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OnStageGuide: 2010/2011

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onStageDayton ...with Shane & Dave

Top 14 Picks for the 2010-11 Local Theater Season

Shane Anderson & David Brush

So there is all this talk about how great the arts are in Dayton.  You keep hearing how that for a city of it’s size, Dayton is like numero uno for arts organizations, but you never know quite for sure what show you should attend…something that you know you’ll like and it won’t be a waste of time and money for you.  Well, here you go, this is a guide to the local theater season, but we’ve narrowed it down a bit.

Whether your a regular theatre-goer, a novice, or just hate musicals (how could you!), there is something on this list for everyone. So rather than overwhelming you with the more than 85 plays and musicals that will grace area stages this season, Shane and Dave have compiled our most-anticipated Top 14 highlights of the season complete with pop cultural references to help you navigate! But we don’t want you to just take OUR word for it – so we’ve included the website links to the OTHER offerings for each organization for those of you who dare venture away from the path. (PS – We encourage such venturing!)

Dave’s Top 7 Picks

August Osage County - Human Race Theatre & Wright State TheatreAugust: Osage County

by Tracy Letts
Human Race Theatre Company and Wright State University

Stellar Cast. Amazing venue. First regional production since Broadway. This has the makings of setting the bar high right away in the fall. People can’t seem to get enough of this darkly comic play about family dysfunction. This is not a light evening at the theatre but it IS a rewarding one.

September 23-October 10, 2010 – www.HumanRaceTheatre.org & www.Wright.edu

If you like O’Neill’s ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’, you’ll LOVE ‘August: Osage County’

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - La ComediaDirty Rotten Scoundrels

Book by Jeffrey Lane
Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek
based on the film by Frank Oz
La Comedia Dinner Theatre

It had a successful Broadway run and a troubled national tour. But it’s post-Broadway life is seeing some light primarily thanks to the hilarious original source material (the fantastic film starring Steve Martin) and a smart composer in David Yazbek who has a flare for comedy. The comedy centers on a pair of con-men competing for the affections (and money) of Beumont Sur Mer’s upper crust. When the con goes on a little long, hilarity and chaos ensue. There’s a great twist at the end (I won’t spoil it for you) and the entire show is really very smart. It should be fascinating to see it in a more intimate setting like La Comedia.
September 8-October 31, 2010 – www.LaComedia.com

If you like ‘The Full Monty’, you’ll LOVE ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’

Romeo & Juliet - Shakespeare in South Park

Romeo & Juliet

by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare in South Park

Huh? “Gone with the Wind”? “Romeo & Juliet”? Yes, the Shakespeare in South Park troupe has decided to return to their original concept of setting W.S. classics in a post-war setting, this time in a border state in the years following the Civil War.  Everyone is still wearing their uniforms and bent out of shape about loyalties brought about by war.  We hear that the scenic elements will include an actual historic carriage house neighboring the park where the show will be performed. (hmmm? Balcony scene????)…and the good news is…this show is FREE- but I’m sure donations will be gratefully accepted!

September 17-19, 2010 – www.HistoricSouthPark.org

If you like ‘Gone with the Wind’, you’ll LOVE ‘Romeo & Juliet’


The Spitfire GrilleThe Spitfire Grill

Music and Book by James Valcq
Lyrics and Book  by Fred Alley
Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
Beavercreek Community Theatre

You may remember this quiet little brilliant film from the 90’s about a young female ex-con who discovers a new life in a small town. The film was powerful and darkly heartwarming and seemed unlikely material for a musical. But Valcq and Alley do a gorgeous job of capturing the heart of the film with a colorful transcendent country-flavored score. One of my personal favorite nights at the theater. I’d been hoping to see it produced again since I first saw it some years ago and I’m even more pleased to see it under the direction of of one the areas most respected directors – Doug Lloyd.

September 17-26, 2010 – www.BCTheatre.org

If you like redemption stories like ‘Eat. Pray. Love.’,  you’ll LOVE ‘’The Spitfire Grill’

Grey Gardens - SEED Theatre ProjectGrey Gardens, the musical

Book by Doug Wright
Music by Scott Frankel
Lyrics by Michael Korie
Based on the 1975 documentary by Albert & David Maysles
SEED Theatre Project

When you think of the list of most unlikely source material for a musical, it’s hard to not move Grey Gardens to the top. On the surface, the true story of an aged recluse and her daughter living in squalor in an East Hampton mansion (where the cat population far outweighs the human one) seems like the stuff of reality TV. But when you consider that these two were once at the height of New York City’s most exclusive circles of wealth and prestige, it is even more shocking. Oh yeah – and did I mention they are related to Jackie Kennedy Onassis? This is the ultimate “black sheep in the family” story and like any good train wreck, you just can’t turn away.

