Arts & Entertainment

Win Screening Passes for THE WAY, WAY BACK at The Neon

July 15, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 5 Comments

THE WAY, WAY BACK is the funny and poignant coming of age story of 14-year-old Duncan’s (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and his daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin). Having a rough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up to and begins to finallyfind his place in the world – all during a summer he will never forget. (c) Fox Searchlight

84% Rating on Rotten Tomatoes (at time of this writing)

THE WAY, WAY BACK opens in the Dayton on 7/26, but you can see a screening at The Neon courtesy of Dayton Most Metro! Just fill out the form below and we’ll announce winners on Saturday, July 20th . Each winner will get a pair of screening passes to see the film on 7/23 at The Neon.

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Contest is over. Congratulations to our ticket winners: Jane, Jennifer, Steve, Matthew, Laura, Harvey, Melanie, Vince, Travis & Billy!

20 FEET FROM STARDOM Opens at THE NEON

July 10, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re gonna keep on movin’ at THE NEON. If you still need to see LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED, tomorrow will be your last chance (7/11). On Friday, we will open the documentary that audiences are adoring – 20 FEET FROM STARDOM. In addition, we will hold MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and KON-TIKI for another week. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for 20 FEET FROM STARDOM: “Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. In his compelling new film 20 FEET FROM STARDOM, award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the film is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others. These gifted artists span a range of styles, genres and eras of popular music, but each has a uniquely fascinating and personal story to share of life spent in the shadows of superstardom. Along with rare archival footage and a peerless soundtrack, 20 FEET FROM STARDOM boasts intimate interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Sting to name just a few. However, these world-famous figures take a backseat to the diverse array of backup singers whose lives and stories take center stage in the film.” (Taken from TWC-Radius) Currently at “98% FRESH” on rottentomatoes.com Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWyUJcA8Zfo’]

“AMU is the story of Kaju, a twenty-one-year-old Indian American woman who returns to India to visit her family and discover the place where she was born. The film takes a dark turn as Kaju stumbles against secrets and lies from her past. A horrifying genocide that took place twenty years ago turns out to hold the key to her mysterious origins.” The India Foundation will present this special screening of AMU this Saturday, July 13 at Noon. Tickets will be $5 each.

“Roger Brown — the greatest basketball player Dayton has ever known — will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on Sept. 8. Without the love and sacrifice of 84-year-old Daytonian Arlena Smith, it wouldn’t be happening. Join us at THE NEON on Aug. 15 at 7:30 for a benefit screening of the acclaimed documentary UNDEFEATED: THE ROGER BROWN STORY, with all proceeds going toward Arlena Smith’s trip to Springfield, Mass., for Brown’s Hall of Fame induction. Arlena and her late husband Azariah could not have children of their own, so they regularly welcomed troubled teenagers into their modest West Side home. One of those was Roger Brown. Among the greatest young basketball players in New York City history, Brown in 1961 had been unfairly implicated in a gambling scandal just as he was finishing his freshman year at the University of Dayton. Though never charged with a crime, he was kicked out of school and banned for life by the NBA. The Smiths came to the rescue. They opened up their home, found Brown a job, gave him the strength to move on. And finally, Brown bloomed anew. In 1967, he became the first player of the ABA’s Indiana Pacers. He led them to three championships, and became an Indianapolis City Councilman. All along, until his death at age 54 of cancer, Brown credited the Smiths — his ‘second parents’ — for making it possible.” (taken from press notes) Mark your calendars now! Tickets, just $10 each, will be available soon.

Hope to see you this weekend!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. July 12 – Thur. July 18:

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (PG-13) 1 Hr 49 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:40, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:30

KON-TIKI (PG-13) 1 Hr 36 Min
Friday: 12:30, 5:15
Saturday: 5:15
Sunday: 12:30, 5:15
Monday – Thursday: 5:15

20 FEET FROM STARDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 31 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45

AMU (NR) 1 Hr 36 Min
Saturday: Noon

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July ? – KINGS OF SUMMER
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – FILL THE VOID
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
Aug. 2 – I’M SO EXCITED
Aug. 23 – BLUE JASMINE

Founder Announces Final Summer Tour and Future Plans for Company

July 9, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

The best entertainment value in Dayton is back for a final round! Free Shakespeare! announces their farewell tour of As You Like It, directed by Travis J. Cook, performing in six outdoor venues across the Miami Valley. Running Thursday-Sundays at 7pm from July 18-August 11, the play features a cast of area professionals, students, and community members ages 16-80 and original music from Charlie Tipton. Tackling themes of community, independence, and homecoming, As You Like It promises to be a fitting goodbye for what has become a popular summer highlight for audiences across the region.

Why goodbye?

Free Shakespeare! Founder, Chris Shea, is moving back to Seattle after a four year stint in Dayton. Shea will be joining Theatre22, Seattle’s newest professional theatre company. This fall, Shea will join the cast of Lanford Wilson’s Fifth of July; the title of the play holds special significance for Shea as it is his father Richard’s birthday. It was his father’s declining health that brought him home four years ago; Richard passed away in December of 2010. After his father’s death, Shea launched “Shakespeare for Life,” an annual week-long marathon reading of the Shakespeare canon to benefit cancer patients at Grandview Hospital. In May 2013, Shakespeare for Life raised approximately $5000. In four years, Free Shakespeare! has donated thousands of dollars to area non-profits including the Grandview Foundation, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Involvement Advocacy, and the American Cancer Society.

Shea will be bringing the moniker of Free Shakespeare! with him on his move to Seattle; he plans to refine the work of the company and steer it towards less traditional modes of presentation. As to what that exactly means, Shea could only manage to quote Iago, “’Tis here, but yet confused….’ I’ll figure that out once I get there, like most other things in my life.”

As exciting of an opportunity the move is, Shea will be missed in the Dayton community. Over the past four years, he’s worked with many arts organizations including Muse Machine, the Human Race Theatre Company, Stivers School for the Arts, Zoot Theatre Co., Cityfolk, WYSO, and Rhythm in Shoes. As the Producing Artistic Director for Free Shakespeare! he has presented four summer tours, instituted a monthly Shakespeare reading series, welcomed three area premieres, and hosted two charitable readings of the complete works of Shakespeare.

Jean Howat Berry of Cityfolk has worked with Shea closely over the past four years. She says, “It has been my pleasure to work with Chris through education and outreach with Cityfolk and as a participant in one of the many wonderful Free Shakespeare activities, Shakespeare for Life. Chris has a remarkable energy: contagious, affirming and restorative. In other words, he shares his charisma, he affirms those he shares with and in the process offers a little healing for what ails you. For real. On stage, he is strong and engaging. His sensitivity, in role or out, is genuine. I will miss having him close in proximity, but will always know him close in my heart!”

Although this chapter of his life is bringing him back out West, Shea proudly discusses his time in Dayton and doesn’t discount the possibility of a future return. “Dayton is a very generous town and breeds generous people. The spirit of giving is integral to what it means to be from Dayton. My roots in this city have served me well, and I intend to continue to be an ambassador for Dayton as I move forward. In fact, some of my Seattle friends got quite tired of me talking about Dayton the last time I lived out there. What do they say, ‘you can take the kid out of Dayton….’?”

