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“This Madhouse is My Home”

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August: Osage County

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY & WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
September 23 – October 10, 2010

August: Osage CountyWarning: This play contains strong language, alcohol abuse, stronger language, legal drug abuse, really strong  language, illegal drug abuse, sibling rivalry, verbal abuse, latent pedophilia, patent nastiness, strong psychological tension, sordid dramatic subplots, and enough laughs to cause possible severe injury to persons inclined toward knee-slapping.

Well! Considering that disclaimer, it’s not surprising that August: Osage County has been talked about so much lately. Besides being provocative but scathingly funny, August has also received numerous awards, and this performance marks the first collaboration between the Human Race Theatre Company and Wright State University as well as the show’s regional premiere.

August: Osage County, by Tracy Letts, explores the story of three generations of the Weston family of Oklahoma, who unexpectedly reunite after the disappearance of the family patriarch. Repressed and August: Osage Countyunsettled secrets are revealed in this searchingly powerful portrait of the dysfunctional American family at its finest – and absolute worst.

The show enjoyed a highly successful Broadway run, winning five Tonys, the Pulitzer, and Time Magazine’s “Play of the Year” designation. The HRTC/WSU production is making national news, as well: this is the first staging (throughout the entire United States) of August: Osage County since it left Broadway.

Just as the script is a perfect combination of pain and pathos, this production is a smooth blend of the professional and collegiate. The cast of 13 includes seven professionals (including two who understudied August’s Broadway production) and six WSU August: Osage Countystudents, with technical responsibilities also shared evenly. This, the first such collaboration, has been a successful experience for both sides: HRTC Resident Artist and August co-director (with HRTC Artistic Director, Marsha Hanna) Scott Stoney observed,

“Relationships are starting to happen. I think the students are impressed with the professionals, and the professionals appreciate the students’ enthusiasm and talent.”

Playwright Tracy Letts, originally from Oklahoma and since 2002 a resident at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, is only too familiar with the hardship and family dysfunction prevalent in August. New York Times writer Patrick Healy described,

Tracy Letts (playwright)“A recovering alcoholic and former pack-a-day smoker who could have majored in profanity had he not dropped out of college, [Letts] has a well-earned dark side that mixes with a surprising sweetness and exuberant humor.”

His family members strongly influenced his writing: the August: Osage Countycharacter of Violet, the drug-addicted and abusive matriarch of the Weston family, is distinctly modeled after Letts’ own grandmother (listen for the line in the play about Violet’s method of stealing pills; her tactic Letts directly observed in his grandmother. Toss that bit of trivia out to your date during intermission and enjoy looking impressive).

In its explosive combination of pain and pathos, this is definitely not a production for the faint-at-heart: besides everything in the disclaimer above, its running time is 3 ½ hours (with two intermissions). But during that time, August: Osage County will grab hold of you, if it hasn’t already, and refuse to let go.

Tickets and showtimes: http://humanracetheatre.org/1011aoc.shtml

*all photos courtesy of Scott Kimmins

~KN

Katherine Nelson is a senior theatre major at Cedarville University who focuses on performance, playwriting, and stage management. She’s the Literary Intern with locally based Encore Theater Company, where contributors Shane Anderson and David Brush also work. 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.

This Week in Dayton Theatre

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August: Osage County

August: Osage County / photo credit: Scott Kimmel

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2010 – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010

From the regional premiere of an already-legendary work to an all-childrens’ play, the events of this week, and their diversity and quality, make it clear why the Dayton metro region has such a thriving theatre scene. Three of the shows mentioned this week also appeared in Shane and David’s Top Season Picks article a couple of weeks ago, so seeing one or two or all of them is definitely worth your time! Here’s what’s happening this week…

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING THIS WEEK

August: Osage County

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY AND WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

September 23 – October 10
By Tracy Letts

Three generations of the Weston family of Oklahoma reunite after the disappearance of the family patriarch one hot summer night, where long-held secrets are unflinchingly and uproariously revealed in August: Osage Countya portrait of the dysfunctional American family at its finest – and absolute worst (para. from Samuel French). A mixture of fierce humor and powerful drama, August: Osage County has won five Tonys and a Pulitzer, is Time Magazine’s “Play of the Decade,” and is premiering this week here in Dayton as a professional and collegiate collaboration.

I’ll be publishing a feature article later this week with a lot more details about the show and the collaboration, so be watching for that. In the meantime, get your tickets soon! Curtain times vary, and a performance calendar is available at http://humanracetheatre.org/1011aoc.shtml . Tickets are available through the WSU Box Office at (937) 775-2500. Also, the Inside Track talkback with the directors will be before the September 23 preview performance, and the While We’re on the Subject discussion is after the October 2 matinee.

…SHOWS STILL UP

Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

TOWN HALL THEATRE – All Children’s Theatre

September 17 – October 3, 2010

Alice in WonderlandThere’s still time to see Town Hall’s production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr., featuring performers in grades 2 through 12! Read a more detailed synopsis and see pictures from previous shows in last week’s post.

To recap: the show runs 70 minutes and is recommended for children ages 2 and up. Performances will be held on Fridays at 7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm; additional matinee performances are scheduled on Thursday, September 23 and 30 at 4:30 pm. Reserve tickets online at http://www.townhalltheatre.org or call 937-433-8957.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

LA COMEDIA DINNER THEATRE

Book by Jeffrey Lane; Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek; based on the film by Frank Oz
September 8 – October 31, 2010

Read last week’s column here for a synopsis and full description of this show! But, here’s basic ticket information: Arrival times for Wednesday to Sunday evening performances are 5:30 – 6:00 pm; Wednesday and Thursday matinees and Sunday brunch, 10:30 – 11:00 am. For more information or tickets, call 1-800-677-9505 or (937) 746-4554 or visit http://www.lacomedia.com. Also check out the DMM event page here.

