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‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Review – Cedarville University – Prolonged Exodus

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Fiddler on the Roof

Robert Rhodes as Tevye in Cedarville University’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof”

Cedarville University’s production of Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick’s classic 1964 musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, is deflated by awkward, inadequate musicality.

Barring technical difficulties, there’s no reason in the world why anybody’s staging of “Fiddler” should produce an Act 1 heading toward two hours. But this is exactly what’s happened at Cedarville due to weak music direction by conductor Carlos Elias who hasn’t mastered the timing within Bock and Harnick’s score, superbly accenting an endearing story of a poor Jewish family coping with change in their tiny Russian village of Anatevka in 1905.

In Elias’ hands, the waltzes are startlingly slow (“Sunrise, Sunset” is particularly painful) and the sprightly sentiments (“If I Were a Rich Man,” “To Life,” snippets of “Tevye’s Dream”) lack vigor. The only number that truly resonates in terms of musicianship is “Do You Love Me?,” an Act 2 gem containing an engaging, conversational essence (akin to “I Remember It Well” from “Gigi”) that constantly flows thereby avoiding any sense of derailment.

Thankfully, “Do You Love Me?” is also a signature moment because of the wonderful rapport and lyric-driven astuteness of Robert Rhodes and Anna Caroline Porter as Tevye and Golde. Throughout the tune, which finds Tevye and Golde tenderly reminiscing about their marriage, Rhodes and Porter beautifully connect with humor, depth and a mutual understanding that their love will survive no matter what the future holds. Excellent portrayals under the direction of Diane Conrad Merchant extend to the sharp, witty David Widder-Varhegyi as humble tailor Motel and a marvelously firm Madison Hart as the daring Chava who defies her family with dramatic results.

Choreographer Carrie Anthony’s commendable routines bursting with personality and colorful exchanges, Robert Clements’ first-rate scenic and lighting design, and Debbie Hamrick’s attractive period costumes are additional assets of this presentation still in search of its musical pulse.

“Fiddler on the Roof” continues through Feb. 8 in the DeVries Theatre of the Stevens Student Center at Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. Act One: 1 hour and 45 minutes; Act Two: 55 minutes. Tickets are $12-$15. For tickets or more information, call (937) 766-7787 or visit www.cedarville.edu

Dayton’s Best Fish Fry Opens the Fall Season This Friday

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Freshly Breaded Icelandic Cod at Our Lady of the Rosary’s Fish Fry

The #1 Fish Fry as ranked by Food Adventures is kicking off their first Fish Fry of the season on Friday Night !!

The place is OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHURCH in Dayton who has been hosting these events for over 54 years !

We are the only ones with the scoop on this incredible deal and fun night !!

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— WHERE: Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 22 Notre Dame Ave. in Dayton

— WHAT: Fish Fry  – **21 and over only !**

—NEXT: Friday, October 10th  & Friday, November 14th 

Click to Enlarge these Sausages

— COST: $13 if you pre-pay at the Parish Office, or $15 at the door the day of the event.

 

— INCLUDED: Freshly fried Icelandic Cod, Fresh Mild Sausage, Hot Polish Sausage, Chicken Strips, French Fries, Baked Beans, Salad, Cole Slaw, Homemade  Cakes, Cabbage and Noodles, Ice Cream, Popcorn, Soft Drinks, and Beer.

— WHEN: 5:30pm – 10:30pm 

— WHAT ELSE:  Gamble on pull tabs and raffle prizes!

 

 

MUST EATS:

— THE FRESHLY MADE MILD SAUSAGE: Made locally, with an old recipe that has been used for 50+ years.  Some of the best stuff we’ve had !

— THE FRESHLY BREADED COD: Made in large “sticks,” you can have all you want of these !

— HOMEMADE CAKES: Chef Joe makes these himself on site !  

Our Lady of the rosary Church – 22 Notre Dame Ave.,  Dayton, Ohio

 

What makes this event great is the friendly volunteers.  The staff are kind, dedicated and have been doing this for years.  The party is all inclusive and you are not “nickel and dimed” for extra beers, etc..  For these reasons, this is the best fish fry in the Miami Valley area, in our humble opinion.  There are old folks, young folks and ages in between.

So now you know about this little known secret.  Will we see you on Friday?  No better place for a Food Adventure !

Browse the photos below of the food and offerings at the event!