How to Say Goodbye:

Catch the final Free Shakespeare tour of As you Like It this summer. The story follows cousins Rosalind and Celia on their quest for independence. Along the way, they learn about friendship, community, love and forgiveness. True to the name Free Shakespeare!, there is no cost to attend although donations are gladly accepted post-show. Bring a blanket, chair and a picnic as you enjoy Shakespeare under the stars. All performances begin at 7PM; 90 minutes (no intermission).

July 18 & 25: Rosewood Arts Center, Kettering

July 19-21: ArtStreet Amphitheater, University of Dayton

July 26-28: Newcom Founders Park, Oregon District

Aug 1 & 8: Blommel Park, South Park

Aug 2-4: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark

Aug 9-11: Antioch College Amphitheater, Yellow Springs

More information on the final tour is available at https://www.facebook.com/spreadthewords

WYSO Community Voices Producer Wins National Award

July 9, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Yellow Springs resident Basim Blunt received a First Place award from Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI) for his story, “Boogie Nights: A History of Funk Music in Dayton.” The national award was presented recently in the Student Soft Feature category at the annual PRNDI Conference in Cleveland.

Blunt said, “I just want to thank the musicians who are long overdue for recognition and who took the time to help me put together this story. I want to dedicate this award to them.” Blunt’s story was also recognized by the Ohio Associated Press, taking First Place in the Best Feature Reporting category.

The Ohio Associated Press honored Will Davis, also of Yellow Springs, for his feature on Springfield filmmaker Justin Russell’s “The Sleeper,” an homage to the 80’s slasher film genre. Davis took First Place in the Best Use of Sound category.

Both Blunt and Davis were participants in WYSO’s 2012 Community Voices training course; a project to teach local people how to make radio stories. Over six months trainees learn to record and edit digital audio, conduct interviews, write radio scripts, and ultimately produce a feature story.

WYSO celebrated the completion of its third Community Voices training course in June with public radio producer and StoryCorps founder Dave Isay. Isay gave a public presentation at the Mathile Theater in Dayton, and lead a private Master Class with Community Voices Producers at the WYSO studios. Stories produced in the 2013 training will be presented in two hour-long radio specials, and at a Screenless Screening at the FilmDayton Festival in August.

Public radio station WYSO 91.3 is licensed to Antioch College with studios in Yellow Springs. It broadcasts on multiple platforms: 91.3 FM, live streaming at WYSO.org, on HD radio and on the Public Radio Player, a mobile application. WYSO is the Miami Valley’s only NPR News station with programming from NPR, Public Radio International, American Public Media, PRX and the BBC as well as the work of local and independent radio producers.

Annual Downtown Dayton Photo Contest

July 8, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Amateur and professional photographers are invited to participate in Downtown in Focus, a photo contest aimed at finding new and distinctive shots of our downtown. The City of Dayton, Downtown Dayton Partnership, Kaplan College and Dayton Daily News are sponsoring the contest.

One amateur winner and one professional winner will be selected in each of the following categories:

Downtown Living: You know that place you and your friends go to every Saturday night downtown? Now is your chance to win some money for being a regular! Take photos showing off Dayton’s vibrant dining and nightlife scene, urban housing or anything else unique to living and playing downtown.
I Heart Downtown: The architecture of one of the historic buildings you have always admired. Your favorite spot along the river. That coffee shop where you buy your morning brew — this category is wide open to photograph anything and everything you love about downtown Dayton.
Skyline: It’s hard to single out the best thing about Dayton, so why not just capture the whole city? Show us your best shot of our downtown Dayton skyline!

A panel of judges ― consisting of professional photographers, photography editors and instructors, and arts community leaders ― will select the winners in each category and award a $250 cash prize to the Best in Show winner in each division. Honorable mentions also will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. In addition, City of Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell will select one photo that best represents the City’s “Dayton Originals” motto. This photographer will receive a gift basket from the City of Dayton. Contest winners will be recognized at the Sept. 20 Urban Nights, and all entries will be displayed in a special exhibit during Urban Nights.

From approximately 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, during First Friday, many of downtown’s buildings will be lit for photographers who would like to capture night shots of the city.

The deadline to submit photos is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. There is no fee for application or participation.

Photographers are not required to be Dayton-area residents, but winners must be age 18 or older. Photos must have been taken in Greater Downtown ― which includes the Central Business District, Oregon Arts District, Webster Station and the ring of neighborhoods that surrounds downtown ― within the past calendar year. Official contest guidelines and entry forms are available at www.downtowndayton.org and www.daytonohio.gov.

For more information, contact:

Kristen Wicker: 937-224-1518, ext. 228, or [email protected]

Courtney Deutsch: 937-224-1518, ext. 231, or [email protected]

For contest submission details and entry forms: www.downtowndayton.org

Joss Whedon’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING & KON-TIKI Arrive at THE NEON!

July 2, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Once again, we’re truckin’ through the titles. If you still need to see BEFORE MIDNIGHT or THE EAST, you only have through Thursday to see them at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open 2 new films – Joss Whedon’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and the Academy Award nominee KON-TIKI (which will more than likely only play for one week). In addition to the 2 new films, we will hold LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED for one more week. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: “Shakespeare’s classic comedy is given a contemporary spin by director Joss Whedon. Shot in just 12 days, the story of sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick offers a dark, sexy and occasionally absurd view of the intricate game that is love. As matchmaking schemes are put into play and disguguises are donned, loathing and love soon prove to be close cousins.” (taken from Lionsgate) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk5kkLNPg8g’]

Synopsis for KON-TIKI: “Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl crossed the Pacific ocean in a balsa wood raft in 1947, together with five men, to prove that South Americans already back in pre-Columbian times could have crossed the sea and settle on Polynesian islands. After gathering financing for the trip with loans and donations, they set off on an epic 101 day-long journey across 8,000 kilometers, all while the world was watching. KON-TIKI tells about the origin of Heyerdahl’s idea and the events surrounding the group’s voyage.” (taken from The Weinstein Co.) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1Xf3toxvXM’]

This Saturday, July 6, THE NEON will host the premiere of Meladi McNair’s new film THE OMISSION. “Marissa tries to hide from her friends that she is in an unfortunate, yet common situation that afflicts many young adults. A violent, controlling relationship. Three flashbacks paint her birthday bash as the platform for a series of unfortunate events in which five long-time friends learn of her situation, and turn on each other… THE OMISSION, a dark, abuse awareness film debuts at 3 pm on July 6. The film was written and directed by Dayton’s own Meladi McNair; a Journalist and social-conscious author, artist and filmmaker. She is also the author of the anti-bullying book, ‘The Vexing.’ Tickets are $5 each.” (taken from press notes)

Here’s a note from American Pi, a store just a block from THE NEON: “Victory Film Group and Made in the USA Films present a 90 minute documentary that explores the rise and fall of U.S. manufacturing. Josh Miller sets out on a journey in which he attempts to live off of USA made products for 30 days. Can he do it!? During Josh’s journey he talks with locals to find out if ‘Made in the USA’ really means anything anymore. If not, what does that mean for the future of our country? Come find out when you join us on the MADE IN THE USA: THE 30 DAY JOURNEY. To obtain tickets online, visit the site. Our site says they are $10 but for a they are FREE. TICKETS MUST BE RESERVED via the website, at our location or via phone (click this LINK for the site). FREE price will reflect during checkout. We do have a VIP package so that viewers can get DVD and photos with Josh etc. and that price is $20.”

