Sarah Caplan

Welcome back again. After my forward-looking glance last time at what fall will bring, I feel like I was rewarded by a small sneak-peek of autumnal weather. It was glorious and refreshing. I got to see Free Shakespeare!’s production of The Merchant of Venice on an absolutely perfect evening. Thank you, cooperative weather! And now, my little tour of the happenings in our local theatre scene.

Please Help!

The Dayton Theatre Guild’s season opener Opus is in desperate need of at least two crew members! The dates of the show are August 24th through September 9th. Anyone interested can email KL Storer at KL_Storer@yahoo.com. If you’ve always wanted to get involved in theatre but never known how to start, here is your chance! Being a crew member is an excellent entre’ into the scene. Plus, in this case, you get the added bonus of being a hero so everyone will laud you and be very happy to see you!

Auditions!

Sugar Bean Sisters

Beavercreek Community Theatre

Beavercreek Community Theatre is holding auditions for Sugar Bean Sisters. Dates are Monday and Tuesday, August 20th and 21st. All audition information, including requirements and a character breakdown, can be found at the BCT webpage, under the “Auditions” tab. www.bctheatre.org

Closing This Weekend!

A Little Princess

Playhouse South

The Skinny: This will be the second and final weekend for Playhouse South’s production of A Little Princess, performed under the stars at Northpark Amphitheatre in Springboro.

The Dates: August 17th – 19th at 7:30 pm.

Tickets: The performances are technically free, however a good-will donation of at least $5.00 is greatly appreciated. Also, please bring your own chair(s). And, having just seen an outdoor performance, I’d advise bug spray.

Ongoing!

Seussical – The Musical

La Comedia Dinner Theatre

The Skinny: This family friendly, Dr. Seuss-inspired musical romp, continues its stay at La Comedia Dinner Theatre.

The Dates: Seussical will close on Sunday, 9/2.

Tickets: All information, including ticket sales, group sales and current menu can be found at the La Comedia website: www.lacomedia.com

Opening Next Weekend!

Opus

The Dayton Theatre Guild

The Skinny: The Guild’s season opener is a story about a famous string quartet who, after losing one of their members, is forced to grow and change upon casting, for the first time, a woman as his replacement.

The Dates: Opus opens on 8/24 and runs weekends through 9/9. As usual, with DTG shows, it’s worth mentioning that the second and third Saturday performances (in this case, September 1st and 8th) are at 5:00 pm.

Tickets: Tickets are available for purchase through the Dayton Theatre Guild website at www.daytontheatreguild.org

Coming Soon!

Musical Chairs

Beavercreek Community Theatre

The Skinny: Musical Chairs is the story of an audience watching a new show by a struggling playwright. Poor Joe Preston has a lot riding on his new show, and unfortunately he has the worst audience ever, including three grey-haired matinee crones, a theatre critic and, best of all, his ex-wife.

The Dates: September 7th – 16th

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online at www.bctheatre.org

Side By Side By Sondheim

The Dayton Playhouse

The Skinny: Side By Side…which takes its name from a song by Sondheim, is a musical revue of, surprisingly enough, the works of Stephen Sondheim.

Dates: September 7th – 16th.

Tickets: Tickets are available online at www.daytonplayhouse.com

Managing Maxine

The Human Race Theatre Company

The Skinny: A midwest premier, this show is a tale of “septuagenarian sexiness and matronly merriment”, featuring Broadway actress Jana Robbins as the titular Maxine, a woman who may have just found real love for the first time in her life. Veteran television actor Steve Vinovich plays Arthur, the retired judge and object of Maxine’s affections.

Dates: September 6th – 23rd.

Tickets: For all information, please see the Human Race Theatre Company’s website at www.humanracetheatre.org

Noises Off

Brookville Community Theatre

The Skinny: Noises Off is an absolutely classic farce taking place during the rehearsal, performance and subsequent unraveling of a traveling production of the fictional play “Nothing On.” Personalities, affections and jealousies collide with completely hilarious result.

Dates: September 6th – 16th.