…SHOWS TO CATCH BEFORE THEY CLOSE

The Spitfire Grill

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE

Music & Book by James Valcq; Lyrics & Book by Frank Alley; based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
September 17 – September 26

Last week for its opening, I described this show and included a couple of pictures. So, I won’t go into all of the details here again, but check out the original article here.

Just a reminder, performances of The Spitfire Grill are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm, at Beavercreek Community Theatre in the Lofino Center (3868 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Beavercreek). Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for students, seniors, and BCT members. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (937) 429-4737, email [email protected], or visit http://www.bctheatre.org. This is the final weekend, so catch it if you haven’t yet.

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

The 7th Annual ArtBeat Festival of the Arts

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON

Friday, September 24:  4-7 p.m.

“The University of Dayton’s ArtStreet hosts ArtBeat, the annual visual and performing arts festival featuring performances by University of Dayton Community Artists-in-Residence, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Jazz Ensemble and other local and student performing groups. The festival will also feature a variety of food, professional and student art vendors and is held at the ArtStreet Amphitheatre. ArtStreet is located at the intersection of Lawnview Avenue and Kiefaber Street on the University of Dayton campus. For more information about ArtStreet, call (937) 229.5101 or visit http://artstreet.udayton.edu.”

Blue Man Group

VICTORIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION – SCHUSTER CENTER

September 28 – October 3, 2010

Blue Man GroupSome tickets are still available for the Blue Man Group’s touring production, part of their first national tour!  From the official description, “Blue Man Group is best known for its widely popular theatrical shows and concerts that combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment in a blissful party atmosphere.”

Ticket prices vary based on seat and multiple showtimes are available, with evening performances Tuesday through Sunday as well as weekend matinees. Visit the official website for information about the group, and The Victoria Theatre Association to learn about and get tickets for the show at the Schuster.

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells

TOWN HALL THEATRE – LANDMARK CHILDREN’S THEATRE COMPANY

Auditions: Saturday, October 2, 2010
Performances: December 3 – 19, 2010

Directed by Brittany Hayden-Hinkle (THT’s education director)

The Story: Everyone’s favorite girl is back and this time it’s personal! The holidays should be that special time of year when everyone spreads peace and goodwill… but not when Junie B. draws her sworn enemy’s name for the secret Santa gift exchange at school. Things get especially ugly when their music teacher announces that the two will perform together in the school’s holiday pageant…

Open auditions for this show will be held on Saturday, October 2nd beginning at 8:45am for those in grades 2 through adult. Those interested in auditioning for the show must register in advance of the audition date online at http://www.townhalltheatre.org or by calling the box office at (937) 433-8957. Actors must prepare (1) one-minute memorized monologue only (no song is necessary). Headshots or photos are required and resumes are encouraged. There will be a registration fee of $130 for participants if cast. The production begins rehearsals October 26th and will be held Mondays through Thursdays from 7-10pm and Saturdays 9-12pm at the theatre.

Schuster Center Celebration Choir

If you’re looking for to get involved in something musical but don’t have the time commitment to audition for a show, the Schuster Center Celebration Choir may be a great opportunity for you! The Choir was convened in 2003 to Schuster Center Celebration Choircelebrate the opening of the Schuster Center for the Performing Arts, and its members enjoyed singing together so much that the temporary choir became a permanent group. This intergenerational, multi-ethnic group for adults of all ages mirrors the diversity of the Greater Dayton community and its repertoire encompasses a broad range of styles.

The SCCC is open to all and participation is free. It typically rehearses Tuesdays, although the schedule is flexible. Upcoming performances will be at the Kroc Center, Grande Illumination, and Wintergarden Wonderland at the Schuster Center. For more information, visit The Schuster Center Celebration Choir website, and to join the choir, contact Tina McPhearson at [email protected].

~KN

Katherine Nelson is a senior theatre major at Cedarville University who focuses on performance, playwriting, and stage management. She’s the Literary Intern with locally based Encore Theater Company, where contributors Shane Anderson and David Brush also work. 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.

http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/dmmcalendar2/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=8778

Jane’s Best Bets (9/22 – 9/26)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Wow, it’s hard to believe that it is officially autumn!  And in Dayton, do you know what “falls” in autumn?  If your answer is leaves, sorry, you only get partial credit.  Although leaves do fall in the autumn, there are also many fun festivals and events that fall during this time of the year!  So let’s not waste anytime in checking out our options for the first week of fall!

On Wednesday, head to the Community Blood Center to Give the Best Pint in Town, as blood donations are vital to the health of our community.  Whether you’re a pessimist or optimist, it really doesn’t matter.  You can “B Negative” or “B Positive”, as the Community Blood Center is accepting of all types!  Plus, you get a cool Octoberfest shirt for donating, which will be just in time for Oktoberfest going on at the Dayton Art Institute this weekend!  Speaking of blood/health issues… are you tired of hearing biased opinions when it comes to our nation’s health care bill?  If so, join HYPE (Helping Young Professinals Emerge) and the Troy, Tipp City, Covington, and Piqua Areas Chamber of Commerce for the presentation, Demystifying the Nation’s Health Care Bill, which will discuss an un-biased, non-partisan view on this important issue.  In case anyone is wondering, I am by no means a politician (my friends tell me I’m too honest), nor do I have any political agenda.  Also on Wednesday…if you enjoy outdoor activities and would like to volunteer at GearFest this year, make sure you attend the GearFest Volunteer Orientation.  Or, if you had a rough day, perhaps you need a glass of wine, so check out the Pina Winery in Napa Valley Tasting at the Wine Gallery downtown.

