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Coming Up In Dayton Theatre, 11/16 – 12/2

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Among the offerings in this installment I get to tell you about four different pieces of literature being brought to the stage by 5 area theatres. What is it about novels that make such good theatrical fodder? Our tour of books-on-stages begins with:

Closing This Weekend!

 

The Never Ending Story

Kettering Children’s Theatre

The Skinny: Lovers of the classic 1984 fantasy movie of the same name are probably already aware that it was first a book by Michael Ende. KCT’s production of this tale of adventure and self-discovery uses charming puppets (made by local artisan Ayn Wood) to bring to life  the Gnomics and fan favorite Falkor (the Luckdragon) among others. KCT is theatre for children and by children.

Dates: One weekend left, Friday and Saturday (11/16 and 17) performances are at a family-friendly 7 pm and Sunday (11/18) is at 2.

Tickets: Tickets are available for purchase at the door (cash only). For any information further, please call the Rosewood Arts Center office at (937) 296-0294

 

 

 

 

Legally Blonde

Playhouse South

The Skinny: A musical retelling of the story of Elle Woods’ journey through Harvard Law. Most people are familiar, at least passingly, with the 2001 Reese Witherspoon movie of the same name, but Did You Know: That movie was based on a novel by the same name.
Dates:  Two performances left, Friday and Saturday (11/16 and 17).

Tickets: For ticketing information, please visit the Playhouse South website, here.

 

You Better Watch Out

Brookville Community Theatre

The Skinny:A heartwarming holiday comedy about family, love and the spirit of Christmas

Dates: One weekend left! Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets: Reservations are highly recommended and may be made by calling the Brookville Flower Shop at 937-833-3531

Opening Next Weekend!

Scrooge!

The Dayton Playhouse

The Skinny: Based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale, 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: Weekends, opening Friday Nov 30 and closing Sunday Dec 16.

Tickets: For all reservation and purchase information, please visit the Dayton Playhouse Website, here.

Speaking of Dickens…

A Christmas Carol

The Zoot Theatre Company

The Skinny: Like Scrooge!, but with less singing. This is a more straight-forward retelling of the ghostly holiday favorite, using Zoot’s signature beautiful puppetry.

Dates: Weekends, November 30th through December 15th.

Tickets:  Online ticketing for this event doesn’t seem to be working just now, but a wealth of event information can be found on the ZTC event page on Facebook, here.

Speaking of Dickens (wait, that sounds familiar…)

 

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: The original dates of the run have been extended, and now the show will open 11/29 and run through 12/22, making tickets a perfect Hanukkah or early-Christmas present!

Tickets: All ticketing information can be found online, here.

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: November 23rd – December 9th. Remember, in the 2nd and 3rd weekends, Saturday performances are at 5:00 pm.

Tickets: Tickets are available at the Dayton Theatre Guild website, here.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

The Victoria Theatre Association

The Skinny: The beloved musical movie of the same name stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen and features some of Berlin’s best-known songs including “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the title song that you may have heard once or twice before.

Dates: November 27th through December 2nd.

Tickets: For ticketing information, please visit the Victoria Theatre Association website, here.

 

Audition Notice!

Ghosts

Directed by Matthew Smith

Dayton Theatre Guild

The Guild is bringing to life Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama. The ‘‘ghosts’’ in this play are taboo topics that cannot be openly discussed.  This drama is one of Ibsen’s most powerful works, but also one of his most controversial.  Family sins are revisited when a son returns home to dedicate an orphanage in his father’s name and becomes involved in a tryst that ends in the painful knowledge of long suppressed family truths.

 Dates: November 26th and 27th.
For more information, including a breakdown of characters and ages, as well as audition requirements, please visit the auditions page of the DTG website, here.

Antioch College to present Meme: Culture in Transmission at the Herndon Gallery

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Antioch College is pleased to announce the opening MEME: Culture in Transmission, a multimedia exhibition that invites investigation of the concept and the phenomenon of memes, considering their origin, evolution, mechanisms, and role in contemporary society. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Friday, November 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the Herndon Gallery in South Hall on the Antioch College campus.

The word “meme” originated as a term coined by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in the 1976 book The Selfish Gene. Dawkins’ term derives its concept from the behavior of genes, which replicate from an organism to its offspring to ensure the duplication and transmission of genetic code. Similarly, Dawkins’ “meme” is defined as a “unit of cultural transmission,” such as an idea, tune, catch phrase, style, fashion, symbol, practice, etc. that spreads from one person to another through imitation.

Since its introduction, there has been a great deal of scholarly study of the concept of memes. In the late 1990s, the term became used, and is now commonly known to define a style of internet-based image/text posting shared broadly on the web via blogs and social media. These Internet memes have proliferated as the influence of the Internet has grown.

What constitutes a meme? How do we observe the influence and evolution of memes? How do artists affect the transmission of their own ideas? Work in the exhibition explores archetypes, prevailing ethical mores, cultural icons, environments and institutions through a broad range of media including photography, sound, video, painting, sculpture, mixed media, and performance.

Will Davis: “Leave Britney Alone”

Visitors to the exhibition will encounter artwork ranging from Jeanne Philippe and Judith Huacuja’s “Unseen Rain” an installation that includes a deerskin canoe modeled after those made by Kutenai women in British Columbia, to Will Davis’s audio piece appropriating an impassioned YouTube plea to “Leave Britney Alone.”  Chris Shea and Charmaine Renee trace the path of phrases from Shakespeare to their usage in contemporary culture, while Glenna Jennings mines the National Cash Register archives to create images of laborers in her wallpaper piece called “Right To Work.”

Each artist featured in the exhibition is engaged with the generation and transmission of contemporary culture on multiple levels, also playing roles as curator, teacher, choreographer, dancer, actor, director, comedian, program director, audio producer, gallery director, etc. All artists reside in Ohio.

Exhibition events also include a night of performance featuring Will Davis, Rodney Veal, and Free Shakespeare! on Thursday, January 24, at 7:00 p.m., and a community roundtable discussion on Thursday, February 7, at 7:00 p.m.

For more information, contact Dennie Eagleson, creative director of the Herndon Gallery at [email protected] or 937-768-6462.

THE SESSIONS + A LATE QUARTET Opening at THE NEON

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Hello Everyone,

We’re opening 2 new films at this weekend, and we hope they’ll attract big crowds. This is a lucrative weekend/week at THE NEON. Thanksgiving business can often set the tone for the remaining weeks of the year…and we’re really hoping to end 2012 with a bang! Like many of the films we’ve played at this time, we think some Oscar nominations could arise from our selections. (Here are some films that we’ve played during Thanksgiving in past years: AMELIE, CAPOTE, THE QUEEN, BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS, 127 HOURS and THE DESCENDANTS.) If you need to see any of our current attractions, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON (visit our website for current showtimes). On Friday, we will open THE SESSIONS and A LATE QUARTET.

