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The Set List: January 12-18, 2012

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Welcome to The Set List, a new feature here in the Dayton Music section of Dayton MostMetro.com.  Every week we’ll give you a rundown of some of your options for live music in the Miami Valley.  Of course this isn’t a complete list, but it will give you a place to start.  Speaking of places to start, if you’re a local band or venue, don’t forget that you can always post your upcoming events on the DaytonMostMetro events calendar and you can submit your show posters for display in our sidebar (glance to your right for examples). Click here to do both.  Without further ado, here are this week’s shows:

Hyrokkin

FRIDAY

-Freddy T and The People, Hyrrokkin, Abertooth Lincoln, Footbinder perform at Blind Bob’s

-Chapter III is returning to WO Wright’s to perform with God Bless & Asher Jones.

-Some of Dayton’s finest DJs will host a dance party at Therapy Cafe.  The Black Lotus Clan, Infidel-icious, Ruckus Roboticus and DJ Jay Madewell will all be spinning tunes.

 SATURDAY

-Dry Branch Fire Squad will perform a two night engagement (Saturday and Sunday) at Canal Street Tavern with Rick and Hilary Wagner opening.

-Team Void will venture from Parts Unknown to South Park Tavern to perform with Oxymoronatron and Electric Banana.

-TatttooTV Battle of the Bands winners By Way of Sunstorm will share the stage at Blind Bob’s with Enabler, Sleep Fleet and Imbroglio

 

For more things to do in Dayton, check out the DaytonMostMetro event’s calendar.

 

The Wrath of Grapes

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People toasting

It all begins here…

You went to the family meal at about noon, and popped a beer because the game was just starting. Then another, because dinner was not going to be done for another hour or two (and the Matt Stafford was killing your fantasy team). You had another one during dinner, and then left to go hang out with your friends at the local watering hole, where all of the serious drinking was going to take place. That is when the shots came out, the whiskey flowed, and great times were had by all.  And of course, the designated driver was able to get everyone home safe. You have the day off today…why not have a good time on Thanksgiving? Well, because Black Friday may be named for all of the shopping that is going to be done today, but it would best describe how you are feeling. It may be better for your head to explode, because it would at least stop the pounding that is going on right now. You are not entirely sure what is causing your stomach to squirm all over like it is doing, but you would love for it to stop. And your tongue feels like someone dried it out, and then wiped their feet on it. Your Black Friday is the hangover you earned from the night before.

Hangovers, as we all well know, are caused by drinking too much alcohol, flooding your well balanced system with impurities. “Too much” in a moderate drinker is four to seven cocktails over an evening out. So we are all on the same page, a drink is considered as 1.5 ounces of liquor, 6 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer. That is not saying you get drunk after that many drinks. That is saying your body chemistry starts to do bad things after that many drinks. Some people are so sensitive to alcohol that one drink could trigger hangover-like symptoms. Those symptoms include nausea, headaches, dehydration, fatigue, diarrhea, sensitivity to light and sound, aversions to smells and tastes, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating. All of these things you may (unfortunately) be familiar with.

Niagara Falls

This. This is what you need right now.

Ethanol is the chemical impurity that is a major culprit in you feeling like this. The most damaging thing it does is dehydrate you by causing you to produce more urine. It also makes you a little more lightheaded and thirsty, which makes you want another drink. While you are going to the bathroom, not only are you depleting the water in you, you are getting rid of vital salts, potassium, and other nutrients you body needs to function. This vicious circle keeps going all night long, draining your body of things it really needs. Where does all of this water you have to expel come from? Your organs have to start pulling out sources of water from anywhere they can get it, and that includes the brain. Cue the headache that is going to hit you the next morning. To make room for the alcohol it has to break down later, the liver tosses out stores of sugar (through potty breaks) making you hungry and a little weak. Meanwhile, the stomach is also having some issues with all the alcohol you have consumed. It is irritated, and to get rid of the irritant, it makes more stomach acid. If it gets irritated enough, it decides that breaking down the alcohol is not the best way to clean up this mess; vomiting is.

Other chemistry is also going on in a glass of alcohol. Congeners are byproducts in the creation of alcohol, which give most alcohols their distinct flavors. Vodka is distilled so many times to try and get rid of all the congeners, while rum and whiskey are distilled in such a way to keep the appropriate congeners in. Red wines and whiskeys tend to have the most, while gin and vodka have the least. It is also an impurity, another one the body had to break down and deal with. The cheaper the liquor you are drinking, the more impurities you are going to have to eventually break down. That does not mean if you drink better liquor you can drink more of it. But, it may mollify the level of hangover you have the next day. Studies have also been done that the severity of the hangover may be linked to the purity of the alcohol (fewer congeners) in your drink. There is also a quite complicated dance that your enzymes do to break down and clean up the alcohol in your system, which may be the worst part.  The “Beer before liquor, never sicker” wives tale? It turns out it may not be that much of a tale. Carbonation in beer helps the body absorb alcohol faster, which makes it harder for the body to process it. That hard work to keep up may give you a worse hangover.

Egg breakfast

Good morning! Here is something you should be considering.

However, all this may be cold comfort. There are plenty of ways to make sure you can avoid the serious effects of a hangover, either through preparation or damage control. If you want to do some prep work, make sure you eat a good meal before you go out drinking. You may not want to go all out Thanksgiving each time, but put something in your stomach. Greasy food may mix poorly with alcohol, so don’t go too crazy on it. You want a buffer for the lining of the stomach, not another sparring partner. Drink lots of water, since dehydration is going to be your biggest enemy. This is also a good strategy to stick with while you drink, mixing in a glass of water for every drink or two you have. This may also have the added side bonus of filling your stomach a little and causing you to drink less, or at least slower. You also want to take some vitamins or load up with sports drinks. Again, adding a few more vitamins and minerals than you usually have in you will help when your chemistry goes haywire. While you are drinking, try to limit yourself to one drink an hour. If you do this, your liver can keep up with your alcohol consumption, possibly avoiding the hangover all together.

If you are in damage control mode, drinking water is still going to help. Your body is craving water, and the best thing you can do is provide as much of it as you can. Make yourself a nice plate of eggs, have a glass of orange juice, and peel a few bananas. The bananas will replenish the potassium your body has been stripped of, and the eggs have chemicals that can help break down the toxins that are making you feel so awful. Orange juice has vitamin C in it, which will give you a boost of energy. You can wash a multivitamin down with that juice or water, to replenish the B vitamins you may have lost as well. Do not drink coffee! Coffee will make you a more awake drunk, but it will not make you feel better. Coffee, like alcohol, is a diuretic. It will also have to make you go to the bathroom more, pulling more water from the body. If you are going to take something for the headache in the morning, stick to aspirin or ibuprofen. Do not take acetaminophen, which is found in Tylenol, because it may mix poorly with the alcohol in your system. Hair of the dog also does not help; while it may push off some of the symptoms, it is just delaying the pain. And possibly making it worse. If you are not feeling too delicate, take a walk. Increasing your metabolism will help the body process the toxins faster, and some studies show that an increased oxygen flow can also help.

Any hangover remedies you may encounter are just ways to reduce the symptoms. The only real way the hangover goes away is through time. Giving the body time to recover and taking care of it is the best way to get over all the shots, beers, and wines you consumed the night before. Remember, if you take some preventative measures before, watch what and how much you drink, and know your limits, you may be able to avoid a hangover completely! Unfortunately, the drunken texts and pictures on Facebook will take a little longer to go away. Cheers!