Tickets: Reserving tickets in advance is highly recommended and may be done by calling the Brookville Flower Shop at 937-833-3531

Victoria Theatre Association!

The VTA currently has single tickets on sale for all their shows (except: Mary Poppins and National Geographic Live). For more information, as well as a complete list of productions on sale, please visit the VTA website: www.victoriatheatre.com

I believe that about wraps it up for this addition. As you can see, we’re only about 2 weeks away from the 2012-2013 theatrical season beginning in earnest, which is exciting! There are some really great shows coming up in the next 9 months or so. Directors and producers; I try to go to every theatre’s website and get the info on what’s coming up, but feel free to email me anything you want to make sure that I mention!

I’m hot. I mean, these dog days we’ve been having? They’re hot, friends. Sticky, muggy, relentless…true “height of Summer” kind of weather. Thank you, Mother Nature or muchos gracias El Nino. Whichever it is, it’s days like this where I keep myself sane looking forward to the upcoming fall. A time that will be as cool, crisp and refreshing as that first sip of apple cider in September. With that in mind, I dedicate this edition of my humble little biweekly base-touch to not only what is coming up immediately, but what Autumn, blessed Fall will bring us in the Dayton Theatre Scene. But first!

Future Fest Wrap-up!

And The Winner Is …

Nureyev’s Eyes by David Rush, directed by Annie Pesch. This play also won the “audience favorite” award.

The other finalists were ranked by audience appreciation as follows:

A Political Woman by Joel Fishbane (directed by Cynthia Karns)

Curve by Sam Havens (directed by Jim Lockwood)

Excavation by Rob Barron (directed by Nancy Campbell)

Provenance by Dan Weber (directed by David Shough)

This Rough Magic by Richard Manley (directed by Gayle Smith)

As always, Future Fest 2012 was an exciting weekend of drama, comedy, fun and friends. Though my play did not win, I had an absolute blast and I believe the playwrights, adjudicators and my fellow actors and audience members did as well. Huge thanks go out to the Dayton Playhouse and Future Fest board and staff of volunteers. I’m already excited for Future Fest 2013.

Opening This Weekend!

Musical Theatre Workshop

The Human Race Theatre Company/The Loft Theatre

The Skinny: Another festival of new works, The Human Race Theatre Company’s annual Musical Theatre Workshop will take place August 3rd – 5th at The Loft Theatre.  This program is designed to develop original musicals, to provide an avenue for that very important “second production” and to encourage appreciation of rarely produced musicals. Through a process of residencies, workshops and staged readings, The Human Race not only contributes to the art form, but builds an audience for the new musical.

Tickets: All ticket information can be found at The Human Race Theatre Company’s website: www.humanracetheatre.org

Opening Next Week!

A Little Princess

Playhouse South

The Skinny: The classic children’s literature story of Sara Crewe, left by her father at a boarding school for young ladies. This is a musical version of the 1905 story.

The Dates: Opening August 10th and running through the 19th. All performances of this outdoor production begin at 7:30.

Tickets: Admission is free, but a donation of at least $5.00 is greatly appreciated. Please visit Playhouse South’s website for more information and directions to Northpark Amphitheatre in Springboro. www.playhousesouth.org

Ongoing!

Seussical! The Musical!

La Commedia Dinner Theatre

The Skinny: Seussical brings the books you and your kids have grown up with to life with bright and beautiful sets, cheerful songs and wonderful costumes.

The Dates: Seussical opened July 11th and continues it’s run through September 2nd.

Tickets: All information regarding tickets, group tickets and the current menu should be found at www.lacomedia.com

The Merchant of Venice

Free Shakespeare!

The Skinny: Chris Shea and his wandering thespians continue their merry stroll through the greater Dayton area.

Dates: August 2nd; Rosewood Arts Centre, Kettering. August 3rd, 4th and 5th; Newcom Park, Oregon District. August 7th; RESCHEDULED DATE for Tower Park Amphitheatre, Fort Thomas Kentucky (7:30 pm show). August 9th; Blommel Park, South Park, Dayton. August 10th, 11th and 12; Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark, Dayton. All performances begin at 7:00 pm (EXCEPT WHERE NOTED OTHERWISE). Audience members are asked to bring their own chairs or blankets.

