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Joshua Stucky

All Laughs for Oakwood Junior High Thespians!

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For Director Amy Askins, theater is part of her blood. The beloved local actress/director has taken on a new task…bringing fun theater to junior high students!

Askins, who has a rich history with dramatics, brings her experience, which stretches from Dallas to Dayton, to OAKWOOD Junior High!

‘There are 2 one-act comedies being performed by this really dedicated group of students. The first show, The Internet Is Distract…OH LOOK A KITTEN! By Ian McWethy, is funny but may hit close to home for parents of teens who battle the screen time epidemic-Zombie apps! Instagram break-ups! Micah is trying to finish her paper on The Great Gatsby but these darn devices are FULL of distractions – Amazon wants to sell all the things! Taylor wants her to play Knock Grandma On Her Butt! Can Micah overcome the struggle and make it to school on time?” (Sounds like something all parents know and can totally appreciate. UGH!)

‘The second show, All I Really Need To Know I Learned By Being In A Bad Murder Mystery by Werner Trieschmann, focuses on a hapless crew of actors just want to put on a show but must contend with an over-caffeinated director, a crazed accent coach, and nachos!’ (I think I have performed for that director!)

‘They have put so much time and love into these shorts and I cannot wait for the public to see just how amazing they are!’ Askins goes on.’All plays get to a point where they are ready for an audience…we are READY!’

BREAK A LEG KIDS! Thanks Amy!

What: Oakwood Junior High Theatre presents two short comedies tonight Saturday, 1/21  at 7:00 in the OHS auditorium.  80 minutes.

Tickets ($8/$5) are available at the door or ahead of time at oakwood.hometownticketing.com/embed/all

 

 

Winter’Tainment: Allie Haines is ‘In the Green’ at PNC.

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‘In the Green’ a modern retelling of the Hildegard von Bingen story, is at the PNC Arts Annex this weekend. A forceful cast with a strong message, brings the deep and bold tale to life. One of the stars of the show ALLIE HAINES met with me to talk about the play….and the interview went something like this!

‘In The Green’ local premiere at PNC Arts Annex.

JS: Thanks for meeting with me to talk about this undertaking at PNC! Tell me about ‘In the Green!’

AH: It’s an enigma really. It’s a trip inward. You meet some very strong women faced with some deep traumatic experiences. But rather than searching somewhere around them, the search within themselves for strength and answers. It’s a fantastic musical by Grace McLean! And we are premiering in this region.

JS: So I understand it focuses on Saint Hildegard’s story. So it’s a religious tale? Or….

AH: Not really…no. It’s a spiritual journey. It’s a journey to healing and it’s a relevant tale even today. It focuses on women in a patriarchal world, finding their voice. Their inner-peace.

JS: And it takes place in the medieval time frame? 

AH: I think it is devoid of time. It’s really beyond the typical why, what and when of musical retellings. I don’t feel this show spoon feeds any particular emotion…rather it lets you unwind your own insights through it’s widely arrayed songs and visual lessons.

JS: So, I know a bit about the Catholic religion. I understand the plight of Saint Hildegard (viewed as the founder of scientific natural history) and her mentor of sorts, Jutta von Sponheim. Are they the focus of the show itself.

Allie Haines stars in ‘In the Green.’

AH: Yes, and no. I mean many know of the story and the Hildegard and Jutta…their bond as those who truly sought a community of  women who were musical, artistic and free to express themselves. Along this journey, each has to find a way to deal with their own personal trauma. (PSA-there is reference to sexual assault in the show.) You see this healing through music and puppetry. It’s beautiful. It’s unique. It’s timeless.

JS: And you have a great cast to work with…and a new director?

AH: Adelyn Helms, Danielle Ruddy, Melissa Hall and Rachel Hertenstein are the other 4 women who make up the 5 woman cast. They are so strong and we have forged a sisterhood that has been the core energy of this piece. They are amazing! As for our director, Garret Young, he knocked it out of the park. Interestingly, he was the ‘male’ on set, and everyday he listened to us as we explained how these things feel to us as women. He would encourage us to go with those feelings.

Garret Young Directorial Debut!

JS: That’s what a great director does!! And this is no easy piece to direct….

AH: No, not at all. This is the kind of show that lends itself to personal insight and reflection. It may be one of the most important pieces we have done at TheaterLab. The feel is collaborative and intimate. It’s cutting-edge and yet, relatable.

JS: I am so intrigued by this!! I love when theater gets ‘artsy.’ Y’ know?

AH: Yes. Exactly. We poured our time and energy into this production. More-so, we poured our hearts and our souls into it as well. It’s really an important piece.

JS: I just love talking to you Allie! Y’know to this day, whenever we talk about La Cage people still say ‘the girl that played Jacqueline stole the show!’ It kind of makes me mad….BUT, it shows you have a range! And you are truly a gift to Dayton’s theater community!

AH: Awww….thanks Josh! Can’t wait to work in a play with you again soon! Now, get your tickets to ‘In The Green!’

JS: Got ’em!

***The Director’s Note About ‘In the Green’ follows below. 

For tickets and more information got to https://www.daytonlive.org/events/in-the-green/

Showtimes at the Arts Annex are:

Friday 1/20 at 8pm.

Saturday 1/21 at 2pm and 8pm. 

 

Director’s note: In late Fall of 2020, I became aware of a curious new musical. It was written by and starred Grace McLean, who delivered a jaw-dropping performance in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 just a few years prior. It recounted a story about a woman who locked herself away because the world became a place where she could no longer thrive and grow. The traumas that were visited upon Jutta von Sponheim by the world of men grew too much to bear, and she was no longer safe in the world outside. The only possible answer to her problems was isolation.

Jutta’s hard-nosed piety serves as the perfect obstacle to our central character, Hildegard von Bingen, as she seeks to unpack her own trauma while being locked away against her will for 30 years. History remembers Hildegard fondly as a patron saint of music, literature, and medicine in the Catholic tradition. Even in her fractured mental state, we see her natural curiosity about connecting in harmony with the world around her, despite being trapped inside a sparse prison cell. The central action of the play becomes thus: what happens when an unstoppable force, divinely attuned to the natural world, meets an immovable object in one Jutta von Sponheim?

We cannot know what these two visionary women actually discussed or endured during their years locked away together, but McLean has imagined a world that is both wildly fantastical and blisteringly real. Our characters explore and celebrate the power of the divine feminine apart from patriarchal society. Their delicate harmonies are juxtaposed with primal, guttural grunts as the women confront the harsh realities of their pain.

