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LOTR, Nutcracker, Quentin Tarantino, Home Alone

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Hello Dayton and Happy Holidays!  Check out these special events next week!

THE NUTCRACKER – DEC 3rd @ 7PM

Conducted by Valery Gergiev, this timeless production of The Nutcracker opens with a Christmas Eve party and a young girl, Clara, being given a nutcracker doll by her godfather, Drosselmeyer. Later in the evening when Clara sleeps, she finds herself in the midst of the Nutcracker’s battle against the Mouse King and his army of mice. Coming to Clara’s aid, the Nutcracker is transformed into a Prince and journeys with her to an enchanted island where spectacular celebrations are held.

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

 

QUENTIN TARANTINO’S RESERVOIR DOGS – DEC 4th @ 7pm

In 1992, Quentin Tarantino burst onto the scene and redefined modern cinema with the groundbreaking debut of Reservoir Dogs. 20 years later, NCM Fathom Events, Miramax and IGN are celebrating a milestone anniversary of this crime-thriller by bringing Reservoir Dogs 20th Anniversary Event to the big screen.

Also, Reservoir Dogs 20th Anniversary Event will feature trailers hand-picked by Quentin Tarantino which influenced his work, and exclusive new interviews.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL40F9BD6557309FB4′]

 

JIMMY HENDRIX: LIVE AT WOODSTOCK – DEC 5th @ 7pm

In Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s Birth, for the first time ever see Jimi Hendrix’s unforgettable August 1969 Woodstock concert in select cinemas globally.

This special edition theatrical presentation, under the auspices of Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. has been carefully reassembled from the extensive archive of film footage helmed by Academy Award winning director Michael Wadleigh and his hand picked team of skilled camera operators and support personnel under the auspices of Experience Hendrix, LLC, the Hendrix family owned company. What they captured was a Jimi Hendrix performance unlike any other.

Jimi premiered a new band and his extraordinary performance on that August morning included unforgettable renditions of such signature Hendrix songs as “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” “Fire,” “Purple Haze” and “Foxy Lady” as well as his dramatic interpretation of the “Star Spangled Banner”. Jimi’s fascinating road to the Woodstock festival is revealed by way of never before seen footage and interviews with his band members such as Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell, engineer Eddie Kramer and Woodstock’s promoter Michael Lang. Directed by Grammy Award winner Bob Smeaton [Beatles Anthology, Band Of Gypsys, Festival Express], the documentary, which precedes the performance footage, reveals the struggle to stage the legendary festival and secure Hendrix as its headline artist.

Jimi Hendrix Woodstock performance stands as one of the finest ever in rock music history. This presentation features the original 16mm footage digitally restored together with a new 5.1 audio surround mix by legendary engineer Eddie Kramer. Kramer originally recorded the Woodstock festival and also served Jimi Hendrix as his recording engineer throughout his entire career.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFAQWjdCO8o’]

 

RAVE RETRO SERIES: HOME ALONE – DEC 5th @ 2pm & 7pm – Only $5!

An 8-year-old boy, who is accidentally left behind while his family flies to France for Christmas, has to defend his home against idiotic burglars.

The Retro Rave Film Series is taking you back to when a night at the movies was totally awesome… Don’t miss your chance to see these great classics on the big screen at a Rave theater near you.  Future films; 12/12 Bad Santa & 12/19 Christmas Vacation.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK2Btk6Ybm0′]

 

QUENTIN TARANTINO’S PULP FICTION – DEC 6th @ 7pm

In 1994 Quentin Tarantino unveiled his masterpiece, Pulp Fiction and solidified his place among the greatest filmmakers. NCM Fathom Events, Miramax and IGN are bringing Pulp Fiction back to the big screen.

Recognized on AFI’s Top 100 list, Pulp Fiction weaves 3 interconnected stories of seemingly unrelated people into a tale of violence and redemption.

The event will also feature interviews and trailers, handpicked from Tarantino’s personal collection, that have influenced his work.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak-48HIXku0′]

 

LORD OF THE RINGS MARATHON – DEC 8th @ 10am

Rave Cinemas is proud to present the Lord of the Rings Marathon! This all day, one time only event will be on Dec. 8th, 2012 starting at 10am. The extended version of all movies will be shown, giving audiences the capabilities to relive the magic back on screen!

LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring- @ 10:00am LOTR: The Two Towers –  @ 2:15pm LOTR: The Return of the King – @ 7:00p

Tickets for the event are only $25, with large popcorns and large sodas getting free refills!

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

For showtimes click here

ENTER TO WIN TWO MOVIE PASSES!

Fill out the form below and leave a Facebook comment telling us you want to WIN MOVIE PASSES from RAVE CINEMAS DAYTON SOUTH, we will randomly draw a winner and notify same. Contest closes 12/06/12. Passes awarded will be valid for 30 days from close date at Rave Cinemas Dayton South only and must be used by then or will be forfeited. Valid for any showing, except special events.

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to Pam Livingston

Holiday Gift Shopping, Activated Spaces Tour Featured During Downtown Dayton’s First Friday

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Shoppers browse the Dayton Visual Arts Center's ARTtoBUY holiday gift gallery during December 2011's First Friday.

Shoppers browse the Dayton Visual Arts Center’s ARTtoBUY holiday gift gallery during December 2011’s First Friday.

Downtown’s next free First Friday art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7.

Downtown’s specialty retail stores and art galleries will be open late for shoppers who want to pick up one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, including vintage clothing and housewares, handmade gifts and art, gift certificates, and much more. Here is a sampling of downtown’s holiday gift galleries:

• CADC, 35 S. St. Clair St.: The gift gallery, “Art Box,” will be open and CADC will feature “Mobiles and Lights,” an exhibit featuring artists’ interpretations of mistletoe and twinkle for the season, along with live music, appetizers and drinks. Call 313-9883.

