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Coming Up in Dayton Theatre 10/4 – 10/13

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Welcome back, theatre lovers! Let’s see what there is to choose from for the next two weeks!

Opening This Weekend

Time Stands Still

The Dayton Theatre Guild

timestandsstill-iconThe Skinny: Seriously wounded in Afghanistan, photographer Sarah is brought home to recuperate by her writer and live-in boyfriend, James. She is soon visited by her editor and his new and much younger girlfriend. He sees her work and wants a book. And James wants something altogether more conventional.

Dates: Opening Friday, 10/4 and running three weekends to close Sunday, 10/20.

Tickets: Please visit the Theatre Guild website at www.daytontheatreguild.org

SPAMalot

507aThe Skinny:  This musical is lovingly ripped off from the motion picture “Monty Python and The Holy Grail”. It’s the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, the lady of the lake and show-stopping musical numbers are just part of this hilarious, yet highly irreverent parody.

Dates: Opening this Friday, 10/4 and running two weekends, to close on Saturday, 10/12.

Tickets: Please visit the Sinclair website; http://www.sinclair.edu/arts/theatre/box-office/index.cfm

The Art of Self-Defense

ArtofSelfDefenseThe Undercroft Players

The Skinny: A funny, wise, and ultimately powerful depiction of five modern women who casually meet in a T’ai Chi class, and who eventually, through growth, discovery and mutual support, change the quality of their lives.

Dates: One weekend only, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets: This piece is being produced at First Lutheran Church Corner of First St. and Wilkinson St. Downtown Dayton. 7 pm Friday and Saturday and 3 pm Sunday. Tickets are $5 at the door.

 

 

Coming Up In Dayton Theatre, 9/5 – 9/22

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Welcome back! Has everyone had a good and fulfilling summer? I sure have. But I’m ready to jump back into Dayton’s exciting theatre scene.

Closing This Weekend!

45 Seconds From Broadway

ju4jrz0trfesodmdeu5ipeotavk2686eThe Skinny: Neil Simon’s 2001 Broadway-based comedy takes place in the Polish Tea Room, a haunt of Broadway-types in general, and comedian Mickey Fox in specific.Taking place over the course of 1 year (4 scenes, 4 seasons), this story follows Mickey and his friends as they do all those play things; live, laugh, love and learn.

Dates: 45 Seconds closes this weekend. Friday, 9/6 at 8, Saturday 9/7 at 5 and Sunday 9/8 at 3.

Tickets: For ticket information, please visit the Dayton Theatre Guild website, www.daytontheatreguild.com

Opening This Weekend!

Hairspray

hairspray-the-musicalThe Dayton Playhouse

The Skinny: This high-spirited musical musical takes place in 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland. Teenager, Tracy Turnblad, dreams of dancing on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. The show deals with injustices of parts of American society in the 1960’s.

Dates: Hairspray opens this Friday, 9/6 and runs 3 weekends, closing on Sunday, 9/22.

Tickets: For ticketing information, please see the Dayton Playhouse website, www.daytonplayhouse.com

A Mighty Fortress Is Our Basement

lacomedia-mighty-fortressLa Comedia Dinner Theatre

The Skinny: The fourth installment in the popular Church Basement Ladies series takes place in 1960, and reformation is underway. The Church Basement Ladies are once again required to face chance head-on, but they will stand strong in their faith and their friendships.

Dates: This show opens Thursday, 9/5 and runs through 10/27.

Tickets: For information regarding tickets, schedule and menu, please visit La Comedia’s website at www.lacomedia.com

 

Opening Next Weekend!

Becky’s New Car

ndbeckyThe Human Race Theatre Company

The Skinny: Becky Foster is stuck in neutral—middle aged, in middle management and a middling marriage—until an honest misunderstanding with a wealthy widower offers her the chance at an exciting double life…and she takes it. Now she’s frantically juggling to keep her two worlds apart before everything threatens to come crashing down on her. It’s enough to drive Becky off a cliff.