This play serves as an important reminder of the healing power of connection, which remains as important as ever in our world today. Throughout our characters’ healing conversations, I hope audiences can gain some perspective about their own difficult situations. After all, as Hildegard von Bingen herself once wrote:

“We cannot live in a world that is not our own, in a world that is interpreted for us by others. An interpreted world is not a home. Part of the terror is to take back our own listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light.”

No matter where you are on your own journey, even if you are terrified of the monumental task set out before you, I hope you feel emboldened to seek out your own light.

No Joke! She’s a Karen!

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Karen Jaffe

Our Winter’tainment Series has been a serious HIT! And Speaking of serious, there’s little of that in any conversation with Dayton’s Consummate Comique…Karen Jaffe. I was so lucky to catch up with her just before she headed into the UPS store! We had the perfect chit-chat and it went something like this:

Josh: KAREN! Over here girl. SO glad I ran into you. Wondering….would you have time for a quick interview for Winter’Tainment?

Karen: I would love that!

Josh: Hallelujah! So, tell me about the comedy scene which you are such a part of here in Dayton!

Karen: (smiling wide). Comedians in this town are so lucky…there is so much support here! We have 2 really great Comedy Clubs (Wileys, Oregon District and Funny Bone, the Greene) which showcase a lot of area talent. Wait, Josh, did you know that Wiley’s is the oldest comedy club in Ohio? (I shoot a look of shock!) And, think about it, there are plenty of open mic nights in the area, and great venues to play as well. The other nice part is Cincinnati, Columbus, Indy and Louisville are down the street. Each of these cities has great stage time for comedians.

Josh: I know many of them come here to perform in Dayton. Which of course, you are really a major player in our town. Quite popular! (She smiles again.) Do you think it is different for women…I mean comedy! (Smile fades.)

Karen: I actually have a love/hate relationship with this question, because I get it a lot.  I think generally it can be more difficult to be a woman in comedy, for a lot of reasons.  But I have been super fortunate in that I came into comedy when I was older and had a thicker skin and a better sense of who I was as a person, so my experience hasn’t been as difficult as some other people have had it.  And I also have been lucky that Dayton’s comedy scene has been a safe and supportive place for me.  Sometimes when I travel out of town, I meet comedians from other places who aren’t as fortunate and maybe are more disrespectful of female comics, but I like to think it comes from a competitive place rather than a real “women aren’t funny” mentality.  As for the audiences, in Dayton or anywhere else, I like having to work a little harder to get them on my side.

Bob the Drag Queen and Jaffe

Josh: I completely get that. Y’know being a drag queen sometimes, I work my ass off to get a buck or 2. Where does your comedy come from?

Karen: My comedy largely comes from my own life, and the people I encounter on a daily basis.  I try to be really careful not to “punch down” and make fun of people; I try to make myself or my reactions the butt of my jokes.  I typically steer clear of politics and religion, because they’re both polarizing and kind of boring to me.  I would much rather talk about the different ways I’m handed Cologuard boxes at work.

Josh: OMG. (Giggles.) The Cologuard gig…I can’t take it. HILARIOUS! I’m sure you included some of that on your comedy album you just cut. Congratulations by the way! That’s an accomplishment!

Karen:  Thank you! I recorded my first album as a sort of challenge to myself.  It was scary and also not really, because I had so much support!  I got to do it in my home club, with an amazing production team behind me, and I felt so incredibly lucky.  I don’t know the release date yet, but you’ll definitely hear about it on social media!

Josh: Well, best to you on that. Are we out of time? Do you need to go weigh packages or tape stuff? Or can we keep talking?

Karen: (Side eye) I have time!

Josh: What can we look forward to in the comedy world around here….and do you have comedians who inspire you?

Karen: If you want to learn about comedy and you are interested in the art form itself, you should try checking out a local showcase, or buy tickets to see someone you haven’t necessarily heard yet.  There are so many incredibly talented people who come through Dayton that haven’t had their big break. For me,  there are 2 favorites I will mention…although there are others. Meg Stalter, who is from Dayton and is one of the kindest, funniest, most talented people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing (and thankfully all the right people in Chicago and New York and Hollywood all noticed when they met her, and now she is super famous and even more beautiful than ever).  And my other all-time favorite comedian is probably one you haven’t heard of: Stewart Huff.  He’s a touring comic who lives in Georgia, and he’s the smartest comedian I have ever met.  Buy all his albums.  See him whenever you can.  And please tell him I said hi when you do.

Jaffe in Lights

Josh: So, I personally find you to be so uplifting and fun. Can you tell when the audience feels it, or maybe doesn’t (Eyebrow lifts)?

Karen: After doing this for thirteen years or so, I can tell when a crowd likes me or doesn’t, or when one or more of my jokes falls flat.  There’s nothing like the feeling you get when every word you say is HILARIOUS to people.  It’s like a high!  Conversely, it never feels good when the audience isn’t really enjoying it, but it’s really helpful to find out what doesn’t work so I can change something.  I do have one punchline to a joke that no one appreciates as much as I do, but I keep telling it because I think it’s funny, and I really don’t care if no one else agrees.

Josh: Good for you! Stand your Ground KAREN! So, I know you are traveling with your comedy and have played all kinds fo places….do you have a preference?

Karen: Oh wow.  It really depends on my mood, or what I’m working on.  Some of my jokes have a lot of physicality to them, and I use weird facial expressions, so it helps when the audience is more intimate and can see me to appreciate what I’m doing.  But I have been on stage for over 800 people before, and getting that many people to laugh was incredible.  My only preference is that the people in the audience are there to see comedy, no matter how many of them there are.  I am not a big fan of bar shows where the audience isn’t even aware there’s a comedy show going on and they feel like hostages because they just wanted to go out and drink and talk to their friends.  I used to love the challenge of getting those people to pay attention and laugh.  Now I just feel sorry for them and want to put a stop to it!

Local Comedians!

Josh: (Laughing) You are a gem lady! Thank you for taking a minute with me. Everyone out there….Keep your Eyes Peeled for Karen’s upcoming shows! I wish you the best! And with the album!

Karen: Love you Mr. Stucky! And to everyone wanting to do comedy, whether it’s something you want to check off your bucket list, or something you’ve always really wanted to try, Dayton is the perfect place for it!  We’re all rooting for you.

‘Winter’tainment!’ It’s the Holidays…What’s in the ‘Box?’