November 5-6, 2010 – www.SEEDTheatreProject.org

If you like the TLC’s Hoarders, you’ll LOVE ‘Grey Gardens’

Wit at Dayton PlayhouseWit

by Margaret Edson
Dayton Playhouse

Anyone whose life has been touched in some way by cancer (and whose hasn’t?) will be moved by this tour-de-force. HBO loved it so much they cast Emma Thompson in the film several years ago. Dayton Playhouse is coming off a fabulous season and no doubt this will be a welcome addition.

November 12-21, 2010 – www.DaytonPlayhouse.org

If you like Showtime’s new series THE BIG C, you’ll LOVE Wit

The Drowsy Chaperone by Victoria Theatre Association & The Human Race Theatre Co.The Drowsy Chaperone

Book by Bob Martin & Don McKeller
Music & Lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison
Victoria Theatre Association & Human Race Theatre Company

There is something at once nostalgic and contemporary about this Tony-Winner from a few years back. Basically – here it is in a nutshell: A musical theatre fan plays his favorite cast album (yes – album!) and the characters, story and shenanigans come to life right in his one-room apartment. PLUS – produced under the care of The Human Race makes this is both a surefire hit AND a Dayton Original.

March 8-20, 2011 – www.VictoriaTheatre.com & www.HumanRaceTheatre.org

If you like ‘The Carol Burnett Show’,  you’ll LOVE ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’

Shane’s Top 7 Picks

Glengarry Glen Ross by Springfield Stage WorksGlengarry Glen Ross

by David Mamet
Springfield StageWorks

It won the Pulitzer. It won the Tony. The playwright is legendary. and still this 1982 play about the illegal and unethical activities of a Chicago real estate outfit remains vital and edgy -particularly in our current economic climate. Fair warning: Mamet’s favorite word is four letters and starts with an ‘F’ – SO MUCH SO that during the making of the film adaptation, the cast affectionately subtitled the play, Death of a “F*&^*& Salesman.”

September 2-11, 2010 – www.SpringfieldStageWorks.org

If you like AMC’s ‘’Mad Men’, you’ll LOVE ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’


Once On This Island - Sinclair TheatreOnce On This Island

Music by Stephen Flaherty
Book & Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Sinclair Theatre

A Caribbean-flavored romance where two star-crossed lovers – one lower class native and one French upper class – must find a way to be together despite the pressures of their feuding families, Once On This Island uses dance, music, and folklore to spin this timeless tale.  This show will likely be a joyful, colorful event for the whole family.  The music for the show – from the creators of Ragtime and Seussical – is spirited and melodic and the themes of survival amidst peril feel contemporary again in light of recent tragedies in Haiti.

October 15-23, 2010 – www.Sinclair.edu

If you like ‘Pippin’ and ‘Romeo & Juliet’, you’ll LOVE ‘Once On This Island’

The Second City: Fair & Unbalanced - Victoria Theatre

The Second City:  Fair & Unbalanced

Victoria Theatre Association

With an alumni list that includes Alan Alda, Dan Akroyd, Chris Farley, Jim & John Belushi, Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert…who can resist a night of “LMAO” comedy?  While the touring cast does not include any of these big stars, you never know if there might just be a future Gilda Radnor on stage (We’re not sure if there is any relation, but there is a young Belushi listed in the cast of this ensemble).  You never know, you might just witness comedy history on the stage of the Victoria in October!

October 23, 2010 – www.VictoriaTheatre.com

If you like Saturday Night Live,  you’ll LOVE ‘The Second City: Fair & Unbalanced’

Flash: A New Musical by Dan Hunt at Clark State Community College

Flash: A New Musical

book, music & lyrics by Dan Hunt
Clark State Community College

Honestly, we know very little about this new show about to premiere at Clark State, but we LOVE the fact that they are willing to take a chance on a brand new musical!  The premise is that Ed, a seemingly normal guy revisits his past (in a musical form) during a horrific moment when all of the highs and lows of his life flash before his eyes.  The show was conceived, written & directed by Springfield resident Dan Hunt, technical director and theatre professor at Clark State.