On Thursday, put away your iPod for the day and tune into Mix 107.7 for their Radiothon for RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities).   The event is happening all day (6:00AM-7:00PM), so even if your boss doesn’t let you listen to music at work and you work the standard 9-5 job, you still have 5 hours to be listening!   You will also be able to make donations online and at some McDonald’s locations.  Also Thursday…if you enjoy the theater scene, there are several plays from which to choose:  Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Town Hall Theatre, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at La Comedia (dinner and a show), and August: Osage County at Wright State’s Festival Playhouse, which is about an Okalahoma family.  I’m not sure why they didn’t just call it Oklahoma.

On Friday, if you don’t already have lunch plans and enjoy networking with other area young professionals, head on over to Murray’s Place for Generation Dayton’s ‘4th Friday Lunch’.  If you are a UD grad like me and are itching for an excuse to make it back on campus, check out the ArtBeat Festival of the Arts, which will feature local and student performing groups, as well as food and art vendors.  In downtown Tipp City, check out the Tipp City Mum Festival.  Although the theme of this year’s festival is Law Enforcement, “Mum’s the Word!  You Have the Right to Remain Silent”, you can see I’m not good at keeping mum about it…I just hope I don’t get in trouble for mentioning it here.  If you’ve decided to spend Friday night at The Greene, be sure to check out the 80s cover band Stranger.  And if you want to preview the Dayton Art Institute’s Oktoberfest, listen to the band Velvet Crush, and avoid the crowds, be sure to purchase tickets for their Preview Party, which is also happening on Friday.  And, if you have extra tickets, feel free to send them my way!

On Saturday, get your walking shoes out to support one of two great causes.  Participate in the St. Vincent de Paul – 2010 Friends of the Poor Walk or the Great Strides – Walk for Cystic Fibrosis.  After getting your exercise in, if you’re the “sweet” type, head to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds for the Chocolate Festival.  And if you’re the “salty” type, the Germantown Pretzel Festival is the place to be.  Or, if you’re the healthy type, head over to Lebanon (the city, not the country) for the Country Applefest or to the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm for the Aullwood Apple Fest.  If you’re the shy type, head back to the Tipp City Mum Festival.  If you enjoy Hispanic food and breaking piñatas, then check out the Hispanic Heritage Festival and Flea Market at College Hill Community Church in North Dayton.  And, the “must attend” festival of the week is the DAI Oktoberfest, which will feature live entertainment, unique arts and crafts, and a variety of beers and international foods.  Plus, if you attended the jumpstART event last week, you will be able to get in free with your admission pass!  Or, check out this article to find out more about Oktoberfest AND how to win tickets from DMM!  Also, just in case outdoor festivals are not your thing and you’d instead prefer to kick back and watch movies, make a trip to The Neon for the LGBT Film Festival, where several films will be featured, including Top Drawer Shorts, A Marine Story, and Violet Tendencies.

On Sunday morning, head to The Winds in Yellow Spring and then to The Little Art Theatre for Brunch and a Movie.  Or, check out one (or more!) of the festivals you missed or liked so much that you want to explore again!  The Aullwood Apple Fest, the Tipp City Mum Festival, the Pretzel Festival, and DAI’s Oktoberfest will still be happening places to be!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why did Humty Dumpty have a great fall?

He wanted to make up for a lousy summer.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it – it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!   And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

A Tragedy in South Park…and Idina Flies into Cincy!

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Romeo & Juliet - Shakespeare in Historic South ParkRomeo & Juliet

SHAKESPEARE IN HISTORIC SOUTH PARK

A few years ago I met up with my family in Columbus to attend a Shakespeare in the Park production in German Village.  While not a huge fan of “The Bard,” I still completely enjoyed the experience.  The acting was terrrific, it was a perfect atmosphere-a great sense of community and idyllic summer evening under the stars with my family watching the Tempest.  Fast forward a couple of years and the neighborhood in which I now reside in Dayton has the same great tradition.

This weekend marks the third outdoor Shakespeare production in the Historic South Park neighborhood in as many years.  The passionate and dedicated troupe of actors and other volunteers have previously produced A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM (2009) and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (2008).  The 2010 Shakespeare in South Park Company will tackle it’s first tragedy in  what will surely be a unique setting for the classic ROMEO & JULIET.   As in past productions, a significant number of cast and crew are Historic South Park neighborhood residents.

From the Official Press Release:

Director Daniel Wilson has set the famous story of star-crossed lovers shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War and placed it near the border state region in a spot historically similar to Montgomery County, Ohio. As students of history know, it was a time when sympathies still ran hot. The Montagues (Romeo’s family) are depicted as Union soldiers and officers; Juliet’s Capulets as Confederates.

The director explains his choice for the play’s setting: “The Civil War’s causes are complex, but…those involved came to believe the only way to resolve their differences was through violence. Romeo and Juliet is a play about…non-violence. Friar Laurence (“Mother Laurence” in this production, played by Judi Earley), the only character respected by [both the Montaguesand Capulets], consistently preaches the need for balance and peace.”
Romeo & Juliet - Shakespeare in South Park
By setting the play 150 years ago in America, Wilson finds renewed relevance in a 400-year-old play written in England and set in Italy. The divisive politics of today have left people unwilling to compromise. Shakespeare’s play reminds us that if we are unwilling to find peaceful solutions to our differences, our children will pay the price.

