Saluting Dayton’s 2019-20 Theater Season

Let’s be real. Dayton’s 2019-2020 theater season didn’t turn out the way anyone expected.
While many of us were busy going about our lives filling late winter weekend plans with the exciting prospect of attending numerous shows around town, who could have foreseen COVID-19? The coronavirus pandemic, a silent game-changer demanding social distancing, has totally upended our local economy, drastically altering the arts landscape in unimaginable fashion. In fact, the Dayton Playhouse recently announced an in-person hiatus until the 2021-2022 season, and it is not out of the question that multiple organizations, including Dayton Live and its reliance on direct-from-Broadway national tours, will remain dark this fall, hoping for a winter rebound at the earliest. Nevertheless, to borrow a phrase from Betty Comden and Adolph Green, “let’s be glad for what we had.” So, here is my annual salute to the outstanding experiences over the past 12 months on a variety of stages and, for the first time, a few virtual platforms.

Reflecting on current sentiment across the country, specifically the multiracial acknowledgment of the Black Lives Matter movement and the ongoing fight for racial justice, I’m pleased Dayton was ahead of the curve this season recognizing, producing and promoting Black-themed works. The Human Race Theatre Company provided an elegant Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill starring Tanesha Gary as legendary Billie Holiday. In addition to Dayton Playhouse’s regional premiere of Aaron Sorkin’s refreshingly progressive adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, Massachusetts playwright Jared Eberlein took top honors at the Playhouse’s FutureFest for his historical drama Fall With Me, centered on a Black family in 1930s Baltimore. Dayton Live, which notably supplied The Color Purple national tour which I missed, offered a striking Ohio premiere of the Tony Award-winning, Caribbean-flavored Once on This Island, a musical beautifully illuminating the power of love and communal storytelling within racial division. Dayton Theatre Guild delivered Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting, detailing the fictional yet riveting conversation between Black icons debating Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Xenia Area Community Theater and the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center joined forces to educate and enlighten with the Ohio premiere of The Face of Emmett Till, a poignant tale of history, heartbreak, hate, and hope. Unmistakably, Emmett Till holds significant relevance as the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Rayshad Brooks, and Elijah McClain among others have brought greater attention to the unjust treatment of Blacks in America.

Elsewhere, I was impressed with Wright State University’s wonderful knockouts both comical (Peter and the Starcatcher, The Addams Family, Into the Woods) and thought-provoking (The Wolves, An Enemy of the People, Into the Woods), Muse Machine’s timely, incredibly joyous In the Heights, Human Race Theatre Company’s terrifically compelling regional premieres of The Cake and Gloria: A Life, Dare to Defy Productions’ engagingly heartfelt A New Brain, Playground Theatre and University of Dayton’s atmospheric Midwest premiere of Virginia playwright Ingrid DeSanctis’ whimsical yet gripping religious and relationship-driven dramedy Stained Glass, and the Tennessee Williams-inspired debut of The Virtual Theatre.

I congratulate the following winners (in bold) and nominees. Looking toward the future with Betty and Adolph in mind, I trust we’ll catch up at the theater some other time.

BEST TOURING PRODUCTION
The Book of Mormon, Dayton Live
Once on This Island, Dayton Live
Rent, Dayton Live 
The SpongeBob Musical, Dayton Live

BEST PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
The Cake, Human Race Theatre Company
Gloria: A Life, Human Race Theatre Company
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Human Race Theatre Company

 

 

 

BEST PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
A New Brain, Dare to Defy Productions
Elf the Musical, La Comedia Dinner Theatre

BEST COMMUNITY THEATER PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
The Face of Emmett Till, Xenia Area Community Theater and The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center
Icebergs, Dayton Theatre Guild
Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting, Dayton Theatre Guild
On the Horizon, Dayton Playhouse
Still Alice, Young at Heart Players
To Kill a Mockingbird, Dayton Playhouse

BEST COMMUNITY THEATER PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Dayton Playhouse
Chicago, Springboro Community Theatre
Freaky Friday, Beavercreek Community Theatre
Man of La Mancha, Dayton Playhouse
The Marvelous Wonderettes, Springboro Community Theatre
The Wizard of Oz, Brookville Community Theatre