October 29-November 7, 2010 – www.ClarkState.edu

If you like J.J. Abrams’ shows, you’ll LOVE ‘Flash:  A New Musical’

An Evening with Sutton FosterAn Evening with Sutton Foster

accompanied by Michael Rafter
Springfield Arts Council

How can one even begin to explain the joy that IS Sutton Foster?  Foster first claimed her fame as the chorus girl plucked out of obscurity to save the show and become the star…which led to her infamous 2002 Tony-winning run on Broadway in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”  She has been compared to three comediennes/actresses listed below, and her natural goofiness combined with an incredible vocal talent has made Sutton Foster into the “it girl of Broadway.”  You won’t want to miss this simple evening of Foster and a pianist giving you some “melt your face off” belts and rolling in the aisle laughter.

November 13, 2010 – www.SpringfieldArtsCouncil.org

If you like ‘Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett or Julie Andrews’, you’ll LOVE ‘An Evening with Sutton Foster’

Mauritius - Dayton Theatre GuildMauritius

by Theresa Rebeck
Dayton Theatre Guild

Cincinnati native Rebeck’s play, “Maurititius” is often described as a comedy thriller dealing with suspense, lies, deceit, greed, mystery, intrigue and….stamps.  It centers around the rivalry of two sisters faced with dividing up their recently deceased mother’s belongings and the discovery of two rare stamps from the nation of Mauritius and unscrupulous dealers pursuing them.  While you might question going to the theatre to watch a philatelic thriller, the play has been a hit all over America since it’s debut on Broadway in 2007.

May 13-29, 2011 – www.DaytonTheatreGuild.org

If you like Bogart’s ‘The Maltese Falcon’, you’ll LOVE ‘Mauritius’

right next to me - The Human Race Theatre Co.right next to me

book,music & lyrics by Gregg Coffin
The Human Race Theatre Company

Dayton’s Human Race Theatre Company, under the leadership of Kevin Moore & Marsha Hanna has been raising the bar for several years in a national movement to develop new works of musical theatre.  Through their unique programs of workshops, residencies and collaboration with composers, Dayton theatre audiences have been fortunate to see pieces like Convenience, Was, Fetching Water and many more.  This season, they tell a NEW story from Greg Coffin – the creator of Convenience- A  story about the distance between people and the space love leaves behind when it goes.

May 26-June 12, 2011 – www.HumanRaceTheatre.org

If you like ‘We Were Soldiers’, you’ll LOVE ‘right next to me’

…& keep watch for exciting news about:

ZOOT Theatre Company. They haven’t announced their season yet, but this innovative puppet & mask troupe consistently puts together cutting-edge productions of classic tales. www.ZootTheatreCompany.org

Encore Theater Company. We’ve got some exciting things in the works as well, including our Litehouse New Musical Reading Series, our Summer 2011 MainStage Series, MusicalWorld podcast and a new Concert Series that will premiere this fall! www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com

Idina Menzel in Concert with the Cincinnati Pops. Yes!  The almighty green one will be flying into southwest Ohio at the end of September (fresh from her stint on GLEE)…and YOU just might get a chance to go watch this icon of the Broadway stage defy gravity!  onStageDayton, MusicalWorld & DaytonMostMetro.com are teaming up with an opportunity for you to win a pair of tickets to this concert (valued at $100!). Keep watching onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com for details!

onStageDayton. We will be introducing you to another contributor to onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com.  Katherine Nelson, a senior theatre major at Cedarville University, will be posting a weekly update of shows opening or closing that weekend, along with audition notices and other notices.  Watch onStageDayton for Katherine’s first post soon!

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC just concluded their summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton, which featured Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] & the new musical in development Next Thing You Know.

Would you like to submit theater news for DaytonMostMetro.com’s onStageDayton features?  Email Shane & Dave at [email protected]

…a play without boundaries

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The Syringa Tree - SEED Theatre ProjectThe Syringa Tree

THE SEED THEATRE PROJECT

This weekend, The SEED Theatre Project will present the regional premiere of The Syringa Tree, by Pamela Gien.  The thought provoking play is performed by one actress, Robin Smith, who portrays twenty-four different characters, all of whom speak, and sing, in a variety of languages & dialects.  To further complicate this actress’ task, she performs without physical scenery and props, allowing the voices of her characters free to tell the story of Elizabeth Grace with only the external impact of light and sound to place these people in a time and place.