Dayton Skyline as viewed from South Park GreenThe venue for Romeo & Juliet will once again be the South Park Green, an intimate park located on Hickory Street.  The troupe reports that they will be utilizing a historic two-story carriage house in the bordering property as a backdrop.  This setting also provides a terrific opportunity for the famous “Balcony Scene,” utilizing a second story window and the foliage below.

A unique South Park presence in Romeo and Juliet will be the antique sword carried by Lord Montague. Made in Cincinnati about 1900, it was found in the attic of 130 Alberta Street during a mid-1980s rehab, and has remained with the house, passed to each successive homeowner.

Midsummer Nights Dream - 2009 - Shakespeare in South Park

Midsummer Nights Dream - 2009 - Shakespeare in South Park

Show times are 8:00 PM Friday through Sunday, September 17-19 at South Park Green on Hickory Street in the Historic South Park neighborhood.

Shakespeare in South Park productions are free to the public, while contributions are gratefully received and used to defray costs of the show. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket.

The weekend is calling for some gorgeous weather, with just a slight chance of rain on Sunday. If it does rain, don’t worry, the play will be staged at Hope Lutheran Church, 500 Hickory Street.

For more information, visit the Historic South Park website at historicsouthpark.org, or call 937-603-4893.

SA

Win Tickets to Idina Menzel & the Cincinnati Pops!

Encore Theater Company’s MusicalWorld Podcast & DaytonMostMetro.Com’s onStageDayton team up to offer you an exciting opportunity to WIN TICKETS to see

Idina Menzel to perform with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

IDINA MENZEL

IN CONCERT WITH THE CINCINNATI POPS ORCHESTRA

SEPTEMBER 24-26, 2010

Tony Award winner Idina Menzel has a diverse career on the stage, in films and in music. Menzel recently joined the cast of GLEE, the Fox juggernaut where she plays the coach of rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline, McKinley High Glee Club’s main competition. Last year, Menzel concluded a national tour promoting her album, I Stand. A skillful songwriter, Idina writes and performs her own music. She released the Glen Ballard-produced album for her record label, Warner Bros. Records, and played to sold out houses around the United States. Menzel performed her show in New York as part of the Mastercard Soundstage series, which aired on PBS. PBS also aired the concert version of Chess: The Musical, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall where Idina shared the stage with Josh Groban. In film, Idina appeared opposite Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams in Disney’s hit, ENCHANTED as well as Chris Columbus’ film version of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical RENT, in which she reprised her role as Maureen. This was on the heels of her co-starring role in Robert Towne’s ASK THE DUST, opposite Salma Hayek and Colin Farrell.

In television, Idina recently completed an arc on the Grey’s Anatomy hit spin-off, PRIVATE PRACTICE on ABC.

Menzel completed her Tony Award winning performance, for Lead Actress in a Musical, in WICKED in December 2005.  Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Joe Mantello, WICKED has played to packed audiences at the Gershwin Theatre since it opened in October 2003. Additionally, Menzel was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her role as the misunderstood green girl.

Idina received a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut performance as Maureen, in the original production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning hit RENT. She also earned a Drama Desk nomination for her performance as Kate in Manhattan Theater Club’s Off- Broadway original musical THE WILD PARTY.

…but how do I win the tickets…?

REGISTER TO WIN

1. Become a Facebook fan of Facebook.com/MusicalWorldEncoreTheater

2. Post on our wall why you are “Idina’s Biggest Fan” -OR- post a YouTube video on our wall of yourself singing “Defying Gravity” or another Idina Menzel song (this one counts as two entries in our drawing!).

3. All entries will be entered into a drawing for TWO tickets to see IDINA MENZEL with the Cincinnati Pops September 24-26, 2010.  (note:  winner will need to make arrangements early next week with the onStageDayton staff for retrieval of the ticket voucher for the Idina Menzel tickets).

HURRY! – DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS

11:59pm on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

This Week in Dayton Theatre

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2010 – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2010

The Spitfire Grill - Beavercreek Community TheatreThis week is an exciting one in the arts, because September 12 – 18 marks the first national Arts in Education Week. Because four shows are up this weekend, it’s also a busy one in the Dayton region theatre scene. Those shows range from a children’s show to a Shakespeare, so no matter what you’re in the mood for, there’s definitely something to pique your interest.

Between the national observation and all the opportunities, then, it’s pretty much a perfect weekend to get out and see some of the great theatre that’s around Dayton!  Here’s an overview of what’s going on this week…

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING THIS WEEKEND

Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

TOWN HALL THEATRE – All Children’s Theatre

September 17 – October 3, 2010

Town Hall Theatre - Cinderella (2009)When a sleepy Alice tumbles down the rabbit-hole and into Wonderland, her madcap adventures are just beginning! From chasing the White Rabbit to racing the Dodo Bird, to having tea with the Mad Hatter and rapping with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, Alice meets one zany character after another while discovering some important things about herself.

Alice in Wonderland opens the Town Hall Theatre’s 19th season, and features performers in grades 2 – 12. Performances will be held on Fridays at 7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm; additional matinee performances are scheduled on Saturday, September 18th at 11am, and Thursday, September 23rd and 30th at 4:30 pm. The show runs 70 minutes and is recommended for children ages 2 and up.