Are you a Dayton Foodie?  Then “LIKE” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

 

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Lebanon Raceway to Close Saturday, After 65 Years

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End of an Era: Lebanon Raceway will close Saturday Dec 7th at midnight

Like many of you saw in our RESTAURANTS CLOSED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN ARTICLE, all good things must come to an end.  Today, The Big Ragu & Crew add another name to this list .. sort of.  Some of our favorite Food Adventures have been at sporting events.  It is with sadness that we announce that one such place, Lebanon Raceway, will be closing this Saturday after 65 years of harness horse racing.  The reason for the closing is to make way for a new racetrack and casino in Monroe.    We are going to miss this place and the years of memories it gave us.

Last week at the track, we said our goodbyes.  We savored the sights and the memories.  We bought a program and a pen (superstition), and sat in the front row behind the glass, cheering for our horses to come in.  It takes some dexterity to hold a beer, hot dog, and program while watching the race and hollering.   The crowd was sparse, but enthusiastic.  We had some winners, and some losers, but loved every minute of the 13 races that night.

Click to enlarge this must eat: Tenderloin Sandwich

We have placed bets to win, place and show.  We even knocked out a daily double or a trifecta here and there.  But, to us, the live horse racing was just half of the story. We also loved the cheap food and beer.   From must eats like hot dogs and pork tenderloin sandwiches to  popcorn and hamburgers, Lebanon Raceway had more than just concession stands.  They had some good sporting event eats that became a tradition for us over the past 20 years.  The characters that serve the food are also a big part of the experience.  The bar area was always interesting, with the bartenders pouring bottled beers into a plastic cup, sometimes two or 3 at a time.  Foam?  …sometimes, just deal with it…

Opened in 1948, the race track facility is showing its age a little, but there is something special about this place.  Maybe it is the sound of the horses whizzing past, or the trumpets before each race.  Lebanon Raceway is known as the “cradle of drivers,” having produced some of the best harness racing jockeys in the nation.  Their other motto is “pace baby pace,” referring to the trotting horses.  This place is full of personality from the announcers to the bet window workers.  We wanted to share our Food Adventure memories and let people know that this Friday and Saturday are the final days of live racing at Lebanon.

Yes it is true, this weekend is your last chance to experience Lebanon Raceway, so saddle up and visit this Dayton area icon one last time.  Races will be Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 6:30pm.  Literally – “down the stretch they come !!”  Need directions?  CLICK HERE.  Want more horsing around with THE BIG RAGU, CHEF HOUSE and HUNGRY JAX?  Then ‘like’ FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK by clicking HERE !

Check out our photos and memories from Lebanon Raceway in our gallery below:

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Chop Suey Carryout: The Oldest Chinese Restaurant in Dayton

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Something is to be said for a restaurant that has been serving dishes for over 40 years.   Chop Suey Carryout at 1465 E. Dorothy Lane in Kettering has quietly done just that.  In fact, this eatery is the first place we ever tasted Chinese food.  They don’t have a website or even a Facebook page, but they have been cranking out Asian classics and we have been having Food Adventures here since Gerald Ford was President.   How has this place stayed in business for so long?  The answer is consistently good food and good prices.  Their recipes remain identical since the 70’s, and the result is generations of loyal followers.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Chop Suey Carryout was opened in 1973 by a family who had moved to the U.S. from Taiwan.  The same family owns the restaurant today, and have kept the location on E. Dorothy Lane for the entire run.

— As the name suggests, it is a great place for carryout.  If you must dine-in be prepared for the retro dining room.  We voted it “Best Dining Room for filming a scene from Kojak.”

— The prices are reasonable and all dishes come in size Regular or Large.  Do yourself a favor, get the regular, it is a good sized portion and will save you some cash.

— All the meals are served in those “little Chinese to-go boxes,” even if you dine-in.  It makes for a fun Food Adventure, just grab some chop sticks and go to town.

— Chop Suey Carryout is closed on Sundays, so make sure you hit them up Monday through Saturday til about 9pm.

Shrimp Chop Suey – The Best Chop Suey in Dayton

— Drink selection is very limited.  They have a couple of soda brands and maybe a tea.

 

Now, get ready to wok and roll as FOOD ADVENTURES gives you our…

****MUST EATS !!!****

— CHOP SUEY:  Of course !  How can you write an article about this place and not mention their specialty namesake?   Answer: YOU CANT !  Unless your a food critic who doesn’t know what they are doing.  Our favorite is the Shrimp Chop Suey, but you can get vegetable, pork, chicken or beef varieties.  This creamy mixture of cabbage and vegetables is the best chop suey in Dayton.  It is served over steamed rice and is very filling.