Tickets: Free Shakespeare! is committed to bringing high quality, low budget classic theatre to the Dayton region, for free. But good will donations are happily and gratefully accepted. The proceeds are split equally among the cast.

For more information, visit Free Shakespeare’s Facebook site at www.facebook.com/spreadthewords

Looking Ahead!

As aforementioned, I would like to take a quick peek ahead to the first offerings of some local theatres this season, to remind us what we have to look forward to once this long, hot summer draws to a close. These entries are in no particular order,

The Dayton Theatre Guild:

Opus by Michael Hollinger.

August 24th – September 9th

A world-class male string quartet struggles with the loss of a member, the recasting of a woman to replace him and the day-to-day tensions of exacting, temperamental artists struggling to make perfect music onstage, as well as to make sense of their lives offstage.  This one-of-a-kind contemporary script is filled with quiet drama and surprising humor.

The Dayton Playhouse:

Side By Side by Sondheim

September 7th – 16th.

Side by Side by Sondheim is a musical revue featuring the songs of Broadway and film composer Stephen Sondheim.  It was nominated for 6 Tony awards in 1977.  The title is derived from the song “Side by Side by Side” from Company.

Beavercreek Community Theatre

Musical Chairs

September 7th – 16th

Synopsis information about Musical Chairs was not immediately available through the website.

The Human Race Theatre Company

Managing Maxine

September 6th – 23rd.

She’s bold, yet tender. She’s brash, but sincere. And at the age of 70, Maxine Levine may have just found real love for the first time in her life. When this lively widow finds a retired, reserved judge to her liking, they each discover that when it comes to romance, everything old is new again. But the memories of past loves and current heartbreaks of their children could derail any hope of happiness these late-in-life lovebirds may have.

This is just a taste of what a few theatres will be offering up this coming year. We’ve got some great shows in store for us in the 2012-2013 Theatre Season. I’m getting excited just thinking about it!

Welcome back! Need some more advice on where you’d rather be during these icky hot summer weeks? I gotcha covered!

Opening this weekend!

Legally Blonde – The Musical!

Vandalia Youth Theatre

The Skinny: I adore Vandalia Youth Theatre. It’s a fantastic group of incredibly talented young people, lead by an incredibly talented group of adults. If you’ve never seen a VYT show, here is your chance. Legally Blonde is based on the 2001 movie of the same name and follows Elle Woods, a perky blonde who can handle anything. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her she decides to follow him to Harvard Law School and win him back. With some help from new-found friends Paulette, Emmett and her chihuahua Bruiser, she learns that it’s so much better to be smart.

The Dates: Friday and Saturday the 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th at 8 pm and Sunday the 29th at 3pm at Northridge High School.

Tickets: All ticket information can be found at VYT’s website: www.vandaliayouththeatre.net

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka – The Musical!

Epiphany Players (Epiphany Lutheran Church)

The Skinny: Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this stage adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which features the songs from the classic family filmWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Dates: July 19th and 20th at 7:30 pm. July 21st at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. July 22nd at 2:30 pm. At the Far Hills Campus Celebration Center.

Tickets: All ticket information can be found at Epiphany Lutheran’s website, www.epiphanydayton.org

The Merchant of Venice

Free Shakespeare!

The Skinny: Dayton’s band of traveling thespians begins this year’s tour at Historic South Park.

Dates: The tour begins July 19th and closes August 12th, during which time it will perform in 7 different locations across 2 states. All information regarding tour dates and the like can be found at Free Shakespeare’s facebook page; www.facebook.com/spreadthewords

Tickets: Tickets are totally and completely free! Good will donations, however, are happily appreciated. Please bring your own chairs or blankets.

Opening Next Week!

Future Fest 2012 is just around the corner! Single performance tickets and full weekend passes are still available. As a reminder, the agenda of the weekend is:

Friday, 7/27 at 8:00 pm, A Political Woman (this is the show I’m in! I am unabashedly proud of it.)

Saturday, 7/28 at 10:oo am, Provenance.