Town Hall Theatre is located at 27 North Main St. in the “Heart of Centerville,” directly beside Panera Bread. For the September 18 performance, the theatre is partnering with that Panera for “Taste of the Show,” where guests will be served a show-themed tea party (http://www.townhalltheatre.org/html/tasteOfTheShow.html ; $5, reservations required). Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and $6 for children 12 and under; all day of show tickets are $10. Reserve tickets online at www.townhalltheatre.org or call 937-433-8957.

Romeo and Juliet

SHAKESPEARE IN SOUTH PARK

By William Shakespeare
September 17 – 19, 2010: 8:00 pm

During the Elizabethan era, settings of Shakespearean plays varied widely through different times and places, based largely on whatever costumes (donated from the rich and prominent members of society) the acting company had available. Appropriately, then, Shakespeare in South Park has chosen a more recent setting for their production of the classic romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Director Daniel Wilson has set the famous story of star-crossed lovers shortly after the Shakespeare in South Park - Romeo and Julietconclusion of the Civil War and placed it near the border state region in a spot historically similar to Montgomery County, Ohio; by doing so, he finds renewed relevance in the themes, providing apt reminders that if we are unwilling to find peaceful solutions to our differences, our children will pay the price.

This weekend is your only chance to see the performances, so don’t miss it. The play is staged outdoors at South Park Green at the intersection of Hickory and James, with a minimalistic set that takes advantage of a real two-storey carriage house at the back of the performance space (perfect for the famous balcony scene!). Make sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Admission is free, but contributions are gratefully received and used to defray costs of the show. Parking is available at Hope Lutheran Church (also the location in case of rain; 500 Hickory St) or Emerson Academy. For more information, visit the Historic South Park website at historicsouthpark.org or call 937-603-4893. Also, expect a special onStageDayton feature article soon about the show!

The Spitfire Grill

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE

Music & Book by James Valcq; Lyrics & Book by Frank Alley; based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
Beavercreek Community Theatre - the Spitfire GrillSeptember 17 – September 26, 2010

Following the feisty Percy Talbot’s release from prison, she follows her dreams and an old travel book to Gilead, Wisconsin, not realizing the town is a struggling one with little to offer. She gets a job at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill, the only local eatery, which happens to be up for sale; when it won’t sell, she suggests raffling it off in an essay contest. Things start heating up pretty quickly!

Performances of The Spitfire Grill are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm, at Beavercreek Community Theatre in the Lofino Center (3868 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Beavercreek). Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for students, seniors, and BCT members. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (937) 429-4737, email [email protected], or visit http://www.bctheatre.org.

…SHOWS STILL PLAYING

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

LA COMEDIA DINNER THEATRE

Book by Jeffrey Lane; Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek; based on the film by Frank Oz
September 8 – October 31, 2010

Read last week’s column here for a synopsis and full description of this show! But, here’s a recap of ticket information:

Arrival times for Wednesday to Sunday evening performances are 5:30 – 6:00 pm; Wednesday and Thursday matinees and Sunday brunch, 10:30 – 11:00 am. For more information or tickets, call 1-800-677-9505 or (937) 746-4554 or visit http://www.lacomedia.com. Also check out the DMM event page here.

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

Wit

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

By Margaret EdsonWit, by Margaret Edson
Auditions: Monday, September 20 & Tuesday, September 21 – 7:00 pm
Performances: November 12 – 21, 2010

Auditions are this week! Last week’s column included a synopsis, cast breakdown, and special audition notes, so refer back to that for specific information. But remember that auditions will be held at the Dayton Playhouse (1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton), and auditionees should be prepared to read from the script. Resumes/headshots encouraged, but not required. Visit http://www.daytonplayhouse.com for more information.

~KN

Katherine Nelson is a senior theatre major at Cedarville University who focuses on performance, playwriting, and stage management. She’s the Literary Intern with locally based Encore Theater Company, where contributors Shane Anderson and David Brush also work. 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.

Jane’s Best Bets (9/8 – 9/12)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Hello wonderful DMM readers!  I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend and didn’t have to labor…or at least too much.  It was my high school reunion this weekend, but I did manage to make it to some of the Dayton festivals going on and I LOVED seeing all the wonderful people out there having fun!

There is another great week in store for you with even more festivals so I hope you are ready!  Get your smartphone calendar out (or, if you’re old-fashioned like me, your pencil and paper one) and arrange your schedule so you can fit in as much fun as possible!

On Wednesday, treat yourself to dinner and a margarita at Carmel’s for Fajita Madness.  Afterwards, get your toes tapping at Oregon Express with C. Wright’s Parlour Tricks.  Or bring out your Little Tikes trike (well, a guitar and a mic may be a better choice) and head on over to South Park Tavern for the Rock n’ Roll Play Date with Jay Madewell…and you thought play dates were just for kids!

On Thursday, support a wonderful cause and bring your spare change to McDonald’s for the Ronald McDonald House Charities DAY OF CHANGE.  The Notorious B.I.G. said “Mo Money, Mo Problems,” so that might be our cue to give a little bit back.  Who knew that rappers could be so wise?!?!  If you have a hot date planned for Thursday night (or if like me, you really just love your mom), head on over to PNC 2nd Street Market to make your own flowers for that special someone as part of Fall Flower Arranging.  And if you don’t have a hot date, no worries!  Head on over to Generation Dayton’s ‘Thirsty Thursday’ at Beef O’Brady’s in Centerville to meet some awesome young professionals in the area for social networking!  And if you do have a hot date, perhaps you will want to head on over to the Crowne Plaza Stars Lounge to see the John Slate Trio.  Also, just to clear up any misconceptions – I am by no means a dating expert nor is this a dating advice /“Sex and the City” type column.  If you are looking for dating advice, you may want to…or rather NEED to look elsewhere.