“AMU is the story of Kaju, a twenty-one-year-old Indian American woman who returns to India to visit her family and discover the place where she was born. The film takes a dark turn as Kaju stumbles against secrets and lies from her past. A horrifying genocide that took place twenty years ago turns out to hold the key to her mysterious origins.” The India Foundation will present this special screening of AMU on Saturday, July 13 at Noon. Tickets will be $5 each.

See you soon!
All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. July 5 – Thur. July 11:

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (PG-13) 1 Hr 49 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 4:50, 7:15, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:45

KON-TIKI (PG-13) 1 Hr 36 Min
Friday: 2:40, 7:20, 9:30
Saturday: 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 2:40, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 7:40
Thursday: 3:00

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED (PG-13) 1 Hr 57 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 4:50
Monday – Thursday: 5:10

THE OMISSION (NR) 40 Min
Saturday: 3:00

MADE IN THE USA: THE 30 DAY JOURNEY (NR)
1 Hr 33 Min + Discussion
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July 12 – 20 FEET FROM STARDOM
July ? – KINGS OF SUMMER
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
Aug. 2 – I’M SO EXCITED
Aug. 23 – BLUE JASMINE

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED Now At THE NEON!

June 28, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re moving right along at THE NEON. Though we’re holding both of our current attractions (BEFORE MIDNIGHT and THE EAST), we also had room to open a new romantic comedy that I saw at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED. It’s directed by Academy Award winner Susanne Bier and stars Pierce Brosnan and Trine Dyrholm. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Several of you have been asking…and I’m excited to announce that the new adaptation of Shakespeare’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, directed by Joss Whedon, is slated to open next Friday!

[yframe url=’ww.youtube.com/watch?v=jk5kkLNPg8g’]

Synopsis for LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED: “Philip (Brosnan), an Englishman living in Denmark, is a lonely, middle-aged widower and estranged single father. Ida (Dyrholm) is a Danish hairdresser, recuperating from a long bout of illness, who’s just been left by her husband for a younger woman, Thilde. The fates of these two bruised souls are about to intertwine, as they embark for a trip to Italy to attend the wedding of their children. With warmth, affection and confidence, Susanne Bier has shaken a cocktail of love, loss, absurdity, humor, and delicately drawn characters that will leave only the hardest heart untouched. It is a film about the simple yet profound pains and joys of moving on – and forward – with your life.” (taken from Sony Classics) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.

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

On Saturday, July 6, THE NEON will host the premiere of Meladi McNair’s new film THE OMISSION. “Marissa tries to hide from her friends that she is in an unfortunate, yet common situation that afflicts many young adults. A violent, controlling relationship. Three flashbacks paint her birthday bash as the platform for a series of unfortunate events in which five long-time friends learn of her situation, and turn on each other… THE OMISSION, a dark, abuse awareness film debuts at 3 pm on July 6. The film was written and directed by Dayton’s own Meladi McNair; a Journalist and social-conscious author, artist and filmmaker. She is also the author of the anti-bullying book, ‘The Vexing.’ Tickets are $5 each.” (taken from press notes)

“AMU is the story of Kaju, a twenty-one-year-old Indian American woman who returns to India to visit her family and discover the place where she was born. The film takes a dark turn as Kaju stumbles against secrets and lies from her past. A horrifying genocide that took place twenty years ago turns out to hold the key to her mysterious origins.” The India Foundation will present this special screening of AMU on Saturday, July 13 at Noon. Tickets will be $5 each.

There’s another potential Gathr screening on the horizon. Once again, 50 tickets need to be reserved in order for the screening to be locked down. The movie is BACK TO 1942, and it’s an epic film set during a drought in China’s Henan province in 1942. The tentative screening is scheduled for July 17 at 7:30. Check out this LINK to watch the trailer and reserve your ticket. There’s only about a week left to reserve a ticket in order to secure the screening…and right now, it doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen. Hurry and share these details if this is a film you’d like to see!

See you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. June 28 – Thur. July 4:

BEFORE MIDNIGHT (R) 1 Hr 48 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 5:00, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:20

THE EAST (PG-13) 1 Hr 56 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:30, 4:00, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:45

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED (PG-13) 1 Hr 57 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 7:15, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July 5 – MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
July 12 – 20 FEET FROM STARDOM
July ? – KINGS OF SUMMER
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
Aug 2 – I’M SO EXCITED!
Aug 26 – BLUE JASMINE
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – IN THE HOUSE

Saluting Dayton’s 2012-13 Theater Season

June 28, 2013 By Russell Florence, Jr. 3 Comments

James Oblak with “Princeton” and Annie Kalahurka, Brett Travis and Andrew Ian Adams in Avenue Q.
Photo by Scott J. Kimmins

From a glamorous Berlin hotel to a den of blood-thirsty vampires, Dayton’s 2012-13 theater season contained a slew of high quality, entertaining components.
Currently enjoying great success with the hilariously naughty “Avenue Q,” the Human Race Theatre Company impeccably produced a splendidly character and ensemble-driven, marvelously choreographed “Oliver!,” a wonderfully transformative journey that absolutely typified the joy of embracing musical theater anew. The organization’s decision to promote and encourage new plays was also evident, specifically its Midwest premiere of Janece Shaffer’s funny and poignant relationship comedy “Managing Maxine” which could be a huge hit in regional theaters across the country. The Victoria Theatre Association’s Premier Health Broadway Series deserves praise as well for delivering first-rate national tours of “The Addams Family,” “American Idiot,” “Dreamgirls” and “Rock of Ages” to name a few. Interestingly, the Victoria’s brief engagement of the delightfully risqué “Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody” was a bold move that paid off tremendously.
Within community theaters, the Dayton Playhouse had a very commendable season bookended by two strong Sondheim presentations (“Side by Side by Sondheim” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”) and heightened by the totally refreshing, delectably spooky thrill ride that was “Dracula.” The Dayton Theatre Guild, a haven for eclectic premieres, gathered fine ensembles for its engrossing productions of “100 Saints You Should Know,” “Ghosts” and “The Pillowman.” Playhouse South continued its pleasant upswing with “Legally Blonde” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” The consistently imaginative Zoot Theatre Company particularly excelled with “The Hobbit.”
On collegiate stages, Wright State University effortlessly restored “1913: The Great Dayton Flood” and pulled out the stops for an absolutely elegant, vocally striking production of “Grand Hotel: The Musical.” Sinclair Community College primarily scored with a very touching local premiere of “Intimate Apparel” and a cohesively joyful “Godpsell.” The University of Dayton supplied an impressive, fascinating look at Edward Albee’s “The American Dream” and “Zoo Story.”
On Saturday, August 3 at Sinclair Community College’s Charity Early Room, Dayton’s theater community will gather for the 10th annual DayTony Awards, honoring the achievements of designers, performers and productions across the area as voted on by 10 participating collegiate and community theaters. The event will be held in conjunction with the 12th annual Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame induction celebrating scenic and lighting designer Darrell Anderson, actor/designer/director Chris Harmon, producer John Kenley and director Kay Frances Wean. Kenley and Wean will be posthumously inducted.
Assessing the 75 shows I saw over the past 12 months, here are my picks (winners are in bold) for the season’s outstanding artists and productions.