I spoke with Robin, along with Adam Leigh (director), Amy Brooks (dramaturg/assistant director) & Michelle Leigh (production manager) last weekend about The Syringa Tree.  I am curious about the concept of this show, and I am very much looking forward to attending the performance to hear this amazing tale spun by so many characters on an empty stage with only one actress.

A description of the show, provided by SEED:

The Syringa TreeThe Syringa Tree is a personal, deeply evocative story of an abiding love between two families, one black, one white, and the two children that are born into their shared household in the early 1960’s South Africa. Seen first through the eyes of a child, six-year old Elizabeth Grace, as she tries with humor and sometimes palpable fear, to make sense of the chaos, magic and darkness of Africa, we follow their destinies in a story that spans four generations, from early apartheid to the present day free South Africa.

Robin Smith - THE SYRINGA TREE - The SEED Theatre Project Resident Artist Robin Smith will portray twenty-four very different characters (black, white, old, young, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Zulu, English, Jewish, etc.) in the telling of this story.

The SEED crew is highly passionate about this piece, pointing out the similarities of the time & place of the story with our lives in Dayton, 2010.  The play takes place in apartheid-bound Johannesburg, South Africa from the 1960’s through the mid-1990’s, as apartheid was lifted.  The production staff points out that even as the characters in this play live in a world where boundaries are all they know, there is a love in this script that defies all racial boundaries…the play becomes timeless and boundless.  It concerns itself more with the interconnectedness of people in a time and place where the disruption of apartheid created a disconnectedness with the land.

The Syringa TreeIn their research on this work, Adam & Michelle Leigh began looking into the South African community within the Miami Valley.  They were surprised to find out how many refugees are living in the Dayton area, some by choice and some by force.

“…it’s not over in South Africa.  It’s not on the 6:00 news, but it still exists.  Americans know apartheid exists, but not the details.”

Adam Leigh, the show’s director and founder of SEED states that their mission is to present entertainment, but at the same time taking the audience on a journey so that when they leave, they understand that we, in Dayton, experience the exact same issues today.  The SEED Theatre productions will feature an Enter-Action Forum following each performance.  The forum will be a time for the audience, the actors, the staff and other guests to discuss the issues presented in the play.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

The SEED Theatre Project, Dayton, OhioTHE SYRINGA TREE (8pm, August 20-21 at the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center) Tickets: $12  Call (937) 823-0081 or by visiting their ONLINE BOX OFFICE:  ShowTix4u.com.

Please Note: This production contains adult language and themes. Viewer discretion is advised.

Visit http://www.seedtheatreproject.org for more information about the organization.

Visit The Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center for information about this amazing community center now open in Dayton. The Kroc Center is located at 1000 North Keowee Street, Dayton, Ohio  45404.

The Syringa Tree will be the first theatrical production to take place in the center.  The staff of SEED Theatre indicated that they were very fortunate to the gracious people of the Kroc Center.

SA

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC just concluded their summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton, which featured Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] & the new musical in development Next Thing You Know.

Would you like to submit theater news for DaytonMostMetro.com’s onStageDayton features?  Email Shane & Dave at [email protected]

Accidentally Coming of Age

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The Cast of Encore Theater Co.'s production of NEXT THING YOU KNOWNext Thing You Know

ENCORE THEATER COMPANY

Encore Theater Company in association with Sinclair Community College will present a developmental production of the new musical NEXT THING YOU KNOW written by Drama Desk Nominees JOSHUA SALZMAN & RYAN CUNNINGHAM August 12-14, 2010 at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theatre. (Note…there is an opportunity for you to win tickets to this show.  Details are found at the end of this post!)

Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham, writers of Next Thing You KnowJoshua Salzman (music) and Ryan Cunningham (book and lyrics) met at the NYU Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. Their thesis musical, I Love You Because went on to be professionally produced Off-Broadway, earned a Drama Desk nomination for the team, spawned a cast album on PS Classics and garnered a licensing deal with Theatrical Rights Worldwide, resulting in productions both nationally and internationally including Encore Theater Company’s own regional production several seasons ago.

“The opportunity to see our show developed outside of NY, under a dedicated and enthusiastic team of actors and directors, is invaluable”, says composer Joshua Salzman, “The nurturing and safe environment ETC provides for musical theater writers to hone their craft is essential to the creative process of developing a new musical”.