Sleepless in Stratford-upon-Avon…errrr, Dayton

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24-7 of Shakespeare to Benefit Relay for Life Free Shakespeare! aims to read all of the Bard’s work during one week in October. Dayton, Sept. 7, 2011 ― Free Shakespeare! and Optum Nurses for a Cure, a registered team with the Centerville chapter of Relay for Life, will present Shakespeare for Life, a marathon relay reading of the Bard’s works, starting at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and running 24 hours through 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the Blue Sky Gallery, 33 N. Main St., in downtown Dayton. The event will start with a reading of Julius Caesar, with the goal of reading all 37 plays, 154 sonnets and five poems credited to William Shakespeare. While the readings will be organized into four-hour segments with some assigned readers, the public is invited to stop by anytime and read ― or just listen. Participants are asked to gather at least $25 in pledges to benefit a both Optum Nurses for a Cure and Free Shakespeare! A silent auction also will be held during the event. “We intend to read every word Shakespeare ever wrote,” said Chris Shea, founding artistic director of Free Shakespeare! “My father died from colon cancer, so I really wanted to find a way to help find a cure for cancer. “Cancer is everywhere and affects everyone, and on the lighter side of that, Shakespeare is everywhere and affects everyone,” Shea added. “Once I made that connection, this seemed a natural fit. This also is a community outreach and educational event. We want to raise awareness about Shakespeare and cancer prevention, while raising money for two great causes.” To volunteer for Shakespeare for Life, contact shakespearerelay@gmail.com. Free Shakespeare! is a sponsored project of Involvement Advocacy. Contributions can be made at the event or by mailing a check, made out to Involvement Advocacy (memo: Free Shakespeare), P.O. Box 10506, Dayton, OH, 45402-7506. Free Shakespeare! is a professional, nonprofit theater company devoted to presenting performances of the works of William Shakespeare. The company strives to make these works accessible to a contemporary society and deepen the understanding of our linguistic and cultural origins. We are committed to projects either penned by Shakespeare or inspired by his work. ###SHAKESPEARE FOR LIFE

Free Shakespeare!

24-7 of Shakespeare to Benefit Relay for Life

Dayton, Sept. 7, 2011 ― Free Shakespeare! and Optum Nurses for a Cure, a registered team with the Centerville chapter of Relay for Life, will present Shakespeare for Life, a marathon relay reading of the Bard’s works, starting at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and running 24 hours through 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the Blue Sky Gallery, 33 N. Main St., in downtown Dayton.

Free Shakespeare! aims to read all of the Bard’s work during one week in October.

Free Shakespeare! SHAKESPEARE FOR LIFE - Dayton, OHThe event will start with a reading of Julius Caesar, with the goal of reading all 37 plays, 154 sonnets and five poems credited to William Shakespeare. While the readings will be organized into four-hour segments with some assigned readers, the public is invited to stop by anytime and read ― or just listen. Participants are asked to gather at least $25 in pledges to benefit a both Optum Nurses for a Cure and Free Shakespeare! A silent auction also will be held during the event.

A Midsummer Nights Dream - Free Shakespeare! - Summer 2011 - Photo by Alisha McDarris

Chris Shea & Allison Husko in Midsummer Night Dream, Summer 2011 – Photo by Alisha McDarris

“We intend to read every word Shakespeare ever wrote,” said Chris Shea, founding artistic director of Free Shakespeare! “My father died from colon cancer, so I really wanted to find a way to help find a cure for cancer.

“Cancer is everywhere and affects everyone, and on the lighter side of that, Shakespeare is everywhere and affects everyone,” Shea added. “Once I made that connection, this seemed a natural fit. This also is a community outreach and educational event. We want to raise awareness about Shakespeare and cancer prevention, while raising money for two great causes.”

To volunteer for Shakespeare for Life, contact [email protected].

Free Shakespeare! is a sponsored project of Involvement Advocacy. Contributions can be made at the event or by mailing a check, made out to Involvement Advocacy (memo:  Free Shakespeare), P.O. Box 10506, Dayton, OH, 45402-7506.

Free Shakespeare! is a professional, nonprofit theater company devoted to presenting performances of the works of William Shakespeare. The company strives to make these works accessible to a contemporary society and deepen the understanding of our linguistic and cultural origins. We are committed to projects either penned by Shakespeare or inspired by his work.
-FS! Press Release

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

“Murder on the High C’s”

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SOUVENIR by Stephen Temperley - DAYTON THEATRE GUILD - Things To Do In Dayton - September 16-25, 2011

Florence Foster Jenkins

SOUVENIR – a Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins

DAYTON THEATRE GUILD

The Dayton Theatre Guild presents the first SEASON EXTRA production of the 2011 – 2012 season, Souvenir, a Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, for two weekends only – September 16 through 25, 2011. It is directed by Saul Caplan and produced by Debra Kent.

Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy society eccentric, believed herself to be a great coloratura soprano when she was actually incapable of producing two consecutive notes in tune. Even so, her recitals in the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton hotel where she resided, along with her single concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944, brought her great fame. Souvenir is based on the real life of Florence Foster Jenkins and tells her story through the eyes of her accompanist, Cosme McMoon, a talented musician who first saw her as merely a way to pay the rent, but who came to regard her with friendship and affection.

SOUVENIR by Stephen Temperley - DAYTON THEATRE GUILD - Things To Do In Dayton - September 16-25, 2011The cast includes Reneé Franck-Reed from Dayton as Florence Foster Jenkins. Reneé has performed locally in the Dayton Theatre Guild production of The Beard of Avon and at The Human Race Theatre, in The Man of La Mancha. She has also performed at the Schuster Center in The Daughter of the Regiment and in Gypsy and Fiddler on the Roof at the Dayton Playhouse. Renee’ has her own vocal studio in Dayton. Cosme McMoon, Florence’s accompanist, is played by Chuck Larkowski from Fairborn. Although Chuck has been seen on Dayton stages for years, and in such productions as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Urinetown and The Producers at the Dayton Playhouse, The Lion in Winter at Playhouse South, and MacBeth at Sinclair Community College, Souvenir is Chuck’s Dayton Theatre Guild debut. By day, Chuck is Professor of Music at Wright State University.

SOUVENIR by Stephen Temperley - DAYTON THEATRE GUILD - Things To Do In Dayton - September 16-25, 2011

Chuck Larkowski and Renee Franck Reed

SYNOPSIS from Dramatists Play Service:

For more than half a century the name Florence Foster Jenkins has been guaranteed to produce explosions of derisive laughter. Not unreasonably so, as this wealthy society eccentric suffered under the delusion that she was a great coloratura soprano when she was in fact incapable of producing two consecutive notes in tune. Nevertheless, her annual recitals in the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton hotel, where she resided, brought her extraordinary fame. As news of her terrible singing spread, so did her celebrity. Her growing mob of fans packed her recitals, stuffing handkerchiefs in their mouths to stifle their laughter—which Mrs. Jenkins blissfully mistook for cheers. The climax of her career was a single concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944. Famously, it sold out in two hours.

SOUVENIR, by turn hilarious and poignant, tells her story through the eyes of her accompanist, Cosme McMoon. A talented musician, he regards her at first as little more than an easy way to pay the rent, but, as he gets to know her, his initial contempt gives way to reluctant admiration, then friendship and affection. Eyewitness accounts of their concerts vary so wildly it is almost impossible now to separate fact from gossip. Hence this fictional “biography,” in which we follow the story of their partnership from its earliest days to their concert in Carnegie Hall and its aftermath. With each new imagined triumph Florence’s confidence soars. Faced with her boundless certainty, Cosme comes to revise his attitude, not only towards her singing but to the very meaning of music itself. As the play ends the audience enters her world completely, finding there the beauty she’d heard in her head all along. A musical odd-couple for the ages.

-DTG Press Release

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Tickets & Performance Information:

Dayton Theatre GuildStephen Temperly’s SOUVENIR – September 16 through 25 (Fri/Sat/Sun)

(Times Vary:  Click HERE)

Tickets Prices: $10 student / $15 senior / $17 adult

Location:  Dayton Theatre Guild at The Caryl D. Philip’s TheatreScape – 430 Wayne Ave. Dayton, Ohio  45410(MAP)

No one under the age of seven will be admitted.