BEST COLLEGIATE PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
An Enemy of the People, Wright State University
Bang, Bang, You’re Dead!, Sinclair Community College
Peter and the Starcatcher, Wright State University
Slut, Sinclair Community College
Treasure Island, Sinclair Community College
The Wolves, Wright State University

BEST COLLEGIATE PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
The Addams Family, Wright State University
Into the Woods, Wright State University
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sinclair Community College

BEST VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
A Streetcar Named Desire, The Virtual Theatre
Beyond Glory, Renegade Stage
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Virtual Theatre
The Glass Menagerie, The Virtual Theatre
Look Into My Eyes, Human Race Theatre Company

BEST SPECIAL THEATRICAL EVENT
Gratitude Project Brings the Arts to Life!, Oral Funk Theatre and Productions
In the Heights, Muse Machine
Stained Glass, Playground Theatre and University of Dayton
Why We Tell the Story: Broadway Songs and Stories, Epiphany Lutheran Church

BEST NEW WORK
Shelli Pentimall Bookler’s On the Horizon, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest
Ingrid DeSanctis’ Stained Glass, Playground Theatre and University of Dayton
Norman Mathews’ Drone, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest
Robert Weibezahl’s Which Way the Wind Blows, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest
Robb Willoughby’s Look Into My Eyes, Human Race Theatre Company
Desireé York’s Fractured, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest

BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Saul Caplan as Branch Rickey, Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting
Shaun Diggs as Jackie Robinson, Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting
Will Graber as Peter, Peter and the Starcatcher
Ryan Hester as Tom Wingfield, The Glass Menagerie (Xenia Area Community Theater)
Nick Martin as Dr. Thomas Stockmann, An Enemy of the People
Maximillian Santucci as Calder, Icebergs

 

BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Bryana Bentley as Joey, Slut
Rae Buchanan as Jewels, Stained Glass
Lindsay Cardoza as Scout Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird
Cassandra Engber as Alice, Still Alice
Jennifer Johansen as Gloria Steinem, Gloria: A Life
Laurie Carter Rose as Della, The Cake

BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Jordan Matthew Brown as Elder Cunningham, The Book of Mormon
Hunter Minor as Gomez, The Addams Family
Bobby Mitchum as Gordon Michael Schwinn, A New Brain
Lorenzo Pugliese as SpongeBob SquarePants, The SpongeBob Musical
Tim Rezash as Cervantes/Alonso/Quixote, Man of La Mancha
Liam Tobin as Elder Price, The Book of Mormon

BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Megan Arseneau as the Baker’s Wife, Into the Woods
Casey Borghesi as the Witch, Into the Woods
Courtnee Carter as Ti Moune, Once on This Island
Robin Dunavant as Morticia, The Addams Family
Tina McPhearson as Miss Mona Stangley, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Sarah Viola as Aldonza/Dulcinea, Man of La Mancha

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Will Graber as Peter Stockmann, An Enemy of the People
Samuel Hamilton as Dill, To Kill a Mockingbird
Louie Kurtzman as Hovstad, An Enemy of the People
Tim Lile as Tim, The Cake
S. Francis Livisay as Reed, Icebergs
Josh McCabe as Black Stache, Peter and the Starcatcher

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Burgess Byrd as Woman 2, Gloria: A Life
Candice Handy as Macy, The Cake
Lauren Kampman as Molly, Peter and the Starcatcher
Claire Kennedy as Jen, The Cake
Rachel Oprea as Herself, Still Alice
Hayley Penchoff as Mayella Ewell, To Kill a Mockingbird

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Philip Boykin as Tonton Julian, Once on This Island
Kyle Ramar Freeman as Asaka, Once on This Island
Mark Antony Howard as Rapunzel’s Prince and Granny, Into the Woods
Andy Huntington Jones as Elder McKinley, The Book of Mormon
Chavin Medina as Sonny, In the Heights
William “Kip” Moore as the Padre, Man of La Mancha

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Tamyra Gray as Papa Ge, Once on This Island
Charlotte Kunesh as Vanessa, In the Heights
Sara LiBrandi as Camila Rosario, In the Heights
Hailey Noll as Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel, Into the Woods
Meghan Rupper as Featured Soloist, Why We Tell the Story
Michaella Waickman as Wednesday, The Addams Family