• Cachet G! International Boutique, 133 E. Third St.: Featuring watercolors and fabric art by Francine Cummings, as well as wearable art and handmade notecards. Call 461-2665.

• Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.: (Open 5 to 8 p.m.) Featuring art by Deborah Melton Anderson and the ArtToBuy Holiday Gift Gallery. Call 224-3822.

• Gallery 510 Fine Art, 510 E. Fifth St.: Shop a variety of handmade items perfect for gift giving, including ceramics, jewelry, scarves, art, purses and more. Call 672-6717.

• K12 Gallery for Young People/TEJAS, 510 E. Third St.:  (Open 6 to 9 p.m.) Showing “American Immigration: A Local Perspective,” a mixed-media exhibition, as well as artwork from Horizon Science Academy.  Vendors will be selling handmade art and gifts. Call 461-5149.

• The Yellow Cab Building, 700 E. Fourth St., will host Handmade Holiday Dayton. This annual event features more than 30 local artisans vending gift items, ranging from soaps to hand-crafted jewelry, and prizes will be raffled off from local establishments. Handmade Holiday Dayton will continue from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8.

A tour of the window clings installed during Activated Spaces’ Street Team initiative will take place during First Friday. These two clings, designed by local artists, are hung in the Talbott Tower.

In addition, Activated Spaces will host a tour of newly installed window clings featuring the work of local artists during First Friday. The tour begins at American Pi, 37 S. St. Clair St., at 5:45 p.m. The tour will last about 30 minutes, and a reception at American Pi will continue afterward. The installation theme, Colorful Dayton, aims to show the vibrancy of the Dayton community. The 10 clings have been placed in several locations throughout the core of downtown, featuring work by eight local artists, as well as contributions from the City of Dayton and the Miami Conservancy District.

First Friday also will include roaming entertainers, including The Dropbacks, a juggling troupe; the Miami Valley Music Men, an a cappella choir singing carols; and holiday characters in costume.

A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday is available on the DDP website.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association, the Ohio Arts Council and 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.

Woodland Lights in Washington Township

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Woodland Lights offers a fantasy-land of holiday lights and displays along a half-mile wooded path.  The 26-night event enters its 20th season with more lights, more vignettes, and the same winter whimsy that enchants thousands of visitors every year.

Nature and nostalgia come together during a month of holiday lighting and festivities at the 20th annual Woodland Lights.

Visitors to the nightly event can enjoy the beauty of lights sparkling along a half-mile wooded path and reflecting against a woodland pond. Along the trail, whimsical characters and illuminated critters prepare for the holidays, while a real-life Santa Claus visits with children inside an historic log cabin decorated as a candyland.

“The front of Woodland Lights feels more like a festival with lighting and animation,” said Linda Madden, Woodland Lights coordinator. “The mood at the back of the park is quieter, more pristine, and emphasizes the park’s natural beauty.”

“When we started Woodland Lights 20 years ago, we wanted it to be something that was magical and enchanting. We’re staying true to that vision,” Madden said.

Woodland Lights opens Friday November 30 and runs through December 30 (closed 12/24 & 12/25) from 6-9pm and includes carriage rides and a number of entertaining detours such as interactive lights, bonfires, and a food booth serving hot chocolate and other treats. Select nights feature live deer, amusement rides, games and activities.

Visit Santa!

At Woodland Lights, it’s easy to find Santa. Just walk down a sparkling path until you see an historic log cabin decorated in lights.

Turn right at the split rail fence and Santa will welcome you to his cozy cabin every night through December 23. The setting offers an inviting alternative to more commercialized visits with Santa. While young visitors whisper their wish lists in Santa’s ear, parents are invited to snap a picture. Photos also may be purchased for $5.

“This is a real, historic log home that originally was located in Hillsboro, Ohio,” says Woodland Lights Coordinator Linda Madden. “Everything about it is authentic – from the large beams over head to the old limestone fireplace.” A fire burns bright each night in a large hearth near Santa’s chair, greenery is draped across the mantle, and a tree is decorated in the corner.

After Christmas, Santa returns to the North Pole but his cabin stays open for visitors to stop and warm themselves by the fire.

Nostalgia Nights Monday & Tuesdays

View the lights, enjoy refreshments, and visit with Santa before Christmas in an historic log cabin. Musical entertainment in the cabin the day after Christmas.

COST: $3 (Free for kids 2 and under)

Festival Nights Wednesdays – Sundays

For visitors who want the most that Woodland Lights offers. Lights, Refreshments & Santa Visits PLUS carriage rides, amusement rides, costumed characters, live deer games, and activities musical entertainment after Christmas.

COST: $6 (Free for kids 2 and under)

(from the WashingtonTwp.org website)

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have FIVE FAMILY FOUR-PACKS of tickets to give away to visit the Woodland Lights – simply fill out the form below and then leave a comment saying that YOU would like to see the Woodland Lights Holiday Display in Washington Township.  We’ll draw winners on Friday 11/30 after 1pm – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winners!

Terry Bowers Larson.
Kristine Livingston
Rebecca Monce
Tina Gabrielson
Karin Teske

ON STAGE DAYTON REVIEW: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Victoria Theatre Association) – Happy Holiday

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(L to R) Mara Davi, David Elder, James Clow and Stefanie Morse in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Contributed Photo)

A grand dose of warmhearted nostalgia and fantastic tap dancing fuels the infectious vibrancy within the national tour of the 2009 Tony Award-nominated musical “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” the Broadway caliber season opener of the Victoria Theatre Association’s Premier Health Partners Broadway Series presented at the Schuster Center.