l to r) Bruce Cromer, Richard B. Watson, Alan Bomar Jones and Julia Pace Mitchell in Race
Photo by Scott J. Kimmins

BEST PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
Lombardi, Human Race Theatre Company
Managing Maxine, Human Race Theatre Company
Race, Human Race Theatre Company

BEST LOCALLY-PRODUCED PROFESSIONAL MUSICAL
Avenue Q, Human Race Theatre Company
Next to Normal, Human Race Theatre Company/Victoria Theatre Association
Oliver!, Human Race Theatre Company

BEST PROFESSIONAL TOURING MUSICAL
The Addams Family, Victoria Theatre Association
Dreamgirls, Victoria Theatre Association
Hair, Springfield Arts Council
Mary Poppins, Victoria Theatre Association
Rock of Ages, Victoria Theatre Association

Jared Mola in Dracula
Photo by Art Fabian

BEST COMMUNITY THEATER PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
100 Saints You Should Know, Dayton Theatre Guild
Dracula, Dayton Playhouse
Ghosts, Dayton Theatre Guild
The Hobbit, Zoot Theatre Company
The Pillowman, Dayton Theatre Guild

BEST COMMUNITY THEATER PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Dayton Playhouse
Legally Blonde, Playhouse South
Little Shop of Horrors, Playhouse South
Side by Side by Sondheim, Dayton Playhouse
Thoroughly Modern Millie, Dayton Playhouse

BEST COLLEGIATE PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
1913: The Great Dayton Flood, Wright State University
The American Dream/Zoo Story, University of Dayton
Intimate Apparel, Sinclair Community College
The Miracle Worker, Wright State University

BEST COLLEGIATE PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Funny Girl, Wright State University
Godspell, Sinclair Community College
Grand Hotel: The Musical, Wright State University
Spring Awakening, Wright State University

(l to r) Jenna Rubaii and Thomas Hettrick in American Idiot
Photo by John Daughtry

BEST NEW WORK
Gingerbread Children, Human Race Theatre Company
Managing Maxine, Human Race Theatre Company
Nureyev’s Eyes, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest
Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody, Victoria Theatre Association
Under a Red Moon, Human Race Theatre Company

BEST SPECIAL THEATRICAL EVENT
Ain’t Misbehavin,’ Central State University, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and Zoot Theatre Company
American Idiot, Victoria Theatre Association
Crazy for You, Muse Machine
Into the Woods, Wright State University Senior Class
Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody, Victoria Theatre Association

BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Alex Carmichal as Count Dracula, Dracula
Alexander Chilton as Jerry, Zoo Story
Edward Furs as Vincent Lombardi, Lombardi
Patrick Hayes as Katurian K. Katurian, The Pillowman
Jared Mola as Osvald Alving, Ghosts
Richard B. Watson as Jack Lawson, Race

(l to r) Kate Mueller and Cyndii Johnson in The Miracle Worker
Contributed photo

BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Cassandra Engber as Anna Reardon, And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little (Dayton Theatre Guild)
Lisa Howard-Welch as Helene Alving, Ghosts
Cyndii Johnson as Anne Sullivan, The Miracle Worker
Marcy McGuian as Marie Lombardi, Lombardi
Jana Robbins as Maxine Levine, Managing Maxine
Marva M.B. Williams as Esther Mills, Intimate Apparel

BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Brad Mattingly as Pseudolus, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Con O’Shea-Creal as Bert, Mary Poppins
James Oblak as Princeton and Rod, Avenue Q
Jesse Sharp as Gomez Addams, The Addams Family
Desmond Thomas as Seymour, Little Shop of Horrors
Gary Troy as Fagin, Oliver!

BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Charity Dawson as Effie Melody White, Dreamgirls
Melissa Hall as Fanny Brice, Funny Girl
Katie Pees as Kate Monster and Lucy T. Slut, Avenue Q
Trisha Rapier as Diana Goodman, Next to Normal
Sara Sheperd as Nancy, Oliver!
Carly Snyder as Polly Baker, Crazy for You

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Bruce Cromer as Charles Strickland, Race
Alan Bomar Jones as Henry Brown, Race
Sean Jones as John H. Patterson, 1913: The Great Dayton Flood
Charles Larkowski as Pastor Manders, Ghosts
Jared Mola as Robert Renfield, Dracula
Matthew W. Smith as Eliot, Opus (Dayton Theatre Guild)

(l to r) Barbara Jorgensen, Maximillian Santucci, Alex Carmichal, Katrina Kittle and Corinne Engber in 100 Saints You Should Know
Photo by Craig Roberts

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Catherine Collins as Mrs. Dickson, Intimate Apparel
Jenna Gomes as Grandma, The American Dream
Barbara Jorgensen as Coleen, 100 Saints You Should Know
Caitlin Larsen as Mother, Frau Graf and Kathryn, Gingerbread Children
Julia Pace Mitchell as Susan, Race
Sherri Sutter as Dotty Otley and Mrs. Clackett, Noises Off (Brookville Community Theatre)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Ian DeVine as Jack, Into the Woods
Drew Helton as Moritz Stiefel, Spring Awakening
Joseph Medeiros as the Artful Dodger and Widow Corney, Oliver!
JoNathan Michael as James “Thunder” Early, Dreamgirls
Christopher G. Smith as Ken Page, Ain’t Misbehavin’
Justin Talkington as Eddie Ryan, Funny Girl

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Michelle Liu Coughlin as Christmas Eve, Avenue Q
Elana D. Elmore as Muzzy Van Hossmere, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Jennifer Fogarty as Wednesday Addams, The Addams Family
Kelli Locker as Herself, Godspell
Shawn Storms as Gary Coleman, Avenue Q
Michelle Weiser as Rose Brice, Funny Girl

BREAKTHROUGH MALE PERFORMANCE
Darren Brown as Rudolf Nureyev, Nureyev’s Eyes
Jon Hacker as Melchoir Gabor, Spring Awakening
Mathys Herbert as Otto Kringelin, Grand Hotel: The Musical
Joseph Risner as Michael, The Pillowman
Maximillian Santucci as Garrett, 100 Saints You Should Know
David Thomas as Jimmy Smith, Thoroughly Modern Millie

BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE PERFORMANCE
Taryn Lemmons as Elizaveta Grushinskaya, Grand Hotel: The Musical
Katie McCarthy as Elle Woods, Legally Blonde
Abby McLean as Millie Dillmount, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Cari Meixner as Audrey, Little Shop of Horrors
Kate Mueller as Helen Keller, The Miracle Worker
Hayley Penchoff as Katherina, The Taming of the Shrew (Sinclair Community College)

(l to r) Joseph Medeiros and Blaise Bouschard in Oliver!
Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY
D. Tristan Cupp and J. Gary Thompson, The Hobbit
Tony Dallas, The American Dream/Zoo Story
Richard E. Hess, Race
Natasha Randall, The Pillowman
David Shough, Dracula

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Kimberly Borst, Godspell
Marya Spring Cordes, Grand Hotel: The Musical
Joe Deer, Avenue Q
Alan Souza, Oliver!
Scott Stoney, Next to Normal

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Debbie Blunden-Diggs, Ain’t Misbehavin’
Lula Elzy, Crazy for You
Spencer Liff, Oliver!
Robert Longbottom and Shane Sparks, Dreamgirls
Suzanne Winland, Grand Hotel: The Musical

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY
Michael Amico, The Miracle Worker
Chris Harmon, Intimate Apparel
Josh Hollister, Ghosts
David Shough, Dracula
Terry Stump, The Taming of the Shrew (Sinclair Community College)

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Dick Block, Avenue Q
David A. Centers, Oliver!
D. Tristan Cupp, Ain’t Misbehavin’
Pam Knauert Lavarnway, Grand Hotel: The Musical
Terry Stump, Godspell

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
Carol Finley and Robin Farinet, Ghosts
Kathleen Hotmer, The Taming of the Shrew (Sinclair Community College)
Mary Beth McLaughlin, The Miracle Worker
Barbara Pontecorvo, Dracula
Shirley P. Wasser, The Hobbit

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
D. Bartlett Blair, Grand Hotel: The Musical
William Ivey Long, Dreamgirls
Carrie Robbins, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Victoria Theatre Association)
Molly Walz, Oliver!
Ayn K. Wood, Ain’t Misbehavin’

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
Anita Bachman and David Shough, Dracula
Andy Balmert, The Hobbit
John Falkenbach, Ghosts
Danielle Ferguson, The Miracle Worker
John Rensel, Under a Red Moon

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Matthew P. Benjamin, Grand Hotel: The Musical
Robert L. Clements, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Cedarville University)
Erin Jones, Spring Awakening
Natasha Katz, Mary Poppins
John Rensel, Oliver!

(l to r) Jamie McQuinn, Brad Bishop, Brad Mattingly and Saul Caplan in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Photo by Art Fabian

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY
Ben Borton, Kyle Himsworth and Matthew J. Evans, The American Dream/Zoo Story
Bob Kovach and David Shough, Dracula
James Dunlap, The Miracle Worker
John Lamm, The Hobbit
Andrew Stroud, 1913: The Great Dayton Flood

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Craig Cassidy, The Addams Family
James Dunlap, Grand Hotel: The Musical
Kyle Himsworth, bare: a pop opera (University of Dayton)
Brian Retterer, Oliver!
Brian Ronan, American Idiot

BEST VIDEO/PROJECTION DESIGN OF A PLAY
Shaunn Baker, Lombardi
Danielle Ferguson, 1913: The Great Dayton Flood
Stephanie Lefeld, The American Dream/Zoo Story

(l to r) Tonyia Myrie Rue, Jasmin Richardson and Charity Dawson in Dreamgirls
Contributed photo

BEST VIDEO/PROJECTION DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Darrel Maloney, American Idiot
Zach Rosing and Ben Phillippe, Avenue Q
Howard Werner, Dreamgirls

BEST ORCHESTRA
Ain’t Misbehavin,’ Musical Director: Ramon Key
Crazy for You, Musical Director: Timothy Olt
Dreamgirls, Musical Director: Jon Balcourt
Funny Girl, Musical Director: Scot Woolley
Grand Hotel: The Musical, Musical Director: Scot Woolley

BEST PROPERTIES
Sarah Gomes, The Hobbit
Jennifer Kramer, Intimate Apparel
John Lavarnway, The Miracle Worker
Wendi Michael, Stefanie Pratt and Deidre Root, And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little (Dayton Theatre Guild)
Heather Powell, Oliver!

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Andrew Ian Adams and Annie Kalahurka as the Bad Idea Bears in Avenue Q
Amanda Barker, Gabe Bowling and Alice Moran in Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody
Director Joe Beumer, lighting designer David Corson, musical director Ben Spalding’s orchestra and the cast of Centerville High School’s production of Sweeney Todd
Jim Brown as Audrey II (Voice), Little Shop of Horrors
Kathy Clark and Laura Dell’s vocal interpretations in Side by Side by Sondheim
D. Tristan Cupp’s puppet design for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Zoot Theatre Company), Avenue Q and The Hobbit
Scenic designer Gion DeFrancesco, puppet designer Patrick Hayes and Maximillian Jansen as Rapunzel’s Prince for Miami University’s production of Into the Woods
Bryon Dobbs and Nancy Perrin’s piano accompaniment for Side by Side by Sondheim
The cast of Gingerbread Children: Andrew Ian Adams, Kay Bosse, Jamie Cordes, Charity Farrell, Caitlin Larsen, Jacob McGlaun, Robin Post, Matthew W. Smith, Scott Stoney and K.L. Storer
Bob Crowley’s Tony Award-winning sets for Mary Poppins
Geoffrey Garratt’s recreation of Matthew Bourne’s choreography for Mary Poppins
Stacy Gear’s choreography for A Chorus Line (Beavercreek Community Theatre)
Helen Gregory’s music direction for Oliver!
Patrick Hayes’ makeup effects for 100 Saints You Should Know
E. Cameron Holsinger’s recreation of Jerry Zaks’ direction for The Addams Family
Adam John Hunter’s recreation of Kristin Hanggi’s direction for Rock of Ages
Michael Mayer’s direction, Steven Hoggett’s choreography, Christine Jones’ Tony Award-winning set design and Kevin Adams’ Tony Award-winning lighting design for American Idiot
W. Stuart McDowell’s recreation of his staging for1913: The Great Dayton Flood
Gregory Meeh’s special effects for “The Addams Family”
Jared Mola’s makeup effects for Dracula
Director Fran Pesch and the cast of Love, Loss, and What I Wore: Amy Askins, Barbara Jorgensen, Elena Monigold, Annie Pesch and Gayle Smith (Young at Heart Players)
The male ensemble of Oliver!: Nicholas Belton, Blaise Bouschard, Ian Devine, Adam Lendermon, Joseph Medeiros, Chris Shea, Jonah Sorscher, Scott Stoney and Gary Troy
Chris Newman’s prologue illustrations for Dracula
Stephen Schwartz, Debbie Gravitte and Scott Coulter in Stephen Schwartz & Friends (Wright State University CELIA Distinguished Visiting Artist Series)
The Rock of Ages band under the musical direction of Brandon Ethridge
Ben Riddlebarger’s artwork for The Pillowman
Stivers School for the Arts’ productions of Godspell and Teach Me How to Cry
J. Gary Thompson’s original music for The Hobbit
Earnest Tremble’s piano accompaniment for Ain’t Misbehavin’
Basil Twist’s puppetry for The Addams Family
Shirley P. Wasser’s contributions as puppet artisan for Avenue Q

July 5 Event to Feature Dance Lessons, Classic Movies, Contests, and Live Music

June 24, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Downtown’s next free First Friday event will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 5. To celebrate the holiday weekend, many restaurant and stores are offering a variety of activities and entertainment for downtown visitors to enjoy. Events include art exhibits, live music, dinner and drink specials, retail sales, and special events will be featured at a variety of downtown venues.

