This Week in Dayton Theatre

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2010 – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2010

Shows in the greater Dayton metropolitan region this week are set in two centuries and four different decades (and written in them, too), feature four genres (comedic musical, children’s musical, comedic classic, and intense drama), and describe numerous vastly different characters. With all of those combinations, there’s something everyone will enjoy seeing up this week. So, come see a show (or two or all four). Then, go out and audition for one yourself…

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING THIS WEEK

The Importance of Being Earnest

CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY

By Oscar Wilde
September 30 – October 9

Gwendolyn and Cecily are in love with romantic, handsome, beguiling young men named “Ernest” … or at least they think they are! And Jack and Algernon, bachelors who may have finally fallen victim to romance, seem to be caught between the wiles of the female sex and the allure of freedom. The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a romantic delight that entertains audiences, satirizes the hypocrisy of social obligations, and comments on society’s foibles — all in the midst of mistaken identities and some mysterious business with a handbag in a train station.

I saw a preview performance last week, and the show was already wonderful! Written in 1895, this comedy remains one of the most widely produced plays in the English language. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays each evening at 8:00 pm, with additional 2:00 pm matinees on Saturdays, in the Cedarville University DeVries Theatre (located at 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, along Rt. 72). Visit the Cedarville season website for more information, and box office to purchase tickets.

…SHOWS STILL UP

August: Osage County

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY & WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

By Tracy Letts
September 23 – October 10

A pill-popping mother, a vanished father, and a family that personifies dysfunctional combine in this intense yet humorous drama, a collaboration between the collegiate and professional and the first production since the show’s Broadway run. Look at my feature article, or  view basic information in last week’s post . Curtain times vary; check the performance calendar. Tickets are available through the WSU Box Office at (937) 775-2500. Don’t miss it!

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

LA COMEDIA DINNER THEATRE

Book by Jeffrey Lane; Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek; based on the film by Frank Oz
September 8 – October 31, 2010

Read last week’s column here for a synopsis and full description of this show! But, here’s basic ticket information: Arrival times for Wednesday to Sunday evening performances are 5:30 – 6:00 pm; Wednesday and Thursday matinees and Sunday brunch, 10:30 – 11:00 am. For more information or tickets, call 1-800-677-9505 or (937) 746-4554 or visit http://www.lacomedia.com. Also check out the DMM event page here.

…SHOWS TO CATCH BEFORE THEY CLOSE

Alice in Wonderland

TOWN HALL THEATRE – Landmark Children’s Theatre

September 17 – October 3, 2010

This is the last weekend of Town Hall’s production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr., featuring performers in grades 2 through 12! Read a more detailed synopsis and see pictures from previous shows in last week’s post.

To recap: the show runs 70 minutes and is recommended for children ages 2 and up. Performances will be held on Fridays at 7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm; additional matinee performances are scheduled on Thursday, September 23 and 30 at 4:30 pm. Reserve tickets online at http://www.townhalltheatre.org or call 937-433-8957.

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

The Last 5 Years

SPRINGFIELD STAGEWORKS

Auditions: October 16, 2010 – 10:00 am (callbacks later, same day, if necessary)
Performances: February 10 – 12, 2011

Directed by James Straley & Tom Kushmaul

Playwright/composer: Jason Robert Brown
The Story: Cathy is a struggling actress; Jamie is a rising writer. Over the course of five years, they fall in and out of love, The Last 5 Years chronicling that journey in an emotionally powerful and intimate song cycle.

The Characters:
Cathy – mid-20s, an actress struggling to find jobs and maintain some sense of self esteem. Mezzo-soprano.
Jamie – mid-20s, a novelist swept up in the whirlwind of life, especially his rising career. Tenor.
Visit the website below for specific information about what to prepare for each character.

Please prepare a contemporary musical theatre selection (not from this production) that showcases your vocal ability, familiarize yourself with the music from the show, and follow additional character information described at http://www.springfieldstageworks.org/auditions .

Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells

TOWN HALL THEATRE – Landmark Children’s Theatre Company

Auditions: Saturday, October 2, 2010
Performances: December 3 – 19, 2010

Last week, I wrote about this exciting audition opportunity for those in grades 2 through adult; read the post for that information.

Remember, those interested in auditioning for the show must register in advance of the audition date online at http://www.townhalltheatre.org or by calling the box office at (937) 433-8957. Actors must prepare (1) one-minute memorized monologue only (no song is necessary). Headshots or photos are required and resumes are encouraged.

~KN

onStageDayton ...with Shane & Dave

Katherine Nelson is a senior theatre major at Cedarville University who focuses on performance, playwriting, and stage management. She’s the Literary Intern with locally based Encore Theater Company, where contributors Shane Anderson and David Brush also work. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC just concluded their summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton, which featured Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] & the new musical in development Next Thing You Know.