Synopsis for THE SESSIONS: “The Sessions tells the story of a man confined to an iron lung who is determined at age 38 to lose his virginity. With the help of his therapists and the guidance of his priest, he sets out to make his dream a reality.” (from Fox Searchlight) Starring the amazing John Hawkes and a fearless Helen Hunt, this film is certain to get Oscar attention this year! Click this link to visit the official site. I LOVE THIS FILM!

Synopsis for A LATE QUARTET: “When the beloved cellist of a world-renowned string quartet receives a life changing diagnosis, the group’s future suddenly hangs in the balance: suppressed emotions, competing egos, and uncontrollable passions threaten to derail years of friendship and collaboration. As they are about to play their 25th anniversary concert, quite possibly their last, only their intimate bond and the power of music can preserve their legacy. Inspired by and structured around Beethoven’s Opus 131 String Quartet in C-sharp minor, A LATE QUARTET pays homage to chamber music and the cultural world of New York.” (taken from rottentomatoes.com) Starring Catherine Keener, Christopher Walken, Mark Ivanir, and Philip Seymour Hoffman Click this link to visit the official site.

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On Sunday, November 18 at 3:00, The Dayton International Peace Museum, Wright State Peace Lecture Committee, Pi Beta Phi at the University of Dayton and The Dayton Council on World Affairs will present a special, free screening of IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY.
“Dayton has made its place in history as the host city for the Dayton Peace Accords. A historic achievement in 1995, the Accords helped bring an end to the tragic civil war of the Former Yugoslavia. With the end in fighting, a horrific reality of ethnic cleaning and genocide was revealed, especially after the international community had pledged ‘No More’ after the end of the Holocaust in 1945. The Angelina Jolie-directed movie, IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY portrays a bittersweet love story during the war. It brings to light the tragic reality of war and its impact on our humanity. In the aftermath of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, a major trial at the International Criminal Court at The Hague took place that led to
international recognition of rape as a weapon of war. At this screening, we will be commemorating the historic Dayton Peace Accords and how Dayton was instrumental in the process. There will also be a Q&A panel after the movie to discuss ongoing violence issues against women that sadly continue domestically and internationally. Please join us for this important movie and stimulating discussion on how we can contribute to peace and humanity in our world today.” (taken from press notes) Visit the film’s official site.

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.

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 in December…and it’s lots of fun.)

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

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 16 – Thur, Nov. 22:

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

A LATE QUARTET (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday: 12:20, 5:50, 8:00
Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40

IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY (R) 2 Hr 7 Min
Sunday: 3:00

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
Dec. TBD – 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

UFC 154: St-Pierre Vs Condit + Guns ‘N Roses + Lincoln + Life Of Pi + Red Dawn + Rise Of The Guardians

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Hello Dayton! Even with the opening week of the Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 2 there will still be plenty of options for everyone to have the perfect movie weekend. Also premiering are some awesome Wednesday, November 21st releases, a perfect getaway in time for the holiday weekend!

UFC 154: ST-PIERRE VS CONDIT – SATURDAY NOVEMBER 17TH @ 10PM

Come see this mixed martial arts pay-per-view live event that is taking place at the Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Come have an alcoholic beverage while watching the fight for only $15!

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GUNS N’ ROSES – WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 21ST @ 7PM

For those who couldn’t make it the first time, this event will have one more special show before it leaves theaters! One of the greatest rock bands of all time is back with the most anticipated tour of 2012. After selling out arenas around the globe in 2011, Guns N’ Roses – “the most dangerous band in the world” – are storming the UK this spring. The band’s live shows are always hotly anticipated and demand for tickets is never less than overwhelming, showing that their longevity in the spotlight is by no mistake and is very-much deserved. Don’t miss your chance to witness the legendary Axl Rose and co. up close and personal now in cinemas worldwide in glorious HD!

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LINCOLN- OPENING FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16TH

 

Starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln, this historical feature takes place during the Civil War as President Lincoln struggles with not only the bloodshed taking place on the battlefield but also pressure from his cabinet on his decision to emancipate the slaves. Also starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field and directed by Steven Spielberg.

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LIFE OF PI- OPENING WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 21ST

Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, Life of Pi, is a story about a young man who survives a disaster at sea and is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While he is cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor of the ship wreck, a 450 pound Bengal tiger.

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RED DAWN- OPENING WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 21ST

It is the dawn of World War III and in mid-western America, a group of teenagers bands together to defend their town, and their country, from invading North Korean forces.

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RISE OF THE GUARDIANS – OPENING NOVEMBER 21ST

When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the Gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians, including Jack Frost, North, and E. Aster Bunnymund, must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world. Each of these heroes has a different and amazing special ability that they use to help save the children.

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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 11/14/12. 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. Please bring ID to verify your name and just ask for a manager when attending informing them you won the Dayton Most Metro contest.

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to: Bob Gremling

18th Annual Ringing in the Holidays at Carillon Historical Park

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Dayton History is kicking off the Holiday season with an extra “ordinary” celebration! Join us for the 18th Annual Ringing in the Holidays located at Carillon Historical Park.

  • Enjoy an array of martinis, select beers, wines, coffees, and more
  • Indulge in delicious hors d’oeuvres
  • Meet local artist Nathan Musser
  • Live Entertainment by the Lizz & Rex Review featuring Elizabeth Hayes
  • “Dayton’s Most Delightful Dessert Contest” featuring 6 local chefs
  • Tour the Heritage Center of Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship
  • Enter our Winter Get-Away Raffle
  • Participate in our Silent Auction

The following is a list of participants in the “Dayton’s Most Delightful Dessert Contest”:

  • The Brick House Café & Catering: Carrot Cake Two layers of spiced carrot cake with sweetened cream cheese icing topped with crunchy walnuts.
  • The Cakery – Lemon Cake with Key Lime FillingA light tropical lemon cake with a light and fluffy key lime mousse filling, topped with their famous buttercream icing.
  • Culp’s Café – Whoopie PieDevil’s food cake with three different fillings: Culp’s caramel icing, traditional marshmallow & holiday candy cane.
  • Maria Joseph Nursing & Rehab Center – Apple Crème Caramel Brandy Snap A crunchy brandy snap filled with creamy confection,
  • served with apple and caramel.
  • Olive Urban Dive – Chocolate, Earl Grey Mousse Cake with Bourbon Chocolate Sauce Black Earl Grey tea infused mousse served on buttermilk, chocolate sponge cake with bourbon chocolate sauce.
  • Taste/Delizioso Sweet Potato Praline Pie – A delicious sweet potato pie baked in a pecan rolled crust topped with a warm praline sauce, made with the finest gourmet ingredients.  A Southern favorite!
  • Sweet Nothings – Chocolate Gingerbread Layer Cake with Sea Salt Toffee Filling Moist gingerbread cake with Sweet Nothings’ sea salt toffee bits and whipped cream cheese frosting
  • Coffee Bar PRESS Press is a specialty shop that focuses on the preparation and service of a good cup of coffee! They feature multiple roasters from across the country, which are prepared using various brewing methods such as the French Press, Pour Over, and more!