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As part of our ‘Winter’tainment series, we caught up with Ben Douglas from the Black Box Improv Theater to get a feel for what’s happening! The ‘Winter’view went something like this:

Josh: I am so excited to talk with you Ben. Y’know you have quite the reputation for being the funny man in this town! So tell me what you got going at the Black Box these days?

Ben: Oh gosh, where to start. Well, we are hard at work on our first real Sketch Show (think Saturday Night Live) that will take place January 19-21. This is the kind of show that calls for rehearsals, and writers and the whole she-bang! It looks to be a really funny endeavor!

Josh: That sounds fun! And interesting. I mean Improv is anything but rehearsed or written, right?

Ben:  Right. This is unique for us. Improv really is made up of ‘in-the-moment’ material, and derives from people’s individual experiences. That’s what keeps improv so fresh. It is always something new and different.  For us to do a sketch show is great for the audience, but really fun for us as well. Our type of improv is called long-form. It’s more of a narrative style. That lends itself to some really great ‘on-the-spot’ moments. Some hilarious scenarios.

Josh: And you guys have a heckuva group there, am I right?

Ben: There are 70 of us at Black Box. Each one has their own special style. For the sketch show, 6 of us will perform. We will cover everything from pop culture to current events. Not too, too real though….y’know. The world is pretty messy.

Josh: Ummm…in this crazy world, we have enough real to go around!

Ben: Right. Improv lets us practice a kind of escapism. Come in, laugh and get away from it all! Just have a good time with friends.

Josh: And have a drink! I mean, you can drink there right?

Ben: Oh, Josh…yes…we do have drinks, yes. They help with the relaxation part, for sure. We  also work hand-in-hand with Pizza Bandit for in-house delivery! Yum! It makes it a complete date night that way.

Josh: Love a good date night…I know you’ve been in Black Box since graduating their program in 2018. Any special memories….and how does one go to Improv School there?

Ben: Special memory-wise, I love doing the improvisational musicals…and our holiday shows are always a hit! On Saturdays, i perform with an in-house group called the Co-Dependents. Never a dull moment there!!  As for our program, we have a New Level 1 class starting for those interested on 2/12. You can register through our website https://www.daytonblackboximprov.com/.  It takes about 6 months to graduate the program which occurs in a 3-level process. Well structured and lots to learn.

Josh:  I know you have been gaining in popularity in the region. What do you attribute that to?

Ben:  We are 100% committed to being part of our Community. We have Small Business Saturday shows that feature local business owners! These are always super funny! And, we have our With Special Guest shows that are 2-performer type improv that feature local celebs (recents included Gary Minyard, Dayton Live & Angelina Jackson, Common Pleas Justice).

Josh: Wowzer…that’s cool! Ok, what about kids? People always. ask me….’Are kids welcome? Do kids get parts in shows? Kids this,  kids that!  Kids…kids….kids!’

Ben: I, uh, well….we do have an incredible program for kids called KidProv! It’s a summer camp and it is a joy for kids. As for our shows…family friendly may be a stretch….but I would say parents get to make that decision!

Josh: You diplomatic boy, you! So give me the deets on Black Box….where, when, etc….

Ben: We are in the Cannery Building at 518 East 3rd Street, downtown Dayton. Our shows take place Wednesdays ($5), Thursdays ($10)  Fridays and Saturdays ($15).  I would say visit our website often for in-depth stuff. Oh, and, if you are looking to do a private event….Black Box is THE place to do it. There is nothing else like it!

Josh: Ben, you are such a delight to talk with. I am so looking forward to a night at Black Box this winter. I personally am leaning to the Sketch Show! I love that kind of stuff! Thanks for taking a minute for ‘Winter’tainment!

Ben: See ya soon!!

 

 

 

 

‘Winter’tainment! This week: ‘White,’ ‘Christ,’ ‘Alert.’

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It’s time again to focus on how we entertain with the impending cold arriving soon. This weekly column, ‘Winter’tainment focuses on TV, Film and Live entertainment for the winter in the ‘937 area!’ Let’s jump right in!

TV: WHITE LOTUS, Season 2. Hard to believe that the crafty minds behind ‘White Lotus’ would go there with the season finale…but they did!

Jennifer Coolidge

White Lotus Season 2

That said, if you haven’t seen the ending, or you haven’t ‘dived’ (see what I did there?) into season 2, I promise to spare you spoilers. Jennifer Coolidge, again, makes the season worth the watch. It’s nearly impossible to pay attention to anything else when she’s on the screen….with, perhaps, the exception of the gorgeous scenery of Sicily and Palermo. The season focuses on sex, and sex..and sex…and there is lots of it. Husbands and wives with little boundaries; fathers and sons with little knowledge of the other’s activities; a pack of gays with all kinds of appetites; and even a virgin…at least as the season rolls out??? The show has a great cast. Adam DiMarco (Albie) was so convincing as the frustrated yet sweet-hearted third generation Italian; Will Sharpe (Ethan) was mesmerizing as the jealous husband; and a big wow to Aubrey Dollar (Harper) as the bitch you somehow understood far too well!  There are body parts that got star billing as well…you’ll see. The plot has some interesting twists and turns…there is plenty of opulence and grandeur….beautiful people to look at…BUT, something is not there that was in season one. There was something about Hawaii in season one….it felt Utopian and Vacation’y’…in season 2, from the get-go, there is a more foreboding element. Less humor, more angst! It’s worth the watch, and although not all the season 1 fans will agree, it definitely had a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that only this series has mastered. HBO.

LIVE: Jesus Christ Superstar. 50th Anniversary. I am a fan of Cincinnati at the holidays. they have great decorations, exciting traditions and of course, the wide variety of neighborhoods sport all kinds of unique fun. We ventured down to the Queen City earlier this week, and dropped into the Aronoff to catch the 50th ANNIVERSARY OF JCS.

50th Anniversary of JCS

Now, let me preface, I still believe JCS has some of the best music, albeit rock, in a Broadway show. Favorites like ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him,’ ‘Herod’s Song,’ and ‘Gethesmane,’ still carry that power and performance you long for in JCS. The cast (JACK HOPEWELL delivered as Jesus; KODIAK THOMPSON was spot-on as Annas; ISAAC RYCKEGHEM‘s bass vocals rumbled the theater as Caiaphas & FAITH JONES soothed the saga with her role as Mary) was engaged and completely committed to a version that seems rough, gruesome and raucous. There are moments where you long for the old JCS when Jesus seemed mystical but remained human….today’s Jesus seems detached, angry and overly earthly. (Think Patchouli.)  And that is the issue with show…how do we keep Jesus relevant when he’s been maligned by so many for so long. He’s a regular on South Park for goodness sake! It’s a tough sell for any director! This version has received every kind of review possible….amazing, messy, quirky, brilliant, savvy, depressing, perfect…..you name it, it’s been said about this performance! I agree…with all of that!  Aronoff Center, Cincinnati

and Finally….