Tickets are on sale now through DTG’s Online Box Office, or via phone at (937) 278-5993 (due to a volunteer staff, phones are not monitored continually).

For more information about Dayton Theatre Guild’s entire 2011-12 season, visit www.DaytonTheatreGuild.org

Dayton Theatre Guild at the Caryl D. Philips TheatreScape

Dayton Theatre Guild at the Caryl D. Philips TheatreScape

Dayton Music Fest TONIGHT and TOMORROW

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So what are your plans for this weekend?  If you’re a music fan, I hope that Dayton Music Fest is on the agenda.  This 2 day event is great way to see a variety of the best music in Dayton, including some acts that you probably haven’t seen before.  The action begins tonight with a free, all-ages showcase at Omega Music on 5th Street and then moves to Canal Street Tavern.  Tomorrow is the big day with music at 6 local venues starting with an all-ages (paid) show at South Park Tavern.  Festival wristbands are $10 and are good for both days.

Here’s the lineup from the DaytonMusicFest website.  I suggest going there and printing out the page to take along with you on Saturday night in particular.  Who are you most excited to see?

FRIDAY, SEPT 9

OMEGA MUSIC

CANAL STREET TAVERN

SATURDAY, SEPT 10

SOUTH PARK TAVERN

TROLLEY STOP

TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION

BLIND BOB’S

OREGON EXPRESS

CANAL STREET TAVERN

On Stage Dayton Theatre Guide: 2011-12

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Every new theater season in Dayton seems to be ripe with variety. It’s one of the great joys of the Dayton theatre scene that the ‘something for everyone’ cliche actually rings true. 2011-2012 is already proving to be among the most eclectic yet. This season promises……

  • parents behaving badly (God Of Carnage) AND children behaving badly (Spring Awakening)
  • romance of the sweet and fun kind (Hairspray) and of the creepy kind (The Phantom of the Opera)
  • true stories of tragedy (The Laramie Project) and of triumph (Jersey Boys)
  • journeys down familar roads (The Wizard of Oz) and unexpected ones (Caroline, Or Change)
  • wistful nostalgia (Lost in Yonkers) and celebratory joy (In The Heights)
  • even swashbuckling adventure (How I Became A Pirate) and cartwheels on Austrian mountainsides (The Sound of Music)

Below you’ll find On Stage Dayton’s picks for the most anticipated offerings for the 2011-2012 Dayton Theatre Season. It’s just a small sampling of a very full year of stage work. And with this official launch, you can count on OSD to be there all season long.

Russell’s Picks

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY Caroline or ChangeIf you like ‘The Help’ you’ll like…

Caroline, or Change

The Human Race Theatre Company offers the overdue local premiere of this dynamic 2004 Tony Award-nominated musical from librettist/Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner (“Angels in America”) and composer Jeanine Tesori (“Thoroughly Modern Millie”). A potent study of race relations set in 1963 Louisiana, “Caroline, or Change” chronicles the testy yet engaging relationship between a headstrong African-American maid and her Jewish employers. Tesori’s sublime music encompasses klezmer, opera and Motown.

The Human Race Theatre Company

VICTORIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION, SCHUSTER CENTER Jersey BoysIf you like ‘Mamma Mia!’ or ‘The Sopranos’ you’ll like…

Jersey Boys

The local premiere of “Jersey Boys,” the sleek, sharp and surprisingly tender story of pop legends Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, is the hallmark of the Victoria Theatre Association’s Good Samaritan and Miami Valley Hospitals Broadway Series. One of the most popular jukebox musicals of the last decade and the recipient of the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, “Jersey Boys” features such timeless numbers as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”

Victoria Theatre Association

DAYTON THEATRE GUILD Dividing The EstateIf you like ‘Dallas’ you’ll like…

Dividing the Estate

Academy Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Horton Foote’s authentic, relevant 2009 Tony Award-nominated portrait of a Texas clan at odds will receive its local premiere courtesy of the Dayton Theatre Guild. Centered on a tough traditionalist matriarch and her squabbling children, “Dividing the Estate” uncovers the harsh realities that arise when economics and legacy threaten to tear a family apart.

Dayton Theatre Guild

CLARK STATE UNIVERSITY Dirty Rotten ScoundrelsIf you like ‘The Full Monty’ you’ll like…

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Clark State Community College provides the local collegiate premiere of librettist Jeffrey Lane and composer David Yazbek’s 2005 Tony Award-nominated musical based on the 1988 film of the same name. Yazbek, an outstanding songwriter, had great success with his critically acclaimed adaptation of “The Full Monty,” co-created by Terrence McNally, and the con artist-driven “Scoundrels” shares an appealingly naughty kinship. The “Scoundrels” national tour failed to connect four years ago at the Schuster Center, but perhaps Clark State will give the hilarious material the solid treatment it deserves.

Clark State

MUSE MACHINE Wizard of OZIf you like the Muse Machine you’ll like…

The Wizard of Oz

Dorothy’s ruby slippers will sparkle once more thanks to the Muse Machine, Dayton’s premier arts education organization celebrating its 30th year. The memories of Muse’s 1996 “Oz” production remain indelibly etched in my mind (the Broadway caliber performances of Tyler Maynard as the Scarecrow and Tory Ross as the Wicked Witch of the West were particularly extraordinary), but it will be refreshing to see a new generation tackle the iconic musical. Expect another Muse hit you will not want to miss.

Muse Machine

Continue to read David’s picks…

Breaking News: 6 ft. White Rabbit on the loose in Beavercreek!

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Beavercreek Community Theatre - HARVEY by Mary ChaseHarvey

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE

Beavercreek Community Theatre continues the run of it’s opening production of the 2011-2012 season with Mary Chase’s “Harvey,” directed by Jim Lockwood of Huber Heights.

The big invisible rabbit, in the title role, and his eccentric friend, Elwood P. Dowd, played by John Bukowski of Washington Township, will “appear” on the BCT stage through this weekend with 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday performances and 3 p.m. Sunday matinees.

THINGS TO DO IN DAYTON. THEATRE: Beavercreek Community Theatre - HARVEY by Mary Chase - l-r, John Bukowski as Elwood P. Dowd rehearses a scene with Deborah Sasser as Mrs. Chauvene, Ellen Ballerene as Myrtle Mae and Terry Larson as Veta Louise.Dowd’s invisible friend, an over six foot white rabbit, is a social embarrassment to Dowd’s sister and niece, who live with him. They are portrayed by Terry Larson of Beavercreek and Ellen Ballerene of Yellow Springs, respectively.

His sister’s attempt to get Dowd committed to a mental institution leads to a comedy of errors, which in turn leads to a mending of some family wounds and some unexpected romance.

The cast also includes Deborah Sasser of Beavercreek, Rick Johnson of Centerville, Cathy Long of Oakwood, Nathan Hudson of Dayton, Carly Porter of Fairborn, Averio Perugini of Kettering, Donald McKenny of Tipp City and Bill Reagle of Enon.

The show’s producers are Anne Heitker and Linda McLarty, both of Beavercreek. Heitker is also the costumer and Hans Unser, of Beavercreek, is the stage manager. The set designer is Chris Harmon of Beavercreek and the lighting designer is John Falkenbach of Dayton. Tony Fende of Dayton is the sound designer.

THINGS TO DO IN DAYTON. THEATRE: Beavercreek Community Theatre - HARVEY by Mary Chase - John Bukowski, as Elwood P. Dowd, has a conversation with the mentalnstitution's Dr. Sanderson, played by Rick Johnson of Centerville, and Nurse Kelly, played by Carly Porter of Fairborn, in a scene from "Harvey."

