Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Ray Zupp

‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ Review – Dare to Defy Productions – Love Is In The Air

By Leave a Comment

perfect

Bobby Mitchum and Jackie Darnell get some Legal Assistance from Mackensie Vonderbrink in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” (Contributed photo)

It can be extremely challenging for emerging troupes to stake their claim within Dayton’s continuously expansive theater scene. However, Dare to Defy Productions has done so with highly entertaining ease as evidenced in its very charming production of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts’ hit 1996 off-Broadway musical revue.
Presented in the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Center fashioned in a colorful 1950s, Roy Lichtenstein–inspired decor by set designer Ray Zupp, “I Love You…” paints an amusing, appealing portrait of the relatable ups and downs of love and relationships from dating disasters and personal insecurities to wedding jitters and family squabbles.

 

Framing the show as vignettes keeps the witty action inviting and steadily paced, but there are signs the material has become dated since it was famously heralded as “‘Seinfeld’ set to music.” After all, Sharon Stone isn’t an apt lyric choice these days when referring to film bombshells. Nevertheless, that is a minor quibble among an otherwise playfully sound and surprisingly tender examination of the pursuit men and women undergo in order to find and cherish The One.

Director Rebecca Norgaard, Dare to Defy founder/CEO, assembles a totally engaging, vocally strong ensemble consisting of Jackie Darnell, Bobby Mitchum, Zach King and Mackensie Vonderbrink, familiar faces from Kettering’s Playhouse South. Inhabiting more than 50 roles, the cast, impressively accompanied by pianist Julia Brown and violinist Josh Vantilburgh, is versatile and sharply prepared which isn’t surprising considering this production was previously held in January and February at Mimi’s Café in Beavercreek. When featured as a foursome, the cast’s noteworthy moments include opening number “Cantata for a First Date,” funny double bill “Single Man Drought”/”Why? Cause I’m a Guy,” and the equally comical “Hey There, Single Gal/Guy” that hilariously musicalizes a breakup from a parental perspective. Individually, they firmly step into the spotlight with character-conscious intent. Darnell, a fine soprano, supplies a beautifully gentle “I Will Be Loved Tonight” and is also an operatic joy during “He Called Me.” Mitchum, one of the best tenors in town, fills the moving ballad “Shouldn’t I Be Less in Love with You?” with compellingly mature wonder. King, a source of comic relief, scores big laughs with “The Baby Song.” Vonderbrink, in one of her most endearing appearances, fully embraces “Always a Bridesmaid” with lovelorn radiance.
Dare to Defy’s promising path has only begun, but if the company’s future productions are as good as “I Love You…” I have a feeling audiences will keep coming back.

 

“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” concludes today in the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton. Performances are at 2 and 8 p.m. Act One: 57 minutes; Act Two: 55 minutes. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visiting www.ticketcenterstage.com. For more information about Dare to Defy auditions and its 2014 season (featuring “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Altar Boyz,” “Rent” and “Nunsense”) visit daretodefyllc.com, call (937) 999-9949 or send an e-mail to info@daretodefyllc.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dayton Ballet Presents “Cinderella”

By Leave a Comment

Dayton Ballet - CinderellaOn Thursday, February 7 through Sunday, February 10 at 8 p.m. in the Victoria Theatre, Dayton Ballet will present the company’s premiere production of the original classic ballet Cinderella, replete with the musical score by Sergei Prokofiev. The 75th Anniversary Season sponsors are Kettering Health Network and the Miriam Rosenthal Memorial Trust Fund.

Say “Cinderella,” and what pops into your head? Romance? Intrigue? Love? Humor? How could it not? Just look at the list of characters in the cast. A harassed serving girl, a wicked stepmother, two evil stepsisters, a fairy godmother, four fairies, 12 prince’s courtiers, four mice, four attendants, and a handsome prince (of course). Add to it the music of Sergei Prokofiev, and another word might just pop into your head – magic.

Karen Russo Burke, the company’s Artistic Director choreographed this premiere, and she brings to that project in-depth experience with every level of ballet. And without the help of a fairy godmother!