Dates: Becky debuts Thursday, 9/12 and runs through Sunday, 9/29.

Tickets: For ticketing information, please visit www.humanracetheatre.org

Hair

hairBeavercreek Community Theatre

The Skinny: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical!This show introduced America to the “Rock musical”, with songs that became standards, such as “The Age Of Aquarius” and “Easy To Be Hard.” Hair focuses on a “tribe” of hippies, touching on several different individual stories, woven throughout with the tragedy of the Vietnam conflict.
Dates: Hair opens next weekend, 9/13 and closes 9/22.
Tickets: For ticketing information, please visit the BCT website at www.bctheatre.org

 

First Baptist of Ivy Gap

cjlijq5u8l1joxq42wlzoksfaadhwo7eBrookville Community Theatre

The Skinny: More Church ladies! During WWII, six women gather at the church to roll bandages and plan the church’s 75th anniversary. Overseeing things is Edith, the pastor’s wise-cracking wife who dispenses Red Cross smocks and witty repartee to Luby, whose son is fighting in the Pacific; Mae Ellen, the church’s rebellious organist who wants to quit but hasn’t the courage; Olene, who dreams of a career in Hollywood; Sammy, a shy newcomer with a secret; and Vera, an influential Baptist with a secret of her own. When Luby learns her son has been wounded, she confounds the others by blaming the vulnerable Sammy. Twenty-five years later, our “First Baptist Six” reunite!

Dates: Opening Friday, 9/12 and running through 9/22.

Tickets: To make ticket reservations, please call the Brookville Flower Shop at 937-833-3531

 

 

 

Coming up in Dayton Theatre 5/17 – 5/26 (Plus! FutureFest 2013 News!)

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Welcome back, Theatre lovers!

 

What’s happening in the theatrical neck of your woods? So glad you asked!

 

Closing This Weekend!

 

Next To Normal

 

The Human Race Theatre Company (@ The Victoria Theatre)03092_show_portrait

 

The Skinny: The story of a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect her illness has on her family. This contemporary Pulitzer Prize and Tony winning musical is an emotional powerhouse that addresses issues such as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling score, this musical shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family’s world intact.

Dates: Closes Sunday 5/19

Tickets: Tickets are available via the Victoria Theatre Association website, here: tickets.

 

Opening This Weekend

 

The Pillowman

Print

The Dayton Theatre Guild

 

The Skinny: With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka, and the Brothers Grimm, THE PILLOWMAN centers on a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a series of child murders.

 

Dates: Opening Friday, 5/17 and running 3 weekends to close on Sunday, 6/2. Remember, at the Guild, the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays are at 5 pm.

 

Tickets: For ticket reservations, please visit the Dayton Theatre Guild website, www.daytontheatreguild.org.

 

(Note: For mature audiences only. Note: there will be a loud gun shot and a minor amount of smoke on stage during one scene in the performance.)

 

Currently In Production!

 

The Sound Of Music

lac_sound-of-music

La Comedia Dinner Theatre

 

The Skinny: A little known musical gem about a would-be nun who battles Nazis. But seriously, folks – this is the well-loved classic, a perennial crowd pleaser. Join The Captain, Maria and all 7 children as they sing, dance and, eventually, cross the Alps.

Dates: Through June 30th.

 

Tickets: Please visit La Comedia’s website at www.lacomedia.com

 

 

FutureFest 2013!

 

Announcing the line up of your 2013 FutureFest Finalists!

ff2013

A Position of Relative Importance by Hal Borden

On the Road to Kingdom Come by Michael Feely

St. Paulie’s Delight by Jacob Cox

The King’s Face by Steven Young

The One With Olives by Sam Havens

Veils by Tom Coash

FutureFest weekend will be July 26th through 28th.