Sharply staged by Norb Joerder and faithfully adapted by Tony nominee David Ives (“Venus in Fur”) and Paul Blake from the 1954 Academy Award-nominated film of the same name, “White Christmas” tells an engaging if old-fashioned tale of song-and-dance duo Bob Wallace (James Clow) and Phil Davis (David Elder), close-knit World War II veterans who partner with singing sisters Betty Haynes (Stefanie Morse) and Judy Haynes (Mara Davi) to raise money for a struggling Vermont inn run by Bob and Phil’s stern yet sincere former commanding general. Romance, wisecracks and misunderstanding are key components in the hokey, simple plot greatly accented by some of Berlin’s finest songs. The film’s familiar treasures are here (“Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Sisters,” “Snow” and the title song) along with toe-tapping extras from the vast Berlin canon such as “Happy Holiday,” “Love and the Weather,” “Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun” and “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.”

Berlin’s tunes, overflowing with charm and tenderness, are certainly a main attraction, but Randy Skinner’s Tony-nominated choreography, brilliantly executed with crisp preciseness and debonair finesse, simply dazzles. The breezy “Let Yourself Go” effortlessly sets a spirited tone for the evening. The elegant, jazzy “Blue Skies” and the terrifically cute “I Love a Piano” are applause-inducing knockouts recalling Skinner’s remarkable contributions to the 2001 Broadway revival of “42nd Street,” which memorably featured Elder, a radiant tenor, as Billy Lawlor.

Further, it’s not surprising this show clicks as well as it does because its leading players, a dandy group of Broadway standouts, are no strangers to the material. Elder portrayed the good-natured Phil on tour three years ago. Clow, Morse and Davi appeared in the Broadway production along with Ruth Williamson (Martha Watson) and Cliff Bemis (Mr. Snoring Man/Ezekiel Foster). When they join forces their chemistry and camaraderie is palpable. In fact, Elder and Davi, exceptional dancers, create Fred and Ginger sparks while gliding across the stage in “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing.” Clow (an appealingly awkward Bob) and Morse are equally strong in a classy scene comprising the lovely torch song “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me” (beautifully sung by Morse) and “How Deep is the Ocean.” The wonderfully earthy Williamson, a hilarious Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in the 2000 Broadway revival of “The Music Man,” belts “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” with gusto. Bemis scores his share of laughs in tailor-made roles. Joseph Costa is austerely authoritative and genuinely touching as General Waverly. Tony Lawson as Ralph Sheldrake, Kilty Reidy in multiple roles and the fittingly precocious, vocally pleasant Andie Mechanic as Susan Waverly are also notable. It’s particularly great to see Wright State University alumna Darien Crago among the first-rate ensemble.

This strikingly designed recreation of the Broadway production features attractive costumes by Carrie Robbins, proficient lighting by Ken Billington and Kenneth Foy’s seamless adaptation of Anna Louizos’ colorful sets. Musical director Michael Horsley’s conducts an excellent orchestra.

“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” continues through Dec. 2 at the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Act One: 80 minutes; Act Two: 50 minutes. Tickets are $15-$101. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com

 

Coming up in Dayton Theatre, 11/30 – 12/9

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Welcome back, theatre lover! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We’ve gotten into the cinematic heavyweight season now, with all the studios releasing their highly anticipated pieces, hoping to garner little golden statues. But remember, there are also pieces of theatre in the area just as highly anticipated and every bit as delightful!

Closing This Weekend!

 

White Christmas

The Schuster Center

The Skinny: Irving Berlin’s classic Christmas tale comes to the Schuster Center stage in all it’s glory!

Dates: Only a few performances left, closing on Sunday, 12/2!

Tickets: All ticketing information is available online, here

 

Now Running!

A Tuna Christmas

The Dayton Theatre Guild

The Skinny: It’s Christmas time and local radio personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie tell us all about the annual Christmas lawn display contest that Viola Carp keeps winning (14 times), the troubled local production of A Christmas Carol and along the way introduce us to a host of colorful characters, each one funnier than the last, in this little mythical Texas town.  Two actors portray more than twenty roles in this hilarious production.

Dates: A Tuna Christmas runs 2 more weekends, closing Sunday the 9th. The Saturday performances for this weekend and next are at 5 pm.

Tickets: Ticketing information is available via the DTG website, here.

Opening This Weekend!

Oliver!

The Human Race Theatre Company

The Skinny: Christmas Eve in London, 1838. A small group of working-class, wayward souls gather in a tavern to celebrate when a small, unexpected guest prompts a spontaneous telling of the popular Oliver Twist. With traditional music-hall flair, they delve into Charles Dickens’ haunting moral tale as the lines between story and reality blur. Sized perfectly for The Loft Theatre, this reimagining of the classic Tony Award®-winning musical will touch your heart and challenge your spirit. It’s Oliver with a twist, indeed!

Dates: With a run extended past it’s original dates, Oliver! now opens Friday, 11/30 and runs through 12/22, making it a perfect Christmastime date.

Tickets: Tickets are available online at the Human Race Theatre Company website, here.

Scrooge

The Dayton Playhouse

The Skinny: Adapted from the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol,” this musical closely follows the classic story with the miserly Ebenezer undergoing a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night, after being visited by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley and the Spirits of Christmas past, present and future.

Dates: Opening on 11/30 and running three weekends to close 12/16.

Tickets: Tickets are available online at the Dayton Playhouse website, here.

A Christmas Carol

Zoot Theatre Company

The Skinny: Dayton’s puppet theatre company takes on Dickens seasonal classic, retelling a familiar story in the way only Zoot can.

Dates: Opening 11/30 and running 3 weekends, closing December 15th.

Tickets: Tickets are available for purchase online at the Dayton Art Institute website, here.