Friday is a tough day for you if you have difficulty making decisions, as there are so many events from which to choose!  Head on over to the Vandalia Sister Cities Oktoberfest for some sauerkraut and good German beer, the Dayton Greek Festival for some amazing gyros, or the Italian Fall Festa for some more foods whose names I don’t know how to pronounce.  For those of you asking, yes, I am a speech pathologist; however, I never took classes in German or Italian.  I just eat the food.

Friday is also the evening to be downtown!  Check out Urban Nights (a must attend event), which happens only twice a year.  It is like Meijer’s in that it’s a one-stop shop for the city of Dayton.  You will be able to check out downtown’s art, music, retail, urban living, nightlife, and dining options.  If you enjoy cycling, I also hope you consider riding with the Urban Bikes at Urban Nights.  My mom says, “Don’t forget your helmet.”

Saturday has too many options to choose from as well!  Again check out one of the many festivals going on throughout the weekend:  the Vandalia Sister Cities Oktoberfest, the Dayton Greek Festival, and/or the Italian Fall Festa.  In addition, check out the 10th Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival at Riverscape (just going on Saturday).  If you love arts and crafts, head on down to Miamisburg for the Miamisburg Starving Artists Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival.  Don’t let the name fool you…there WILL be food there!

Also Saturday…do you have an old formal that has just been taking up space in your closet?  Then consider donating it to the Clothes That Work 2nd Annual Royal Dress Drive to help underprivileged teens in the area attend their high school formals.  If you feel the need to burn off all those calories from all the eating and drinking you have been doing at festivals lately AND support the Miami Valley Crime Prevention Association, consider participating in the SPIKING ON CRIME Sand Volleyball Tournament at Setters.  If you love live music, head on over to Jackass Flats for the 5th Annual Miami Valley Firefighter/EMS Memorial Association Concert.  And finally, in the evening, if you enjoy getting dressed up, listening to live music, dancing, eating great food, and supporting a great cause (listed in no particular order), head on over to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery for the Boonshoft Gala:  ReDiscover.  You are sure to discover a great time!

On Sunday, if you’re not watching the Browns game, consider heading out to Guitar Fest at Stubbs Amphitheater in Centerville or X Fest at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.  If you have a pooch that could use a good washing AND enjoy a good glass of wine (you, not your dog), head on over to A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg for Wine, Washes and Wet Noses.  All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.  If you’re like me and can’t get enough of elé Cake Company’s buttercream icing, check out their Buttercream Fest 2010.  They’ll have lots of fun things including live music, food, crafts, a cruise-in, and a 5k (probably to balance out all those amazing buttercream treats they will have)!  And if  you didn’t get to make it to all those weekend festivals or had such a good time that you would like to go back, the Vandalia Sister Cities Oktoberfest, the Dayton Greek Festival, and the Italian Fall Festa will still be going strong!  Gosh, I feel exhausted just talking about all the stuff going on this week!  Decisions, decisions!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week.  Drum roll please…

I went to the library to try to find a book on indecisiveness but I couldn’t decide which one to pick.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it – it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!   And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

This Week in Dayton Theatre

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

Glengarry Glen Ross - Springfield StageWorksExcited about SEED Theatre’s upcoming production of Grey Gardens, I was listening to the Original Broadway Cast recording earlier. In the song “Goin’ Places,” Joe sings to Edie, “Kid – we’re goin’ places, goin’ places you’ve never really seen… All the signs are good, so knock on wood, we’re gonna be a-okay! ‘Cause the place we’re goin’, we’re goin’ all the way.”

Well, onStageDayton is going places, too.

My name is Katherine Nelson, and I’m a senior theatre performance major at Cedarville University and also a literary intern with Encore Theater Company. For a while, Shane and David at Encore have been writing occasionally to feature various shows and organizations, and now, we have a lot of plans to make onStageDayton even better. We all would like this to become not just another website to check, but the central place to go for everything pertaining to Dayton stages, a nucleus for theatre and arts professionals, participants, and spectators alike.

So, I’ll be publishing a column on Wednesday of each week, centrally including:
–          The upcoming weekend’s shows opening, reminders of what’s still playing, and things not to miss before they close – and where to get tickets for all of those.
–          Any special arts events, such as the upcoming Urban Nights celebration.
–          And, auditions and casting calls for the next several weeks, so you can plan ahead.

Additionally, we’ll continue to write feature stories to highlight events, shows, volunteers, organizations, and more. Comments are accepted on the stories, so join the conversation and let us know what you’re thinking! We’d love to get your input.

So… onStageDayton is definitely going places! But for now, here’s a post, like what you’ll be able to expect from me and onStageDayton every Wednesday. Here’s to many more!

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS TO CATCH BEFORE THEY CLOSE

The Producers

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan; Music & Lyrics by Mel Brooks
September 10 – 12, 2010

What happens when a down-and-out producer and his mousy accountant realize that they can make more money on Broadway with a flop than a hit? They option the rights to “a gay romp with Adolf and Eva” in a guaranteed disaster of a show called “Springtime for Hitler!” What they didn’t plan on is that flop becoming a runaway hit… Find out what happens as the Dayton Playhouse presents its season opening musical comedy The Producers.

This is the final weekend of performances, so make sure to see it before it closes! Curtain is Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm.

The production is directed by Chris Harmon, with choreography by Annette Looper and musical direction from Ron Kindell.

Dayton Playhouse is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, Ohio.  Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.DaytonPlayhouse.org or by calling the Box Office at (937) 424-8477 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Monday thru Friday.

