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ON STAGE DAYTON REVIEW: 100 Saints You Should Know (Dayton Theatre Guild)

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(l to r): Barbara Jorgensen, Maximillian Santucci, Alex Carmichal, Katrina Kittle, Corinne Engber in 100 Saints You Should Know (Photo by Craig Roberts)

(l to r): Barbara Jorgensen, Maximillian Santucci, Alex Carmichal, Katrina Kittle, Corinne Engber in 100 Saints You Should Know (Photo by Craig Roberts)

Kate Fodor’s darkly comedic 2007 character study “100 Saints You Should Know,” currently receiving a fine regional premiere at the Dayton Theatre Guild, brings faith, faithlessness and forgiveness to the forefront in an engaging and compelling fashion under the delicate direction of Ellen Finch.

Alex Carmichal, who left an indelible impression earlier this season as the titular villain of the Dayton Playhouse’s production of “Dracula,” brings understated potency to his excellently conflicted portrayal of Father Matthew McNally, the play’s centerpiece. Grappling with unmentionable desires that betray his duties, a predictable yet reasonable notion, Matthew leaves his parish without a game plan for the future, causing him to question his beliefs as never before while returning to his childhood home for refuge. The reason behind Matthew’s hurried, vague departure, involving the provocative artwork of George Platt Lynes, is reserved for late Act 1, but Carmichal’s astutely perplexing nature remains thoroughly intriguing, especially as Matthew finds solace in reading “Dark Night of the Soul” and comes to grips with the acknowledgement that his spirituality, his connection to God, is completely broken. Amiable cleaning woman and single mom Theresa (a first-rate, emotionally distressed Katrina Kittle) inquisitively looks to Matthew for answers to her burgeoning thoughts of religion, but Fodor primarily keeps their budding relationship and insightful faith discussions ambiguous, which some may find perturbing. After all, this lonely pair feels very bonded as lost souls in search of intimacy and purpose, elements heartwarmingly fueled by Carmichal and Kittle’s innate chemistry.

Kittle also establishes a wonderfully exasperating rapport with the sassy Corinne Engber as Abby, Theresa’s startlingly rebellious, foul-mouthed 16-year-old daughter who deeply resents her and their meager existence. Theresa and Abby’s bickering showdowns are off-putting (Abby is one of the nastiest characters to come along in years), but Kittle and Engber build to a heartfelt climax nonetheless as Abby particularly grows to understand the cost of being utterly mean-spirited for selfish gain. The cast also includes the very endearing Maximillian Santucci as the gawky, gullible Garrett, a sexually confused delivery boy ridiculed by Abby to devastating proportions, and the marvelously grounded Barbara Jorgensen as Matthew’s stern, caring, Scrabble-adoring Irish mother Coleen, who has difficulty grasping his sudden change of heart and the sheer importance of acceptance.

Marcia Nowik’s efficient set as well as Patrick Hayes’ appropriate costumes and believably bloodied makeup for Santucci are also significant as this impactful tale of inner fulfillment runs its surprisingly heartbreaking course.

“100 Saints You Should Know” continues through March 10 at the Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Act One: 60 minutes; Act Two: 45 minutes. Cost: $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $11 for students. For tickets or more information, call (937) 278-5993 or visit online at www.daytontheatreguild.org. Also, in conjunction with the Dayton Visual Arts Center, the Guild will display the works of local artist C.A. Tiedemann in its lobby during the run of “100 Saints,” which contains mature subject matter.

 

 

On Stage Dayton Review – “Dracula” by The Dayton Playhouse

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Alex Carmichal (l) and Jared Mola in Dracula (Contributed photo)

Chills, kills and thrills abound in the Dayton Playhouse’s impressively conceived production of “Dracula,” adapted by William McNulty and originally dramatized by John L. Balderston and Hamilton Deane from Bram Stoker’s classic novel.

Under the striking, cinematic direction of David Shough, “Dracula,” the classic psychological and physical battle between good and evil exposing intriguing aspects of lunacy, power, sexuality and religion, grips from the start and doesn’t let go. Vividly launched by Chris Newman’s stellar prologue illustrations, Shough’s breezily paced, eerily dark and delightfully amusing presentation– effectively heightened with flashy special effects and Puccini’s marvelously melodramatic “Turandot” as inspired underscore –uniformly attacks with purpose. This show could have imploded with actors wallowing in a spooky sea of overblown hysterics or cheesy horror shtick with the rudimentary goal to “be scary,” but Shough ensures his believably conflicted cast remains committed at every turn, giving McNulty’s fully fleshed adaptation, a clear, succinct and tight examination of Count Dracula’s sinister menace and uncontrollable influence pervading Victorian England, the thoroughly engrossing treatment it deserves.