Annie

Troy Civic Theatre

The Skinny: The famous musical version of Lil’ Orphan Annieis,indeed, a Christmas-set offering. This show is a heart-warming favorite, sure to please families with kids, or without.

Dates: Opening 11/30 and running 3 weekends, to close on 12/15.

Tickets: Tickets are available for reservation by calling 937-339-7700. Pricing information can be found at the Troy Civic Theatre website, here.

One Night Only!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Tipp City Players

The Skinny: Another Christmas-themed offering; Tipp City is bring a readers-theatre rendition of the Dr. Seuss morality play of a green man whose heart “grew three sizes that day.”

Tickets: Admission is free, but donations are warmly appreciated. Information is available on the Tipp City Players website, here.

 

 

The Zoot Theatre Company presents “A Christmas Carol”

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The Zoot Theatre Company, Dayton’s only professional puppetry and mask company will produce Charles Dicken’s classic tale A CHRISTMAS CAROL in the Dayton Art Institute’s NCR Renaissance Auditorium, Zoot’s new home. A CHRISTMAS CAROL opens on Friday, November 30. This haunting tale of Scrooge and Marley is given new life in this all new production! This adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story will feature a small cast of live actors and tone of puppets to help bring this age-old story to life. Get carried away this holiday season and remember that you’re never too old to make a change …it just might take a few ghosts to help. Aaron Vega, a founding artist of The Zoot Theatre Company and graduate of Wright State University’s Professional Acting Program is directing. Known for its creative and imaginative puppets and masks used in each show, Zoot fulfills its Mission by blending the visual and performing arts into a single medium.

Ebenezer Scrooge

A CHRISTMAS CAROL opens on Friday, November 30 and runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Saturday, December 15. Show times are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. All performances are held at the Dayton Art Institute’s NCR Renaissance Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.zoottheatrecompany.org and over the phone by calling 937.223.5277. Both single performance tickets and subscriptions are available. Groups of 10 or more can receive a special discount by calling 937.512.0140.  Tickets prices for A CHRISTMAS CAROL and the 2012-13 Zoot MainStage Season are: $18.00 for adults; $15.00 for seniors; $15.00 for students with a valid ID; and $12.00 for children 12 and under.

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have THREE PAIRS OF TICKETS to give away for The Zoot Theatre Company’s production of “A Christmas Carol”!  Simply fill out the form below and then leave a comment saying that you’d like to see this show.  We’ll pick three random winners on Friday 11/30 after 1pm – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to:

Rachelle Smith Stokes.
David E. Slivken
Renee Franck-Reed

Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus ‘Celebrate!’ the Holidays

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The Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus is pleased to once again be performing their annual Holiday Concert entitled “Celebrate” on Saturday December 1, 2012 6pm at the Westminster Presbyterian Church (125 N. Wilkinson Street in Downtown Dayton), which will kick off their 10 Year Anniversary Season. This year’s concert will feature audience and chorus favorites from the past ten years, as well as new compositions, which have been specifically written for Gay Men’s Choruses across the country.

DGMC Artistic Director, Jason Coatney-Schuler, has programmed a whimsical journey down memory lane, celebrating everyone’s favorite part of the holidays…food! Classics like “Fruitcake”, “Frim Fram Sauce”, and “Hard Candy Christmas”, are sure to leave the audience with a smile on their face and a belly full of Christmas cheer.

In celebration of their 10 year anniversary season, entitled “TEN: Then and Now”, the chorus is also pleased to partner with the historic Westminster Presbyterian for their first performance in this venue. The stunning grandeur of this magnificent building, combined with the elegant harmonies of the DGMC, sublime pipe organ talents of David Comer, and the incomparable piano styling of Raymonde Rougier, is sure be the largest holiday concert for them to date. Although seating is general admission, patrons are highly encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online here.

The DGMC organized in 2003, under the leadership and guidance of former Managing Director, Fred Poland. Mr. Poland set the chorus in motion for success by accomplishing 501(C)3 non-profit status, drafting the chorus’s by-laws and constitution, and developing the infrastructure and standards for the chorus to follow. Local and regional appearances have included the community-based Dayton LGBT Center’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, United Church of Christ, First Baptist Church, Christ Episcopal Church of Springfield, Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Annual Holiday gathering, Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Miamisburg, and the Community Holiday Home Tour in McPherson Town (for which they will be appearing once again this season), and the Downtown Dayton Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting. These community outreach performances help the DGMC achieve its vision “to offer a broad repertoire of music in a variety of visible and accessible venues, to forge active community partnerships, and to educate the community at large about the value of diversity.”

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have THREE PAIRS OF TICKETS to the Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus “Celebrate!” concert to give away – simply fill out the form below and leave a comment telling us that you want to see the show.  We’ll announce winners on Thursday 11/29 after 1pm – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winners!

Anna Black
Rachel DeFord
Donald Weaver

ANNA KARENINA Opens at THE NEON

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Hello Everyone,

If you haven’t had a chance to see A LATE QUARTET, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open Joe Wright’s gorgeous adaptation of ANNA KARENINA. We will also hold THE SESSIONS and THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER for one more week. (CHASING ICE – the stunningly incredible new documentary – is slated to open on Dec. 7…check out its website.)  Showtimes for the remainder of this week can be found on our website.

Synopsis for ANNA KARENINA: “The third collaboration of Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley with acclaimed director Joe Wright, following the award-winning box office successes Pride & Prejudice and Atonement, is a bold, theatrical new vision of the epic story of love, adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s timeless novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard. The story powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart. As Anna (Ms. Knightley) questions her happiness and marriage, change comes to all around her.” (Focus Features) Also starring Jude Law, this is a stunningly conceptual film. I saw it at its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and though it took me a few moments to adjust to its technique, I was eventually consumed by it. Click this link to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPGLRO3fZnQ’]

On Saturday, we will kick off the return of the Family Holiday Film Series
– sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. Here is this year’s line-up:
DEC. 1 at Noon – PRANCER
DEC. 8 at Noon – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
These films are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

If you were a fan of the one-night only screening of RIDE THE DIVIDE, mark your calendars now for January 23. We will host a one-night only screening of the new film REVEAL THE PATH. In the next couple weeks, I will provide more details…but if you just can’t wait, you can check out the official site to find out more about the film.