BREAKTHROUGH MALE PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Brian Buttrey as George Stewart, On the Horizon
Ben Evory as Jim O’Connor, The Glass Menagerie (Xenia Area Community Theater)
Cole Frasher as Aslasken, An Enemy of the People
Samuel Hamilton as Jimmy Gibson, On the Horizon
Edward Hill as Paul Robeson, Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting
Christopher Wells as Billing, An Enemy of the People

BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Kristin Curby as Laura Wingfield, The Glass Menagerie (Xenia Area Community Theater)
Lauren Eifert as No. 7 – Striker, The Wolves
Michelle Hayford as Little Mermaid and The Women, Stained Glass
Hailey Marshall as Catherine Stockmann, An Enemy of the People
Margo Russ as No. 11 – Midfield, The Wolves
Annika Whetsone as Petra Stockmann, An Enemy of the People

BREAKTHROUGH MALE PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Austin Gladstone as the Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince, Into the Woods
Jared Levy as Jack and the Steward, Into the Woods
Erik Moth as Fester, The Addams Family
Nate Saner as Usnavi, In the Heights
Rafael Santillan as Potiphar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
John Woll as Richard, A New Brain

BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Gabby Casto as Abuela Claudia, In the Heights
Logan Hylinski as Velma Kelly, Chicago
Lillian Robillard as Ellie Blake, Freaky Friday
Molly Seybert as Cinderella, Into the Woods
Jenna Vance as Miss Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West, The Wizard of Oz
Kailey Yeakley as Roxie Hart, Chicago

BEST ACTOR IN A VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
Chris Bishop as Big Daddy, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Scott Christian as Harold “Mitch” Mitchell, A Streetcar Named Desire
Ryan Imhoff as Tom Wingfield, The Glass Menagerie
René Millán as Stanley Kowalski, A Streetcar Named Desire
Jeff Sams as Theo, Look Into My Eyes
Michael Wright as Brick, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

BEST ACTRESS IN A VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
Rachel Barkalow as Maggie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Chelsey Cavender as Stella Kowalski, A Streetcar Named Desire
Merrie Drees as Laura Wingfield, The Glass Menagerie
Claire Kennedy as Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire
Caitlin Larsen as Zelda, Look Into My Eyes
Rhonda Lucas as Big Mama, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

BEST SOLO PERFORMANCE
Tanesha Gary as Billie Holiday, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
Annie Pesch as Laurel and others, Fractured

BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY
Marya Spring Cordes, Gloria: A Life
Bruce Cromer, Peter and the Starcatcher
Michelle Hayford, Jenna Valyn and Chris Hahn, Stained Glass
Greg Hellems, The Cake
W. Stuart McDowell, An Enemy of the People
Annie Pesch, On the Horizon

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Michael Arden, Once on This Island
Joe Deer, The Addams Family
Philip Drennen, A New Brain
Tina Landau, The SpongeBob Musical
Lee Merrill, Into the Woods
Jeffrey Polk and Lula Elzy, In the Heights

BEST LOCAL CHOREOGRAPHY
Chris Beiser, Elf the Musical
Kara Castle, Chicago
Jessica Eggleston, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Lula Elzy, In the Heights
Sandra Hyde, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Dionysia Williams, The Addams Family

BEST TOURING CHOREOGRAPHY
Camille A. Brown, Once on This Island
Christopher Gattelli, The SpongeBob Musical
Casey Nicholaw, The Book of Mormon
Marlies Yearby, Rent

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY
Dan Gray, The Cake
Chris Harmon, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (Dayton Theatre Guild)
Scott J. Kimmins, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
Pam Knauert Lavarnway, Peter and the Starcatcher
Carleigh Siebert, The Wolves
Terry Stump, Treasure Island

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
David J. Castellano, The Addams Family
Dane Laffrey, Once on This Island
Anna Louizos, In the Heights
Red Newman, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Jonathan Sabo, Man of La Mancha
David Zinn, The SpongeBob Musical

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
David M. Covach, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
Carol Finley, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (Dayton Theatre Guild)
Kathleen Hotmer, Treasure Island
Ayn Kaetchen, Gloria: A Life
Tatyana Kowalski, An Enemy of the People
Michelle Sampson and Victoria Gifford, Peter and the Starcatcher

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Kevin Alberts, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Theresa Kahle, Man of La Mancha
Clint Ramos, Once on This Island
Nikki Sherck and Alisa Vukasinovich, In the Heights
Zoë Still, The Addams Family
David Zinn, The SpongeBob Musical