As the titular vampire, the impeccably creepy Alex Carmichal, an actor with a history of villainous roles, delivers one of his best performances. Uniquely possessing a simultaneously charming and contemptible aura, Carmichal meticulously uncovers the multifaceted malevolence within Dracula’s quest for control. He’s certainly good for a laugh, as any Dracula must, but he can also be remarkably seductive, particularly in the terrifying Act 1 finale he shares opposite Sarah Parsons (solid as Lucy Westphal) in which a matter of life and death culminates in hauntingly alluring surrender.

[dropshadowbox align=”right” effect=”lifted-both” width=”250px” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]”Refreshingly raising the bar for community theater, ‘Dracula’ is a must-see”…[/dropshadowbox]Jared Mola, who delivered a breakthrough performance last season in the Dayton Theatre Guild’s production of “Wittenberg,” is similarly outstanding as delusional inmate Robert Renfield, who relishes his intermediary contributions as the good-natured duo of Thomas Seward (Matthew Lindsay, appropriately conservative) and Abram Van Helsing (Saul Caplan, very authoritative) seek his help in their quest to destroy Dracula, whose allegiance Renfield maintains. Mola’s comedic timing and lively physicality, executed while signaling warnings of impending doom, is a constant joy.

Additionally, Heather Martin wonderfully taps into her inner Carrie White as Margaret Sullivan, Seward’s assistant possessed by Dracula, and her tender bond with David Hallowren (highly enjoyable as the tough yet amiable inmate attendant Norbert Briggs) is palpable. Matthew Glenn as Jonathan Harker, Carolyn Hoogsteden (what a screamer!) as Mina Grant, Margaret Foley, Cari Meixner and Debra Strauss as Dracula’s sadistic brides, David Stephen Thomas as a Monster and Addison Page Wheeler as the Girl completes the cast, attractively costumed by Barbara Pontecorvo. Shough spearheads the production’s terrific atmospherics as set designer, co-lighting designer (with Anita Bachman) and co-sound designer (with Bob Kovach).

Refreshingly raising the bar for community theater, “Dracula” is a must-see.

“Dracula” continues through Oct. 21 at the Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Act One: 75 minutes; Act Two: 50 minutes. Tickets are $15-$17. For tickets or more information, call (937) 424-8477 or visit www.daytonplayhouse.org

Dayton Playhouse Presents “Dracula”

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(left) Alex Carmichal, Dracula, and Jared Mola, Renfield, rehearsing for the Dayton Playhouse production of Dracula

The Dayton Playhouse will present Dracula, October 12-21.  This version of the well-known play was adapted by William McNulty, originally dramatized by John L. Balderston and Hamilton Deane from Bram Stoker’s novel.

The action of the play engulfs the audience as Professor Van Helsing and his brave comrades must hunt down and destroy the evil Count Dracula.  However, the Count is exceedingly resourceful, employing superhuman strength and psychic powers to confound his antagonists.  The action culminates in a shocking confrontation between the King of Vampires and those who would rid the world of him.

David Shough, director of this production, and Jennifer Lockwood, assistant director, have assembled a seasoned cast including: Alex Carmichal as Count Dracula, Jared Mola as Renfield, Sara Parsons as Lucy, and Saul Caplan as Van Helsing.   Rounding out the cast are Margaret Foley, Matthew Glenn, David Hallowren, Carolyn Anne Hoogsteden, Matthew Lindsay, Heather Martin, Cari Meixner, Debra Strauss, David Thomas and Addison Paige Wheeler, Shough has incorporated many audio visual effects to heighten the drama.  According to Shough, “This is an intense and faced-paced version of the Dracula legend.  It will be a complete theatrical experience of the typoe seldom seen on this stage.  Not for the faint of heart.”

Projections for the opening narrative of this production were designed by Miamisburg artist, Chris Newman.  Some of the original pen and ink drawings will be raffled off in the lobby during the run of the play.  Proceeds from the raffle will go to the Dayton Playhouse Celebrate 25 capital campaign.  Tickets for the raffle will be $2 each, or three for $5.

Performances of Dracula will be Friday through Sunday, October 12-21.  All performances are at 8:00 p.m. except Sundays, which are at 2:00 p.m.  (see full schedule here)  Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and students.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.daytonplayhouse.org, or through the box office, 937-424-8477.  The box office is staffed Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 2-5 p.m., however messages may be left at any time.  The Dayton Playhouse is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, OH 45414.