot Wing King by Katori Hall is going to be HOT! Gorgeous cast, a little spicy romance, and family drama – it’s the show everyone will be talking about into summer.
Catch ‘HAY FEVER!’
D9: Wishing you so much success with the rest of your season. Any thoughts for your audiences? EW: Audiences are our special sauce, so if you’ve not been to see us in a while – come see us! We’ve got pricing for every budget, and Parent’s Day Out for families. Next season will be announced very soon and we can’t wait to share what we’re cooking up for you.
D9: Thank you, Emily. Hay Fever is playing at the Loft Theatre April 8 – 19, 2026. For ticket info visit: https://www.daytonlive.org/
Community Theaters in the area are providing some amazing and unique performances lately. This time, it’s Beavercreek Community Theatre! Saul Caplan, who is directing this production, talked with me about ‘Beaver Transceiver Radio Theatre!’ 
937: Love the authenticity!! People will love this. What are the days/times for this production?
Charles Dickens Legendary ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’ is next up in TheatreLab Dayton’s season. Murder, mayhem, and music fill this much-loved mystery! I had the pleasure of speaking to Philip Drennen, the director of the local production.
ent right here at home, and we hope audiences will come and be part of the mystery with us.
The energy picks up in the theatre when David Josefberg‘s take on Doc Brown, hits the stage. Throughout the show, he makes his moments, HIS MOMENTS! Also of note, Cartreze Tucker belting ‘Gotta Start Somewhere’ and the devilish performance by Nathaniel Hackmann as Biff. And yes, the car. The CAR! I didn’t want to like it…almost was dead-set on not liking it…just to be contrary. But the truth is, it’s pretty astounding to watch. Blended with backgrounds that look alive and real (the high school gym scene is a mind-trip!)…the car is, in its own way, another star of the show!
Advice…go into the theatre looking to have a good time. A fun, funny, fantastic frolic awaits….
The DGMC is ready to deck the halls for the holidays. Their annual concert, which has been a mainstay of the area for many years, promises another stellar performance. I was so excited to get to speak to member, Marc Driscoll about the upcoming event.
937: What made you put I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change first and foremost this season?
937: That Merry QUIZmas thing is so fun. And it really has a warm and holiday’ish’ feel. Love it! When are performances, and how do I get tickets?
Beavercreek Community Theatre is celebrating the spooky season with ‘Let the Right One In.’ This weekend is the final chance to see the production which is directed by Chris Harmon. Here is what he shared with us about this coming-of-age story.
937: Who makes up this strong cast?
Dayton has an amazing theatre scene with some excellent actors. I was lucky enough to catch up with one of the best, Matt Meier! He is part of the dynamic cast of ‘Dial M for Murder!’ at the Theatre Guild!
MM: Dayton is fortunate to have such a strong theatre scene, and we invite you to be part of it! Tickets are available online at DaytonTheatreGuild.org. 
Yes, the show packs what you remember….goat-herders, cuckoo clocks, and an occasional Nazi symbol. What this production is able to do is keep us buoyant and filled with optimism. It can, indeed, be a lesson for our world today.
It is always great to see something new on the stages in the Dayton area. This time around, it is ‘Anthropology’ at the Sinclair Theater. We got the scoop on the performance! So excited to chat with the show’s director, Gina Neuerer!
937: Which of course means the story must be a doozie….can you gives us insight into the story itself?
Oct 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18
Elegant. Energetic. Celebratory. Last night was one of those nights in which you wish you could bottle the magic. The Dayton Philharmonic‘s kick-off to the 25-26 season was electrifying. Under the direction of Keitaro Harada, the orchestra took on a new kind of vitality, and the audience sat up and listened!
Garrick Ohlsson, joins the Phil in the second half to bring Sergei Rachmaninoff‘s ‘Piano Concerto No. 2’ to perfect life! *Ohlsson is the only American pianist to bring home a gold medal awarded at the International Chopin Piano Competition! Astounding pianist!! It is the Rachmaninoff concerto that you are reminded of the power of music. Strong, soft, loud and moving…emotions run high. (Yes, Celine Dion fans, you are hearing overtones of ‘All By Myself’ in the Adagio…for older fans think Eric Carmen!) I whispered to my hubs ‘There is just something deep in Rachmaninoff’s music….he understood how music feels!’
Packed house. Excellent Performances. Beautiful Evening! Once again, Wright State’s Arts prove their national recognition is well-earned. The StageWright concert at the Levitt Pavilion on September 11th was nothing short of magical. From the bands, to the dancers, to the singers…WSU knows how to perform for the crowd, and they did it again!
Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy has been reimagined for a modern age in Dayton’s most thrilling venue, The Roger Glass Center for the Arts. The Gem City Groundlings, Dayton’s premier Shakespeare company, is proud to present a riveting new production of 
Tickets:
The Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus is presenting their Pride Concert titled, “The Power of Love!” The June concert is always important because it is the DGMC’s way to show excitement and appreciation of Pride Month. The DGMC felt it would be important to focus on “The Power of Love” to push back against some of the negativity that has unfortunately become so strong in our country and world.
Don’t miss the show, which features favorites like “Love Shack,” “Defying Gravity,” and “Wannabe” as well as some lesser known pieces that are sure to get an emotional response from the crowd. See you at the Glass!
937: It sounds stunning. All the success to you and the gang at Beavercreek Community Theatre! BRAVO! OH! How do we go?