Some of the highlights for the July 5 First Friday are listed below. A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday is available on the DDP website.

Food Truck Rally – 200 S. Jefferson St. (near the Dayton Convention Center): Synergy Incubators hosts the July First Friday Food Truck Rally, featuring Zombie Dogz, Go Cupcake, Ringo’s North Star Mobile Eatery Caribbacanas,Fressa Truck, G’s CUE BBQ Horseless Buggy Eatery, Tik’s Thai Mobile, @The Monchon, Kona Ice and Missouri Avenue BBQ from 5:00pm – 9:00pm

American Pi (37 S. St. Clair St.) is celebrating a new collaboration with “Life in Letters,” a local handcraft décor store. Visitors can create unique and personal pieces using photos taken in the Dayton area that resemble letters. For First Friday, the owners of “Life in Letters” will be at the store to meet with anyone who comes by. The store is open until 8:30 p.m. Call 937–938-7890.

Cincinnati artist Gregory Sitg will be showing light paintings at Clash Consignment (521 E. Fifth St.). Call 937-241-9434.

The Collaboratory (33 N. Main St.) will feature an exhibition by artist and designer Misty Thomas-Trout that is a visual representation of her personal journey into self-awareness. Enjoy drinks and food with while getting to know the artist. The Collaboratory will be open until 8 p.m. Call 937-732-5123.

The monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet for two rides this month at Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, (220 N. Patterson Blvd.). The first will ride leaves at 5:30 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m. The July ride will include a tour of the McPherson, Grafton Hill, Five Oaks and Santa Clara District neighborhoods.

As part of the First Friday Salsa Music Series, Latin band Cla’ve Son will play live music from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark (111 E. Monument Ave.) on the MetroPark Pavilion Stage. Visitors can learn some salsa steps while listening to great music. Call 937-274-0126.

Sew Dayton (16 Brown St.) will offer treats from the PNC 2nd Street Market and showcase work by fiber artist Pat Weaves. Those who stop by are encouraged to partake in a DIY “Make It Work” contest. Participants will be given three pieces of textiles and given the challenge to create something new from them. The contest will run through the end of July. Call 937-234-7398.

Kicking off the Cool Film Series at Victoria Theatre (138 N Main St.) is the classic comedy “The Apartment” starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine and directed by Billy Wilder. Free popcorn and soda are offered in the lobby and an old-fashioned sing-a-long begins 30 minutes before show time. Tickets are $5. Call 228-3630.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association and Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show that airs on Fridays from 8 p.m. to midnight on WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org.

Outdoor Dinner Theater in Dayton

June 24, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Zoot Theatre Company is taking advantage of their new preforming home by introducing a summer outdoor series at The Dayton Art Institute! This casual, dinner theater concept makes use of the recently renovated Hale Cloister and guests can order tickets a boxed lunch or dinner and a bottle of wine from Leo Bistro.

A Box, Bottle, and Play will consist of three outdoor productions: A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Dr. Faustus; and The Tempest. All three plays are written and adapted by noted local artist Brian McKnight. The Series opened June 19th with one of Shakespeare’s best known plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Famous for its comedy, Midsummer is the story of a pair of young lovers who plan to cast all aside and elope, but are interrupted when they are followed into the woods and become mixed up in a love triangle..er..quartet. The night goes comically awry when the four are caught in a quarrel between the fairy queen and king. A Midsummer Night’s Dream will run through Sunday, June 30.

The second show in the Series, Dr. Faustus is by Christopher Marlowe and is about a notable mind within academia, Doctor Faustus. As he pursues his studies so rigorously he becomes bored with the limits of theory, feeling that he has attained all the wisdom that is possible in the earthly realm. He continues his pursuit of power and knowledge elsewhere, ultimately making a pact with the devil. Dr. Faustus will open on Wednesday, July 10 and run through Sunday, July 21.

The Series will end with another Shakespearean classic, The Tempest. The show follows Prospero after he has been deposed from his dukedom by his own brother and cast to sea. After being deposed, he and his daughter Miranda live stranded for years on an island filled with spirits. When Prospero discovers that a ship carrying his brother and the King of Naples is near, he uses his skills as a powerful magician to crash their boat onto the island’s shores and orchestrates a plan to regain his rightful position. The Tempest will open on Wednesday, July 31 and will close on Sunday, August 11.

Audience members may choose from Leo Bistro’s two meal options; a smoked turkey, provolone, and sundried pesto Panini; or a roasted Portobello and brie Panini with apple arugula salad. All meals include kettle chips or a side salad and a chocolate chip cookie. Meals also include lemonade, iced tea, or water.
Show Times:

Wed, Sat & Sun 1pm,

Thurs & Fri 7pm

Tickets run $20 per show, subscriptions are available for all three shows for $51.00 per person. In addition, audience members are able to purchase a delicious boxed meal for an additional $10.00 per person and a bottle of wine for $15.00 per bottle. Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale. A limited number of $10 “Tweet Seats” are available for Saturday & Sunday performances. For more information, call 937.223.4ART or visit www.zoottheatrecompany.org.

The Zoot Theatre Company was founded in 2006 as a professional puppet and mask company. Based in Dayton, OH, Zoot is the resident theatre company in the NCR Renaissance Auditorium at the Dayton Art Institute where it produces both its Summer Series and MainStage Season, consisting of professional puppet and mask shows. In addition, Zoot offers puppetry and mask workshops for children and adults typically at schools and community centers. Proud to be a Dayton Original, Zoot also maintains studio and rehearsalspace in downtown Dayton and partners with many local schools, colleges, and arts organizations. In the past, Zoot has worked with Alter High School, Oakwood High School, Central State University, The Muse Machine, The Dayton Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, and designed and built original puppets for The Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Avenue Q in the Spring of 2013.

Thriller THE EAST and Several New Events at THE NEON!

June 21, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Response has been quite mixed for BEFORE MIDNIGHT. Some of you agree with me and think it’s one of the year’s best films…others think it’s “too chatty and boring.” If you haven’t seen it, we hope you’ll come and decide for yourself. It will stick around for another week. On our other screen, we will open a new thriller called THE EAST.

Be sure to keep a look-out for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, the contemporary retelling of The Bard’s famous play – directed by Joss Whedon. It could open as soon as next week!