MOVIE: Spoiler Alert. ‘I think you’re very cool, and I’m worried. you’re going to break my heart…’   

Spoiler Alert: It’s a Great Film!

Haven’t we all been there? Remember that felling?  That’s the beauty of ‘Spoiler Alert.’ We all have been vulnerable, so we get it! Soooo much has been written about how movies today manipulate us as viewers into feeling things artificially. Well, there is nothing artificial about Spoiler Alert. The drama, that focuses on the ‘goods and bads’ of a gay couple making their way through life’s challenges, doesn’t over-do anything. It keeps the dialogue simple. (It’s relatable in that sense. ) It presents real characters who look like real people. (Jim Parsons is hardly a dashing leading man.) It tells the truth about relationships. (We all make stupid mistakes.) And it gently leans into the idea that we are, even in this society, still our own best hope! It’s not a Hallmark movie, that ensures we get out with a big smile and the family’s ranch is saved. It’s not a melodrama, that sees the hero ride off into the sunset. Spoiler Alert is really a tender, humane look at how we live, and how we go on when others are no longer living. Although not exactly a Christmas movie, it definitely has the feel and some references to the holiday season. Everyone who loves a good end-of-the-year cry will embrace this film….and heck, you get to see Sally Field! Neon Movies.

Jesus Christ Superstar plays at The Aronoff Theater in Cincinnati from 12/16-12/18. Tickets at www.eventticketscenter.com.

Spoiler Alert plays at the Neon Movies (130 East Fifth Street, Dayton) through 12/22. For ticket info go to neonmovies.com. 

 

 

Sleigh Rye’d and The Return of ‘Season’s Greetings!’

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Who doesn’t love an immersive, family-friendly, holiday cabaret with adult beverages on-hand? I can’t think of a person! With that in mind it is time for the Season’s Greetings Cabaret at the PNC Arts Annex! I had the opportunity to interview one of the stars of the show about the return, Philip Drennen. It went something like this:

Josh:  So, you are at it again. Bringing joy and laughter to the PNC Arts Annex. Y’know last year, we had a hoot! What can we expect this year?

Deron Bell

Philip: Well, we are giving you some fun music this season. You will recognize some of the traditional songs in their traditional format, but we always like to ‘soul’ things up with the help of Deron Bell and the Melody Makers. They have that great sound people love.

Josh:  I remember! Some of us even got up dancing for a bit. Any of that?

Philip:  For sure. You know the way the seating is? This year  it is 100% Cabaret Style, you are literally part of the show. It lends itself to more interaction and more fun. I’m sure there will be a couple dancers!

Josh: And Prancers,,,,and Vixens. Anyway. It’s you and Gina Handy again…right? I requested ‘Merry Christmas, Darling’ last year and she KILLED IT! (Yes, you can request!)

Gina Handy

Philip:  It is! So, it is Gina, Deron, Daniel and Mark. Just like last year. It’s such a great combination. Gina, once again, has written a song to reflect the theme of the show. That was great fun last year as well.  AND, we will have our mailbox where people can request their favorites as we perform! You have any songs you are thinking of asking to hear this year, Josh?

Josh: Ok, so let me say first, I’m interviewing you…and yes, I do! You know that crazy version of ‘Jingle Bells’ Streisand does….I want you, Gina or anyone you can find to do it. It’s so silly, and uplifting! Now, back to the concert. People want specifics. How long is the show? Are there drinks? Snacks? Parking? and of course, how much?

Sleigh Rye’d

Philip: In order…here we go….The show is about 90 minutes in length. We take breaks so people can mingle and grab our signature drink ‘The Sleigh Rye’d!’ Get it…RYE! Whiskey.

Josh: I get it and I’ll get at least one. Thank God for UBER!

Philip: Right! I’m sure they will have little snack items. There is plenty of parking at the Schuster garage. The admission is $25. I really think people will have a ball. We Need a Little Christmas!

Philip Drennen

Josh:  I see whatcha did there! All of you are local celebrities. I know that has to be a major draw as well!

Philip:  Well, as you know, TheatreLab is my second home these days. Gina has performed with Human Race and runs the Magnolia Theater. Deron and the Melody Makers are selling out the Levitt Pavilion…so yeah, people will recognize at least one of us! And speaking of local, some of the arrangements we are doing come from Springfield native, John Legend!

Josh:  Shout-out my hometown!! Hey Springfield! Well, my friend you know I adore you and look forward to the big Cabaret party! Anything else you’d like to share?

Philip:  Just so glad things are a lot more normal this year! (We were all masked last year.) I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. Please, join us for the fun 12/8 – 12/11!

Josh:  Thank you Philip! Happiest Holidays!

Details?

The Show Runs 12/8 – 12/11 (Thu-Sun.) with showtimes at 7:30pm. There is one matinee on 12/10 (Sat.) at 2pm. 

The show is $25 for adults, $10 for students. It will be performed at the PNC Arts Annex located at 46 W. Second St., Dayton.

Info?? Call 937-228-3630 or visit daytonlive.org

 

Carve Out Time for the Popular Pumpkin Glow!!

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It’s BACK!

Many of the screams you heard last Halloween were from fans of the Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow, when they realized it wasn’t happening. No fear this year! The Glow is a GO!

Carve out time on October 24th and  25th, from 6-10pm, and head to the beautiful Grafton Hill area of Dayton.  “To start, we have to thank Judy Chaffin who began this great event nearly 20 Years ago.” says John Edinger, president of the neighborhood association. “Judy’s passion and direction took this event from 36 pumpkins the first year to over 800 pumpkins two years ago.”

It’s all in the detail!

The community event gets all kinds of people from all over the area together with one goal….carve an incredible pumpkin. “There have been so many great pumpkins over the years. Off the top of my head, I recall one that depicted a famous scene from ‘The Birds,’ and another great one was Elvis!” Edinger goes on to say, “This year, we are upping the game a bit by adding food trucks from El Meson, Urban BBQ, The Claybourne Grill, Childers Chimney Cakes & Billie Bold Bubble Tea/The Family Bean Coffee Truck!

 

You will see some amazing jack-o-lanterns!