Glengarry Glen Ross

SPRINGFIELD STAGEWORKS

by David Mamet
September 9 – 11, 2010

Small-time, cutthroat real estate salesmen try to grind out a Glengarry Glen Ross - Springfield StageWorksliving by pushing plots of land on reluctant buyers, the scramble for their share of the American dream never ending. Described as a “scalding comedy,” Glengarry Glen Ross (by legendary playwright David Mamet) took Broadway and London by storm, winning Tony nd Pulitzer awards. Now, Springfield StageWorks is entering their second and final weekend of performances of this gripping work.

Directed by Josh Katawick, Glengarry Glen Ross is at the historic State Theatre in downtown Springfield (19 S. Fountain Ave). Curtain is at 8:00 pm each night, and tickets are available for $10 at the door. Go to http://www.springfieldstageworks.org/home for more information.

…SHOWS OPENING THIS WEEKEND

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

LA COMEDIA DINNER THEATRE

Book by Jeffrey Lane; Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek; based on the film by Frank Oz
September 8 – October 31, 2010

In this hilarious musical comedy, two fraudsters living on the French Riviera discover the small town they live in isn’t big enough to support two scammers. They agree that the first person to successfully steal $50,000 from a young tourist will get to stay, so thus begins a contest that will keep you guessing and laughing the whole way!

To accommodate for dinner before the show, arrival times for Wednesday to Sunday evening performances are 5:30 – 6:00 pm; Wednesday and Thursday Matinees and Sunday brunch, 10:30 – 11:00 am.

For more information or tickets, call 1-800-677-9505 or (937) 746-4554 or visit http://www.lacomedia.com. View the DMM event at Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. La Comedia Dinner Theatre is located on 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro, OH.

Part of it All

…CASTING CALLS AND AUDITIONS

Wit

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Auditions: Monday, September 20 & Tuesday, September 21 – 7:00 pm
Performances: November 12 – 21, 2010

Directed by Matthew Smith

Playwright: Margaret Edson
The Story: Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a renowned English professor, has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. Her approach to her literary studies: aggressively probing, intensely rational. But during the course of her illness—and her stint as a prize patient in an experimental chemotherapy program at a major teaching hospital—Vivian comes to reassess her life and her work with a profundity and humor that are transformative both for her and the audience.

Roles:
Vivian Bearing, PH.D. – 50; Professor of Seventeenth Century Poetry at the University
Harvey Kelekian, M.D. – 50; Chief of Medical Oncology, University Hospital (Also plays Mr. Bearing.)
Jason Posner, M.D. – 28; Clinical Fellow, Medical Oncology Branch
Susie Monahan, R.N., B.S.N. – 28; Primary Nurse, Cancer Inpatient unit
E.M. Ashford, D. Phil – 80; Professor Emerita of English Literature
Lab techs/clinical fellows/students/code team

Auditions will be held at the Dayton Playhouse (1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton). Those wishing to read should be prepared to read from the script. Resume/headshot encouraged but not required. Go to http://www.daytonplayhouse.org for more information.

Special note: those wishing to be considered for the role of Vivian Bearing should understand that there are the possibilities of nudity and hair alteration (including shaving).

One Short Day

…Special Events for the Artistically Minded

URBAN NIGHTS

September 10, 2010 – from 5:00 pm on
Urban NightsUrban Nights is a free event showcasing downtown’s dining, nightlife, art, music, retail, and urban living options. Described as an all-inclusive street party that overtakes downtown Dayton, there’s definitely something for everyone to see. Close to 100 creative places and spaces participate, including locations throughout downtown, the Artists of Front Street, the Oregon District and the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. Free trolleys help transport people to the more distant venues, but many of the locations are within walking distance. Courthouse Square is the central starting point and the main stage for artistic performances, but there are also roving entertainers and smaller stages throughout downtown.

Come explore the city, check out art, peek inside a cool loft, enjoy live entertainment by amazing community artists, eat at a restaurant you’ve never been to, and party ‘till the break of dawn. You’ll see that it’s possible to make every night an urban night downtown!

We at Encore are particularly excited, because at 8:00 pm will be our performance of Come Together - Encore Theater CompanyCOME TOGETHER, an original musical starring Amy Geist and JJ Parkey. The show is free, and will be on the stage next to the Trolley Stop in the Oregon District at the corner of 5th and Wayne. Don’t miss it!

For more information and performance listings, visit http://www.downtowndayton.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11

~KN

We are excited to introduce 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.  Welcome, Katherine, to the DaytonMostMetro.com family of contributors!

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.

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]

WYSO’s Summer Concert celebrates Rev Cool and local music

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This Sunday, WYSO 91.3FM will be presenting a free summer concert at Carillon Park.  It’s going to be a night of music and dancing headlined by the Rev Cool Arkestra and Dance Ensemble.

If you aren’t a regular WYSO listener, you may be wondering about Rev Cool, whose name adorns a variety of bumper stickers around the Miami Valley. Jim Carter has been hosting Friday evening programming at WYSO for nearly 30 years under the name Rev Cool.  The show is called Around the Fringe and airs on WYSO every Friday night from 8pm until midnight.  It features music from “around the world and right here in your own backyard.”

The Rev Cool Arkestra and Dance Ensemble (Photo by Joey London)

Rev Cool’s local music connection predates his time on the WYSO airwaves.  In fact, by the time he started hosting Around the Fringe he was already president of his own record label, I WANNA.  The label was responsible for the very first Guided by Voices release and an Earth Island Orchestra release featuring Macarthur Genuis Grantee Regina Carter.