Weekend Pass tickets go on sale June 3rd and will be $95

Single Show Tickets go on sale July 8th and will be $18

 

This year’s crop of adjudicators are all familiar, friendly faces:

David Finkle, Rob Koon, Faye Sholiton, Helen Sneed and Eleanore Speert.

Auditions are Monday, June 3rd for Fully Staged shows, Tuesday, June 4th for Staged Readings and Thursday, June 6th for both.

Please see the Dayton Playhouse FutureFest site for more detailed information regarding cast breakdowns and play synopses, here.

Coming Up In Dayton Theatre, 11/16 – 12/2

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Among the offerings in this installment I get to tell you about four different pieces of literature being brought to the stage by 5 area theatres. What is it about novels that make such good theatrical fodder? Our tour of books-on-stages begins with:

Closing This Weekend!

 

The Never Ending Story

Kettering Children’s Theatre

The Skinny: Lovers of the classic 1984 fantasy movie of the same name are probably already aware that it was first a book by Michael Ende. KCT’s production of this tale of adventure and self-discovery uses charming puppets (made by local artisan Ayn Wood) to bring to life  the Gnomics and fan favorite Falkor (the Luckdragon) among others. KCT is theatre for children and by children.

Dates: One weekend left, Friday and Saturday (11/16 and 17) performances are at a family-friendly 7 pm and Sunday (11/18) is at 2.

Tickets: Tickets are available for purchase at the door (cash only). For any information further, please call the Rosewood Arts Center office at (937) 296-0294

 

 

 

 

Legally Blonde

Playhouse South

The Skinny: A musical retelling of the story of Elle Woods’ journey through Harvard Law. Most people are familiar, at least passingly, with the 2001 Reese Witherspoon movie of the same name, but Did You Know: That movie was based on a novel by the same name.
Dates:  Two performances left, Friday and Saturday (11/16 and 17).

Tickets: For ticketing information, please visit the Playhouse South website, here.

 

You Better Watch Out

Brookville Community Theatre

The Skinny:A heartwarming holiday comedy about family, love and the spirit of Christmas

Dates: One weekend left! Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets: Reservations are highly recommended and may be made by calling the Brookville Flower Shop at 937-833-3531

Opening Next Weekend!

Scrooge!

The Dayton Playhouse

The Skinny: Based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale, this musical closely follows the classic story with the miserly Ebenezer undergoing a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night, after being visited by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley and the Spirits of Christmas past, present and future.

Dates: Weekends, opening Friday Nov 30 and closing Sunday Dec 16.

Tickets: For all reservation and purchase information, please visit the Dayton Playhouse Website, here.

Speaking of Dickens…

A Christmas Carol

The Zoot Theatre Company

The Skinny: Like Scrooge!, but with less singing. This is a more straight-forward retelling of the ghostly holiday favorite, using Zoot’s signature beautiful puppetry.

Dates: Weekends, November 30th through December 15th.

Tickets:  Online ticketing for this event doesn’t seem to be working just now, but a wealth of event information can be found on the ZTC event page on Facebook, here.

Speaking of Dickens (wait, that sounds familiar…)

 

Oliver!

The Human Race Theatre Company

The Skinny: Christmas Eve in London, 1838. A small group of working-class, wayward souls gather in a tavern to celebrate when a small, unexpected guest prompts a spontaneous telling of the popular Oliver Twist. With traditional music-hall flair, they delve into Charles Dickens’ haunting moral tale as the lines between story and reality blur. Sized perfectly for The Loft Theatre, this reimagining of the classic Tony Award®-winning musical will touch your heart and challenge your spirit. It’s Oliver with a twist, indeed!

Dates: The original dates of the run have been extended, and now the show will open 11/29 and run through 12/22, making tickets a perfect Hanukkah or early-Christmas present!

Tickets: All ticketing information can be found online, here.

A Tuna Christmas

The Dayton Theatre Guild

The Skinny: It’s Christmas time and local radio personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie tell us all about the annual Christmas lawn display contest that Viola Carp keeps winning (14 times), the troubled local production of A Christmas Carol and along the way introduce us to a host of colorful characters, each one funnier than the last, in this little mythical Texas town.  Two actors portray more than twenty roles in this hilarious production.