The event easily brings about 1500 viewers, and it could reach 2000 this year.
“It’s back!For those of us that love the event, we are so stoked that we can see the Glow on the hill once again!” says Carly Mikesell. “I can remember a few years ago driving down 75 South, looking over and thinking, ‘That’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. But then, I went up and saw the carvings…..that was one the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen!’

Get your GLOW ON!

Family friendly, and a true seasonal traditional, the Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow is sure to pleases everyone. The event is sponsored by Grandview Medical Center, with special thanks to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

PARKING will be available at The Dayton Art Institute, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Dayton Masonic Center & Kettering Health Dayton off of West Grand Avenue as well as throughout the Grafton Hill Neighborhood.
*Please note that Stoddard Avenue will be closed from 5:00 PM-11:00 PM both nights for the safety and enjoyment of our guests!

Coldwater Cafe remains one of the area’s BEST!

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“I haven’t been there in a while….how was it?” since COVID, that question has been asked about everything from KINGS ISLAND to AX THROWING, THE SCHUSTER CENTER to RIVERSCAPE. One restaurant where the answer is a consistent ‘It was amazing’ is the Coldwater Cafe in Tipp City. 5 hungry men headed up 75 North on a hot day in July to see how the Cafe was doing! Hard to put into words the experience we had.

To start, imagine a 95 degree evening, sun beating on the sidewalks…you pull into to Tipp City, and like a miracle of God, the front space at Coldwater is wide open. That earns 1 star…more to come.

We were seated on time for our reservation, which has become a crapshoot for many restaurant goers. Star! From there, we were greeted by our waitress, Kelly, a longtime server for the Cafe, who got down to business immediately….martinis, wine, beer….she knew her crowd! Another Star! We ordered some appetizers, the charcuterie, which was literally a spot-on array of meat, cheese, sweets and savories. To complement, we added the mussels (one of the diners with us is a mussel snob and he gave them two thumbs way up!.) There wasn’t a morsel left from our first course. STAR!

***Out came the warm hand towels…I mean, who doesn’t love the warm hand towel!! (A Coldwater Staple!)  STAR!

As we chatted and enjoyed some wine and bread, Kelly kept us well entertained, joining our fun and adding her own take on things. When dinner arrived, seamlessly timed, 5 men were very happy. Lobster-Crab cakes were a hit! The NY Strip got rave reviews! The AHI tuna salad scored high and everyone talked, at length, about how their dinner was ‘the best!’ STAR!

Before we could ask for checks, Kelly recommended their homemade desserts….I mean, we were FULL! And then….’you must have the carrot cake’ (we did, delicious); ‘you must have the bread pudding’ (we did, home-run); and you must have the chocolate cake (we did….wowzer!). STARS!!

We sat, center of the dining room just talking about the experience! It was one of those nights when everything clicked…and that seems to be the energy of Coldwater Cafe! Solid. Scrumptious and Social. The ingredients are all there…you should be too!

STARS all around!

Here’s the new summer menu:

 

Coldwater Cafe

19 E. Main Street,
Tipp City, OH. 45371

(937) 667-0007

Tues – Thurs 11am – 8pm

Fri & Sat 11am – 9pm

Curtain UP on Starbucks at the Schuster!

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Starbucks equals Big bucks, and it holds true in their location inside the Wintergarden at the Schuster Center. The Grand Opening, July 28th, saw lines of excited guests including the downtown workforce, city residents and the curious! “We have had a nice crowd today,” said Kailey Y. of DaytonLive. For most folks, it was hard to resist the $2/drink promotional. The Schuster Center Starbucks location, which offers the entire array of products, (drinks, food, bagged coffees, etc….) has some tables in the WinterGarden for the ‘sit and study’ crowd, as well as pick up and go! (The best way to do that is to pull up on Second Street and hustle in and out of the coffee shop!)

Surrounded by the banners and ad-boards for the Schuster, the site is sure to have a positive impact on getting the word out about upcoming shows, etc. Private events are still happening at the Schuster, but to ensure Starbucks remains available, the entrance to the Performance Place will be open on those days to grant access to caffeine aficionados.

The site has been running a soft opening for some time, but the 28th of July was the BIG Moment for Starbucks fans. The site’s hours are  6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends. On show nights at the Schuster Center, Starbucks will be open through the beginning of the production. Be sure and grab yourself a hot beverage and a few tickets for you and your friends for one of the upcoming events.

(Inside hint, I learned today when buying a refresher, ask it to be made with lemonade instead of water…..WOW, what difference!)

 

 

 

‘Mean Girls’ means Fun and ‘Fetch!’

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How can we ever forget our awkward days in hight school, especially when ‘Mean Girls’ nails those inner-demons so well. Tina Fey’s musical has a little bit of everything you want in a show, and some things you didn’t know you needed. It’s all here….just as it was in your high school cafeteria: Two faced friends, un-warranted anxieties over the stupidest things, lost loves, new-found hate, uncomfortable silence, unbearable noise….you get the picture! The difference in the musical and our everyday high school is the amount of talent in this cast…..REMARKABLE!

We have all been to a show where there are one or two characters we depend on to belt the songs, score the dance moves and bring up the energy. This cast doesn’t miss a beat! All of this talent, working in harmony, to remind us. that somewhere, somehow, we all belong! When the show begins, so do the laughs…Damian Hubbard (played with pure zeal by Eric Huffman lets the audience settle into the hysteria that. is soon to incur. His wry ‘Where Do You Belong?’ brings the entire audience back to those days of angst from 9th-12th grade! And it is from there we encounter songs like ‘Sexy‘ (Which brought back nightmares to this formal teacher at Halloween Time), to the first act anthem ‘Fearless‘ which keeps us all rooting for Cady Heron  (played with that great blend of vulnerable and voracious by English Bernhardt).

I am not one to want more musicals based on movies. It causes a certain expectation that raises the bar fairly high…but it’s the writing in this show that allows the musical to navigate, seamlessly, through the story we all know. ‘Mean Girls’ are the ones we hate but want to be….and in being a ‘Mean Girl’ you somehow seem you have made the big time. You remember it. You recognize those people on the stage….muscle-heads, nerds, geeks, pot-heads…..and you can’t help but wonder where they are today!

Outside of the music and mayhem there is a stage that fascinates with its high tech scene changes, which launch us from African Savannah to High School Cafeteria, Math Class to bright pink bedrooms. The variety of settings alone is engaging and exciting to see. The use of props throughout the show leans to genius…(of note, the cafeteria trays…ummm, YES!)…and those rolling cafeteria tables we all got accustomed to as kids are a mainstay of the ‘fast-paced’ frenzy that is ‘Mean Girls.’