Ticket prices are $60 per Dayton History member and $75 per non-member. To purchase tickets go to www.daytonhistory.org or visit our Museum Store at
Carillon Historical Park.

Dayton History is Montgomery County’s official historical organization. The organization boasts multiple campuses in the greater Dayton, Ohio area: Carillon Historical Park, Hawthorn Hill, the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial, the Patterson Homestead, the Old Court House, Memorial Hall and the Archive Center. Dayton History brings the past to life to understand the present and inspire the future by collecting, preserving, interpreting, presenting, and promoting the region’s past.

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have a pair of tickets to give away to Dayton History’s Ringing In The Holidays event ($150 value) to a lucky reader!  Just fill out the form below, and help us get the word out to others by leaving a comment saying that YOU want to win tickets.  We’ll draw a lucky winner on Thursday November 15th – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to Rebecca Hughes Johnson!

Bad Boy Chef Anthony Bourdain Brings His Opinions To Dayton

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When Anthony Bourdain brings his Guts & Glory tour to the Schuster Center on Sunday, it will be his first visit to Dayton.  It’s also his first solo tour, and Bourdain describes it as ” a rant, a talk, even some kind of imitation of stand-up,” with video clips and a lot of Q-and-A.  He said he’s been secretly doing 5 -10 minutes sets, practicing in comedy clubs around New York City.  “The audiences are incredibly honest,” he says, “and what better way to you find out right away in a brutally painful fashion whether something is amusing or not.”

The notoriously  opinionated Chef, who gained fame as an author of  Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, launched the tour just three days after the final episode of his eighth season of “No Reservations” on Travel Channel. His second/final  season of The Layover launches on The Travel Channel the night after his live show here in Dayton.  He says there are 10 episodes of  action-packed, food-filled travel layovers filmed in Chicago, Atlanta, Dublin, New Orleans, Paris, Philadelphia, Sa Paolo, Seattle, Taipei and Toronto. Each episode will have him telling  stories about a place, it’s people and their food.

After that, Bourdain will move over to CNN to launch a new travel docu-series, to launch in early 2013.  The show will be shot on location and examine cultures from around the world through their food and dining and travel rituals.  “I’m really looking forward to coming over to CNN. I think the world is going to get a whole lot bigger for me,” said Bourdain, “traveling with producers that understand shooting in places that are difficult.  I should be able to make smarter tv, but it will still be a travel based show”

In a group interview for the tour, I had a chance to ask a couple of questions and here’s how it went:

DD: This tour has you making eight stops in under two weeks. How does a travel expert pack for such an excursion?
AB: I pack for security, and it’s all carry-on—shoes that slip on and off quickly, jackets that I can beat into submission, shirts that don’t require pressing. I pack light. I’ve always got my iPad with a lot of entertaining apps and books I’ve downloaded to keep me busy when I’m hanging out in the airport.

DD: What can your audience expect from the show?
AB:  I’ll talk about food and travel, whatever’s pissing me off that day, whatever’s exciting me that day, travel tips. Of course I’m going to be talking about people, GuyFieri just opened a 500 seat restaurant in my hometown, that’s very much on my mind.  I worry for Adam Richman’s health,( the host of Man vs Food) I expect he’ll die of a heart attack soon. . I’ll come out and talk for an hour or so and answer questions. It could go in any direction, depending on how good or how bad the questions are.

DD: You’ve just finished The Taste, ABC’s new cooking competition show, how was that experience?
AB:   It’s a network reality show, it’s completely different from what I’ve done on No Reservations- there  I had complete control, where we went, what we did, I really didn’t care if people like it.  This was a really tight show and I had a really enjoyable time doing it.  I coached a team of cooks, we judged them and one wins.

DD: If you had to choose 5 ingredients to put in a basket for a Chopped style competition, what would you include?

AB: I’d keep it really basic, a chicken, egg, salt, butter and an onion – keep it simple – you can learn every thing you need to know about a cook by what they do with these ingredients.
DD: What’s on your rider? What do you have stocked in your dressing room before the show? 
AB:  I never eat before a show.  I’m really simple, I just want a six pack of some local beer and Red Bull.

As much as Bourdain has a reputation for being a hard ass, I have to say, I found him charming and real.  I think the audience for the show will get exactly what they’ll expect from the celebrity chef, world traveler and hater of most Food Network Chefs.  He’s got an opinion, he’s happy to share it, and  he’s entertaining as hell.  Of course, this show is not for the easily offended, Bourdain does not censor his thoughts or his words. If you’re brave enough to ask a question, be ready for whatever might come out of his mouth. And don’t ask him about Dayton restaurants- he’s never been here, he won’t know about them!

Tickets are still available for the Sunday, Nov 18th show and are available at Tickets CenterStage for $52-$122, plus service charges.

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ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO BOURDAIN!

One of our lucky Dayton Most Metro readers, is going to the show. Fill out the form below and leave a Facebook comment telling us you want to see the Guts & Glory Tour, and we will randomly draw a winner and notify them Wed evening, 11/14.  Good luck!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winner: Shaun Cartwright

Englewood Cinema Hosts Horrorama 2012

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Friday October 26th the 16th annual Halloween themed all night movie bash Horrorama played the Englewood Cinema showing five cinema slashers from new brain smashing movies dedicated to 50’s era horror, to early 80’s comic book capers, mid 80’s gory reanimation, late 80’s campy horrifying hair metal and a local, well-made historical true crime shockumentary based on the most infamous ‘family’ of the late 60’s. Since 1997 Horrorama has been a premiere event showcasing the newest in local film, best horror movies of any given era and just plain messed up, underground, weird, cult stuff you’ll never see on any other big screen again… ever.  Event hosts Andrew Copp, Matt Brassfield and Richard Martin once again brought the goods for another year of all night screaming and movie mayhem. The genesis of the event stemmed from Copp and Martin’s appreciation, fascination and admiration of Shock Theater talking to Mr. Hobart about creating a live action version encompassing all the great elements and entertaining moments that made the show a local favorite phenomenon. Splattertude’s imposing painted up bassist A. Ghastlee Ghoul also co-hosted for a while.

Along with the beloved Dr. Creep the night also honored the memory of national entertainer Dow Thomas and local News Anchor Carl Day who appeared in the night’s last feature. This year marks the end of an era sadly due to the universal conversion to digital prints. Friday night was the last time 35mm prints were shown on the Englewood screen. Three of the five flicks Re-Animator, Trick or Treat, and The Manson Family were the last films to grace the long run format and were a fitting swansong. The evening began with one of two digital prints Atomic Brain Invasion and Creepshow.

The kids costume contest opened the show with the young’ens playing a female joker, Carl from The Walking Dead, the devil and a Zombie. However after saying his name three times Beetlejuice won followed by the female joker and the young ‘walker’ killer.

‘Coming attractions’ from yesteryear included Creature of the Walking Dead, The Last Chase starring Burgess Meredith, there was Magic (way before there was Dead Silence), the crowd pleaser Stunt Rock (featuring music giants Sorcery), Blood Bath and  the family friendly G rated Legend of Boggy Creek.