-BCT Press Release

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Tickets & Performance Information:

Beavercreek Community Theatre LogoMary Chase’s HARVEY – through September 4th

8pm on Fridays & Saturdays / 3pm on Sundays

Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for BCT members, students, and senior citizens.

A group discount of $1 per ticket is available to groups of 10 or more purchased at the same time for the same performance.

Tickets can be reserved by calling (937) 429-4737 and leaving a message or by e-mailing [email protected]. For more information, visit the theater’s Web site at www.bctheatre.org where tickets can also be purchased online with a credit card.

Credit cards are not accepted at the theatre.

Beavercreek Community Theatre is located within the Lofino Adult Enrichment and Cultural Arts Center at 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road in Beavercreek.

The Dayton Power & Light Foundation is BCT’s season sponsor.

BCT offers a Flex Pass, a season ticket for 3, 5 or all 7 shows. Three shows, of the patron’s choice, are $37 for adults and $30 for seniors and students; five shows are $59 and $44 respectively. For all seven shows, the season pass costs $78 for adults and $60 for seniors and students.

Win Free Tickets

DaytonMostMetro.com has three free pairs of tickets to lucky readers – just fill out the form below to enter (no purchase necessary, not that we sell anything here anyway).  Good luck!

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“The Oldest Profession” has found it’s way to Wayne Ave.

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The Oldest Profession by Paula Vogel - Dayton Theatre Guild - through September 11

The Oldest Profession by Paula Vogel

The Oldest Profession

THE DAYTON THEATRE GUILD

NOTE:  Audition Info for “Lost In Yonkers” below!

The Dayton Theatre Guild run of The Oldest Profession by Paula Vogel, continues through Sunday, September 11, 2011, with Friday performances at 8:00 p.m., Saturday shows at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.  It is directed by Greg Smith and produced by Barbara Jorgensen.

Once the toast of Storyville, the infamous red-light district of New Orleans, five very senior ladies of the night have transferred their talents to Reagan-era New York City.   They now find both their clients and their own appearance slipping away with time.  But every girl has a right to go out in her own style, doesn’t she?  Don’t miss the laugh-filled chronicle of five very special ladies – how they lived the life and how they say goodbye.  Warning: This production contains strong language and adult content.  (Raunchy, racy and fun!)

The Oldest Profession by Paula Vogel - Dayton Theatre Guild - through September 11

L to R: Marcia Nowik, Ellen Finch, (back) Jackie Engle, Marcella Balin, Patty Bell

The cast includes Jackie Engle from Dayton (Wallis, Pygmalion), Ellen Finch from Kettering (Kimberly Akimbo, Fuddy Meers, Hallelujah Girls), Marcia Nowik from Yellow Springs (Independence, God’s Favorite, and Octette Bridge Club at Beavercreek Community Theatre), Patty Bell from Dayton (Brooklyn Boy,) and Marcella Balin from Xenia, who makes her acting debut with The Oldest Profession.

-DTG Press Release

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Tickets & Performance Information:

Dayton Theatre GuildPaula Vogel’s THE OLDEST PROFESSION – through September 11 (Fri/Sat/Sun)

(Times Vary:  Click HERE)

Tickets Prices: $10 student / $15 senior / $17 adult

Location:  Dayton Theatre Guild at The Caryl D. Philip’s TheatreScape – 430 Wayne Ave. Dayton, Ohio  45410 (MAP)

No one under the age of seven will be admitted.

Tickets are on sale now through DTG’s Online Box Office, or via phone at (937) 278-5993 (due to a volunteer staff, phones are not monitored continually).

For more information about Dayton Theatre Guild’s entire 2011-12 season, visit www.DaytonTheatreGuild.org

Dayton Theatre Guild at the Caryl D. Philips TheatreScape

Dayton Theatre Guild at the Caryl D. Philips TheatreScape

AUDITION INFORMATION: Lost In Yonkers by Neil Simon

September 6 & 7, 2011

The Dayton Theatre Guild will hold open auditions for Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 6 and 7, at 7:00 p.m.  It is directed by Fran Pesch and produced by Deirdre Bray Root.

The Lost in Yonkers production dates are October 21 through November 6, 2011.
Simon’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning laugh-filled piece tells the tale of two young boys left by their widowed father in a strange world called Yonkers.  Their father must travel to pay back loan sharks, so the boys are entrusted to a tough-minded grandmother and a child-like aunt.  The aunt, now in love with a man who is just as unable to cope with the boys’ care as she is, tries to figure out the next step in this funny, touching and unforgettable drama.

The director is looking to cast seven actors of varying ages:

  • JAY KURNITZ – mid-teen or older, able to play 16
  • ARTY KURNITZ – mid-teen or older, able to play 13
  • EDDIE – 41, Jay and Arty’s father
  • BELLA – mid-30’s, Eddie’s sister
  • GRANDMA KURNITZ – 70+, Eddie’s mother
  • LOUIS – 36, Eddie’s brother
  • GERT – mid-late 30’s – Eddie’s sister

Lost in Yonkers is a dialect play.  Grandma Kurnitz speaks in combination Yiddish/NYC dialect.  All other roles speak in NYC/Yonkers dialect.  Actors will be asked to read from the script (with dialect.) Head shots & résumés are not required but are encouraged.  PLEASE NOTE:  If this is your first time auditioning for the director, be prepared to present a one-minute contemporary monologue.  Dialect not required for monologue.
The cast meeting and read-through will be Thursday, September 8th at 7 p.m.

Additional casting information may be found on the website at www.daytontheatreguild.org or by calling (937) 654-0400.

ABOUT THE DAYTON THEATRE GUILD:

The Dayton Theatre Guild opened with “Outward Bound” at the Dayton Art Institute in 1945.

The 1963-1964 season opened with “Night of the Iguana” at 2330 Salem Avenue, the Guild’s home for over 45 years, where “Outward Bound” was performed as a part of the final season at that location.
The 2009-2010 season opened with “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” at the Guild’s new home at the Caryl D. Philips TheatreScape at 430 Wayne Avenue in Dayton’s historic Oregon District in August 2009. Over 400 plays have been produced, utilizing all-volunteer casts, crews and administration. You may reach the Dayton Theatre Guild at 937.278.5993 or www.daytontheatreguild.org.

Urban Nights Entertainment Schedule Announced

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Can you believe this week marks another First Friday?  That means that September 16th and the return of Urban Nights are right around the corner.  We’ll have more on downtown’s biggest party next week here on DaytonMostMetro.com, but in the meantime, check all of the great performances you’ll be able to experience:

Main Stage
Courthouse Square
Sponsored by: DP&L

5 to 5:45 p.m.                     Jasper the Colossal
6 to 6:45 p.m.                     Jake Speed & the Freddies
7 to 7:45 p.m.                     Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus
8 to 10 p.m.                        U.S. Air Force Band, Systems Go

Community Stage/Karaoke
Second & Jefferson streets by the Kettering Tower

5 to 7 p.m.                           Performances by a variety of local artists and community groups
7 to 10 p.m.                        Karaoke

World Music Stage
Dave Hall Plaza, Fourth Street between Main and Jefferson streets

6 to 6:45 p.m.                     Jerry Gillespie
7 to 7:45 p.m.                     Jim’s Red Pants
8 to 8:45 p.m.                     Norman Conquest
9 to 9:45 p.m.                     Chazz

Wright Dunbar Stage
Southwest corner of Third & Williams streets

6 p.m.                                   Gospel
6:45 p.m.                             Chey Butta Band
7:45 p.m.                             Audio Show Band

Live on Five
Oregon Arts District next to the Trolley Stop

6 to 6:45 p.m.                     SMAG Dance Collective
7 to 7:45 p.m.                     Ape the Ghost
8 to 8:45 p.m.                     Al Holbrook
9 to 9:45 p.m.                     Bottoms Up

Taste of Miami Valley
RiverScape MetroPark Pavilion

Stage 1 –
5 to 8 p.m.                           Debonte Brothers
8 to 11 p.m.                        Spungewurthy

Stage 2 –
5 to 8 p.m.                           Blind Karma
8 to 11 p.m.                        Uncle Rico

Muse Machine Celebrates 30th Year with West Side Story Concert

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Muse Machine in Concert - TONIGHT: The Songs of West Side Story & MoreTONIGHT:  The Songs of West Side Story & More

Muse Machine

On Wednesday and Thursday evening Muse Machine, the nationally recognized educational arts group, will kick-off its 30th year with music from one of the most popular musicals of all time:  West Side Story. The local organization has gathered together over 200 local students, alumni and guest artists to present TONIGHT:  The Songs of West Side Story & More at 8:00 p.m. on the stage at the Victoria Theatre.