It’s not all fun and games, for sure. ‘What’s Wrong with Me’ (performed by Jasmine Rogers with heart and grit) struck a chord and took me back to those days of wanting to just fit in. And there it is….at its core. Wanting to fit in! ‘Mean Girls‘ keeps us laughing all the way, as Fey’s 2004 film did. Little do we realize that as we are laughing, we are learning the most valuable of lessons…..JUST BE YOU!

There were a few moments in the show when I thought the music was a little loud….(ok, I’ve been out of high school for 40 years)…but it, too, reminded me that I long for that feeling of innocence and finding my place. ‘Mean Girls‘ makes no apologies for its direct hit on social status, and that’s important. There’s a lot of people pulling us all in different directions, even for us adults…..but as the song reminds us ‘I’d Rather be Me!‘

‘Mean Girls’

Where?  The Schuster Center

When? May 31 – June 5

How? Tickets are available at https://www.daytonlive.org/events/mean-girls/

‘Friend Art’ strikes many a NERVE!

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The Nerve has a hit on their hands…not simply because the play is so-well written (by Sofia Alvarez SIRENS, MAN SEEKIN WOMAN); not just because the actors deliver punch after punch; not just because the direction is engaging and not just because it’s relatable material….but because of ALL of that! The story, at its core, really highlights the idea that somewhere along the line we have to go for our dreams, or leave them along the side of the road. It plucks at our desire to forever stay young, all the while knowing that the ‘jig’ is up. Through all of that is the age old question, can we ever really be honest with our friends…about their lives, their opinions, their art?

The play features four characters….Kevin (AJ Breslin) the one voice unafraid to face the fact that some parts of life in your 30s really just aren’t great; Nate (Christopher Hahn) the once famous, now joy-searching ‘pay me to show-up’ guy; Lil (Shalemar Davis), the performance artist unaware that she’s unaware and Molly (Lauren Everett) a do-gooder who faces the fact it’s time to dip her toes into some less calming waters. Each of the actors portrays their character with simple realness….you know them, you ARE them.

Friend Art, listed as a comedy, is much more than just laughs. It’s poignant, it’s promising and, at times, it’s peculiar! The scenes run in a sequence spaced oddly, and that, in part, is what makes it work so well. You are interested to know what combination of characters will pop up in the next vignette. And it keeps the show moving…and it moves…at times straight-forward, at others, with an awkward twist and revelation. You will see yourself in the uncomfortable, yet relatable, scene with Molly and Nate, as they imbibe and connect with their ‘inner-selves.’ You will recognize the people in your lives, who like Kevin, never meant to bend the truth in a malicious way. You will connect with Lil in her pursuit of self, of creativity, of fulfillment without fear. You ARE these people.

When the story, which is really more of an eavesdrop on friends’ conversations, gets to the gritty discussion about ‘what is love’ and ‘what is fidelity’ and ‘what difference does it ultimately make’ we see a cast so convincing that no matter your opinion of the answer, you can defend them all! That’s probably the biggest win in Friend Art, it leaves us open to the fact that we don’t have all the answers, never have, and never will. What we really have are those folk in our lives willing tom tell us how beautiful we are, even when the truth says otherwise.

There is a lot to love about Friend Art. It reminds you that friendships are vital relationships in our loves….that honesty rarely is honest, and maybe that’s ok….that our attitudes about work and life haven’t really changed that much in 40 years….and that we are all, no matter the city, the time, the space, hoping to find that simple circle that says, ‘You’re a Mess and I Love you For That!’

The play is directed by Jenna Valyn and  Kaleigh-Brooke Scheiding. Performances are at the PNC Annex May 19th – May 29th.

For tickets go to:  https://nerve.link/friend-art-dyt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Festive. Lively. Grand. Wright State’s ARTSGala is BACK!

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There is a magic in Wright State’s ARTSGala. Maybe it’s The Dance? The Theater? The Voice? The Films? The Orchestra? Maybe it’s the fact that Wright State continues to provide the area, the nation, even the world with graduates that lead the way in the creative arts. Or maybe, just maybe, the magic is the event itself!

People have been longing for ARTSGala to return to her glory following a long and arduous pandemic. The two year hiatus appears to be over. Saturday, April 9, WSU will be be chock full of student performances in all kind of art forms. The event, 7pm-12a, will be held in the Creative Arts Center. ‘We are back,’ says Joe Deer, Artistic Director of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures at Wright State University.  ‘You can feel the excitement. There is so much to engage with at this year’s Gala. You can see selections from Sweet Charity; see sets designed by film students; hear some Broadway, Disney and Shakespeare; and of course, opera, dance and  the orchestra!’

Deer beams. He knows the community enjoys this sort of ‘arts theme park.’ ‘Folks can rove where they please and enjoy whatever they choose. The event is truly immersive. It’s a unique approach to the Arts, and it’s popular! I have always said it feels like a cruise ship without the water!’ Deer goes on, ‘and what I mean is great entertainment, excellent food in elegant dining rooms, a piano bar, great wine, craft beer, bourbon, specialty cocktails and even cigars!’

With all of that said, the Gala is really about raising money to provide scholarships for students of the arts programs. (Of note, the Gala has raised $3 million for the scholarships since its inception.) Another unique facet of the evening is the ability to talk to the WSU students about their experience. It keeps the night intimate and personal.

One of the more popular parts of the ARTSGala is the coveted silent auction. Mobile bidding is used for more than 100 items at the event. You can bid on everything from art to luxury items.

Entertainment. A Great Cause. Dreams Realized. And A University Committed to the ARTS. It really doesn’t get much better than Wright State’s ARTSGala!

Tickets to this year’s big event are $300 each and can be purchased at www.wright.edu/artsgala. You can also go to www.wright.edu/artsgala/why-support-artsgala to hear real world experiences from some of the college’s arts students.

 

SUNDAY ‘TEA’ WILL BE SPILLED….so DRINK UP!

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The Bar and Bistro at the ‘Top of the Market’ will be lit Sunday, May 1st, as Dayton takes a sip of it’s very own SUNDAY TEA DANCE!

Centered around the ancient idea of ‘having tea’ from 4p-7p, the Bistro will kick off their own version with Drinks, Drag Queens and Dancing! Gaining popularity around the country, these ‘daytime’ parties feature high energy dance music (by DJ ALVAREZ) and a chance to have a Sunday Funday throughout the summer.