The night’s crème de la cinema began with the fun 50‘s throwback Atomic Brain Invasion. A bunch of big brained aliens land in New England looking to kidnap Elvis and take him back to their leader. Hilarity ensues as the aliens give chase, but the homo-sapiens are cleverer than the creatures thought picking them off with shovels and shotguns and foiling their invasion/kidnapping progress with doors that won’t open. The gang consists of the pretty girl, smart but nerdy main lead, the coon skin cap wearing scared funny guy and the origami loving jock who eventually befriends the nerdy dude to help save the day. A booze guzzling shotgun wielding hillbilly with an invading past joins the fight for survival with a cast of other zany characters from the era. There’s a big Back to the Future feel and the movie gives a unique chance to see what would have happened if Crispin Glover had played Biff.

The adult costume contest featured Doctors, Harley Quinn, Medusa, Saint Mary, Ursula, Werewolf’s, Mermaids and Sherlock Holmes amongst other ghouls and goblins. After much applause the top three were chosen. Top honors and prizes went to the guy for wearing a creative idea, literally, as 50 Shades of Grey followed by the woman who would turn him into stone for beating her and the Movie Damsel who would stand silent and watch.

Before the creepshow began we watched previews for The Undertaker and His Pals (it’s not a wrestling movie), the freakish Giant Gila Monster, the black and white flash version of arguably the scariest movie ever made The Exorcist, Eyes of Hell and the fun 80’s demonic romp Night of The Demons.

Inspired by the 1950’s E.C. comics George Romero and Stephen King bring five tales of terror to the big screen in the early 80’s horror anthology Creepshow. Fathers Day’s about a poor old guy that just wants his cane, cake and to eat it too. The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill has Stephen King feeling a little green after a meteor falls from the sky slowly turning him into vegetation. Something To Tide You Over features a young Ted Danson and a rare bad guy performance from comical Leslie Nielsen. Adrienne Barbeau plays a nagging drunk who walks into the wrong stairwell in The Crate. They’re Creeping Up On You, has lots and lots of cockroaches, nuff said. Apparently several patrons bugged out and took an early break on this one.

The scream contest was next. Each contestant caused cupped ears and ringing drums. The winner received some special Dr. Creep artwork. The strong lunged Beth won and earned the admiration and appreciation of the crowd when she stopped.

1985’s gory dark humored tale of post mortem morticious resurrection Re-Animator was next. Based on an H.P. Lovecraft story, a very young Jeffrey Combs plays doctor with dead things, bringing animals and humans back to life with a few CC’s of neon ‘glow stick’ green goo. It was a starring vehicle for Combs reprising the role in two other films. The movies theme is dark and serious playing like a medical drama despite carrying off incredible black humor, gore and a complete lack of professional ethics. Though the decapitated body milling around from the heads POV makes a great pan shot.

Coming attractions for movies made in the late 80’s and earlier included Black Roses, Rituals aka The Creeper, Devils Express, Ms. 45 (possible inspiration for The Brave One), Mardi Gras Massacre and Night Warning.

For those of us that grew up in the 80’s and loved PMRC inspired movies about devil driven evil heavy metal bands like the previewed Black Roses, Rock n Roll Nightmare and Rocktober Blood know that 1986’s campy horror hair metal classic Trick or Treat is a definite cherished cult classic gem. A definite period piece capturing the cassette/Walkman/vinyl era with backward messaged accuracy. Skippy from Family Ties plays a mulleted metalhead,… well….kinda, sorta, who’s a diehard fan/worshipper of the fiendish shock rocker Sammi Kerr who died in a hotel room fire. The films also famous for Gene Simmons playing a Howlin Wolf type radio DJ and Ozzy Osbourne making two cameo’s type cast as a TV evangelist. Poor Eddie’s the target of some mean abuse and ridicule from the dumb jocks until he starts communicating with the deceased Kerr by playing a demo backwards acting on the messages given by the charred singer. Eddie starts getting revenge and Kerr gains his trust and enough current to come back through a bedroom PA system wreaking havoc on high school kids and has the bizarre cinematic distinction of electrocuting Ozzy through a TV. Kerr’s spirit travels through electricity, a similar theme used in 1989’s Shocker, using radios, Walkman’s and iPods (kidding) to make an entrance.

2003’s The Manson Family directed by Jim Van Bebber and filmed in Ohio includes Andrew Copp and other local actor’s is probably the closest on screen account of what the Manson Family was actually like. The film took several years to make. There’s PLENTY of blood, sex and gore, many family member interview scenes are embellished recreations of the original 1973 Robert Hendrickson documentary. It’s also the only Manson documentary besides Hendrickson’s 2007 follow up Inside the Manson Gang to feature actual family footage. Van Bebber’s version makes you feel like your tripping as your eyes are held hostage with acid like images, trippy rapid fire film cuts and some not so easy to watch but probably accurate blood orgy scenes. The murder scenes are extremely violent and brutal but as horrendous and savage as they are to watch any viewer familiar with the facts of the case would appreciate the accuracy used displaying just how violent, vicious and cold blooded the blunt force trauma and maniacal delivery of these crimes were. Carl Day makes a few appearances before some ‘modern day’ Manson followers break into the studio and take care of business. Mike King the producer and cinematographer lent his personal print for the showing.

A special thanks to everyone that came out this year. Horrorama looks forward to seeing everyone again next October.

True Nature | For A Good Time Call – at THE NEON

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Hello Everyone,

This should be a fun weekend. We have two new films – a big festival winner made right here in Dayton and a charmingly raunchy comedy from a director I love. TRUE NATURE, the supernatural thriller that has played in over 40 film festivals around the world, was made in Dayton by local filmmakers (keep reading for details about special Q&As). FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL was made by Jamie Travis – the maker of one of my favorite short films ever (THE SADDEST BOY IN THE WORLD).
We will hold SAMSARA and LIBERAL ARTS for one more week. On Nov. 15, we’ll clean house. On Nov. 16, we have 2 new films slated to open, and all other films will have to leave in order to make room. Hurry down if we have films you want to see!

Synopsis for TRUE NATURE: “The Pascal family has it all – wealth, power, privilege – but their picture perfect lives change forever when their college-athlete daughter Marianne disappears one night while running. She mysteriously returns a year later with no recollection of where she’s been. Haunted by violent visions, she begins to suspect that her family is hiding dark secrets and that the key to her disappearance may be linked to them. As the fragile web of lies unravels, she fears that her own life and sanity may be the price for discovering the truth.” (taken from press notes) Special Q&As with filmmakers Patrick Steele and Ann Rotolante will take place after the screening on Friday, Nov. 9 at 9:30 and on Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 10 & 11 following the 5:00 screenings. Visit the official site.