“The whirlwind, high-energy numbers will thrill you; the soulful melodies will move you; you can’t help but feel the joy of the show!”

-Kylen Franz, concertmaster

Muse Machine in Concert - TONIGHT: The Songs of West Side Story & MoreThe local arts organization has a mission of changing the lives of kids through the arts.  They accomplish this through professional performances both in and out of schools, arts integration training for teachers and student performance opportunities.  Over the years, Muse Machine has developed two primary performance programs, including the popular productions of a musical (winter months) and a concert (summer).  These productions showcase the most talented student singers, dancers, and musicians in the Greater Dayton region, under the direction of professional directors, conductors, choreographers and designers .

“We all work so hard together to make this a great show and the energy & love in rehearsals is incredible.”

-Rachel Snyder, singer/dancer

Muse Machine in Concert - TONIGHT: The Songs of West Side Story & MoreAs their 2011 concert presentation, Muse Machine (along with support from MeadWestvaco) will present Tonight: The Songs of West Side Story & More on August 10 and 11 at the Victoria Theatre. Tonight features new concepts and arrangements of many favorite songs from the classic Leonard Bernstein score, including “Maria,” “America,” “Somewhere” and many others. The show will fill the stage with nearly 200 student performers, who will also share the spotlight with alumni from previous Muse Machine productions.

“I love to be on stage and hear the audience clapping.  It makes me feel good to know they are having a good time.  And, it’s fun!”

– Ben Harshbarger, young ensemble (4th grade)

Muse Machine in Concert - TONIGHT: The Songs of West Side Story & MoreA highlight of the concert will be a huge student orchestra performance of “Rhapsody in Blue” featuring internationally-renowned pianist Leon Bates. Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, Bates performs with symphonies around the world and the chance to see him bring to life Gershwin’s masterpiece with an orchestra of talented, passionate young musicians should not be missed. The evening also features guest appearances by talented, local gospel singers from the GSJ Youth Choir as well as nationally-acclaimed Stivers Jazz Orchestra and other special guests, including many alumni of Muse Machine productions.

Muse Machine in Concert - TONIGHT: The Songs of West Side Story & More“West Side Story was the first Muse musical, so it’s a way to glance back while also looking forward by bringing new sounds and choreography to this great music. We’ll be joined by exciting guests and we’ll also explore a few ‘related surprises,’ throughout the evening.” -Douglas Merk, producer

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj0Mbq0Jcgo’]

What is the best part of being in a Muse Machine concert or show?

Muse Machine in Concert - TONIGHT: The Songs of West Side Story & More“The People. Everyone here loves what they’re doing, and that love of performing is evident in every single number…This is a show not to be missed.” -Andrew J. Koslow, singer/dancer

“The feeling of being so welcome and wanted…(and)  Rhapsody In Blue because I LOVE THAT PIECE OF MUSIC!!!” – Noah Berry, singer/dancer

“Meeting new friends and seeing old friends.” – Ben Harschbarger, young ensemble (4th grade)

Muse Machine in Concert - TONIGHT: The Songs of West Side Story & More“Getting to work with such great people on great material.” – Mimi Klipstine Dick, singer

“The close family connection of the entire cast/ensemble.  We all work so hard together to make this a great show and the energy & love in rehearsals is incredible.” – Rachel Snyder, singer/dancer

“Seeing or hearing the work come to fruition and eliciting the response from the audience.” – Kylen Franz, concertmaster

-SA/Muse Machine Press Release

– Muse Machine  Photos by David Sherman

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Tickets & Performance Information:

Muse MachineTONIGHT:  THE SONGS OF WEST SIDE STORY & MORE

at the VICTORIA THEATRE – 138 N. Main St.– map

Tickets for Tonight are available exclusively through Ticket Center Stage, 937/228-3630, online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or at the Ticket Center Stage box office in the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton.

About the Muse Machine:

The Muse Machine is a nationally recognized arts education organization, providing creative experiences and resources for young people of the Miami Valley. Since 1982, they’ve produced 27 annual musicals and 14 concerts for the community and engaged thousands of students through academic-relevant lessons, workshops and in-school projects. For more information, visit www.musemachine.com.

The BARD is on the loose!

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A Midsummer Nights Dream - Free Shakespeare! - Summer 2011 - Photo by Alisha McDarris

Photo by Alisha McDarris=

A Midsummer Nights Dream

Free Shakespeare!

In many communities around the world, a treasured summer activity is outdoor performances and festivals devoted to classic Shakespeare plays (Shakespeare Fellowship List).  Two of the most well-known in Ohio are  Cincinnati Shakespeare Co. which tours two shows in fourteen different parks and Actor’s Theatre which is celebrating it’s 30th season presenting shows in Schiller Park in Columbus’ German Village.  Suddenly in the past few years there is much interest in this terrific tradition right here in the Miami Valley, ranging from a small neighborhood troupe near downtown (Historic South Park – currently rehearsing for their 4th presentation) and the touring company known as Free Shakespeare! the brainchild of director Chris Shea.

A Midsummer Nights Dream - Free Shakespeare! - Summer 2011 - Photo by Alisha McDarris

“The experience with GreenStage was incredible. To have a free arts program not only survive, but flourish, for over twenty years, well, it gave me faith that the arts are alive and well. I want to bring that same energy here to Dayton. There really is nothing like a picnic and a play, and the price is right, too” -Chris Shea

Shea, a graduate of Kettering-Fairmont High School, spent time studying acting in the Pacific Northwest.  Inspired by the GreenStage Theatre Company’s offering of free outdoor Shakespeare, he decided to bring the concept to the Miami Valley in 2010 in the form of Free Shakespeare!  The troupe is described as a traveling community of artists with the goal of creating an event where people can rediscover the power and beauty of language and art.  Shea wanted to take the performances to multiple venues throughout the region over a series of summer weekends – and free to audiences.

Shea launched his vision for a theatre company in 2010 with Hamlet, which was received enthusiastically during it’s tour of four venues in Dayton and Yellow Springs.  2011 brings a new production, this time the ever-popular A Midsummer Night’s Dream. After opening last weekend at Antioch Amphitheatre in Yellow Springs, Shea and his team of 14 actors will continue to bring the bard’s best-loved comedy to Dayton stages over the next several weekends.  They can be seen at the Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark (July 29-31), Newcom Founders Park in the Oregon District (August 5-7), The University of Dayton’s ArtStreet (August 12-14).   All performances are outdoors and weather permitting and begin at 7PM.  Admission is free with donations accepted after the performance to pay the actors.