Synopsis for THE EAST: “An elite private intelligence firm contracts ex-FBI agent Sarah Moss to infiltrate a mysterious anarchist collective, The East, suspected to be responsible for attacking major corporations. Sarah goes undercover, but as she gets closer to the action and the organization’s leader, her commitment to her task begins to waver.” (taken from Metacritic.com) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site. This film stars Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgard, Ellen Page and Patricia Clarkson (one of my all-time favorite actresses).

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“Start Freedom Dayton is at it again – this time with a screening BORN INTO BROTHELS, the 77th Oscar winner for Best Feature Documentary. Come see the movie and stay for the post-screening discussion led by Melinda Haggerty, Ohio’s Director of Children’s Initiatives, the juvenile justice arm of the Office of Mike DeWine. Advance tickets are available at Peace on Fifth for $7.50 (located at 508 E. Fifth Street). Tickets on the day of the show will cost $10 at THE NEON.” (Peace on Fifth press notes.) Born into Brothels is the chronicle of two documentary filmmakers and their time in Sonagchi, Calcutta and the relationships they developed with children of prostitutes who work the city’s notorious red light district.

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

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX8db-wnir4′]

“AMU is the story of Kaju, a twenty-one-year-old Indian American woman who returns to India to visit her family and discover the place where she was born. The film takes a dark turn as Kaju stumbles against secrets and lies from her past. A horrifying genocide that took place twenty years ago turns out to hold the key to her mysterious origins.” The India Foundation will present this special screening of AMU on Saturday, July 13 at Noon. Tickets will be $5 each.

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There’s another potential Gathr screening on the horizon. Once again, 50 tickets need to be reserved in order for the screening to be locked down. The movie is BACK TO 1942, and it’s an epic film set during a drought in China’s Henan province in 1942. The tentative screening is scheduled for July 17 at 7:30. Click this LINK to reserve your ticket.

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See you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. June 21 – Thur. June 27:

BEFORE MIDNIGHT (R) 1 Hr 48 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:45
Thursday: 3:00, 5:20

THE EAST (PG-13) 1 Hr 56 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:15, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 7:45

BORN INTO BROTHELS (R) 1 Hr 31 Min
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
June 28 – MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
TBD – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
July 12 – 20 FEET FROM STARDOM
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – IN THE HOUSE

Mythbusters: Behind the Myths + TICKET CONTEST

June 18, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

This all-new, live stage show stars Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of the Emmy®-nominated Discovery series, “MythBusters.” Get ready for an unexpected evening of on-stage experiments, audience participation, rocking video and behind-the-scenes stories. For the first time ever, fans will join Jamie and Adam on stage and assist in their mind-twisting and not always orthodox approach to science. MYTHBUSTERS – BEHIND THE MYTHS brings you face to face with the curious world of Jamie and Adam as the duo matches wits on stage with each other and members of the audience.

One of the Discovery Channel’s most highly regarded and watched series, “MythBusters” is now in its ninth season. Co-hosted by Hyneman and Savage, “MythBusters” mixes scientific method with gleeful curiosity and plain old-fashioned ingenuity to create its own signature style of explosive experimentation–and the supporting or de-bunking of urban myths that we live with day to day.

AGE RECOMMENDATION:
Ages 6 and up. MYTHBUSTERS – BEHIND THE MYTHS is family friendly and appropriate for all ages, but parents should only bring young children if they can sit through a two hour theatrical show. For the consideration of all patrons, children on laps and/or babes in arms are not permitted at Victoria Theatre Association Star Attraction presentations.

BEFORE MIDNIGHT – Best Reviewed Film of the Year – Opens at THE NEON!

June 13, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

For those of you who haven’t seen RENOIR yet (or those of you who need to see it again), we’re going to hold the film for one screening per day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sunday will be its last day…so hurry down. On Friday, we will open the best reviewed film of the year…and in my opinion, the best film I’ve seen all year – BEFORE MIDNIGHT. In addition, we will hold the new Noah Baumbach comedy FRANCES HA. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for BEFORE MIDNIGHT: BEFORE MIDNIGHT is the best reviewed film of the year – with current scores of 98% on Rottentomatoes.com and 96% on Metascritic.com (check out all the 100% reviews by clicking this LINK). Don’t miss this honest, relatable, and touching film on the big screen. “In this follow-up to Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, we meet Jesse and Celine nine years later in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna.” (taken from Sony Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site. This film is rich with intelligent dialog and great performances, and it works whether you’ve seen the 2 previous films or not.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv6JWoVKlGY’]

There are still tickets available for our special screening of I DO – taking place on Thursday, June 20 at 7:30. As the Supreme Court decides on civil rights issues that will effect thousands of US Citizens, this film couldn’t come at a more important time. (I saw this film at The Cleveland International Film Festival, and the audience adored it!) “A gay Brit living in New York is deprived of his immigration status, and risks losing his family and life in the U.S. He marries his lesbian best friend to remain in the country and stay with his family, but things get complicated when he meets the love of his life and is forced to make an impossible choice.” This one night only screening is part of Dayton’s PRIDE festivities. Tickets are $9 for General Admission. Members of The Greater Dayton LGBT Center get in for $7 (with valid membership card). Tickets are on sale now at THE NEON’s box office.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92tXGsF6s4Q’]

“Start Freedom Dayton is at it again – this time with a screening BORN INTO BROTHELS, the 77th Oscar winner for Best Feature Documentary. Come see the movie and stay for the post-screening discussion led by Melinda Haggerty, Ohio’s Director of Children’s Initiatives, the juvenile justice arm of the Office of Mike DeWine. Advance tickets are available at Peace on Fifth for $7.50 (located at 508 E. Fifth Street). Tickets on the day of the show will cost $10 at THE NEON.” (Peace on Fifth press notes.) Born into Brothels is the chronicle [of two documentary filmmakers and] their time in Sonagchi, Calcutta and the relationships they developed with children of prostitutes who work the city’s notorious red light district.

On Saturday, July 6, THE NEON will host the premiere of Meladi McNair’s new film THE OMISSION. “Marissa tries to hide from her friends that she is in an unfortunate, yet common situation that afflicts many young adults. A violent, controlling relationship. Three flashbacks paint her birthday bash as the platform for a series of unfortunate events in which five long-time friends learn of her situation, and turn on each other… THE OMISSION, a dark, abuse awareness film debuts at 3 pm on July 6. The film was written and directed by Dayton’s own Meladi McNair; a Journalist and social-conscious author, artist and film maker. She is also the author of the anti-bullying book, ‘The Vexing.’ Tickets are $5 each.” (taken from press notes)

See you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. June 14 – Thur. June 20:

BEFORE MIDNIGHT (R) 1 Hr 48 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:45

RENOIR (R) 1 Hr 51 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40

FRANCES HA (R) 1 Hr 26 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Thursday: 3:00, 5:15

I DO (NR) 1 Hr 31 Min
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
June 21 – THE EAST
June 28 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
July 12 – 20 FEET FROM STARDOM
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
Aug 2 – I’M SO EXCITED
Aug 23 – BLUE JASMINE
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – IN THE HOUSE

Coming Up In Dayton Theatre, 6/14 – 6/23

June 13, 2013 By Sarah Caplan Leave a Comment

There are a lot of things closing, opening and running this weekend. Plenty of things to see and even some good fare to take the family, including Dad! Theatre tickets make an awesome Father’s Day gift. Does he like humor? Music? Laughing? Everything Dayton offers up this weekend features all three! Check it out!