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
Malia Dalba, An Enemy of the People
Matthew Evans, Stained Glass
Gabriel Hrin, Treasure Island
Autumn Light, Peter and the Starcatcher
John Rensel, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
Richard Lee Waldeck, Decision Height (Dayton Theatre Guild)

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Kevin Adams, The SpongeBob Musical
Ara Beal, A New Brain
Matthew P. Benjamin, The Addams Family
Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, Once on This Island
Jessy Henning, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Richard Lee Waldeck, Man of La Mancha

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY
Dan Brunk, Treasure Island
Jay Brunner, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
James Dunlap, An Enemy of the People
Chris Hahn, Stained Glass
Lara Sagraves, Peter and the Starcatcher
K.L. Storer, Decision Height (Dayton Theatre Guild)

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
James Dunlap, The Addams Family
Bob Kovach, Man of La Mancha
Aaron Poland and James Dunlap, Into the Woods
Shannon Slaton, Once on This Island
Walter Trarbach, The SpongeBob Musical
Ryan Vallo, In the Heights

BEST ORCHESTRA
The Addams Family (Music Director: Wade Russo)
In the Heights (Music Director: Jeffrey Powell)
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill (Music Director: Deron B. Bell Sr.)
Man of La Mancha (Music Director: Sarah Plaugher)
Once on This Island (Music Director: Steven Cuevas)
Rent (Music Director: Mark Binns)

BEST PROPERTIES
Mikayla Burr, The Cake
John Lavarnway, An Enemy of the People
John Lavarnway, The Addams Family
Deirdre Root, Icebergs
Terry Stump, Treasure Island
Terry Webb, Peter and the Starcatcher

BEST PROJECTION DESIGN
John Riechers, Gloria: A Life
Mike Taint, The Glass Menagerie (Xenia Area Community Theater)

 