 

A Midsummer Nights Dream - Free Shakespeare! - Summer 2011 - Photo by Alisha McDarris

Photo by Alisha McDarris

The cast of A Midsummer Nights Dream includes Allison Husko (Titania), Chris Shea (Oberon), Will Hutcheson (Demetrius), Travis Cook (Lysander), Amy Brooks (Hermia), Megan Cooler (Helena), Kes-lina Luoma (Puck), Jason Antonick (Theseus), Lauren S. Deaton (Hippolyta), Zach Schute (Nick Bottom), Juliet Howard-Welch (Peter Quince & Peaselblossom), David Harewood (Francis Flute & Cobweb), Philip Titlebaum (Snug & Mustardseed), and, after a 48 year absence from the stage, Bill Styles as Egeus.

The group has recently partnered with Involvement Advocacy, an umbrella organization which fosters community initiatives. Involvement Advocacy’s partnerships include, among others, the Blue Sky Project and the Dayton Arts Project. Involvement Advocacy will act as Free Shakespeare’s! fiscal agent, allowing supporters of Free Shakespeare! to make tax deductible donations to the theatre company.

http://www.involvementadvocacy.org/On the partnership, Free Shakespeare! founder Chris Shea had this to say, “We are very grateful to Peter Benkendorf and the folks at Involvement Advocacy for their tremendous support of our organization. This partnership is the perfect bridge for us as we make arrangements to form our own non profit corporation.”

A Midsummer Nights Dream - Free Shakespeare! - Summer 2011 - Photo by Alisha McDarris

Photo by Alisha McDarris

“Our purposes shall be proud, our garments poor; For ’tis the mind that makes the body rich” The Taming of the Shrew, Act IV, sc. iii

-SA, Free Shakespeare! Press Release & website.

-Photos by Alisha McDarris (copyright 2010) – submitted by Free Shakespeare!

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

 

Tickets & Performance Information:

Free Shakespeare! A Midsummer Nights Dream

Weekends through August 14, 2011

Tickets Prices: FREE (donations accepted after the show to pay actors)

Locations:  Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark (July 29-31), Newcom Founders Park in the Oregon District (August 5-7), The University of Dayton’s ArtStreet (August 12-14)

For more information about Free Shakespeare!  visit http://freeshakespeare.com/

Back to the FutureFest

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Dayton Playhouse - FutureFest 2010 - Dancing Backwards by John Fiorillo

Dancing Backwards by John Fiorillo - FutureFest 2010

FutureFest 2011

Dayton Playhouse

This weekend, the Dayton Playhouse will present its 21st annual FutureFest of new plays, one of the most highly anticipated and widely regarded events in the local arts community.

This uniquely structured, nationally recognized festival, co-founded by Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame members Dodie Lockwood and John Riley, openly nurtures the artistic growth of emerging playwrights from across the country and internationally. Within three days, six original, previously unproduced works are showcased fully staged or as staged readings followed by adjudications from theater professionals. Patrons are also encouraged to offer opinions, fueling the weekend’s considerably engaging atmosphere.

Dayton Playhouse - FutureFest 2010 - How It Works by Carey Pepper

How It Works by Carey Pepper

The adjudicators will consist of longtime New York-based judges David Finkle, Helen Sneed and Eleanore Speert along with Robert Koon, resident playwright/dramaturg of the Chicago Dramatists and a 2002 FutureFest finalist for “Vintage Red and the Dust of the Road,” and D. Lynn Meyers, producing artistic director of Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati. Each play will be judged on criteria including dramatic concept/theme, plot/story development, dialogue/language and character development.

Dayton Playhouse - FutureFest 2010 - Refuge by Marc Comblatt

Refuge by Marc Comblatt

Since its inception, FutureFest has been an advantageous launching pad for playwrights hoping to raise their profile. The most successful example in recent years is unquestionably attributed to Brooklyn playwright Beau Willimon, a former political staffer who took the 2005 FutureFest by storm with “Farragut North,” a marvelous political drama. “Farragut North” arrived off-Broadway at New York’s Atlantic Theater Company in 2008 and was recently adapted (and re-titled) for the big screen by Willimon, Grant Heslov and Oscar winner George Clooney as “The Ides of March.” Shot on location in the Cincinnati area and prominently previewed in the July 26 edition of USA Today, “The Ides of March,” which will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, is officially scheduled for an October 7 release. The film has already received buzz as a major contender for the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Molly Smith Metzler, also of Brooklyn, is equally noteworthy. Metzler’s terrific relationship-driven comedy drama “Carve” was a highlight of the 2009 FutureFest and her latest work, “Close Up Space,” will be presented off-Broadway at New York’s Manhattan Theatre Club this fall starring Emmy and Tony winner David Hyde Pierce.

This year’s promising contenders were chosen from over 240 submissions. Each finalist recently reflected on their work with onStageDayton in advance of the festival.

2011 FutureFest Performance Schedule

Friday, July 29

8 p.m.

“Drawing Room,” an introspective look at a Supreme Court sketch artist.

Playwright: Mark Eisman of New York City

Cast: Mark Jeffers, Annie Pesch and Rachel Wilson

Director: Matthew Smith

Production format: Fully staged

Since cameras invaded our courtrooms some 20 years ago, I have missed the artists’ renderings which often accompanied the most notorious (and yes, most dramatic) legal spectaculars. The brilliantly colored chalks and pencils have been replaced by the dullness of reality TV. The sketch artists have been forced to scramble and compete against each other, as only the federal courts (with its terrorist defendants) and the Supreme Court (with its familiar cast of characters) remain camera free. When their art is threatened, the characters in ‘Drawing Room’ must confront the realities of their own lives. Life in the theater has never been easy for playwrights.  Over the same 20 years, it’s become increasingly difficult due primarily to economic ‘realities.’

~Mark Eisman

Saturday, July 30

10 a.m.

“Roosevelt’s Ghost,” a drama centered on the special assistant to President Franklin D. Roosevelt convicted of perjury and accused of being a member of the Community Party.

Playwright: Dayton native and Woodland Hills, California resident Michael Feely, who won the 2009 FutureFest for “Night and Fog” and was a 2006 finalist for “Bookends.”

Cast: Debra Kent, Charles Larkowski, Jennifer Lockwood, Dave Nickel, David Shough, Michael Stockstill and Debra Strauss

Director: Saul Caplan

Production format: Staged reading

‘Roosevelt’s Ghost’ is (very) loosely based on the Alger Hiss case. It concerns a man, Charles Castle Hunt, who stood at the pinnacle of power until he was accused of treason and espionage for the Soviet Union and convicted of perjury in 1951. It is now 1968 and he’s come home both to vindicate himself by publishing his memoirs and to reconnect with the family he abandoned after his fall. The play is about many things. It is, on one level, about the events of the ’50’s and ’60’s, similar to the other two plays that have appeared in FutureFest, that I believe draw a bright red line through Vietnam to our current involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. On another level, however, it’s a far more personal play, about family, about what fathers owe their sons and, equally important, what sons owe their fathers. It’s about husbands and wives, what they give each other and what they take from each other. And, lastly, it’s about love, how it sustains us, can let us down and, ultimately, can lift us up.

~Michael Feely

3 p.m.

“The Haven,” a contemporary comic drama concerning a broken marriage and the possibilities of connection.

Playwright: Richard Etchison of Los Angeles, California

Cast: Megan Cooper, Danny Lipps, Deirdre Root and Richard Young

Director: Fran Pesch

Production format: Staged reading

Initially, I set out to write a play about one relationship ending and one relationship at the very beginning. A simple exploration of the nature of marriage and love and youth. The ending came to me midway through the writing process. I also wanted to write a realistic play for once. Previously, my plays have some mind-bending, sometimes surreal elements.  In most ways, I succeeded. To me, the theme of this play is that human beings approach both marriage and life with the same attitude: We know it’s going to have its trying moments, moments that take every bit of courage and resolve we have to get through them.  Yes, we (as a people) voluntarily embark on it anyway. When you are young, marriage seems a simple matter. So does life.  But once deep inside of marriage, we learn otherwise. Same as life in general.

~Richard Etchison

8 p.m.