Closing This Weekend!

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

The Dayton Playhouse

The Skinny: Something familiar, something peculiar. Something for everyone! A comedy tonight! Come see the Dayton Playhouse take on one of Stephen Sondheim’s funniest and best loved pieces. A farcical love story taking place in a fictionalized idea of Ancient Rome. A father-son dynamic is at the heart of this piece! Perfect for Father’s Day! So take your dad to see the matinee and then buy him Chinese Buffet for dinner afterwards! Or maybe that’s just my family tradition?

Dates: Closing Sunday, 6/16

Tickets: Please visit the Dayton Playhouse website at www.daytonplayhouse.com

Currently In Production!

Avenue Q

The Human Race Theatre Company

The Skinny: Don’t let the puppets and the “Sesame Street” skin tones confuse you; THIS IS NOT FOR KIDS. Avenue Q is a riotously funny, politically incorrect and downright raunchy Tony Award-winning musical about recent college grad Princeton and his funny, sometimes furry, friends who live at the very end of New York’s (in)famous Alphabet City. Featuring songs like, “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist,” “It Sucks To Be Me,” and of course that battle cry of the internet age: “The Internet Is For Porn!” seriously this show is NOT FOR KIDS. But it is for adults who like to laugh really hard.

Dates: Through June 29th.

Tickets: Please visit the Human Race Theatre Company website at www.humanracetheatre.org. Have we mentioned that this production is NOT FOR KIDS?

The Sound Of Music

La Comedia Dinner Theatre

The Skinny: Ok, this one is safe for all the family…unless they’re offended by cherubic singing siblings and Nazi-fighting nuns! This is the well-loved classic, and a perennial crowd pleaser. Join The Captain, Maria and all 7 children as they sing, dance and, eventually, cross the Alps.

Dates: Through 6/30

Tickets: Please visit the La Comedia website at www.lacomedia.org

Opening this Weekend!

Legally Blonde The Musical

Beavercreek Community Theatre

The Skinny: To quote its opening number: “Oh my god, oh my god you guys!”, it’s another production of Legally Blonde! This charming and enjoyable musical (based on the movie) takes the stage now at Beavercreek Community Theatre. Come join the plucky Elle Woods as she follows her “true love” to Harvard Law. There she gets a taste of hard work, the real world, and maybe learns to rely on her smarts more than her, well, blondeness.

Date: Opening 6/21 and running through 6/30

Tickets: Please visit the Beavercreek Community Theatre website at www.bctheatre.com

FutureFest Update:

Just a heads up, all the shows for FutureFest weekend have been cast and have begun, or will be soon be beginning, rehearsal! Exciting! For more information about the shows and about Dayton’s own FutureFest, a nationally known festival of new works, go to www.daytonplayhouse.com and click the “FutureFest” tab.

Don’t Call It A Comeback

June 12, 2013 By Rodney Veal Leave a Comment

I was very fortunate this weekend to bear witness to two ladies visibly demonstrating that their potency and relevance have not been forsaken or diminished, but rather laying dormant waiting to rise again. One lady on a red clay court being scrutinized by the world and the other, a dance company, performing on a stage on a late Saturday afternoon; both are stories that illuminate the power of perseverance and talent.

While some may consider comparing a tennis great like Serena Williams and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company to be a stretch. However it works when individuals and institutions approach their respective moments in the sun, be it on a tennis court or a proscenium stage with a preternatural focus and ability to fully engage you as a viewer in a visceral and intellectual whirlwind as to leave us positively giddy. I was delightfully connected and grateful to be present to observe it all.

With “Urban Impulse” , DCDC concluded the 2012-2013 season with energy and vitality and a hopeful promise of an even more solid renaissance in the future. In this day and age of a wildly uncertain socio-economic landscape, the arts are still a far cry from being removed from the endangered species list. With museums, dance companies and symphonies folding every year; this type of promise is worth its weight in gold.

With the revival of “Jacobs Ladder”, a potently engaging work that incorporated video projections/imageries and street dance vernacular infused modern proved worthy of revival. The audience was transported to the post -New Jack City streets that easily stands up to comparison with the genius of Jerome Robbins and his choreographic ability to vividly evoke the sights , sounds and energy of that uniquely urban terrain that we call NYC.

A novelty that could have easily backfired for the company, turned out to be the exact opposite. DCDC held a competition to select a local community group or individuals to perform with the company at this concert. Chenaulte Dancers were the lucky dance crew selected. “Shall Not Be Moved” was joyous opportunity to showcase the talents of a local company of young dancers. While it could have been a few minutes shorter, it was danced with an incipient flair.

The second showcase of local dancers came with “Hype”, a boisterous and wildly entertaining romp. This work was a testimony to the talents of the team of choreographers and their agile adeptness at integrating the dancers to the point of beautiful seamlessness. Major congratulations to Christina Perry, Zachary Scott Jr., Emily Stamas, Maddie Welsh and Taylor Young for clearly demonstrating their skills and embrace of this wonderful opportunity of a lifetime.

The concert culminated in a choreographic work that was an amalgamation of everything that is great about this current manifestation of the company.The solid ensemble has been given an incredible gem of a ballet in “Shed.” The choreographer Kiesha Lalama displayed her ample skills as a generator of mood, intensity and movement. Just like watching the incomparable Serena Williams, you marvel at the mysterious x-factor that manifests itself in such a championship as well as the alchemy of Ms. Lalama artistic genius. The dancers were clearly up to the challenge and that is what gives this work the jolt of vitality. This should be a part of the burgeoning new repertoire that is helping to define the quality of DCDC in the 21st Century.

Because of the majesty on display at “Urban Impulses”, I believe that the line from the ultimate king of urban swagger, LLCool J , applies to both Serena Williams and DCDC, “Don’t call it a comeback,” Because they never really left the throne of greatness. They just quietly and regally re-invented themselves for the future.

Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody + TICKET CONTEST

June 12, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

It’s time for the saucy book that caused a world sensation to get spanked! SPANK! THE FIFTY SHADES PARODY is the hilarious new musical that brings all the naughty fun of the best-selling book to life. Your inner goddess will be laughing out loud with this new imagining of the characters as they come to life with sharp-witted comedy, musical numbers, steamy and fun performances from the hunky leading man, plus lots of surprises! Grab your girlfriends and don’t miss the funniest and most exciting girls’ night out of the year! (SPANK! is not associated with, nor authorized by, author E.L. James or Vintage Press.)

Age Recommendation: Ages 17 and up. This production contains adult themes and may not be suitable for all audiences. For the consideration of all patrons, children on laps and/or babes in arms are not permitted at Victoria Theatre Association Star Attraction presentations.