— CHOW MEIN:  This dish is identical to Chop Suey, except it is served over hard Chinese noodles.  Again you have vegetable or various meat options.   However, we have been eating this dish since we played t-ball and we say go for the Shrimp Chow Mein option (or Chicken if you need a substitute)!   The clear sauce on this dish has an amazing flavor and is how we remember it as kids.  It is the best chow mein in Dayton and never disappoints.

Fantastic Hot n Sour Soup – be careful, it is always Scalding Hot !

— HOT & SOUR SOUP:  Addicting, flavorful ..and SCALDING HOT !  Beware: this is served hot enough to burn your mouth for 20 minutes.  The 20 minute wait is worth it, as this hot and sour soup rivals the big name restaurants in town.

— SWEET & SOUR SHRIMP:  An old classic served up right by an old restaurant.  We don’t know why it is so good, but Big Ragu says it is the best Sweet & Sour dish in the Miami Valley.  Maybe it is the lightly crispy, deep fried batter on the shrimp.   Or maybe it is the classic, deep red, sweet and sour sauce unlike any other.  Secret:  we think it is the combination when the two mix.  Again, if you are a land lubber and hate seafood.. try the sweet & sour chicken option.

— SESAME CHICKEN:  A good flavored sauce covering deep fried, white meat chicken.  The sesame sprinkles are the finishing touch.  Pour over white rice for sheer heaven.

Sesame Shrimp & all entrees are served in Chinese “to-go” boxes. Easy Chopstick eatin’

Honorable Mention:  Egg Foo Young – Chop Suey Carryout is one of the few places in town that serves this dish and does it justice.  The same can be said for their Moo Goo Gai Pan.  Again, we have been ordering and eating this stuff before anyone twirled a rubix cube, so trust us.   Also, the Kung Pao Chicken is  great in a pinch.   Most recently we tried a dish we have only seen at Chop Suey Carryout called Wor Shue Gai.  It is a deep fried chicken dish, with a curious yellow sauce.  It needs some spiciness, so we say stick with the ‘Must Eat’ classics !

Some things like disco music and Laverne & Shirley didn’t survive the 70’s.   Chop Suey Carryout survived and is still stir frying and high flying today.   Wok, don’t run, to this Kettering icon, and try some of our favorites.  Discover why after four decades, Daytonians still stand in line for this takeout Food Adventure.

What is your opinion of Chop Suey Carryout?  Comment below and tell us your thoughts or menu recommendations.

Want more to take home?  Then check out FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook and “like” us by clicking —>HERE.

Browse through photos of numerous specialties we have sampled over the years.  Sorry, no smellivision included…

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Linh’s Bistro: Good Food Pho Sure!

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In Vietnamese cuisine, Pho is a meal sized soup, served hot with noodles and various meats.  During these cold winter months, nothing warms you up quite  like these offerings at Lihn’s Bistro at 5532 Airway Road  in the Page Manor Plaza.  The location is new, but they still serve the same great Vietnamese specialties.  The Food Adventures Crew have been fans of owners Hoa and Phan Nguyen ever since they opened the Asian Palace restaurant in Beavercreek in the 1980’s.  Today, their sole endeavor is the bustling Linh’s Bistro, which is one spot you’ll have to visit for a fantastic Food Adventure.

Upon entering Linh’s, you notice the huge open dining area bustling with patrons.  The atmosphere is very nice, mixing modern style with a traditional Asian feel.   The staff is friendly and inviting, and promptly serve you some Vietnamese tea at your table.  Start out with a trademark house drink, the Vietnamese Iced Coffee which is excellent.  We browsed the familiar menu items.  The restaurant’s menu has two parts, a Vietnamese section and a Chinese section.  Being aware that the owners were from Vietnam, we always stick with the hometown experts and order Vietnamese dishes at Linh’s Bistro.