“Allegro Con Brio,” a farce about a musical couple plotting revenge.

Playwright: Dayton resident Nelson Sheeley of Sinclair Community College

Cast: Michael Boyd, Matt Curry and Cheryl Mellen

Director: Nick Moberg

Production format: Fully staged

I got the idea for the play when I turned on the radio and heard one of the Mendelssohn Piano Concertos played faster than anyone should be able to play it.  I wondered what the conversation backstage after the concert between the conductor and the pianist would be. Also, once I got into it, the theme of the piece seemed to shift a bit to include the music critic…how people behave who have unquestioned authority and power in their fields. I love farce and there’s a dearth of good contemporary farce in the American theatre. Farce seems to be the poor stepchild of comedy. My first play ‘…And Call Me In The Morning’ got a begrudgingly good review from The New York Times. Jacques LeSourde liked it and in the review sounded a little embarrassed that he did! So here I am leading a crusade to get those slapstick lovers out of their comedy closet and have a good laugh.

~Nelson Sheeley

Sunday, July 31

10 a.m.

“Jinxed,” a 1930s aviatrix-themed account of Amelia Earhart and Jackie Cochran.

Playwright: Stacey Luftig of New York City

Cast: Franklin Johnson, Cynthia Karns, Wendi Michael, Kate Smith, Mike Rousculp, Mike Taint and Matt Turner

Director: Richard Brock

Production format: Staged reading

Amelia Earhart is an American icon. But only history buffs and aviation fans remember Jackie Cochran, whose rags-to-riches story and groundbreaking achievements in aviation rival those of any pilot, including Amelia. Brash Jackie and sophisticated Amelia were close friends for the last two years of Amelia’s life. Their lives had many parallels: among them, husbands who were tremendously supportive of their careers, a practicing knowledge of ESP and a preoccupation with luck. Their focus on luck is not surprising. The dangers faced by pilots in the 1930s, especially those who sought to set records and win races, were enormous. Forced landings and even crashes were commonplace, airplane parts would malfunction, engines would blow up. Like baseball players, aviators often placed faith in talismans and other superstitions. It is hard to say how much of any aviator’s career at that time depended on skill, and how much on luck. Based on this uncertain balance, a key question arose for the main characters of my play: How far do you go to allow a pilot you love to follow her dreams – knowing that to do so could result in her death?

~Stacey Luftig

3 p.m.

“A Woman on the Cusp,” a drama concerning mental illness and sibling treachery.

Playwright: Two-time FutureFest finalist Carl L. Williams of Houston, Texas (“Under a Cowboy Moon,” 2003; “Coming Back to Jersey,” 2008)

Cast: Cher Collins, Lynn Kesson, Scott Knisley and K.L. Storer

Director: Ray Gambrel

Production format: Fully staged

‘A Woman on the Cusp’ started out as a 20-minute one-act for a festival in Houston. I quickly realized the length wasn’t nearly sufficient to explore all the facets of character in this story, as well as the underlying issues of emotional trauma, mental instability, deceit and treachery. A buried subtext concerns how people can do the wrong thing for a right reason or the right thing for a wrong reason. For the full-length play I was better able to develop a backstory for the major character, providing a fuller explanation for her current situation. I could also explore the relationships between and among the characters to a greater degree and with a more gradual revelation of their secrets.  In addition, I changed certain elements of the basic plot as I transitioned the piece to a more complete story. I can’t say that I set out to make any particular point with this play or convey any central message. Mainly I just wanted to engage the audience with these characters and their conflicts. The FutureFest production offers the opportunity of judging to what degree I succeeded.

~Carl L. Williams

The 21st annual Dayton Playhouse FutureFest will be held Friday, July 29-Sunday, July 31 at the Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave. Weekend passes for all six shows are $90. Single tickets are $17. For tickets or more information, call the Playhouse at (937) 424-8477 or visit www.daytonplayhouse.com.

-RF

-Photos by Art Fabian (copyright 2010) – submitted by Dayton Playhouse

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Tickets & Performance Information:

Dayton Playhouse21st Annual Dayton Playhouse FutureFest

July 29-31, 2011

Tickets Prices: $17 for single show tickets / $90 for weekend pass (includes all shows)

Location:  The Dayton Playhouse
1301 East Siebenthaler Ave
Dayton, OH  45414 (map)

Tickets are on sale now through DP’s Online Box Office, or via phone at (937) 424-8477

For more information about The Dayton Playhouse visit http://www.daytonplayhouse.org/

Photo Highlights of 2010 FutureFest

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Songs of the Undead: Encore Premieres “In My Blood”

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IN MY BLOOD by Mark Weiser - Encore Theater Co. - July 14-16, 2011IN MY BLOOD

Encore Theater Company

Win Tickets to this new musical! Read on!

Vampires are everywhere. Not since Transylvania has a nation been so overrun with the undead. Is there an area of pop culture devoid of these little bloodsuckers? On television, I guess we have Joss Whedon to blame for his electrifying Buffy The Vampire Slayer all the way through more current hits like HBO’s True Blood and any of a number of copycat shows just like it. In cinema, there’s no other place to look but the Twilight series for the source of teen vampire mania. Walk into any Barnes & Noble and you’re likely to find title after title featuring some collection of sex-crazed vampires. Even in music, isn’t there a band called Vampire Weekend?

One thing’s for sure: this is not your father’s vampire craze. This new breed of vampire is less B-movie and more B-cup. (Immortality doesn’t seem so bad when everyone is ridiculously attractive, right?) Despite a marketing blitz like no other, the trend has been unable to sink its teeth into Broadway – try as it may! Elton John attempted (it’s the kindest word I can use here) a musical-adapted Anne Rice with Lestat and Jim Steinman penned the ill-fated Dance of The Vampires. Even Frank (Jekyll and Hyde) Wildhorn couldn’t capture musical thriller lightning in a bottle twice. His musical Dracula was an infamous bomb in New York. But there’s hope – this weekend in Dayton – that Encore Theater Company could break the curse when the regional premiere of Mark Weiser’s vampire rock musical In My Blood plays three performances at Sinclair Theatre’s Blair Hall.

IN MY BLOOD by Mark Weiser - Encore Theater Co. - July 14-16, 2011 - Photo by Ray ZuppThe show, written by New-York Based composer Mark Weiser has been called “The right combination of romance, conflict, humor and drama” (Theatremania). In the tradition of contemporary vampire stories, In My Blood deals primarily with Gray and Alex, two childhood friends, who reunite for one last night of partying. They learn of an annual, secret soiree, at a hidden location called SANCTUARY. There, they meet Unique and Sasha, two of the revelers. Over the course of the evening, the pairs fall in love. The two friends come to learn that this is the home of the world’s last surviving vampires, and are offered a chance to join them, and live forever. Ultimately, everyone must choose sides – for love, for life and for family. The casts features 10 local performers including ETC Company member JJ Parkey (featuring previously this season in the title role of Hedwig & The Angry Inch). In partnership with Sinclair Theatre, the show is directed by Kimberly Borst with musical direction by John Faas.

“In My Blood deals with real people with real issues of isolation and social shunning who ALSO just happen to be vampires.”

“What works in Mark’s script that hasn’t worked in previous vampire-themed musicals is intent,” says ETC Artistic Director David Brush, “The ‘vampire’ element here is a device and not the primary concern, so people connect to the characters on real levels.”  But don’t fear, there’s plenty of bloodshed for every taste level and a healthy dose of rock ‘n’ roll. ETC first came in contact with the show on their Litehouse New Musicals Reading series under the name The Cure. In My Blood continues ETC’s primary mission of developing new musicals right here in Dayton before heading off to New York. Weiser himself spent several days in Dayton last week working directly with the cast an creative team in an effort to work out some of the new material – it’s a part of the process ETC values enormously.