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Synopsis for FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL…: “The reserved Lauren and the irrepressible Katie are polar opposites… and past enemies. But when both come up short on the funds needed to afford their dream New York City apartment a mutual friend re-introduces them and they reluctantly agree to room together. These apartment-mates have nothing in common – until Lauren discovers that Katie is working as a phone-sex operator, and recognizes a good business opportunity. But as their business partnership takes off, their newfound friendship finds unexpected challenges that may leave them both, as they say, hanging on the telephone.” (Focus Features) Visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qigVz5l8v9Q’]

On Sunday, November 18 at 3:00, The Dayton International Peace Museum, Wright State Peace Lecture Committee, Pi Beta Phi at the University of Dayton and The Dayton Council on World Affairs will present a special, free screening of IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY.
“Dayton has made its place in history as the host city for the Dayton Peace Accords. A historic achievement in 1995, the Accords helped bring an end to the tragic civil war of the Former Yugoslavia. With the end in fighting, a horrific reality of ethnic cleaning and genocide was revealed, especially after the international community had pledged ‘No More’ after the end of the Holocaust in 1945. The Angelina Jolie-directed movie, IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY portrays a bittersweet love story during the war. It brings to light the tragic reality of war and its impact on our humanity. In the aftermath of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, a major trial at the International Criminal Court at The Hague took place that led to
international recognition of rape as a weapon of war. At this screening, we will be commemorating the historic Dayton Peace Accords and how Dayton was instrumental in the process. There will also be a Q&A panel after the movie to discuss ongoing violence issues against women that sadly continue domestically and internationally. Please join us for this important movie and stimulating discussion on how we can contribute to peace and humanity in our world today.” (taken from press notes) Visit the film’s official site.

The first three Saturdays at Noon in December will mark the return of the Family Holiday Film Series. In next week’s newsletter, I’ll announce the films…which are free for children 12 & under and only $2 for everyone else.

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

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Nov. 9 – Thur, Nov. 15:

TRUE NATURE (NR) 1 Hr 32 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 5:00, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:00, 9:30

FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL… (R) 1 Hr 25 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:15, 7:30, 9:40

LIBERAL ARTS (PG-13) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday – Thursday: 3:10

SAMSARA (PG-13) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday – Wednesday: 2:50, 7:20
Thursday: 2:50

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Nov. 16 (2 weeks only) – A LATE QUARTET
Nov. 16 THE SESSIONS
Nov. 30 ANNA KARENINA
Dec. TBD – 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

Guns N’ Roses | To Kill A Mockingbird | Breaking Dawn + TICKET CONTEST

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Hello Dayton! We’ve still got plenty of Icee coupons for $1 off, so head over to Rave Cinemas Dayton South now to enjoy this special deal while watching a movie. Don’t forget, shows before noon are $5 for 2D and $8 for 3D! Clear your schedules for Thursday, there’s plenty going on at the movies that day!

GUNS N’ ROSES – THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15TH @ 7PM

One of the greatest rock bands of all time is back with the most anticipated tour of 2012. After selling out arenas around the globe in 2011, Guns N’ Roses – “the most dangerous band in the world” – are     storming the UK this spring. It all coincides with the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an honor they nabbed as soon as they were eligible. And, as with everything related to Axl Rose and his cohorts, this tour is guaranteed to cause a stir.  Never far from controversy, but always true to the music, G’n’R are still the most talked about hard rock band of the past 20 years. The band’s live shows are always hotly anticipated and demand for tickets is never less than overwhelming, showing that their longevity in the spotlight is by no mistake and is very-much deserved. Don’t miss your chance to witness the legendary Axl Rose and co. up close and personal now in cinemas worldwide in glorious HD!

 

TCM PRESENTS TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD- THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15TH @ 7PM

NCM Fathom Events, Turner Classic Movies and Universal Pictures will present the third event in the TCM Event Series by celebrating the 50th Anniversary of “To Kill A Mockingbird” starring Academy Award® Winning Actor Gregory Peck and the 100th Anniversary of Universal.

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THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2- OPENING THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15TH @ 10PM

In the final Twilight movie, Bella is enjoying her new life and new powers, after the birth of their daughter, Renesmee. But things do not remain peaceful long when their family bliss is threatened again. Vampire Irina believes a child that is like Renesmee could challenge the power and existence of the Volturi. As Irina rallies the Volturi to destroy this potential threat, Bella and the Cullens – together with any allies they can assemble – are preparing to fight a crucial battle to protect their family and the ones they love most.

With a full opening on Friday, November 16th, The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 2 has plenty of opportunities for audiences to be amongst the first to watch the films.

For those seeking an all-day event, check out the Twilight Marathon, where all the Twilight movies will be shown back to back, beginning at 11:30am.

For those who want to relive Breaking Dawn Part 1 followed immediately by Breaking Dawn Part 2, checking out the Breaking Dawn marathon at 7pm, which will feature both shows back to back with a small intermission in between.

For anyone who just wants to see Breaking Dawn Part 2, check out our early 10pm shows! We have shows that are still available at 10pm, 10:15pm, 10:30pm, and 10:45pm but filling up quickly.

 

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For showtimes…http://ravecinemas.com/theater.aspx?id=47

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 11/9/12. 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. Please bring ID to verify your name and just ask for a manager when attending informing them you won the Dayton Most Metro contest.

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to this week’s winner: Julie Westwood!

Media That Matters Short Film Festival 2012

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Help support DATV and be inspired by short films that aim to make a difference in our lives. DATV presents the “Media That Matters Short Film Festival” on Thursday, November 8th at 7:30pm, at The Neon in Downtown Dayton.

The “Media That Matters Short Film Festival” is the premier national showcase for short films on the most important topics of the day. “Media That Matters” engages diverse audiences and inspires them to take action.

The festival features 12 jury selected short films that tackle a broad range of social issues with humor, humanity and honesty in 12 minutes or less.

“By presenting this showcase DATV hopes to inspire Dayton area residents to use media to help make a difference in our community,” said Dan Suffoletto, Marketing Director.

Tickets to the festival are only $10 and may be purchased online at www.datv.org, at the Neon Movies box office, or at DATV’s Public Access Center located at 280 Leo St. in Dayton.  PLUS DATV will be launching a new logo at the event. And all attendees will receive a DATV T-shirt and a “Take Action Guide” that gives information about how they can take the messages of the films and make a difference in their daily lives.

Proceeds from the event will benefit DATV. DATV’s mission is to be a community forum that empowers all citizens to learn, create and express their ideas through electronic media. To accomplish its mission DATV provides the training equipment and facilities for local residents to make a difference in their communities by creating their very own noncommercial cable TV programs.

Visit the DATV Website for a complete list of films that will be part of this year’s film festival.

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have TWO PAIRS OF TICKETS to the Media That Matters Short Film Festival to give away – just fill out the form below and leave a comment telling us that YOU want to win.  We’ll announce winners on Tuesday 11/6 – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to Paul Fleitz!

ON STAGE DAYTON REVIEW: Funny Girl (Wright State University) – Hello, Gorgeous

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Wright State University supplies an entertaining production of the rarely attempted but incredibly tuneful 1964 musical comedy “Funny Girl,” the Jule Style, Bob Merrill and Isobel Lennart classic chronicling the rise of legendary vaudeville comedienne-turned-Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice.