ADDITIONAL CAST ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

• The cast of A New Brain: Bobby Mitchum as Gordon Michael Schwinn, Vanae Stevee Pate as Homeless Lady, Danielle Ruddy as Rhoda, Abby Hoggatt as Waitress/Nancy, Brandon Leatherland as Mr. Bungee, John Woll as Richard, Zach King as Dr. Jafar Berensteiner, Garrett Young as the Minister, Brent Hoggatt as Roger Delli-Bovi, and Lindsay Sherman as Mimi Schwinn
• The cast of A Streetcar Named Desire: René Millán as Stanley Kowalski, Claire Kennedy as Blanche DuBois, Chelsey Cavender as Stella Kowalski, Scott Christian as Harold “Mitch” Mitchell, Matt Guion as Steve, Jody Hart as Eunice, and Usman Enam as Pablo/Young Collector
• The cast of The Addams Family: Hunter Minor as Gomez, Robin Dunavant as Morticia, Michaella Waickman as Wednesday, Erik Moth as Fester, Dylan Tacker as Lurch, Amanda Astorga as Grandma, Eric Thompson as Lucas, Emma Bratton as Alice, Nick Martin as Mal, Parker Kaibas as Pugsley, Male Ancestors: Marcus Antonio, Tommy Cole, Mitchell Lewis, Jake Siwek, and Jeremy Weinstein, Female Ancestors: Lauren Eifert, Tassy Kirbas, Emma Metzger, Maggie Musco, and Jeannie Sincic, and Swings Matthew Shanahan and Sophie Hardy
• The cast of An Enemy of the People: Nick Martin as Dr. Stockmann, Hailey Marshall as Catherine Stockmann, Annika Whetstone as Petra Stockmann, Will Graber as Peter Stockmann, Christopher Wells as Billing, Cole Frasher as Aslaksen, Louie Kurtzman as Hovstad, Aidan Lord as Morten Kiil, Jake Siwek as Captain Horster, Matthew Shanahan as Ejlif Stockmann, Mikey Fried as Morten Stockmann, Dylan Roll as The Drunk, Male Ensemble members Kyle Channell, Xiao Ni Denker, Branden Fisher, Chap Hollin, Theo Karras, Kevin Lausche, Alex Tischer, Female Ensemble members Abbie Bookman, Abby Choi, Amanda Jacobson, Alexis Muhlenkamp, Brie Parsons, and Swings Nick Salazar and Sydney Freihofer
• The cast of Bang, Bang, You’re Dead!: Christopher Koehler as Josh, Devontae Wheaton as Michael, Rebecca Shelley as Katie, Raushawn Parker as Matt, Leia Gaddis as Jessie, Katelyn Pennington as Emily, Robert Shutts as Actor 1/Judge/Principal, Christopher Leavitt as Actor 2/Prisoner/Drummer, Sabrina Smith as Actor 3/Witness/Jury Forewoman, Kiarra Matos as Actor 4/Prosecutor, and Darion Roberts as Actor 5/Defender
• Miss Mona’s Girls of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Kelli Myers as Shy, Adee McFarland as Angel, Alicia Walton as Dawn, Shanna Camacho as Durla, Logan Hylinski as Beatrice, Stacey Ward as Ruby Rae, and Sommer McGuire as Linda Lou
• The cast of Beyond Glory: Ben Rinehart as Lewis L. Millet, Hector Cafferata and Daniel Inouye; Fernando Romero as Clarence Sasser and Vernon Baker; and Don Hurst as John Finn, James Bond Stockdale and Nick Bacon
• The cast of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Rachel Barkalow as Maggie, Michael Wright as Brick, Chris Bishop as Big Daddy, Rhonda Lucas as Big Mama, Tyler Owen Parsons as Gooper, Hannah Brown as Mae, Bob McClain as Reverend Tooker, and Usman Enam as Doc Baugh
• The cast of Decision Height (Dayton Theatre Guild): Heather Atkinson as Rosalie Hartson, Janell Blanks as Ziggie Lewis, Susie Gutierrez as Carol Henderson, Kat King as Mildred Simmons, Amy Leigh as Alice Hawkins, Wendi Michael as Mrs. Deaton, Carly Laurette Risenhoover-Peterson as Norma Jean Harris, Amanda Schrader as Virginia Hascall, and Samantha Stark as Edith “Eddie” Harknell