Saturday, at 3:00 pm, Nureyev’s Eyes.

Saturday, at 8:00 pm, Curve

Sunday, 7/29 at 10:00 am, Excavation.

Sunday at 3:00 pm, This Rough Magic.

Each performance is followed by an official adjudication and limited talk-back session. Future Fest is a wonderful Dayton Theatre tradition.

Tickets: Please visit the Dayton Playhouse website for ticketing information. www.daytonplayhouse.com

Attention Directors and Producers!

I’d love to start, in my bi-weekly round ups, featuring any upcoming auditions for local theatres. Please feel free to email me any audition information you want published! Thanks!

Welcome back to another installment in my fortnightly updates from Dayton’s theatre world!

Opening This Weekend

Souvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins

Brookville Community Theatre

The Skinny: Directed by Saul Caplan, Souvenir was first seen (in Dayton) at the Dayton Theatre Guild last fall. This winning little show, superbly acted and directed, won the hearts of its audiences. Russell Florence reviewed its original production, which can be read here. Among those charmed by the original production were members of the board at Brookville Community Theatre who then asked Caplan to remount the production, in its entirety, in Brookville. Renee Franck-Reed and Charles Larkowski reprise their roles on Brookville’s lovely stage.

Dates: Opening 7/5/ and running through 7/15. Brookville Community Theatre offers Thursday performances.

Tickets: pre-ordering is highly recommended and can be done by calling the Brookville Flower Shop at 937-833-3531. More information can be found at Brookville Community Theatre’s website www.brookvillecommunitytheatre.com or at the “Souvenir…” Facebook event page, here

Future Fest 2012 update

Future Fest 2012 rehearsals are in full swing. There’s a certain exhilaration that comes from the Future Fest rehearsal process; with 6 shows sharing rehearsal space, there are almost always at least 2 shows rehearsing at the same time. Due to that situation, you find yourself and your show tucked away into other spaces. Sometimes it’s the lobby, sometimes it’s the green room. And while you’re not doing anything, you overhear snatches of other plays dialogue, and see fellow actors ducking in and out of other rehearsals. It feels vibrant and alive. And uniquely “Summer theatre in Dayton”, as Future Fest has come to represent.

For those interested in attending Future Fest productions, but not all 6 shows of the weekend, single-performance tickets are now available at a cost of $18.00. As a reminder, the line up of the weekend is:

Friday, 7/27 (8:00 pm): A Political Woman

Saturday, 7/28 (1o:00 am): Provenance

Saturday, (3:00 pm): Nureyev’s Eyes

Saturday, (8:00 pm): Curve

Sunday, 7/29, (10:00 am): Excavation

Sunday, (3:00 pm): This Rough Magic

Each production is followed immediately afterwards by an adjudication and talk-back session. If you’re interested in any of these shows, ala carte, space is extremely limited, but good seats are still available. And if you’re interested in the entire weekend, weekend pass ticket prices are at $95.00. Divided among 6 shows, that comes to less than $16.00 per show, which is a bargain considering the value in the weekend. Future Fest is a wonderful, Dayton theatre gem. All information about ticketing, as well as synopses of all the productions, can be found at the Dayton Playhouse website, www.daytonplayhouse.com

Free Shakespeare!

Now in its third year, Chris Shea’s troupe of traveling thespians are taking on The Merchant of Venice. Performance dates and venues are as follows:

July 19 — Blommel Park, South Park, Dayton
July 20, 21, 22 — ArtStreet, University of Dayton
July 26 — Tower Park, Fort Thomas, KY
July 27, 28, 29 — Antioch College Amphitheater, Yellow Springs
August 2 — Rosewood Arts Center, Kettering
August 3, 4, 5 — Newcom Park, Oregon District, Dayton
August 9 — Blommel Park, South Park, Dayton
August 10, 11, 12 — Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Dayton

All shows are at 7:00 pm and are completely free, though a goodwill donation in whatever amount you see fit would be warmly welcome and greatly appreciated. Audiences are reminded to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Free Shakespeare!’s Facebook page is a font of information, and can be found here. As they themselves put it, “Spread the Words.”