Director Greg Hellems, offering a fluid, cinematic vision, curiously double casts the spirited, vocally demanding leading role so it’s imperative to tell you this show specifically dazzles in the hands of Melissa Hall, a charming actress who was just as winning and hilarious last season as Penny Pingleton in “Hairspray.” A lively bundle of energy worth rooting for, Hall endearingly depicts Fanny’s larger than life personality, appealing go-getter spirit and the engaging stage presence that fueled her reputation throughout the early 20th century. She also handles Styne and Merrill’s lovely score with impressive vigor and nuance, adeptly conveying the rip-roaring determination within “I’m the Greatest Star” and the tender sentimentality of “People,” “Who Are You Now?” and “The Music That Makes Me Dance.” Most importantly, Hall beautifully interprets “People” as a philosophy and her dynamic “Don’t Rain on My Parade” perfectly captures Fanny’s firm resolve at the end of Act 1 and her amazing resilience at the end of Act 2.

In contrast, Mimi Klipstine-Dick, who particularly portrays Fanny at matinees, eagerly desires to connect with the character but lacks surefire comedic timing and unwisely chooses to sing in the vein of Barbra Streisand, the iconic Fanny of stage and screen. Originality is the crucial requirement missing from Klipstine-Dick’s underwhelming performance, a committed effort that doesn’t evolve into the knockout this show demands.

Nonetheless, both ladies are surrounded by an excellent cast. Zack Steele, sharp, suave and exuding a maturity far beyond his years as flawed gambler Nick Arnstein, skillfully examines Nick’s pride, ambition and disappointment as a breadwinner. Justin Talkington, an exuberant presence recalling Broadway veteran Lee Roy Reams in his prime, lights up the stage as choreographer Eddie Ryan, Fanny’s pal who molded her talents in vaudeville and remained skeptical of Nick’s motives. The equally radiant Michelle Weiser takes her role as Fanny’s earthy mother Rose to compelling heights late in Act 2 when Rose confronts Fanny about Nick’s criminality. The absolutely delightful Kelsey Pohl as Mrs. Strakosh, fine tenor Mark Beyer’s resounding delivery of “His Love Makes Me Beautiful” and Emma Jordan as Fanny’s dutiful assistant Emma are also notable among the featured performers.

Additionally, Teresa Wylie McWilliams (“Hairspray”) creates wonderful routines once again from the busy activity of “Henry Street” and the seductive playfulness of “Cornet Man” to the tap dancing panache of “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat” featuring scenic designer Pam Knauert Lavarnway’s grand staircase reminiscent of “42nd Street.” Andy Balmert’s first-rate lighting design, D. Bartlett Blair’s attractive period costumes and Scot Woolley’s outstanding orchestra are also pleasurable.
“Funny Girl” is a night and day experience due to Hall and Klipstine-Dick’s polar opposite tactics, but it clearly satisfies as feel-good musical theater.

“Funny Girl” continues through Nov. 11 in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. Performances are Nov. 7-8 at 7 p.m., Nov. 3, 9-10 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 3-4, 10-11 at 2 p.m. Act One: 95 minutes; Act Two: 50 minutes. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for students and seniors. For tickets or more information, call (937) 775-2500.

Local Film Picked Up by PBS

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The award-winning short film “Sparkle” by local documentarians Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert has been picked up by PBS for viewing across the nation. Premiering February 7 at 9 PM, you can see the short as part of a new show on PBS.

“Sparkle” was created as part of the pilot for “Lifecasters”. From the Web site: “The goal of Lifecasters is to inspire, engage and motivate national PBS audiences to share their underdog journeys of overcoming the odds. In today’s climate, this series is designed to bring hope and models for achieving goals to viewers.”

Each episode pairs a filmmaking team with a “lifecaster” – someone who is overcoming great odds to accomplish something special. Dayton’s own Sheri “Sparkle” Williams is a featured lifecaster on the first episode due to her great determination and talent in overcoming what could have been a career-ending injury. The filmmaking team of Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar tells the story in a heartfelt and truthful way. Their efforts garnered them the audience choice award for shorts at the prestigious SilverDocs Film Festival.

At the conclusion of A Premiere Evening (a benefit for DCDC), Jennifer Lawson, Senior Vice President of Television and Digital Video Content for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, announced the big news. Lawson spoke with great enthusiasm about how Bognar and Reichert are great ambassadors for our community. Even in all their travels, Lawson shared, “wherever they are, they are talking about Dayton!”

Tune in to PBS (locally – ThinkTV / CET) this February to catch the first episode of “Lifecasters” and see a powerful Dayton story told to the world!

Coming up in Dayton Theatre, November 2nd – 11th

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Happy All Hallow’s day! November already. Hope you got out to see some of the spooky, Halloween-y themed offerings that Dayton served up. What’s next? Well, there are a few things closing this weekend, but enough opening to hopefully keep you busy!

Closing This Weekend!

Coming Back To Jersey

West Milton Players

The Skinny: Dayton theatre audiences may remember this script as a FutureFest finalist in 2008, when it was voted “Audience Favorite.” A comedy set in New Jersey in 1965.It is a story of Howard Karchmer, a middle-aged tailor who indulges in daydreams to escape his humdrum existence. Norma, his suspicious wife, believes he is fantasizing about Dorothy, a sexy widow friend. Norma schemes to have Dorothy flirt with Howard to test his fidelity, but Norma’s plan backfires when Howard connives with Dorothy to turn the trick around.

Dates: Last performance is Saturday, November 3rd.

Tickets: For all production and ticketing information, please visit the Facebook Event page; here.

A Few Good Men

Xenia Area Community Theatre (X*ACT)

The Skinny: Fans of Aaron Sorkin’s TV and movie work will be delighted to take in his well-known military courtroom drama. Famously brought to the screen by, among others, Tom Cruise and Jack “You Can’t Handle The Truth” Nicholson, this is a gripping tale of whether or not something can be wrong, if your job is to do as you’re told.

Dates: Finishing this weekend, with the last performance on Sunday November 4th

Tickets: Please visit the X*ACT website, here.

Funny Girl

Wright State University, Theatre Department

The Skinny: Funny Girl is the semi-biographical musical based on the life and career of Broadway and film star, the comedienne Fanny Brice and her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein. Audiences may be familiar with the movie starring Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif. It is from this musical that we get such musical theatre classics as “People” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade”.

Dates: Closing this Sunday, November 4th at the Festival Playhouse.

Tickets: For tickets, please call 937-775-2500

 

Sugar Bean Sisters

Beavercreek Community Theatre

The Skinny: A Southern gothic comedy of romance, murder and alien abduction, Sugar Bean Sisters takes us back to the sticky, humid environs of Sugar Bean, Florida, where audiences last visited in its companion piece, The Sugar Witch, at Dayton Theatre Guild. Sugar Bean Sisters is a lighter, more comedic piece, dripping with the same spanish moss and thrum of supernaturalism.

Dates: Closing this Sunday, November 4th.