• The cast of Drone: Shanna Camacho as Diwa Kahn, Ray Geiger as Lieutenant Mike Powell, Becky Howard as TV Announcer, Elise Laskowski as Kristen Powell, Brendan Milligan as Arman Kahn, Fran Pesch as Farishta Kahn, Karen Singh as Salar Kahn, Jefferson Smith as Robbie Powell, Mike Taint as Colonel Andrew, and Lynn Vanderpool as Sergeant Tonya Spanger
• The cast of The Face of Emmett Till: Mendu Khanyile as Mamie Till-Bradley, John Lawson as JW Milam, Bendali Eugene as Emmett Till, Daria Dillard Stone as Mahalia Jackson, Marquesha “Free” Martin as Chorus, Dawn Andrews as Chorus, Carter Hume as Roy Bryant, Charlotte Harris as Rosa Parks/Reporter, Marceia Cornwell as Musician/Man at the Party, Matthew Benefiel as Gerald Chatham, Ronnie Copeland as Mose Wright, Olivia Ekler as Carolyn Bryant, Vincent Moorman as Henry Spearman, Yvette Watson as Alma Spearman, Kyle Mercuri as Mrs. Burke/Juanita Milam, Amanda Walton as Lawyer Whitten, Trenton Spencer as Roy Wilkins, Eberechukwu S. Cooper as Willie Reed/AA Raynor, Troy Reaves as Maurice, Edith Waugh as Senator James Eastland/Judge Swango, Timothy Hall-Norman as Man at the Party, and understudies RJ Geier and Akil R. Sharif
• The cast of The Glass Menagerie (Virtual Theatre): Merrie Drees as Laura Wingfield, Chase Engel as Jim O’Connor, Rose Vanden Eynden as Amanda Wingfield, and Ryan Imhoff as Tom Wingfield
• The cast of Gloria: A Life: Jennifer Johansen as Gloria Steinem, Burgess Byrd as Woman 2, Rae Buchanan as Woman 5, Eileen Earnest as Woman 6, Sherman Fracher as Woman 3, Andréa Morales as Woman 4, and Aurea Tomeski as Woman 1
• The cast of The Humans (Beavercreek Community Theatre): Jim Spencer as Erik Blake, Jenni Cypher as Diedre Blake, Lynn Vanderpool as Aimee Blake, Natalie Marie Ruscello as Brigid Blake, Kathy Campbell as Fiona “Momo” Blake, and Jose Gutierrez del Arroyo as Richard Saad
• The cast of Icebergs: Sha-Lemar Davis as Abigail, Lorin Dineen as Molly, S. Francis Livisay as Reed, Maximillian Santucci as Calder, and Titus Unger as Nicky
• The principal cast of In the Heights: Quinn Bennett as Graffiti Pete, Nick Bradley as Piragua Guy, Gabby Casto as Abuela Claudia, Courtney Collinsworth as Daniela, Chynia Crane as Carla, Steven Greenwalt as Jose, Leila Halili as Yolanda, Desmond Kingston as Benny, Charlotte Kunesh as Vanessa, Sara LiBrandi as Camila Rosario, Chavin Medina as Sonny, Julie Murphy as Nina Rosario, Nate Saner as Usnavi, Michael Taylor as Kevin Rosario, and Darian Watson as Pete
• The cast of Into the Woods: David Bays as Narrator/Mysterious Man, Molly Seybert as Cinderella, Jared Levy as Jack/Steward, Bridget Lorenz as Jack’s Mother/Cinderella’s Stepmother, Jonathan Crawford as the Baker, Megan Arseneau as Baker’s Wife, Elisabeth Mies as Florinda/Sleeping Beauty, Andrea Gutierrez as Lucinda/Snow White, Hailey Noll as Little Red Riding Hood/Rapunzel, Casey Borghesi as the Witch, Delaney O’Toole as Cinderella’s Mother/Milky White/Giant, Austin Gladstone as Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince, and Mark Antony Howard as Granny/Rapunzel’s Prince
• The cast of Look Into My Eyes: Barbara Dirr as Billie, Libby Holly Scancarello as Gloria, Scott Stoney as Lonnie, Jeff Sams as Theo, Lauren Kampman as Lily, Jeremy Todd Farley as Junior, and Caitlin Larsen as Zelda
• The cast of The Marvelous Wonderettes: Amy Brady as Suzy, Lindsey Cardoza as Betty Jean, Mary Nunnery as Missy, and Natalie Ruscello as Cindy Lou
