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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