 

The premiere show features a stellar cast….Dayton royalty JACKIE O, The smoldering hot JESSICA MARIE JONES, ever deranged DANA SINTELL and the return of a Dayton Favorite, CARRIE J SUMMERS! On deck are Chasity Marie and other locals! Show director (Sintell) was overjoyed when the girls agreed that this could be something amazing! ‘I have always thought a TEA DANCE had potential in Dayton. You see them in Saugatuck, NYC, MIAMI….why not here! Who doesn’t want to see a show, hear some great tunes, dance with friends and be in bed by 8:30pm!’ he says with a smile. ‘I know the Bistro is the place. You can sense it when you walk in. It’s setup perfectly for a show, and there will be space to just kick back and have some fun together!’

‘I’m excited to do local drag again!’ Jackie O interjects. ‘I miss it. And look at this group. I mean…it has everything!’ The Sunday kick-off show is only the beginning of summer filled with TEA DANCE parties. And the cast will change weekly. ‘You will see one of the original 4 bopping around every Sunday, but we want to make it fresh weekly! So much fun!!’

For Carrie J Summers’ fans, this is a real treat! ‘I called Carrie, told her the concept, told her to let us know what she felt would work…and she said YES! I was thrilled.’ says Sintell. ‘People miss her…and they will love seeing her back in action.’ Action will be plenty…along with great cocktails at the Bistro. John Capobianco, the manager of the space sees the potential for growth. ‘We have a warehouse we can open up when we get the crowd. This space. is perfect for TEA and I think we are all on to something!’

In recently years, the idea of dancing at local bars has dwindled with the closing of some longtime clubs. Here is a chance to get back into the groove. ‘The drag show part of this is unique. Dayton always has to do things a little differently, and adding Drag seems the perfect partner to TEA DANCE.’ says Sintell. There will likely be food trucks at the event for those needing a little fare! In sticking with Dayton Drag’s ongoing desire to ‘help others’ the Queens at Tea (the BISTRO BABES!)  will donate tips from their third (final) number of each week to a local charity! “This really worked when we did brunches in the past’ says Summers. ‘It feels good to help area charities.’

The excitement builds for the big premiere. Make sure you grab your tickets! TEA will BE SPILLED…and YOU Don’t want to MISS IT!

SUNDAYton TEA is coming to the Bar and Bistro at 32 Webster St. Dayton.

Kick-Off Show is Sunday, May 1st, 4p-7p.

Advance Seating sold by the table can be purchased online. Single tickets can be purchased at the door for just $10.

 

 

 

In Good ‘Company.’

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There’s a big basketball thing happening, and there is green beer a’plenty this week/end. Mixed in all the Hoop-La is a fun, poignant, respectable version of Sondheim’s COMPANY at the PNC Arts Annex. TheaterLab Dayton‘s enchanting stroll down the ins and outs of relationships has some real ‘moments’ that only live theater can provide. Centered around the internal conflict of ‘Bobby, Bob, Robert’ (Bobby Mitchum should be beaming about his performance as the lead!) and his desire to just feel something with someone, we meet some truly endearing couples…you’ll pick your favorite of the bunch, maybe the one you relate to most!

The show, odd for a Broadway Musical, really is about everyone and everybody, and nobody and nothing. The first act sets us up for what is to be the path to self-realization that nearly all of us face at one time or another. The energy of the show truly ‘builds’ throughout. Sondheim’s purposeful meandering between ‘happiness. craziness, and longing’ in relationships is a ride…so, relax and GO! The energy ‘pops’ when the maniacal Amy (Kara Hancock) gets to ‘Not Getting Married Today…’ an anthem for the ages. Her soon-to-be? husband, Paul (Joshua Silver Hughes) desperately seeks to save the day, and through it all Bobby watches as yet another ‘version of the ideal couple’ bounces recklessly down the aisle?? Hmmmmm.

Before we get there, we get to know the floundering other couples….the competitive neurotics, Sarah and Harry (played giddily by Allie Haines and Garrett Young); the ‘perfect couple,’ Susan and Peter ( played with complete charm by Danielle Ruddy and Derick Latimer), ; the drunk and do-gooder, Joanne and Larry, (brought to life with convincing chemistry by Lindsay Sherman and David Moyer), and the staid and plain Jenny and David ( solidly played by Abby Hoggatt and Philip Drennen ***Sidenote, Hoggatt’s voice in ‘Not Getting Married…’ is not to be forgotten!)

And, there are the girlfriends (Rachel Hertenstein, Brooke Cierra & Jackie Randall)  that pop in and out and bring to life  ‘Another 100 People & You Could Drive a Person Crazy….’ as well as pepper the plot with more trouble and tribulation for Robert.

The Second Act really picks up the pace and we dive through Bob’s ‘headwinds.’ ‘Side by Side by Side/What Would I Do‘ has moments where a solid wall of beautiful voices resonate in the theater! Bravo! And through it all, we just keep rooting for LOVE…be it in ‘Barcelona‘ or at a cocktail party thrown by the ‘ladies on their own behalf.’ All roads lead to the subtle yet impactful ending….on the tail end of the quintessential  ‘Being Alive.’ (That song still grips the heart!)

Directed by Mackensie King, with a sort of relaxed, casual appeal, you can see she trusts her cast. King sets a tone, and the cast moves forward with it! King put it like this, ‘This cast is beyond talented. Each one has really taken the time to dig deeper into their scenes, and figure out how their characters relate to the others.’ 

And the audience will connect…as Moyer put it ‘Through the laughs and the tears, I hope the audience finds that many times there is perfection in the imperfections.  We don’t all fit the same mold, or follow the same rules.  Your happiness is what you make of it, and ultimately finding that happiness is up to you, no one else.’

‘It feels like people-watching because you are getting a glimpse into the idiosyncrasies of other people’s relationships. We can nitpick at the things we think are crazy or endearing or loving, but really we all have them, and none of us in our relationships are perfect, and there’s beauty in that.’ Latimer added.

COMPANY delivers, sometimes boldly, other times with more fragility….but I guess that’s love after all!

See COMPANY

at the PNC Arts Annex.
Fri, 3/18
Sat, 3/19 at 2pm and 8pm.

Call 937-228-3630  or Daytonlive.org for tickets

The ‘Human Race’ moves forward with a new ‘Kappy-Tain.’

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35 Seasons in, the ‘The  Race Theater Company‘ is still strong, beloved and finding its future. The fingerprint, literally left on many hearts by the enduring leadership of Kevin Moore, (who has been part of the HRTC since DAY ONE!!)  now points the group in a new direction. Enter Kappy Kilburn.