And don’t forget NEON gift certificates! Whether they’re for the film-lover in your life…or the person who still needs to discover THE NEON…our gift certificate make the perfect gift this holiday season. We sell them at our box office in $5 and $10 denominations.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 30 – Thur, Dec. 6:

THE SESSIONS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday: 12:30, 2:45, 7:20
Saturday: 2:45, 7:20
Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 7:50

ANNA KARENINA (R) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (PG-13) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 4:50, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

PRANCER (G) 1 Hr 43 Min
Saturday: 12:00 (Noon)

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Dec. 7 – CHASING ICE
Dec. 14 – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

Disney Live! present Mickey’s Music Festival at The Nutter Center

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Mickey Mouse and friends rock the world with the stars from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story in their new touring show Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival, coming to The Nutter Center on Friday November 30!  Disney hits are remixed to the hottest sounds of today featuring hip hop, pop, swing, reggae, rock, country and much more!  The irresistible lineup of performers, including Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy; Ariel, Sebastian and Ursula; Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie; and Woody, Buzz and Jessie; are among the more than 25 Disney stars featured in this jam session fit for the entire family! You can’t resist dancing, singing, playing your air-guitar and laughing with this band of characters! Come join them at Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival for a lively concert experience guaranteed to deliver enough rockin’ memories to last a lifetime.

Tickets are $17.00, $25.00, $40.00 (VIP) & $50.00 (Front row), available at TicketMaster.com for the 3:30pm and 6:30pm performances.

Check out this video that features Costume Designer Scott Lane talking about his inspiration for Disney Live!

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

SPECIAL OFFER

People can use code DANCE to save $4 PER ticket on regularly $25 and $17 seating. This code is redeemable online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or at the Nutter Center Box Office.  (Disclaimer: Valid on all performances. No double discounts. This offer is subject to ticket availability. Additional fees may apply.)

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have TICKETS to give away for you and your family to see Disney Live’s “Mickey’s Music Festival”!  Just fill out the form below and then leave us a comment telling us that you want to win tickets, and we’ll randomly draw winners Tuesday 11/27 after 5pm – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winners:

Brad Hansen
Heather Krey
Abby Puterbaugh
Heather Lance
Ashley Hill

 

It’s not a pen – it’s a FRINDLE!

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Nicholas Allen has plenty of ideas. Who can forget the time he turned his third-grade classroom into a tropical island, or the time he fooled his teacher by chirping like a blackbird? But when Nick learns an interesting tidbit about words and where they come from, it inspires his greatest plan yet: to invent a new word. From now on, a pen is no longer a pen–it’s a frindle. It doesn’t take long for “frindle” to take root, and soon the excitement spreads well beyond his school and town. His parents and Mrs. Granger would like Nick to put an end to all this nonsense. But “frindle” doesn’t belong to Nick anymore. All he can do now is sit back and watch what happens. This quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words will have you inventing your own words before the curtain comes down.

Victoria Theatre Association is presenting FRINDLE December 1 and 2 at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the historic Victoria Theatre.  Tickets are on sale now at the Ticket Center Stage Box Office for $15, via phone (937) 228.3630 or online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.  Purchase a season subscription and see the three remaining shows in the PNC Family Series for $30 dollars!

NEW FAMILY WORKSHOPS and PNC STORYTIME!

Family Workshops at just $5 per child—parents attend for free!

  • ·         Learn about juggling, miming, bouncing and more with the Cincinnati Circus Company.
  • ·         Workshops begin at 2:15 p.m. between the Saturday and Sunday shows.
  • ·         Workshop includes a tasty, kid-friendly snack.
  • ·         PNC Storytime begins at 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
  • ·         Appropriate for children ages 5-10.
  • ·         Parents may tag along to watch for free.

Bon Jovi, Jimi Hendrix, Star Trek

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Hello Dayton and Happy Turkey Day! In addition to the holiday releases (Life of Pi, Red Dawn and Rise of the Guardians, check out these special events next week!

JON BON JOVI: INSIDE OUT – NOVEMBER 27TH @ 8PM

Featuring a hand-selected set list from their catalog of hits, BON JOVI Inside Outincludes the iconic band’s best performances from their sold-out, 12-night stand in London’s O2, the inaugural multi-night run at New Meadowlands Stadium and their celebratory shows at the famed Madison Square Garden. Split-screen footage will provide a unique view of the band performing this dream set list, creating a unique concert experience.

 In addition, this not-to-be-missed event will feature a LIVE broadcast from Times Square in which the band will share exciting details about their upcoming 2013 world tour and highly-anticipated studio album to be released in spring.  During this special LIVE event, you will get unparalleled insider access as the band members answer YOUR questions during an interactive Q&A session!  Check back for details on how to submit your questions.

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JIMMY HENDRIX: LIVE AT WOODSTOCK – DEC 5th @ 7pm

In Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s Birth, for the first time ever see Jimi Hendrix’s unforgettable August 1969 Woodstock concert in select cinemas globally.

This special edition theatrical presentation, under the auspices of Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. has been carefully reassembled from the extensive archive of film footage helmed by Academy Award winning director Michael Wadleigh and his hand picked team of skilled camera operators and support personnel under the auspices of Experience Hendrix, LLC, the Hendrix family owned company. What they captured was a Jimi Hendrix performance unlike any other.