Our Favorite Appetizer: Soft Shrimp Rolls

For openers, we would suggest a house specialty appetizer called the Shrimp Golden Crepe.  The crepe is huge and a Food Adventurer’s dream.  It is filled with vermicelli noodles, shrimp and a light sauce.  Served with a side of fresh cilantro and lettuce, we were told to take pieces of the crepe and manually make our own lettuce wraps.  Definitely one of the most unique appetizers we have ever eaten.  The Big Ragu loves the Vegetarian Fried Spring Rolls at Linh’s which are light and flaky.  However, we both agree on a favorite appetizer, the Soft Spring Roll.  This delicacy is an egg roll, but the wrapper is a see-through, soft rice paper, which resembles a clear burrito wrapper.   The rolls are filled with cilantro, vermicelli noodles, pork and shrimp.  They are served with an absolutely incredible peanut sauce for dunking.   The Soft Rolls taste so fresh, that you realize you could have ordered a few of these for your meal.

Many Noodles, Shrimp and Flavors Lurk Below the Pork in this Pho (Meal Sized Soup)

The entree menu is extensive, but we have some house specialties that we would recommend.   First the Pho (meal sized soups), and our favorite is #23 which is Shrimp and Pork Soup with Clear Rice Noodles.   This steaming hot bowl is served with a heaping side of bean sprouts, jalapenos, and cilantro for adding to the soup per your taste.  Make sure when you eat this you use the both chopsticks and a  spoon for a slurping good time.   The Pho Soups are so flavorful and fresh, that no matter what combination of meats and noodles you choose, it is impossible to go wrong.

Another entree fave is the #76 The Traditional Boneless Catfish in Clay Pot.  This dinner is very old school.   It is served in a primitive looking traditional Vietnamese cooking pot with a closed lid.  As the lid is opened, it reveals lightly breaded fish, soaking in a wonderfully aromatic brown sauce.  As the steam rises, spices and pepper are visible covering the the fish pieces.  The saucy catfish is best spooned over white rice, for a mouth watering meal that you won’t soon forget.

Lemongrass Shrimp Vermicelli Salad – with sauces added

Lastly, may we recommend the #43 Lemongrass Shrimp with Vermicelli Salad.  This entree is served with a side of vinegar sauce and julienne carrots.  The traditional way to eat this dish is to pour the vinegar sauce over the huge bowl of Vermicelli, sauteed onions and shrimp.  Next, mix the ingredients thoroughly, exposing the lettuce and  bean sprouts hidden at the bottom of the bowl.   The final step is to grab some chopsticks and dig in!  This is super filling meal and a great value at only $7.25.  In fact, most of the menu is value priced, making Linh’s Bistro an affordable gourmet dining experience.

Linh’s has an incredible menu with page after page of tremendous dishes.  You could come here dozens of times and still not tap  the extensive choices offered.  The key here is to explore, try new things and be a Food Adventurer.   It is a perfect place to experience the many tastes of the Vietnamese culture.  A trip to Linh’s Bistro will have you coming back Pho more !

Want more Food Adventure Fun?  “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

We welcome your comments and feedback below!

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New Year’s Resolutions Alive & Well at Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt

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Want to keep your New Year’s resolution’s intact, while satisfying your sweet tooth?  Try visiting the new Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt Store located in Town and Country Shopping Center in Kettering.  This nationally franchised company comes to the Dayton area with over 70 different flavors of yogurt and 35 toppings to choose from.  The possibilities of flavor combinations are endless.  Dressed like Olivia Newton John from the “Let’s Get Physical video, The Food Adventure Crew trotted in their 80’s aerobics leggings and grabbed a bite at Orange Leaf after their workout.

The shop is pretty simple, you grab a cup at the self-serve stations and fill it up with one of the flavors offered.  You then may choose from over 35 different toppings.  The final step is to weigh and pay.  The yogurt is sold by the ounce, so you control the price of the item!  The various yogurts run from 20 calories to 47 calories per ounce, depending on flavor.  We tried Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Valencia, Wedding Cake and Banana yogurt, all of which were great.  Orange Leaf  FrozenYogurt is a refreshing treat that will allow you to keep your figure in 2013.  How is that for a guilt free Food Adventure?  We also got a kick out of the inventive little “shovel spoon,” whose ingenuity rivals that of the “spork” from Taco Bell.

The interior decor is sleek, clean and cheery.  It looks like IKEA opened a yogurt store, and we love it.  Also, make sure you register for their rewards card  at OrangeLeafYogurt.com and get a free 8oz cup of yogurt, or as they call it “froyo”.

Orange Leaf is a great place to visit while shopping at Town & Country or after dining at the center’s restaurants Figlio or Buffalo Wild Wings.   Keep your New Year’s resolutions solid and keep your sweet tooth sanity by checking out this new frozen yogurt shop.

 

Check out Food Adventures on FACEBOOK and “like” us by clicking here !

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