Remember to keep me posted on anything you’d like to see featured or highlighted! I’m always open to suggestions, and always ready to hear more people talking about Dayton theatre!

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Ah, it is officially summer! A time for swimming and barbeques and all sorts of outdoor based activities. And when you’ve had your fill of the sun and heat, where better to turn then the soft squishy seat inside the darkened confines of an air-conditioned theatre? Summer is traditionally the “off-season” for theatre, meaning the opportunity for live shows will be slightly less in the coming weeks, but that doesn’t mean it’s non-existent. Two great musicals are finishing up their runs this weekend, and I have news for you on Dayton’s favorite traveling Shakespeare Troupe!

Closing this weekend:

Wicked

The Schuster Center

The Skinny: This beloved “Wizard of Oz” prequel folds up its tent and hits the road soon. You can read Russell Florence, Jr’s take on it here.

If you haven’t seen it yet, fear not! Tickets are still available.

Dates: The last performance will be Sunday, June 24th.

Tickets: All information regarding tickets can be found online at www.victoriatheatre.com

Chicago

Beavercreek Community Theatre

The Skinny: Kander and Ebb’s well-loved musical about prohibition-era murderesses finishes its run in Beavercreek this weekend.

The Dates: Chicago closes on June 24th.

Tickets: Tickets are still available but are becoming rather scarce, so if you’re interested, please get ticketing information at www.bctheatre.org

Bare/Stop-Kiss

Playhouse South

The Skinny: Playhouse South’s duel billing of Bare and Stop-Kiss ends this weekend.

Dates: Bare’s last performance is June 23rd and Stop-Kiss will perform last on June 22nd.

Tickets: For all ticketing information please visit Playhouse South’s website at www.playhousesouth.org

Coming Soon

Free Shakespeare!

Dayton’s traveling Shakespeare Troupe is celebrating their 3rd summer of free theatre with Shakespeare’s provocative play, The Merchant of Venice.

Dates and Locations:

July 19: Blommel Park, South Park, Dayton
July 20, 21, 22: ArtStreet, University of Dayton
July 26: Tower Park, Ft Thomas, Kentucky
July 27, 28, 29: Antioch College Amphitheatre, Yellow Springs
August 2: Rosewood Arts Centre, Kettering
August 3, 4, 5: Newcom Park, Oregon District, Dayton
August 9: Blommel Park, South Park, Dayton
August 10, 11, 12: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Dayton

All performances begin at 7 pm. Audience members should bring chairs or blankets. All performances are free of charge (but donations are happily and readily accepted!).

The Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame

I’ve been told by a member of the Hall of Fame committee that I can confirm this year’s Hall of Fame inductee. Bruce Brown, well-known local theatre set designer, will be the 2012 honoree at the annual DayTony’s award dinner. Bruce has designed sets for The Dayton Playhouse, The Dayton Theatre Guild, Kettering Children’s Theatre, Epiphany Lutheran Church and many, many more. Bravo and congratulations, Bruce!

Future Fest

Just as a reminder, weekend pass tickets for Future Fest, Dayton’s internationally-known festival of previously unpublished works, are still on sale. Also, single-performance tickets will go on sale on July 1st at a cost of $15.00. Single-performance seating is limited, so act fast. As a reminder, the schedule of performances is as follows:

Friday, July 27th, 8:00 pm: A Political Woman

Saturday, July 28th, 10:00 am: Provenance

Saturday, July 28th, 3:00 pm: Nureyev’s Eyes

Saturday, July 28th, 8:00 pm: Curve

Sunday, July 29th, 10:00 am: Excavation

Sunday, July 30th: 3:00 pm: This Rough Magic.

Each performance is followed by an adjudication and limited talk-back session.

Information about all things Future Fest can be found at the Dayton Playhouse website, www.thedaytonplayhouse.com

In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention I am a member of the cast for A Political Woman. And I’m very excited!

That will just about do it for now, I believe. 2 weeks from now, I’ll bring you mention of a little season extra show from earlier this year, that another theatre has decided to import, part and parcel, for their season!