Jimi premiered a new band and his extraordinary performance on that August morning included unforgettable renditions of such signature Hendrix songs as “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” “Fire,” “Purple Haze” and “Foxy Lady” as well as his dramatic interpretation of the “Star Spangled Banner”.
Jimi’s fascinating road to the Woodstock festival is revealed by way of never before seen footage and interviews with his band members such as Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell, engineer Eddie Kramer and Woodstock’s promoter Michael Lang. Directed by Grammy Award winner Bob Smeaton [Beatles Anthology, Band Of Gypsys, Festival Express], the documentary, which precedes the performance footage, reveals the struggle to stage the legendary festival and secure Hendrix as its headline artist.

Jimi Hendrix Woodstock performance stands as one of the finest ever in rock music history. This presentation features the original 16mm footage digitally restored together with a new 5.1 audio surround mix by legendary engineer Eddie Kramer. Kramer originally recorded the Woodstock festival and also served Jimi Hendrix as his recording engineer throughout his entire career.

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RAVE RETRO SERIES: HOME ALONE – DEC 5th @ 7pm

An 8-year-old boy, who is accidentally left behind while his family flies to France for Christmas, has to defend his home against idiotic burglars.

2pm and 7pm Only $5What’s old is new again!

The Retro Rave Film Series is taking you back to when a night at the movies was totally awesome… Don’t miss your chance to see these great classics on the big screen at a Rave theater near you.

 

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For showtimes click here

ENTER TO WIN TWO MOVIE PASSES!

Fill out the form below and leave a Facebook comment telling us you want to WIN MOVIE PASSES from RAVE CINEMAS DAYTON SOUTH, we will randomly draw a winner and notify same. Contest closes 11/28/12. Passes awarded will be valid for 30 days from close date at Rave Cinemas Dayton South only and must be used by then or will be forfeited. Valid for any showing, except special events.

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to: Melanie Zavakos!

THE NEON Opens THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

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Hello Everyone,

I’m sad to report that we had a rather abysmal weekend at THE NEON. THE SESSIONS (which is such a wonderful film) performed well below what we had hoped. A LATE QUARTET (which audiences are loving) absolutely tanked. Because we’ve got a big film opening on Nov. 30 (Joe Wright’s ANNA KARENINA), we needed to add something to the mix for just on week in order to help this weekend’s numbers. It’s a rarity for us to open a film that has already played in our market, but THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is a film that I really loved at The Toronto International Film Festival – and I hope that there are several people who still need to see it. If you saw and loved SESSIONS or LATE QUARTET, please help us spread the word that they won’t be at THE NEON much longer.

Synopsis for THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER: “Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life.” (Summit Entertainment) Click HERE to visit the official site.

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The first three Saturdays at Noon in December will mark the return of the Family Holiday Film Series – sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, DP&L, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. Here is this year’s line-up:
DEC. 1 at Noon – PRANCER
DEC. 8 at Noon – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
DEC. 15 at Noon – ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
These films are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

We’ve added some great titles to our line-up, so be sure to check out our list below.
And next time you’re in our lobby, make sure to take your picture in our HITCHCOCK Screaming Booth. We’ll soon have a contest on facebook where you’ll be able to post your picture and vote on your favorite scream! (HITCHCOCK – about the making of PSYCHO – is slated to start on December 14…and it’s lots of fun.)

Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 23 – Thur, Nov. 29:

THE SESSIONS (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

A LATE QUARTET (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:40, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:50

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (PG-13) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 5:00, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Nov. 30 – ANNA KARENINA
Nov. 30 or Dec. 7 – CHASING ICE
Dec. 14 – HITCHCOCK
Dec. ? – SMASHED
Dec. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan. 4 – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON
Jan ? – RUST AND BONE
Jan ? – ON THE ROAD
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Feb. ? – AMOUR
TBD – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

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IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS, the stage adaptation of the beloved classic film is coming to the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center this holiday season.  Bring your loved ones for a heart-warming celebration of Americana from November 27 – December 2 at the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketcenterstage.com, by phone (937) 228-3630 or at the Ticket Center Stage Box Office located in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center.

IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and finding their perfect mates in the bargain.  Full of dancing, romance, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, including “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the unforgettable title song, IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS promises to be a merry and bright experience for the entire family!

The New York Times claims “this cozy trip down memory lane should be put on your wish list.”  And, the New York Daily News hails IRVING BERLIN’SWHITE CHRISTMAS as “a holiday card come to life.”

IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS features Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin with Book by David Ives and Paul Blake and is based upon the Paramount Pictures film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank.

This brand new production of IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS is produced by Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars. The creative team includes direction by Norb Joerder, choreography by Randy Skinner, scenic design by Anna Louizos, scenic supervision and adaptation by Kenneth Foy, lighting design by Ken Billington, and sound design by Peter Fitzgerald and Erich Bechtel.  The tour is produced by agreement with R&H Theatricals, an Imagem Company.

Tickets start at $15*.  For tickets call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 at (888) 228-3630,  Go online to www.ticketcenterstage.com or visit the Ticket Center Stage Box Office in person, located in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center.

The 2012-2013 Premier Health Partners Broadway Series presentation of IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS receives support from Leadership Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and Performance Sponsor WHIO-TV, a product of CMGO. The official hotel of the Premier Health Partners Broadway Series isCrowne Plaza Dayton.  Assistive hearing devices are provided by Hillcrest Hearing Aids & Balance Center. Victoria Theatre Association’s recycling partner is Waste Management with DataYard as the official internet service provider. 

*$15 tickets are limited and located in the Upper Balcony.

Human Race Theatre Company Presents Oliver!