• The cast of Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting: Saul Caplan as Branch Rickey, Shaun Diggs as Jackie Robinson, Edward Hill as Paul Robeson, Robert Culpepper as Clancy Hope, Robert-Wayne Waldron as Joe Louis, and Franklin Johnson as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
• The cast of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (Dayton Theatre Guild): Brad Bishop as Kelly, Melissa Ertsgaard as Bernice, Charles Larkowski as Roger, Jennifer Lockwood as Marjorie, K.A. Mercuri as Helsa, George Merusi as Eddie, Lolli Mitchell as Nikki, Dave Nickel as O’Reilly, Jeff Sams as Ken, and Lynn Vanderpool as Elsa
• The cast of On the Horizon: Brian Buttrey as George Stewart, Samuel Hamilton as Jimmy Gibson, Matthew Lindsay as Captain Stanley Lord, Brandon Shockney as Herbert Stone, Jefferson Smith as Cyril “Sparks” Evans, and Will Taylor as Charlie Groves
• The Gods of Once on This Island: Jahmaul Bakare as Agwe, Kyle Ramar Freeman as Asaka, Tamyra Gray as Papa Ge, and Cassondra James as Erzulie
• The cast of Peter and the Starcatcher: Will Graber as Peter, Lauren Kampman as Molly, Julie Deye as Ted, Dean McKenzie as Prentiss, Kaitlyn Campbell as Mrs. Bumbrake/Teacher, Louis Kurtzman as Lord Aster, Christopher Wells as Scott, Sophie Kirk as Alf, Kenneth Erard as Slank/Hawking Clam, Ethan Evans as Grempkin/Mack/Sanchez/Fighting Prawn, Jake Jones as Smee, and Josh McCabe as Black Stache
• The cast of Slut: Bryana Bentley as Joey, Callista Kinney as Jane, Kylee Pauley as Anna, Kiarra Matos as Danielle, Rebecca Shelley as Sylvie, Rachel Charles as Leila, Alexis Paige as Dominique, Leia Gaddis as Julie, Sabrina Smith as Grace, Cormari Pullings as Christina, Lilly Robillard as Natalie, Kasaahn Johnson as George, Devante Wheaton as Luke, and Matt Poliachik as Tim
• The cast of Stained Glass: Amy Askins as Mom, A.J. Breslin as James, Rae Buchanan as Jewels, Jada Gee as Tinkerbell, Chris Hahn as Moses, Michelle Hayford as Little Mermaid/Val/Mrs.Clifton/Rose/Sandy, Chris Jones as Pinocchio/Gabe, Jillian Mitchell as Cinderella, and Jenna Valyn as Tess
• The cast of Still Alice: Cassandra Engber as Alice, Rachel Oprea as Herself, Steve Strawser as John, Brandon Shockney as Thomas, Chelsey Hall as Lydia, Cher Collins as Dr. Tamara/Beth, and Shawn Hooks as Dr. Davis/Dan
• The cast of Which Way the Wind Blows: Spencer Berta as Paul Travis, Benjamin Jones as Paul Travis and Peter Freeman, Cynthia Karns as Carol O’Neill, Charles Larkowski as Marty O’Neill, Jennifer Lockwood as Peggy O’Neill, Michael Markus as Gerald Freeman, Krissy McKim-Barker as Thalia Whetstone, and Chavin Medina as Marty O’Neill
• The principal cast of The Wizard of Oz: Elainah Skaroupka as Dorothy, Adonis Lemke as Scarecrow/Hunk, Kendal Garrett as Tinman/Hickory, Mark Van Luvender as Cowardly Lion/Zeke, Jenna Vance as Miss Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West, Callista Kinney as Glinda, Bill Stewart as Professor Marvel/Oz Guard/The Wizard of Oz, Sheryl Koontz as Aunt Em, and Bill Bicknell as Uncle Henry
• The cast of The Wolves: Mady McCabe as No. 00 – Goalie, Megan Ledford as No. 02 – Defense, Lauren Eifert as No. 7 – Striker, Julie Deye as No. 08 – Defense, Margo Russ as No. 11 – Midfield, Jessica Greenwald as No. 13 – Midfield, Bridget Lorenz as No. 14 – Midfield, Tina Hohman as No. 25 – Defense, Caroline Utz as No. 46 – Bench, and Sophie Kirk as Soccer Mom