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

In My Blood opens Thursday July 14 for three performances.

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Tickets & Performance Information

Encore Theater Company - New Musicals. Next Generation.In My Blood – July 14 – 16, 8:00 pm

Encore Theater Company

Performances will be held at Sinclair Community College’s Blair Hall Theatre.

Tickets are $15 and can be reserved through http://brushfire.e-vent.info/Events/Sinclair/Default.aspx, by contacting (937) 512-2808 (be sure to leave a message as regular box office hours are not kept during the summer)

For more information, check out the Encore Theater Company.

Win Free Tickets!

Encore Theater Company & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to In My Blood!  We will be giving away up to SIX pairs of tickets for the show! All you need to do is:

  • Share this article on Facebook or Twitter…just click the appropriate button at the top of this page (We’ll give away one pair of tickets for every FIVE FB/Twitter Shares).
  • Fill out the contact form at the bottom of this post.
  • …and the fun part: leave a comment below, answering the following question…IF YOU WERE TO BECOME A VAMPIRE…WHAT VAMPIRE-Y TRAIT WOULD YOU MOST BE EXCITED TO HAVE?
  • The deadline to enter is NOON on THURSDAY, JULY 14TH.
  • Winners will be selected randomly from all of the entries.
[contact-form 6 “Contest Entry”]

Music. Dance. Hiking Boots?

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"Translations: an exploration in birdsong, sound and movement" BLUE SKY PROJECTTranslations:

an exploration in birdsong, sound and movement

Blue Sky Project

When first perusing this press release, I was not really certain into which section of DaytonMostMetro.com to place this article.  When I first spoke with fellow onStageDayton contributor Rodney Veal about this, my assumption was that this project he was so excited about would be featured in the “oSD” section.  Maybe, however, it belongs in the “Dayton Music” section as the project prominently features a very accomplished violinist, Shaw Pong Lui from Boston, participating through a residency here in the Gem City with the Blue Sky Project.

BIRDSONGAs I uncovered more details about the project it seemed that maybe it should be in the “Arts & Entertainment” section since it seems to equally features the creative choreography of Rodney Veal, alongside Liu’s musicality.  The further I read, the more difficult this classification task became.  Here is a collaboration between a dancer, a musician AND nature.  The performance takes place along the trails of Aullwood Garden MetroPark with the dancers and musicians mimicking the sounds and sights of the trails.  Perhaps we need to put this in “Active Living.” The audience has to build up a bit of a sweat during this particular concert, as they will have to traverse the trails.  They even warn you to wear hiking shoes!

iBird Explorer AppThen you throw in the iPod aspect.  Holy Cow!  Do we even have a “Technology & Arts” section?  Audience members can participate in the performance through the use of a special birdsong app! ? !  This is pretty cool.

Alright.  Looking at this, pondering the various aspects…the birds, the trees, the dance, the music…I am making an executive decision here: “Life.”

(fully expecting our illustrious publisher to override this decision and choose the perfect classification for this article)

Official Blue Sky Project Press Release:

Dayton, Ohio — Musicians, dancers and birders will come together for an unusual open-air art event in one of the Miami Valley’s most distinctive woodland parks.

The Blue Sky ProjectThe Blue Sky Project, in collaboration with the University of Dayton and Five Rivers MetroParks, will present “Translations: an exploration in birdsong, sound and movement” 6 p.m. Saturday, July 9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at the Aullwood Garden MetroPark, 955 Aullwood Road, Englewood, Ohio. It’s free and open to the public.

Violinist Shaw Pong Liu and choreographer Rodney Veal created the work, which invites audience members to walk along trails throughout the garden, encountering violinists mimicking birdsongs, dancers improvising on the shapes of trees and birders with iPods contributing the real songs of birds.

“The point of the piece is to get people to slow down and pay attention to the environment,” Liu said. “We lead such busy lives, it is rare to take time to attune to the environment, and truly listen. Through this creative exploration of a hidden gem in the Dayton community, we hope to inspire others to listen and see their environments more deeply.”

Liu said the piece is very much in the spirit of the garden’s founder, the late Marie Aull, who opened and donated the garden to the public, and placed inspirational quotes throughout, encouraging visitors to enjoy nature and meditate on its beauty.

Participants include professional musicians from the area, dancers from the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and the Dayton Ballet, and birders familiar with the region’s birds.

Liu said the some paths go over rugged terrain and recommended appropriate footwear. iPhone users may also participate by downloading iBird Explorer Lite, a free app, before the performance.

Liu’s role as community artist/investigator for Blue Sky is new for the organization, a juried international summer artist residency now in its seventh year and its third based in Dayton, that brings internationally recognized artists to the area to work with young people on public, contemporary art.

The new position was prompted by Liu’s work in 2010 with Blue Sky and the community connections she made, according to Peter Benkendorf, founder and co-creator.

“Collaboration and community are central to both Blue Sky Project and the University of Dayton. It’s exciting to see Blue Sky expand through an artist who is taking the Blue Sky model beyond collaboration of program participants, and out to the larger community,” said Benkendorf.

It’s a good fit for the University, according to Paul Benson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, because it combines the University’s commitment to community and its interest in infusing the creative process into education.

Blue Sky also makes good use of ArtStreet, an innovative living and arts community on campus, where the artists both live and make art in the facility’s studios, Benson said.

“We are pleased to support Blue Sky as well the new community artist/investigator position as part of our ongoing commitment to expand the arts on campus and in the community,” he said.

“Translations” is the second major collaboration for Liu and Veal. Their 2010 production “Of a River” transformed the Schuster Center Wintergarden with dancers, musicians and 600 yards of silk.

Shaw Pong LiuLiu is a Boston-based, classically trained violinist who performs internationally and creates innovative shows involving improvised music, narration and audience interaction. Her ongoing project, “A Bird a Day,” explores birds, sunrises and music at www.abirdaday.org.

Rodney VealDayton native Rodney Veal is a choreographer and interdisciplinary artist whose work has been featured at the Ohio Dance Festival, among others. Veal teaches at Stivers School for the Arts in Dayton and Sinclair Community College. A solo show of his work, “Reveal: Five Zones on Beauty,” opens July 23 at the Springfield Museum of Art.”

For information on Blue Sky and the “Transitions” performance, including an alternative venue in case of rain, visit http://www.blueskydayton.org

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Cardinal (actual):

Cardinal (violin):

SANCTUARY composed by Shaw Pong Liu (4/28/2011)

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Music Video Monday: June 20, 2011

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Griffin House is a Springfield native whose 2004 release, Lost and Found put him in the national spotlight when it was featured on CBS Sunday Morning.  House is returning to the Miami Valley this weekend for a show at Canal Street Tavern on Saturday, June 25th.  Tickets are $10 at the door, and the show starts around 9:30pm.

Here’s a video House’s 2007 Flying Upside Down album.

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Fair Shakes and Parlour Tricks Afoot at South Park Tavern

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The Fair Shakes

Saturday night South Park Tavern will be rocking with two great local bands, each with a stellar lineup.  The Fair Shakes are fronted by Nick Kizirnis and features John Dubuc, Deni Wilson and Jim Macpherson.  Their sound channels the fun, classic garage rock sounds of bands like The Replacements and the Ramones.  Get a taste of what you’ll see on Saturday night from the band’s YouTube offerings.

If the Fair Shakes don’t get you on your feet, C. Wright’s Parlour Tricks will.  The band features Marc Betts, Brian Hoeflich, Tim Flanagan, and occasionally Josh Gonazalez,  Steve ‘Henhouse’ Hensley, Joe Prescott.  Their guitar-driven instrumentals combine good old fashioned rock and roll with a bit of boogie and lots of showmanship that will make you want to move.

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Saturday’s show begins around 9pm and costs $5.  Like most every show at South Park Tavern, it’s all ages.