Y’know…everyone’s all concerned about the apparently impending Zombie apocalypse. I think the Robot apocalypse is much scarier and more realistic. Case in point? The gremlins inside The Interwebz decided to take the round-up I wrote last week for you all, and hold it hostage until such time as I had successfully appeased the Computer Lords. Having now done something I’m not proud of including motherboards and mice, I can present my edited and updated round up! Wicked Witches, Band Geeks, Merry Murderesses and more! The coming weeks bring us all manner of entertainment!

Now Playing!

Wicked The Schuster Center The Skinny: Ever wonder what happened before Dorothy and her little dog came to Oz? How did Elphaba become so very wicked? How did Galinda become Glinda, and get so good? Look no further. Wicked has returned to town and I am assured that tickets are still available, so do not despair! Dates: Elphie et alia will be performing at the Schuster Center through June 24th. Tickets: For all information, please visit the Victoria Theatre Association website at www.victoriatheatre.com

Opening This Week!

Band Geeks!

The Human Race Theatre Company The Skinny: Like a live-action episode of Glee, only for the Marching Band crowd. The Cuyahoga Marching Beavers are 75 trombones short of a Music Man, and there’s only one cornet left, but while the band may be close to extinction, its spirit isn’t. This show will bring laughs to anyone who was ever in a marching band. Or new someone in a marching band. Or once saw a marching band. Dates: Opens Thursday, May 31st and runs through June 17th. Does your dad love half-time shows? Get him tickets for Fathers Day! Tickets: For tickets and more information, please visit the Human Race Theatre Company website at www.humanracetheatre.org   Reviews: DMM/On Stage Dayton

The Story of My Life

The Dayton Theatre Guild The Skinny: Musicals are not frequently found at the Guild, but this 2-person “boutique” musical is an exception. It’s the story of a life-long friendship, told mostly in song as Thomas struggles to write a eulogy for his friend Alvin. Dates: Running through Sunday, June 17th (another great Father’s Day idea! Live theatre makes the best gift!) Tickets: For tickets and more information, please visit the Dayton Theatre Guild website at www.daytontheatreguild.or   Review: DMM/On Stage Dayton

ExtrABBAganza! – The music of ABBA, live in Concert!

Opening Soon!

Chicago

Beavercreek Community Theatre The Skinny: Set in 1920s Chicago, Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless hubby to take the rap, until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another “Merry Murderess” Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the “American Dream”: fame, fortune and acquittal. Dates: Opening June 15th, running 2 weekends and closing on June 24th. Tickets: Ticketing and other information can be found online at www.bctheatre.org

Bare/Stop Kiss

Playhouse South The Skinnies: Bare and Stop Kiss are two separate pieces being performed on alternating nights. Both are love stories. Stop Kiss is a little more traditional; Two people meet, fall in love and overcome obstacles to be together. These two people just happen to be women. In the case of Bare, which performed an excerpt at Dayton’s Pride celebration downtown, the story is of two roommates at a Catholic school, their love and how it shapes the lives around them. The Dates: Stop Kiss performs June 14th, 16th and 22nd. Bare bows June 15th, 21st and 23rd. All shows are at 8pm. Tickets: Ticketing information can be found online at www.playhousesouth.org

FutureFest!

When last I touched base about Dayton’s annual playwright’s competition, we were still one play shy of six finalists, due to a last-minute line-up change. That’s all been settled and now the plays in contention are: A Political Woman; Provenance; Nureyev’s Eyes; Curve; Excavation and This Rough Magic. Weekend pass tickets are currently on-sale. As a side note to those who have been FutureFest regulars in the past few years (weekend warriors, as I like to think of them), the Playhouse has a wonderful new air conditioner that I can tell you works beautifully! As of this time, the official auditions have ended and most of the shows are beginning to announce their casts. Further information, including cast breakdowns; show slots; directors and other notices, as well as ticketing information, is available at the FutureFest portion of the Dayton Playhouse website, www.daytonplayhouse.com   That’s about all for now. I’ll be back with you in a couple weeks with updates about Future Fest, Free Shakespeare and the other goodies that get us through our long, hot summer!