“He had already proven himself as a cutting-edge live music promoter. And he was already firmly established at the center of a Dayton’s vibrant local music scene,” says WYSO Music Director Niki Dakota.

In the past few years, Rev Cool has taken the great dance-able vibe from his radio show and turned into a live performance.  The Rev Cool Arkestra and Dance Ensemble features DJs accompanied by live musicians and dancers coordinated by Cityfolk’s Kelsa Rieger.

“Over the last two years, The Rev Cool Arkestra and Dance Ensemble have come to be nothing short of a live-music REV-o-lution.  It’s a sensation to the ears and the eyes, it lifts your spirits, and it leaves you powerless not to dance.  It just may be the perfect stage show.  Simply exhilarating,” says Dakota.

Designed by Colleen Reinhart

This perfect stage show will be rounded out by two other great local acts, C. Wright’s Parlour Tricks and Ruckus Roboticus.

C. Wright’s Parlour Tricks has been making a splash around the Miami Valley with their unique brand of instrumental, guitar-driven boogie.  Featuring a stellar lineup of local musicians, their set promises to get the audience ready to dance.  Arrive at 5pm sharp so you don’t miss a minute of their set.

After Parlour Tricks, Ruckus Roboticus will be spinning a DJ set that promises to lots of fun.  If you didn’t make it to his EP release show I told you about a few weeks ago, now is the time to see him in action.

This is a family friendly event and should be wrapped by 9pm so bring the kids.  Hopefully they’ll be so worn out from dancing that you’ll have no problem getting them to bed when you get home.

For the rest of the details, check out the event listing on our calendar here at Dayton MostMetro.

…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.

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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]

Friday: Shrug with Jesse Remnant and the Trainwrecks

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Jesse Remnant and the Trainwrecks

Jesse Remnant and Trainwrecks have been busy prepping a new album, but that hasn’t kept them from performing live shows around town.  This Friday you can catch them at Canal Street Tavern beginning at 9:30pm.  Also on the bill is Shrug (with whom the Trainwrecks share several members).

Check out Jesse Remnant and the Trainwrecks performing their song, Ohio 35 earlier this year.

Jesse Remnant and the Trainwrecks – Ohio 35 from Jill Stahl on Vimeo.

Three shows for your Thursday

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The Black Who's?

Why wait for the weekend to see some live music?  This Thursday our local musicians will be serving up some great tunes at the following shows:

  • The Black Who’s? are hosting two bands from Atlanta at Blind Bob’s.  They’ll be joined onstage by The Biters who are currently touring with The Booze. Take the next 24 hours to practice saying, “I’m going to see The Black Who’s at Blind Bob’s with The Biters and The Booze” five times fast.
  • If you’re craving something harder, South Park Tavern may be the place for you.  Turlock, California hardcore band Verona will be stopping by to play with By Way of Sunstorm, who are finished up their first full length album.
  • The Dayton Band Playoffs are getting down to wire.  Thursday marks the last show of Round 3 and will determine who the last band is to move on to the Semi-finals at Canal Street Tavern.  A Shade of Red and Less Than 3 are on the bill so go out and put your vote in for one of these local bands.

What are your plans for Thursday night?

Music Video Monday: August 16th edition

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For this week’s video, we’re going to travel back in time to last Monday.  Okay, so the video wasn’t shot last Monday, but I had the idea for this week’s feature while re-discovering yet another one of the great things to do in Dayton.  Have I totally confused you yet?  Here’s the story:

Last Monday evening I found myself at Therapy Cafe on Third Street.  When I arrived I vaguely remembered that Ben Rivet who performs under the name BJSR does a gig on Monday nights.  What I didn’t know was what a great start to the week it would be.  It’s a free show every Monday night that gets started around 8pm.  The atmosphere is very relaxed and the music is both fun and soothing – like I said, a great way to start the week.  If you happen to check it out this week, you’ll get a special treat as Rivet will be accompanied by Kelly Fine.  The two have a collaboration called Honey and the Milk.

So this week’s video comes from BJSR.  It was shot in a large empty house in Dayton as part of a series called the Empty House Sessions (which reminds me of the Burn to Shine series by Trixie Films) that I hope to see more videos from in the future.

As always, if you’ve got a video suggest leave a comment, connect on Facebook or email [email protected]

Wednesday night: dreamy music from near and far

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The Delta Mirror

A break in routine can provide a refreshing look, or in this case listen.  Forgoing the usual Rock and Roll Playdate, this Wednesday South Park Tavern will be welcoming The Delta Mirror from LA.  This trio began as a hip-hop duo in the 90’s and now produces dreamy ambient rock with an electronic beat.

Take a listen to their track, And The Radio Played On:

The Delta Mirror will be joined onstage by local electronic-experimental artist Outside Residential and electro-acoustic singer-songwriter BJSR.  The show gets started around 9pm and costs $5.  The Rock and Roll Playdate will return to South Park Tavern next Wednesday.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra comes to Dayton

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Although Glenn Miller disappeared on a plane flying over the English Channel in 1944, the orchestra that bares his name is still alive and well under the leadership of trombonist Larry O’Brien.  The Glen Miller Orchestra will be performing at Gilly’s this Friday, August 13th beginning at 7:30pm.  Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance from Half Price Books and Huber Music & Video.  It’ll be an evening of big band music with a dance floor.

Here’s a little something to put you in the mood for Friday night’s show.  It’s the original Glenn Miller Orchestra performing one of their signature songs from the movie Sun Valley Serenade.

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]

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