ADDITIONAL ARTISTIC ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

• Joyce Barnes’ direction of The Face of Emmett Till
• Matthew P. Benjamin and Gabe Reichert’s lighting design for The Wolves
• Brad Bishop as Pedro in Man of La Mancha
• Casey Borghesi’s renditions of Stay with Me and Last Midnight in Into the Woods
• Nick Bradley’s rendition of Piragua in In the Heights
• Jay Brunner’s score for The Cake
• David Brush’s music direction for Why We Tell the Story 
• Steve Burton’s wig design for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
• Pamela Byrd as Jewel in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
• Lindsey Cardoza’s rendition of That’s When the Tears Start in The Marvelous Wonderettes
• Courtnee Carter’s rendition of Waiting for Life in Once on This Island
• The cast of In the Heights performing Carnaval del Barrio
• Gabby Casto’s rendition of Pacience y Fe in In the Heights
• Ronnie Copeland’s delivery of the Why I Live in Mississippi monologue as Mose Wright in The Face of Emmett Till
• Marya Spring Cordes’ direction of The Wolves
• Jonathan Crawford and David Bays’ rendition of No More in Into the Woods
• Jackie Darnell, Bridget Miley and John Benjamin’s rendition of The I Love You Song in Why We Tell the Story 
• Philip Drennen’s musical staging of A New Brain including And They’re Off
• Matt Ebright’s musical direction of Peter and the Starcatcher
• Ted Eltzoth as Sancho in Man of La Mancha
• Lula Elzy’s choreography of 96,000, The Club and Carnaval del Barrio in In the Heights
• Rick Flynn’s direction of Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting
• Kyle Ramar Freeman’s rendition of Mama Will Provide in Once on This Island
• Jeannine E. Geise as Katherine Blake in Freaky Friday and Matron Mama Morton in Chicago
• Chris Harmon’s set for Icebergs and Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting
• Kim Harvey and Lori Watamaniuk’s costumes for Why We Tell the Story
• Brent Hoggatt’s rendition of Sailing in A New Brain
• The Hope Is Why portion of Why We Tell the Story: Meghan Rupper (lead vocals) and cast singing Till We Reach That Day; Michael Shannon, Jack Issler, Kara Miller, Meredith Russ, Samuel Layman, Brett Greenwood, John Benjamin, Martha Armstrong-Benjamin (lead vocals) and cast singing One Day More; Meghan Rupper’s rendition of The Wizard and I; Taryn Lightcap, Abbey Fry, and Margo Russ’ rendition of I Know It’s Today; and Kathy Meyer, Andrew Gochenaur, Megan Rehberg, Mitchell Goecke (lead vocals), and ensemble singing Tonight Quintet
• Jack Issler and Kara Miller’s rendition of You Matter to Me in Why We Tell the Story
• Callista Kinney as Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
• Micah Koverman as Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island
• Charlotte Kunesh’s rendition of It Won’t Be Long Now in In the Heights
• John Lawson as Vernon Dupace, Stewart and Mr. Leonce in Quilt – A Musical Celebration (INNOVAtheatre)
• Samuel Layman, Siobhan McAleer, Eric Pettit, Zoe Miller and cast rendering You Will Be Found in Why We Tell the Story
• Adonis Lemke as Horace Gilmer in To Kill a Mockingbird
• Sierra Leone’s poem Vision Perfected for A Night of Symphonic Hip Hop with Wyclef Jean (Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra)
• Sara LiBrandi’s rendition of Enough in In the Heights 
• Matthew Lindsay as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird
• Sean Mayo as Bob Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird
• W. Stuart McDowell’s staging of the Act 1 deluge finale (featuring Will Graber) and Act 2 town hall meeting (entire company) in An Enemy of the People
• Hunter Minor’s rendition of Not Today in The Addams Family
• Hunter Minor and Robin Dunavant’s Tango De Amor in The Addams Family
• Bobby Mitchum and cast rendering Heart and Music, Gordo’s Law of Genetics, And They’re Off, and I Feel So Much Spring in A New Brain
• Leslie Monnig’s costumes for The Wizard of Oz
• The Musicians of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill: Pianist Keigo Hirakawa (as Jimmy Powers), percussionist Deron B. Bell Sr., and bassist Eddie Brookshire
• Matt Neal’s direction of A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
• Rodney Neal’s technical direction for The Virtual Theatre
• Gina Neuerer’s direction of Slut
• The Orchestra of Into the Woods: Music director/keyboardist Melissa Yanchak, cellist Emsie Hapner and keyboardist David Hapner
• Tonya Oslack (Shirley) and company rendering A Fifth of Beethoven in Disaster! (La Comedia Dinner Theatre)
• Matt Owens (Governor) and company rendering The Sidestep in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
• Vanae Stevee Pate’s renditions of Change and Homeless Lady’s Revenge in A New Brain
• Annie Pesch’s direction of Still Alice
• Annie and Fran Pesch’s dialect coaching for Drone and On the Horizon
  
• Janet G. Powell’s costumes for Nevermore (Beavercreek Community Theatre)
• John Rensel’s lighting design for In the Heights
• Margo Russ, Jessica Pettit and Andrew Gochenaur’s rendition of Superboy and the Invisible Girl in Why We Tell the Story
• Megan Wean Sears’ direction and choreography for Why We Tell the Story
• Molly Seybert’s rendition of On the Steps of the Palace in Into the Woods
• Michael Shannon’s rendition of Dust and Ashes in Why We Tell the Story 
• Brian Sharp as Judge Taylor in To Kill a Mockingbird
• Michael Shepherd’s fight choreography for The Face of Emmett Till
• Lindsay Sherman’s rendition of The Music Still Plays On in A New Brain
• David Shockey as Joseph and his renditions of Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
• G. Armando Silva, Joe Deer and Tyson Randolph’s creative contributions for In the Heights
  
• G. Armando Silva and Lynda Casto’s Spanish language coaching for In the Heights
• Aiyana Smash as Mimi Marquez and her rendition of Out Tonight in Rent 
• Dawn Roth Smith’s direction of Man of La Mancha
• Daria Dillard Stone’s vocals in The Face of Emmett Till
• Scott Stoney’s direction of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
• Amy Taint as Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie (Xenia Area Community Theater)
• David Thomas as Buddy in Elf the Musical
• Deborah Thomas’ dialect coaching for Peter and the Starcatcher
• Sahe West as Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird
• John Woll’s renditions of Eating Myself Up Alive and You Boys Are Gonna Get Me In Such Trouble in A New Brain
  
• Michelle “Elle” Zimmerman as the Moderator for Gloria: A Life