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Scott Stoney as Mr. Bumble and Blaise Bouschard as Oliver in Oliver!. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

The 2012-2013 Eichelberger Loft Season continues with Alan Souza’s uniquely revisionist version of Oliver!, Lionel Bart’s play of an orphan who dared to ask for more. Exchanging the full orchestra of musicians and the workhouse full of children for a gifted cast of ten performers who play multiple roles, Souza reduces the story to its relevant core in a play within a play. Christmas Eve in London, 1838. A small group of working-class, wayward souls gather in a tavern to celebrate when a small, unexpected guest prompts a spontaneous telling of the popular Oliver Twist. With traditional music-hall flair, they delve into Charles Dickens’ haunting moral tale as the lines between story and reality blur. Sized perfectly for The Loft Theatre, this reimagining of the classic Tony Award®-winning musical will touch your heart and challenge your spirit. It’s Oliver with a twist, indeed!

Oliver! is directed by Alan Souza (Ears on a Beatle, 2008), who developed the new concept for the show. Helen Gregory is the music director and Spencer Liff (recent Emmy® Award nominee for So You Think You Can Dance) is the choreographer. The set design is by David A. Centers, costume design by Molly Walz, lighting design by John Rensel and sound design by Brian Retterer. Kay Carver is the production stage manager. Originally slated to perform until December 16, the run has been extended to add seven performances. Oliver! runs November 29 through December 22, 2012. Opening night is Friday, November 30.

Blaise Bouschard as Oliver, Joseph Medeiros as the Artful Dodger and Gary Troy as Fagin in Oliver!. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

The 10-member cast includes: Nicholas Belton, Blaise Bouschard, Ian DeVine, Helen Gregory, Adam Lendermon, Joseph Medeiros, Chris Shea, Sara Sheperd, Human Race Resident Artist Scott Stoney and Gary Troy. Jonah Sorscher is the understudy.

The story of The Human Race’s new production of Oliver! began when Kevin Moore wanted to do something special to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth for the 2012-2013 season. “We’d already produced A Christmas Carol for Dayton audiences five times and I felt like they deserved something new,” says Moore. “Oliver! had been on my wish list for a long time, but the established cast size and scale of the musical made such a production in The Loft Theatre unlikely.” But a fortuitous conversation with director Alan Souza suddenly made the improbable highly possible. Souza had recently re-imagined My Fair Lady and Camelot at the Engeman Theater at Northport, New York, turning them into smaller scale productions, and he had a similar concept for Oliver! already in mind.

Dickens’ originally published Oliver Twist as a magazine serial, with installments released periodically from 1837 to 1839. “Perhaps the most telling evidence of the novel’s appeal is the fact that many separate, unauthorized stage plays—based on the story—were put into production before it was ever finished!” says Souza. “Clearly the citizens of Victorian England saw themselves in the characters and situations. It was the Harry Potter of its generation.” Inspired by this historical fact and the British “music hall” style of theatrical entertainment that originated in pubs and taverns around the same time, Souza hit upon a concept that would reduce Oliver! to its core and also make it more manageable for intimate theatres by taking Lionel Bart’s original musical and setting it in a 1838 London pub. The result—a play within a play—as the pub’s patrons act out Oliver’s exploits to entertain themselves. “What if the patrons—the very type of folks the story is written about—found themselves in a predicament that directly reflected the now-famous catalyst for Oliver’s adventures?” Souza wondered, “Would life imitate art, or vice-versa? Certainly they would sing about it!”

“Our rendition is set when the chronicles of Oliver Twist were all the rage, even as his fate remained a mystery.” Souza then explores the impact of such a telling on those telling the story, “Our unlikely combination of revelers finds both great joy and enlightenment in enacting a pantomime of his tale as an entertainment, but in process they reveal their own struggles for survival, acceptance, and love as their identities with their characters merge.”

Blaise Bouschard as Oliver and Joseph Medeiros as the Artful Dodger in Oliver!. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

PERFORMANCE AND SPECIAL EVENT INFORMATION

Tickets for the preview performance of Oliver! on November 29 are $36 for adults, $34 for seniors and $17.50 for students. For all performances November 30 – December 22, single ticket prices are $41 and $45 for adults, $39 and $43 for seniors and $20 and $22 for students. Prices vary depending on the day of the week desired. Group discounts are available. The Human Race Theatre is offering a pair of discount ticket opportunities. Twenty-five special $25 tickets are available at each performance, on sale two weeks prior to that performance. The Sunday, December 2 7:00 p.m. performance is “Sawbuck Sunday”, when a limited number of available seats can be purchased in person for just $10 at The Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.

All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center’s Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio.

Show times for Oliver! are 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday evenings and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday and Tuesday evenings. Sunday matinees are at 2:00 p.m. The Pay-What-You-CAN performance is Wednesday, November 28 at 8:00 p.m. The “Inside Track” pre-show discussion begins at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, November 29, prior to the 8:00 p.m. preview performance. The opening night performance is Friday, November 30 at 8:00 p.m., followed by a free party with the cast in The Loft Lobby. “Lite Fare at the Loft” with food and drink provided by Citilites begins in The Loft Theatre lobby at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4. The “While We’re on the Subject” post-show talkback is on Sunday, December 9, immediately following the 2:00 p.m. performance. There is a Saturday matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 22.

Tickets and performance information on Oliver! are available online at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have THREE PAIRS of tickets to give away for Oliver! – just fill out the form below and then leave a comment telling us that you want to win tickets to see Oliver! by the Human Race Theatre Company, and we’ll draw three random winners on Friday November 23rd – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our three winners:

Shannon Blair

Brian Gerhardstein

Margie Rivera

ON STAGE DAYTON REVIEW: Legally Blonde (Playhouse South) – Pretty in Pink

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Katie McCarthy, bubbly, jovial and endearing, delightfully anchors Playhouse South’s admirable production of the upbeat, silly and surprisingly touching “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” breezily directed by Jim Brown and adapted in 2007 by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach based on the 2001 film of the same name.