Salzman & Cunningham spent several days in Dayton developing the show which the creators describe this way:

“Real life comes real fast. One day you wake up, and instead of a hangover, you have a job. Instead of a fling, you have a live-in girlfriend. And instead of naïve dreams, you have reality. For four artists in New York City, discovering yourself can take a lot longer than you think. The little joys and compromises that bring us into adulthood are brought to life in this all-new musical”.

The cast of ETC's production of Salzman & Cunningham's NEXT THING YOU KNOWThe cast for the Dayton engagement of NEXT THING YOU KNOW includes: Amy Leigh (Waverly), Matthew D. Curry (Luke), BethAnn Wipprecht (Lisa) and JJ Parkey (Darren). Production staff include David Brush (Director), Shawn Storms (Assistant Director), Jackson Gallagher (Lighting Design), Nathan Dean (Sound Design), and Ally Wetz (Stage Manager).

The cast and staff of NEXT THING YOU KNOW shared some thoughts with me about working directly with the writing team, and what it means to originate a character in a brand new piece of musical theater.  Excerpts are below, but you can read more of their thoughts on the production blog at NextThingYouKnowDayton.wordpress.com and listen to an interview with the cast and writing team at MusicalWorld.us .

As the weekend with the writer’s approached in July, what did you feel most anxious about?

Amy LeighAmy Leigh:  “I was nervous that Josh and Ryan were seeing us do the entire show just after we’d blocked it, before we had time to settle into the scenes. I wanted to prove to them that, although we might stumble on lines, lyrics, or notes here and there, that we honor the original intent of their show. But they were anything but judgmental. They seemed to truly appreciate seeing the show on its feet, and having their input really completed the experience for me.”

JJ Parkey and Amy Leigh of ETC's NEXT THING YOU KNOWJJ Parkey: “I was afraid that their presence in the room would be really intimidating, but as it turns out, Ryan and Josh are absolutely WONDERFUL to work with. They were so very supportive of what we were all doing, and the entire weekend was a very positive experience. Ryan and Josh brought about a sense of grounding to the project for me.

Describe the experience of working directly with the creators of a new piece of theater.

Matthe Curry in ETC's production of Salzman & Cunningham's NEXT THING YOU KNOWMatthew D. Curry:  “Having Josh there to guide us through deeper meaning of our music, and Ryan giving us hints and clues to where our character’s thoughts lie, weather we thought we had it or not, gave me personally a truer look into Luke. And that’s an experience you never get with just a script and our own analysis of the writer’s words.”

What has it been like, leading a team of actors through the discovery of new characters that have never before been seen on stage?

Shawn Storms, assistant director of ETC's NEXT THING YOU KNOWShawn Storms, assistant director:  “I have found this process easier than the work I have done with new plays. I feel that it has much to do with the extremely talented cast of this show. They have been open and eager to try new things; go with the flow. I feel that without that beautiful collaborative spirit, this show would never have evolved in the many ways it has.

It has been a pleasure to witness each character’s evolution. To see the script change, new moments discovered, and songs soar. I hope that our audiences see what a gem this show is!”

Why did ETC choose a new musical, one that nobody in Dayton has even heard of before, as the finale for it’s summer theatrical season?

David Brush, director: “This kind of development is what new shows need – a long term commitment to walk a show from one step to the next and allow creators to make changes, additions and deletions along the way. This gets at the very heart of ETC’s mission and we are thrilled to kick off the program with two amazing young, fresh talents like Ryan and Josh.”

NEXT THING YOU KNOW is part of Encore Theater Company’s New Musicals In Development program which includes a focus on developing new work through podcasts, readings, and development productions.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

NEXT THING YOU KNOW (August 12-14) Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 on the day of the performance.  Please note:  this show contains adult language and situations.  Visit http://www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for tickets.

WIN TICKETS TO Next Thing You Know!

Encore Theater Company & DaytonMostMetro.com are giving away a pair of tickets to NEXT THING YOU KNOW.  It’s really easy to enter. The deadline to enter is Noon on Wednesday, August 11th.

1.  In the comment section below, answer this question…WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE OMELET INGREDIENTS? (Yeah, we know…it doesn’t make sense, but if you come see NTYK it will!)