‘I’ve been the executive director since 2018, but COVID kind of did its thing for the past couple years. ‘ Kilburn, who moved to Dayton from New York, has experience in Los Angeles and Pasadena…and is an alum of the Lincoln Center’s Directors Lab. ‘The Human Race has sustained and things look great for us moving forward.’ It’s a big jump from NYC to Dayton, but for Kilburn, it was kind of a homecoming. ‘ My Father worked at Armco. He was in the Air Force. As a kid, I think I  visited the Air Force Museum dozens of times!’ That would be a bridge back for Kilburn. ‘It’s honestly funny how my first interview sort of went down. My dad was in the Dayton area and knew I would be interviewing at the Human Race, So, he GPSed the theater, found the building, parked his car, went in and met Kevin and Tara and said in a Star Wars homage “You have heard of Kappy Kilburn…I Am Her Father!” He loved the people and the theater….and I knew it was meant to be from there!’

And it is. Trading the NYC craziness in for a home and spot for a 93lb. dog (Fred)  was just what Kilburn desired! ‘This is not a stepping stone. I love Dayton. This city is so loyal to its arts!  It blows my mind the variety of culture in this community. So incredibly supportive here.’ Kilburn talks about her first foray into the Dayton nightlife, spending time at Masquerage, where she encountered India Summer, one of Dayton’s  RubiGirls. ‘We were having this conversation, and here is this drag queen in full regalia, she was beautiful…and I thought to myself ‘I have found my people!’

And Dayton, thankfully, has found her. Kilburn is so approachable and at ease talking about all things theater. She gets the community vibe here. Everyone wanting success, and truly just trying to voice their opinions in hopes in helps keep the vibrancy of the arts scene alive. BUT, she is also aware that the Human Race Theater Company has something t live up to! ‘If we are going to be the Human Race Theater Company, then we have to find ways to be diverse and inclusive of all kinds of people!’ A great example of that dedication was the theater’s most recent production of ‘Everything that’s Beautiful,’ a story about a 10-year-old who was assigned male at birth but identifies as female. ‘The final performance, we invited folks from David’s Place and Dayton Children’s Hospital to come and talk with the audience about the show’s theme. It was expected to be a 15 minute discussion…it went for 45.’ A testament to the strength of diversity. ‘We have work to do to make all groups feel represented.’

Kilburn knows it’s not just diversity but balance that matters. That is not only reflected in the shows she helps to choose, along with Emily Wells, HRTC’s new Creative Director, but the audiences that come to see them.
‘We always have a pay what you can show during a play’s run. Theater must be accessible to all kinds of people. We want the stories being told to be heard by as many walks of life as possible.’  And that means younger folks as well. She is expanding the idea of job-shadowing and working with youth backstage, as well as front of house. ‘I really believe young people need to tell their stories as well. I want to find opportunity for them.’

Certainly, Dayton knows the impact we face losing Kevin Moore as the Creative Director. His dedication, his ideas and his creativity have paved the way for a strong and solid future at the Loft Theater. But, for now, the Human Race rests in the hands of a new visionary. Dayton can’t wait to see where she takes us!

 

 

 

 

“Outside, Looking In” at the tear-jerking ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’

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Sniffles. Uproarious laughter.  Tears discretely wiped from the face. Deep sighs. And Feelings of Hopelessness. No, you’re not in high school trying to fit in….but Evan Hansen is. And my how we relate!

It’s only about 15 minutes into the Tony Award Winning Best Musical‘s Script that we see the writing on the wall. ‘Oh Sh*t…what has he done??’ We recognize it because we lived. ‘How do I fit in?’ ‘Will anyone care if I live or die?’ ‘What does it take to be seen?’ The lengths, innocently or otherwise, we will go for that sense of belonging drive Hansen’s story. The magnificent script, by Steven Levenson, is literally able to move an entire epic tale into a 2+ hour musical . It never misses a beat, loses its way or lets us rest! The show flies by!

Tackling every kind of relationship you can basically create, (mom and dad, mom and son, friend and ‘family’ friend, popular kid and nerd, daughter and mother…the list goes on) Levenson’s story weaves a strong sense of rooting for the underdog, only to realize that may not always be our best bet.  Throughout the show, Evan (played masterfully by Stephen Christopher Anthony) allows us to cheer him on, embrace his faults and ultimately forgive his errors in judgment. You cannot ‘not like’ Evan. He’s silly, sweet, sarcastic and ‘sorry’ for who and what he is. Who can’t relate to that!

The story, which lends itself to many swallowed tears, finds us wrapped in a deception that we are, as the audience, somehow part of! Connor Murphy (a big cheers to Nikhil Saboo for his portrayal…) is the hero, and the demon, and the focal point and that scapegoat! Without giving away much, you will get to it quickly when Evan belts ‘For Forever.’ And with that, fate is sealed. Lump in the throat, and a squirm in the chair.

The supporting characters are stellar! They provide the gears that keep the musical moving forward…with light (Cara Elyse Harris as Alana Beck is yummy fun)…and laughs (Matthew Edward Kemp‘s Jared is the voice we need to keep the show believable…). The moms, (Kelsey Venter as Cynthia Murphy, who gets our tears going early, and Jessica Sherman as Heidi Hansen, who brings it all home later in the show) get the ball rolling with ‘Anybody Have a Map.’ You can see moms in the audience physically nodding their heads in agreement as they listen to the lyrics.

The show has magical musical moments (Music and Lyrics by Pasek and Paul)….the beloved ‘You Will be Found’ (Buy the t-shirt at the shop.)…‘Only Us’ (which features the solid Alaina Anderson as Zoe)…and the heart-wrenching ‘So Big/So Small’ (let me know if you got through that without sobbing!). It’s packed with spectacular visual effects that drive home the culture we have become…and then again, simple sets, that drive home what’s still important.

You clutch to hope throughout the musical that everything will be just fine…and in a sense, perhaps that’s possible. But Evan Hansen is ‘real.’ Sure the sets are slick and the music is, at times, a bit melodramatic, but the story is one for this society to heed. Misinformation has consequences!!!

We know it….they know it….but as we have witnessed in our own world, just keeping ‘going’…who’s keeping score? In this case the audience. The very audience, that from the outset,  just wanted to say ‘Evan – you’re enough! You are enough!’ But, like Evan Hansen, we all had to learn that lesson on our own along the way!

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ plays at the Schuster Center March 8 – 13.

Go to daytonlive.org for tickets and information.