Dates: November 23rd – December 9th. Remember, in the 2nd and 3rd weekends, Saturday performances are at 5:00 pm.

Tickets: Tickets are available at the Dayton Theatre Guild website, here.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

The Victoria Theatre Association

The Skinny: The beloved musical movie of the same name stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen and features some of Berlin’s best-known songs including “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the title song that you may have heard once or twice before.

Dates: November 27th through December 2nd.

Tickets: For ticketing information, please visit the Victoria Theatre Association website, here.

 

Audition Notice!

Ghosts

Directed by Matthew Smith

Dayton Theatre Guild

The Guild is bringing to life Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama. The ‘‘ghosts’’ in this play are taboo topics that cannot be openly discussed.  This drama is one of Ibsen’s most powerful works, but also one of his most controversial.  Family sins are revisited when a son returns home to dedicate an orphanage in his father’s name and becomes involved in a tryst that ends in the painful knowledge of long suppressed family truths.

 Dates: November 26th and 27th.
For more information, including a breakdown of characters and ages, as well as audition requirements, please visit the auditions page of the DTG website, here.

Opening This Weekend In Dayton Theatre: March 16-18

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Hey, everyone. Sorry things have been kind of rocky getting off the ground here, and I absolutely promise you a nice, newsy wrap-up of what’s happening here next week, but I would be totally remiss if I didn’t plug the heck out of the two community theatre shows opening this weekend. You seriously should not miss either of these.

Opening This Weekend!

Bus Stop

Dayton Playhouse

The Skinny: Director Matt Smith brings us this classic drama by William Inge. The play is set in a diner about 30 miles west of Kansas City in early March 1955. A freak snowstorm has halted the progress of the bus, and the eight characters have a weather-enforced layover in the diner from approximately 1 to 5 a.m. Romantic or quasi-romantic relationships ensue.  “Bus Stop” original opened on Broadway in 1955.  The play was nominated for four Tony Awards.

The Dayton Playhouse production stars Lorrie Sparrow as Grace, Margaret Foley as Elma, Craig Smith as Will, Rick Flynn as Dr. Gerald Lyman, Ellen Ballerene as Cherie, Scott Knisley as Bo, Mike Rouseculp as Virgil and Mark Hassel as Carl.

Tickets: Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and $10 for students.

Dates: Bus Stop opens 3/16 and runs this weekend and next, closing on 3/25. For more information visit the Dayton Playhouse website at www.thedaytonplayhouse.com

 

 

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Going To St. Ives

The Dayton Theatre Guild

The Skinny: Directed by Greg Smith and starring Katrina Kittle and Marianna Harris this drama by Lee Blessing is the story of what happens when the dignified mother of a ruthless African dictator travels to England to seek treatment for her failing eyesight from a renowned ophthalmologist, who in turn requests a favor. At first glance, it looks like one woman helping another, but each woman brings to the other her true agenda, triggering a profound moral dilemma and a chain reaction of events with great personal and political aftershocks that reveal the truth and its consequence.

It must be pointed out that Ms. Harris is an absolutely last minute step-in for the original actress cast, the delightful Catherine Collins. Due to unfortunate personal circumstances, Ms. Collins is unable to perform the role. I certainly hope we see Catherine onstage again soon!

Tickets: Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $11 for students.

Dates: Going To St. Ives opens 3/16 and runs 3 weekends, closing on 4/1. For more information, visit the Dayton Theatre Guild website at www.daytontheatreguild.org

 

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H06SxwO56KM’]

Ok! I know there’s a lot more going on, and I’ll touch base on everything else this coming week — but i really wanted to get these two in under the wire. Also — coming soon I’m going to be bringing you a feature on an award-winning independent film written, directed and produced by local people, and chock-full of local theatre actors. Stay tuned!