2.  Share this DMM post on Facebook!  At the bottom of this post there are buttons to like, tweet & share this…Please share it!  For every 10 FACEBOOK SHARES of this post, we’ll add  a pair of tickets (up to 6 pairs!). The more people who share this, the more chances there are to win!

Dayton Area Casting Calls:

Grey Gardens: The Musical

THE SEED THEATRE PROJECT Open Auditions

Continuing the 2010-2011 theatrical season with the SEED theatre project will be the area premier of Scott Frankel, Michael Korie & Doug Wright’s musical Grey Gardens. Grey Gardens: The Musical will be directed by Adam J. Leigh. In addition, Judy Mansky serves as music director while Shayne Thomas Petty serves as assistant director.

Grey Gardens at SEED Theatre ProjectFresh from Broadway where it was nominated for ten Tony Awards in 2007, this new musical was inspired by the 1975 Maysles brothers documentary of the same name. Grey Gardens tells the entertaining and poignant story of two unconquerable women, Edith Bouvier Beale and her adult daughter Edie, the eccentric aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Once known as two of the brightest stars in the social register, these two women became East Hampton’s most infamous “reclusive inhabitants”, sharing their rundown 28-room mansion with 52 stray cats and rabid raccoons. From the glittering high society of 1940s New York to the tabloid headlines that rocked the Kennedy clan in 1970s, Grey Gardens hurls you into American royalty and poses the questions: When do private lives become public fascinations? How much is too much? And where does it stop?

The SEED Theatre Project, Dayton, OhioOpen Auditions for this show will be held on Tuesday, August 10th and Wednesday, August 11th. They will begin at 7pm each night. Auditions will be held at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center – 1000 N. Keowee Street – Dayton, OH 45420. Performers will only need to attend one night of auditions for consideration.

Performance dates are Friday, November 5th and Saturday, November 6th, 2010.

For more information please contact Adam Leigh via phone at (937)219-7835 or via email at [email protected] or visit SEED’s website for casting requirements and additional audition details:  www.SEEDtheatreproject.org

The Sugar Witch

THE DAYTON THEATRE GUILD Open Auditions

Sugar Witch at The Dayton Theatre GuildThe Dayton Theatre Guild announces open auditions for it’s upcoming production of THE SUGAR WITCH by Nathan Sanders.

Auditions will take place August 23rd & 24th, 2010 at 7 pm in The Dayton Theatre Guild’s  Caryl D. Philips TheatreScape at 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton, OH 45410.  Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script

The show, directed by Doug Lloyd and produced by Debra Kent is set in the Florida swamp country of the Watchalahoochee River unfolding an at times eerie, weird and often very funny story of what’s left of the Bean family, Moses and Sisser, along with Annabelle, the Sugar Witch. And yes, there may be flying cats, casting of spells, country music, not to mention a few possible surprises.

Performance Dates:  October 22nd – November 7th, 2010

Casting Requirements:

Sisser – Female – Late 20’s to late 30’s – Southern, Obese, and somewhat mad. A wheel chair bound lover of little Debbie Snack cakes. She is capable of anything – even murder.

Ruth Ann Meeks – Female – Late 20’s to Mid 30’s – Southern, Racist, and half insane. A “church-goer”, plain, not necessarily pretty, most likely the product of incest.

Annabelle – African-American Female – Mid 40’s to 50’s – Southern swamp mystic and conjure woman. She brews magical potions from sugar cane molasses. Annabelle is the last in a long line of powerful “Sugar-Witches”.

Moses Bean – Male – mid 20’s – Southern, Handsome and boyish. He is a mechanic at the local Texaco station. Innocent and virginal; a gender reversed “Sleeping Beauty”.

Hank Hartley – Male – 30’s – Southern, handsome and strong. He is the play’s “gentleman caller”. He has recently returned to Sugar Bean to take over his family funeral home business. Hank is madly “in-love” but yet hiding a dark secret.

Granddaddy Meeks – Male – 60’s to 70’s – Southern, redneck, racist, abusiveand mean. He is Ruth Ann’s Grandfather.

Additional information about The Dayton Theatre Guild can be found online at www.DaytonTheatreGuild.org

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC are currently in the midst of their summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton, which featured Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] & the upcoming new musical in development Next Thing You Know.

Would you like to submit theater news for DaytonMostMetro.com’s onStageDayton features?  Email Shane & Dave at [email protected]

http://musicalworldpodshow.mevio.com/