Full Disclosure: I’m in this, and in my (naturally, entirely unbiased!) opinion, it’s awesome

Tickets: Please visit the Beavercreek Community Theatre website, here.

 

Opening This Weekend!

Legally Blonde

Playhouse South

The Skinny: Pink-loving sorority princess Elle Woods follows her boyfriend, and her heart, to Harvard Law School. She makes friends, makes enemies and make decisions she never thought she’d have to, all the while, her beloved Delta Nus see her through.

Dates: Opening Friday, 11/2 and running through 11/17.

Tickets: For all ticketing information, please visit the Playhouse South website, here.

Coming Soon!

A Plague of Angels

Sinclair Community College

The Skinny:This drama is based on the actual account of Mary Mallon, better known as “Typhoid Mary” and her struggle with the Public Health system of New York City in 1907. It’s Mary’s rights versus the “public good” which submerges us into medical ethics in our society then and perhaps even now.

Dates: ONE WEEKEND ONLY; Friday, 11/8-Sunday, 11/10.

Tickets: All ticketing information can be found on Sinclair’s website, here.

You Better Watch Out

Brookville Community Theatre

The Skinny: It’s Christmas Eve at the Willow Inn. The hosts Jenny and Tom are having Art, (Jenny’s father who’s still mourning the passing of his wife) see their bed and breakfast for the first time. There’s a snowstorm raging outside and three travelers are forced to lodge at the inn and wait it out. Rudy and Marsha who run a costume business together and a mysterious but cheerful man who claims to be in the delivery business named Mr. Smith. Only the Inn’s handyperson Andy sees who Mr. Smith really is, the spirit of Christmas. Andy must help him make Art, who’s been in a dark place for a very long time, see the joy of Christmas and who Mr. Smith really is!

The Dates: Ring in the Christmas spirit early! This show opens 11/8 and closes 11/18

Tickets: Reservations in advance are highly recommended as shows do sell out. To reserve tickets, please call the Brookville Flower Show at 937.833.3531

A Premiere Evening SPARKLES

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It’s well-documented that the Dayton community is one of extraordinary innovation, arts and collaboration. That synergy will be on display at tonight’s sold-out November 2 (and newly added second performance November 4) with A Premiere Evening – a benefit for the world-renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.

The evening includes the local premiere of the newest hit from award-winning filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar. Their latest project, SPARKLE, won the Audience Award for Best Short Documentary at SilverDocs, the largest documentary film festival in the United States.

Sparkle tells the story of celebrated Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) dancer Sheri “Sparkle” Williams as she recovers from the first major injury in her 38-year career. Reichert and Bognar followed Williams through her months-long recovery process and offers the project to answer the question “Will she ever dance again?”  The film offers audiences a rare behind-the-scenes look at DCDC’s rehearsals and performances. A Q&A with the filmmakers follows the screening.

After the film screening, the audience will be treated to the world premiere of a dance created by the impassioned choreographer Rodney Brown for Sparkle “The Gatherer/weething” and a short performance by the world-renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Truly a premiere evening! Tickets are available now.

I talked to the woman of the hour – Sheri “Sparkles’ Williams – to learn about her experience as the subject of the short film by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert and what audiences may expect.

Film is a very different medium than dance – was it a challenge from your perspective blending the two?

As documentarians – they don’t interrupt at all. It’s our regular rehearsal and they capture that – nothing is affected by their filming. Most of the time you don’t realize they’re there – you forget. They didn’t affect our day at all – no retakes, no stopping to get another angle or anything.

Were you concerned to have them following you during this vulnerable and challenging time of your career?

No, not all at – no pressure – no anything. My only concern had nothing to do with the documenting – my only concern was getting myself together.

What do you hope people will come away feeling after seeing the film and seeing you on stage?

I would hope people will get an opportunity to feel good about something. This may be dance and how it affects me, but (people) can be pushed back and overcome it. Know you’re not alone. You can make it happen. And it’s uplifting – the film is uplifting. And the whole evening together – from film to live movement – we are a family – we support each other, there’s camaraderie running amok. We work hard, but it’s a family and they were rooting me on. All of us get affected in some way – what we do is strenuous and people get hurt, but we’re there for each other.

Anything else?

Filmmakers of the caliber of Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar – it’s just amazing that they would want to spend their time with me. It’s been such an amazing experience – I’ve learned so much from them. I’ve had a great time and I have two more friends now. This whole evening is such an honor and such a joy -I’m so excited by it.

Don’t miss this great event! If you haven’t got your tickets for the Friday night benefit, don’t fear! By overwhelming demand a second show has been added on Sunday, November 4 at 5:30 PM at the Dayton Art Institute. Tickets are general admission and available for only $25 at TicketCenterStage.

Coming Up in Cincinnati Theatre: Oct. 29-Nov. 4

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…BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS

A DOLL’S HOUSE

SSCC Theatre

The Story: This epochal drama of marriage and the individual portrays a controlling husband Torvald Helmer and his wife Nora, a submissive young woman who, when their idealized homelife collapses, comes to the realization that she must finally close the door on her husband, children, and life in “a doll’s house” in order to find and live as her true self.
The Dates: Nov. 2-4, 2012
Tickets and More Information: SSCC Theatre | BTC page |

…OPENING THIS WEEK

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

The Story: Go beyond the legend to the roots of Hank Williams’ music. The journey starts in the backwoods of Alabama and winds up at center stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Featuring more than 20 of the singer’s most popular songs, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey, Good Lookin’” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” LOST HIGHWAY is an honest and mesmerizing portrait of the drifting cowboy who became one of the most influential country artists of all time.
The Dates: Nov. 3-Dec. 23, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park | BTC page |

MURDER ON THE NILE

Tri-County Players

The Story: Handsome Simon Mostyn marries Kay Ridgeway, a very wealthy woman, after breaking his engagement to Jacqueline de Severac, with whom he was in love and who was also Kay’s best friend. The couple are on their honeymoon on a paddle steamer on the Nile. During the course of the voyage, murder and mayhem ensue. By the time the steamer reaches its destination, Canon Pennefather, Kay’s guardian, has laid bare an audacious conspiracy and has ascertained that the criminals shall not go free.
The Dates: Nov. 2-10, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Tri-County Players | BTC page |

OKLAHOMA!