To say Karen’s got game would be a gross understatement. For more than 10 years, Karen was a professional dancer with American Repertory Ballet. She has danced leading roles in ballets by dance icons Antony Tudor, Jose Limon, Gerald Arpino, John Butler and George Balanchine and current choreographers such as Septime Webre. Her artistic range took her to classic, full-length ballets with roles such as Juliet and Swanhilda.

Karen has taught at Dayton Ballet School since 1994. In 1997 she became coordinator of Dayton Ballet’s Outreach Program: DANCE POWER. For 12 years she directed the Dayton Ballet II Senior Company, where she choreographed many works for the pre-professional company that performed them in and around the Miami Valley.

As Ballet Mistress for the main company, Karen staged ballets and choreographed many repertory pieces for Dayton Ballet, including Into the Blue, a well-received tribute – more –in honor of the 100th Anniversary of Flight, the critically acclaimed A Streetcar Named Desire (to an original score), and the magnificent Canyons. In 2003 she co-choreographed Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker with husband and then Dayton Ballet General Manager Dermot Burke, using more than 75 area children. In 2005 American Repertory Ballet honored Karen for her commitment and excellence in the field of dance.

Look for colorful new costumes by resident costume designer Lowell Mathwich and a new Act I set by designer Ray Zupp. Ms. Russo Burke will conduct a post-performance Q&A along with three dancers after each performance.

Performances of Cinderella are Thursday, February 7 at 8 p.m.; Friday, February 8 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sunday, February 10 at 3:00 pm. Tickets range from $20 to $70 and are available at Ticket Center Stage (937) 228-3630 or online. Senior, teacher and student discounts are available at box office.

Submitted by The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

ON STAGE DAYTON REVIEW: Legally Blonde (Playhouse South) – Pretty in Pink

By Leave a Comment

Katie McCarthy, bubbly, jovial and endearing, delightfully anchors Playhouse South’s admirable production of the upbeat, silly and surprisingly touching “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” breezily directed by Jim Brown and adapted in 2007 by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach based on the 2001 film of the same name.

McCarthy, colorfully costumed by Jenni Cypher, was born to play fashion-conscious sorority star Elle Woods, who optimistically journeys to Harvard Law School in order to reclaim her ex-boyfriend. Displaying pleasant vocals and a perky spirit that sidesteps annoyance, she firmly grasps Elle’s innate cheerleading instincts, particularly as a Pied Piper enthusiastically drawing crowds, and tender vulnerability, specifically when her world crumbles late in Act 2 after she rediscovers the beauty of staying true to self.

Elsewhere, the supporting cast cohesively gels. The amiable Josh Livecchi is appropriately unassuming as Emmett Forest, the introverted teaching assistant who grows to care for Elle in spite of her outgoing flair. Brad Bishop is sharply hard-nosed as Callahan, Elle’s ruthless professor. Angie Thacker adds enjoyable comic relief as Paulette, the beauty shop proprietor whose self-esteem and love life is reborn. The lively Jackie Darnell, as Elle’s sorority sister Serena, particularly leads the infectious “Bend and Snap” with vim and verve. Meagan Kuchan and Stefanie Dodge are respectively solid as liberal Enid Hoopes and imprisoned fitness guru Brooke Wyndham. Megan Rademacher is effectively snippy as Elle’s nemesis Vivienne Kensington. Matthew Scheerschmidt and Brett Norgaard are funny cohorts in “There! Right There!” Waky Harris fits the bill as Kyle, Paulette’s crush. Jessica Jones, appearing briefly, is a hoot as Elle’s tipsy mother. Brian Kester is too old to play Elle’s boyfriend Warner Huntington III but his efforts are serviceable nonetheless.

Energetic routines from choreographer Greg Andrus and a fine set designed by Ray Zupp are added benefits within this artistically sound endeavor.

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” continues through Nov. 17 at the Clark Haines Theatre of the Kettering Board of Education Building, 3750 Far Hills Ave., Kettering. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Act One: 70 minutes; Act Two: 55 minutes. Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and military and $8 for students. For tickets or more information, call (888) 262-3792 or visit www.playhousesouth.org