McCarthy, colorfully costumed by Jenni Cypher, was born to play fashion-conscious sorority star Elle Woods, who optimistically journeys to Harvard Law School in order to reclaim her ex-boyfriend. Displaying pleasant vocals and a perky spirit that sidesteps annoyance, she firmly grasps Elle’s innate cheerleading instincts, particularly as a Pied Piper enthusiastically drawing crowds, and tender vulnerability, specifically when her world crumbles late in Act 2 after she rediscovers the beauty of staying true to self.

Elsewhere, the supporting cast cohesively gels. The amiable Josh Livecchi is appropriately unassuming as Emmett Forest, the introverted teaching assistant who grows to care for Elle in spite of her outgoing flair. Brad Bishop is sharply hard-nosed as Callahan, Elle’s ruthless professor. Angie Thacker adds enjoyable comic relief as Paulette, the beauty shop proprietor whose self-esteem and love life is reborn. The lively Jackie Darnell, as Elle’s sorority sister Serena, particularly leads the infectious “Bend and Snap” with vim and verve. Meagan Kuchan and Stefanie Dodge are respectively solid as liberal Enid Hoopes and imprisoned fitness guru Brooke Wyndham. Megan Rademacher is effectively snippy as Elle’s nemesis Vivienne Kensington. Matthew Scheerschmidt and Brett Norgaard are funny cohorts in “There! Right There!” Waky Harris fits the bill as Kyle, Paulette’s crush. Jessica Jones, appearing briefly, is a hoot as Elle’s tipsy mother. Brian Kester is too old to play Elle’s boyfriend Warner Huntington III but his efforts are serviceable nonetheless.

Energetic routines from choreographer Greg Andrus and a fine set designed by Ray Zupp are added benefits within this artistically sound endeavor.

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” continues through Nov. 17 at the Clark Haines Theatre of the Kettering Board of Education Building, 3750 Far Hills Ave., Kettering. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Act One: 70 minutes; Act Two: 55 minutes. Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and military and $8 for students. For tickets or more information, call (888) 262-3792 or visit www.playhousesouth.org

 

ON STAGE DAYTON REVIEW: Spring Awakening (Wright State University) – Complex Adolescence

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Composer Duncan Sheik and lyricist/librettist Steven Sater’s dynamic “Spring Awakening,” 2007’s Tony-winning Best Musical, receives an outstanding local collegiate premiere at Wright State University.

Based on Frank Wedekind’s banned, controversial 1891 novel of the same name, “Spring Awakening” is a powerfully provocative coming of age tale set in 19th century Germany with contemporary flourishes. In fact, Sheik’s marvelous melodies, evocatively tied to Sater’s poetic lyrics, are written in the pop/alt rock vein. The musical’s riveting potency cuts deep as issues of abortion, abuse, angst, incest, isolation, suicide and more are explored. Staged by Joe Deer in the black box Herbst Theatre with firm, character-driven intimacy, the thought-provoking story of close-knit, inquisitive, sexually curious teenagers caught between childhood innocence and the dawn of adulthood doesn’t miss a beat, particularly as their questions and desires are regrettably disregarded by authority figures.

The central, ill-fated romance involving headstrong Melchoir Gabor (portrayed with great self-awareness and sensitivity by Jon Hacker) and the sheltered Wendla Bergman (an appealing, vocally beguiling Tommi Harsch) is skillfully executed, but Deer heightens the compelling landscape by emphasizing the awkwardness and emotional scars between parents and their children. Chrissy Bowen and Andrew Quiett portray multiple adult roles, but Bowen’s maternal reticence and fierce admonishment as Wendla’s mother and Quiett’s incredibly irascible disgust as the father of troubled Moritz Stiefel (Drew Helton, splendid and heartbreaking) are specifically striking. Moreover, in favor of an introspective approach, Deer lessens the material’s rock concert essence by eliminating hand-held microphones and microphone stands, a definitive concept of the off-Broadway and Broadway productions.

Helton, a wonderful Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray” last season, uniquely interprets Moritz with a stutter, a decision that generates more empathy for the character and reiterates his peculiarities. Helton is also in terrific voice, particularly in the frenzied “Don’t Do Sadness” brilliantly aided by Erin Jones’ lighting design. Ria Villaver, bringing tender fragility to her role as Ilse Neumann, and Paige Dobkins as Martha Bessell weave a gripping tapestry throughout “The Dark I Know Well.” Caroline Gruber, Liz Romey, Justin King, Logan Torbet, Sean Jones, Zach Warner and Lauren Schorr are uniformly strong in such haunting numbers as “Touch Me,” “I Believe” and “The Guilty Ones” in addition to the carefree “My Junk” and rip-roaring “Totally Fucked.” The cast’s heartwarming rendition of “The Song of Purple Summer,” the absolutely beautiful Act 2 finale, is among the best I have heard.

Choreographer Dionysia Williams’ expressively first-rate routines balance succinct rigor and ecstatic exuberance with the gentility of caressing hands and soft candlelight. Zoe Still provides attractive period costumes and dresses her appropriately stark set with flowing tattered fabric. Musical director Sherri Sutter leads a solid five-piece orchestra.

Wright State offers the third “Spring Awakening” Dayton has seen in two years, but the organization has certainly produced a worthwhile winner.

“Spring Awakening” continues through Nov. 18 in the downstairs, black box Herbst Theatre of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Act One: 70 minutes; Act Two: 55 minutes. The show contains adult language and themes. Tickets are $10 adults and $7 for students and seniors. All seats are $2 for the Saturday matinee. For tickets, call Victoria Oleen at (937) 775-3789.