Loveland Stage Company

The Story: The classic musical is the story of Laurey and the two rivals for her affections: Curly, a cowboy, and Jud, the hired farmhand. The play takes place in 1906 in an Indian territory of the American West during the time when Oklahoma was established as a state. It tackles class issues between the farmers and the cowmen in the still-developing, rugged landscape of a state in its infancy as characters struggle to find hope, love and the fulfillment of “the American Dream.” It is also a romantic tale of love. Curly and Laurey both have feelings for each other but have difficulty expressing it because of their stubbornness.
The Dates: Nov. 2-17, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Loveland Stage Company | BTC page |

SHIRLEY VALENTINE

Middletown Lyric Theatre

The Story: The heroine in this actor’s tour-de-force is an ordinary middle class English housewife. As she prepares chips and egg for dinner, she ruminates on her life and tells the wall about her husband, her children, her past, and an invitation from a girlfriend to join her on holiday in Greece to search for romance and adventure.
The Dates: Nov. 1-10, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Middletown Lyric Theatre | BTC page |

UNDER A RED MOON

The Carnegie and The Human Race Theatre Company

The Story: Witness a chilling psychological thriller inspired by the true events of Britain’s notorious 1949 “Acid Bath Murderer.” Confessed serial killer John George Haigh awaits trial in prison as Dr. Ruth Covington arrives to determine his mental state for the court. While he welcomes their one-on-one encounter, Haigh won’t give up his secrets too easily, knowing full well that it’s the hangman’s noose if he is found sane.
The Dates: Nov. 2-18, 2012
Tickets and More Information: The Carnegie | BTC page |

WEST MOON STREET

Mariemont Players Inc.

The Story: A mysterious palm reader predicts that young Lord Arthur will commit a murder. Hilarious mishaps ensue as Arthur, engaged to be married, believes it is his duty to get this killing business over with before he marries. A comedy exploring the social customs of Victorian England, adapted from an Oscar Wilde short story.
The Dates: Nov. 2-18, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Mariemont Players | BTC page |

…CONTINUING THIS WEEK

BRIGHTON  BEACH MEMOIRS

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

The Story: It’s 1937, and 15-year-old Eugene Morris Jerome lives in close quarters with his extended family. While the daily dramas of his parents, brother, cousins and aunt swirl around him, Eugene spends his days dreaming of playing for his beloved Yankees … when he’s not thinking about girls or setting the table for dinner. Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical play is a heartfelt love letter to his own Jewish childhood and proof that family harmonies and disharmonies transcend time and place.
The Dates: Oct. 13-Nov. 10, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park | BTC page |

I DO! I DO!

Covedale Center for the Performing Arts

The Story: The show begins with Michael and Agnes on their wedding day and traces their life together over a period of 50 years, until the day they leave their house to the next pair of newlyweds. In that time we watch them go through their wedding night jitters, raise a family, negotiate mid-life crises, quarrel, separate, reconcile and grow old together, all lovingly to the strains of a tuneful, charming score which includes the standard “My Cup Runneth Over.”
The Dates: Oct. 18-Nov. 11, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Covedale Center for the Performing Arts | BTC page |

ROMEO AND JULIET

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

The Story: The tale of the Bard’s star crossed lovers, brought to life in a modern world of passion and conflict. In defiance of their families and amidst the animosity of friends, a young couple will risk everything to be together. Receiving a contemporary staging, this production proves its continued relevance in the lives of young and old alike throughout the ages. The Dates: Oct. 12-Nov. 11, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | BTC page |

TITUS ANDRONICUS

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

The Story: One of the bloodiest plays in the canon, Titus Andronicus is full to the brim with revenge, murder, betrayal and crimes most atrocious. Titus Andronicus evokes startling, gruesome and tragic imagery as the mighty Roman general Titus faces off with his mortal enemy, Tamora, Queen of the Goths. Titus and Tamora, in a spiral of bloody revenge, trade murder for hideous murder, each more brutal than the last.
The Dates: Oct. 20-Nov. 11, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | BTC page |

…CLOSING THIS WEEK

THE INVESTMENT CLUB

PLOTT Performers

The Story: Big Band music blares as you enter The Investment Club and make your way past armed guards. Continue on to the Bank Vault where the secret word that you “Speak Easy” can lead you to a Bloody Mary. Raise your glass and toast to your retirement; it may be sooner than you think. This is an original interactive dinner show.
The Dates: Oct. 26-Nov. 3, 2012
Tickets and More Information: PLOTT Performers | BTC page |

PROOF

CenterStage Players Inc.

The Story: On the eve of her birthday, Catherine, a troubled woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father’s madness—or genius—will she inherit?
The Dates: Oct. 25-Nov. 3, 2012
Tickets and More Information: CenterStage Players Inc | BTC page |

THE ROYAL GAMBIT

Northern Kentucky University

The Story: King Henry VIII has everything he wants, except a suitable heir. His legacy is all too well known, but what about the women he wooed? In this portrait of the infamous king and the six women in his life, Henry remains the same throughout but the women progress to modern times, showing their knowledge of the lasting effects of Henry’s deeds.
The Dates: Oct. 25-Nov. 4, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Northern Kentucky University | BTC page |

…COMING SOON

COMPANY

Cincinnati Music Theatre

The Dates: Nov. 9-17, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Music Theatre| BTC page |

FOOTLOOSE

Spotlight Community Theatre

The Dates: Nov. 9-11, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Spotlight Community Theatre | BTC page |

GRIMM AND FISCHER

Cincinnati Fringe Festival

The Dates: Nov. 9-10, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Fringe Festival | BTC page |

LOBBY HERO

Fairfield Footlighters

The Dates: Nov. 9-18, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Fairfield Footlighters | BTC page |

LOVE, YOU GOTTA LOVE IT!

Rising Phoenix Theatre Company & Clifton Players

The Dates: Nov. 7, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Rising Phoenix Theatre Company | BTC page |

MY LEFT BREAST

Miami University Hamilton Theatre

The Dates: Nov. 8-10, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Miami University Hamilton Theatre | BTC page |

OUR TOWN

Footlighters Inc.

The Dates: Nov. 8-18, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Footlighters Inc. | BTC page |

SAVAGE IN LIMBO

UNTETHERED THEATRE

The Dates: Nov. 9-25, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Untethered Theatre | BTC page |

Family Appreciation Weekend | Wreck It Ralph | Flight | The Man With The Iron Fist | The Doors | Skyfall

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Hello Dayton! While the blog’s normally promote our special events, this week we will take a look at Friday’s opening movies. With movies ranging from family to action, there’s something for everyone at Rave Dayton South this week! And…don’t forget family appreciation weekend! From November 2nd to November 4th Rave Cinemas is proud to present another awesome family appreciation weekend. This week get $1 off an Icee and meet the Icee bear on Sunday from 11a-6p! The Icee bear will be giving out coupons and Wreck-it Ralph prizes. Come say hello!

THE DOORS: LIVE FROM THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL ’68 11/8 & 11/13 @ 7PM

For the first time ever in cinemas, the complete concert film from this legendary band digitally re–mastered in High Definition and 5.1 Surround Sound

The Doors Live At The Bowl ’68 is widely held as the band’s best performance ever captured on film. Now for the first time fans can watch the complete version in digitally re–mastered glory as the entire concert has been carefully restored from the original camera negatives to include the lost performances of Hello I Love You, Texas Radio and the Big Beat and Spanish Caravan. The film includes a special feature of interviews, prior to the concert, with the band talking about what it meant to perform at the Hollywood Bowl and the enduring significance of the concert. This one-of-a-kind concert film will be a hit with longtime Doors fans, as well as those new to this classic band.

Don’t miss this special event playing for two nights only!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk6qq53iVu0′]

 

WRECK-IT RALPH- OPENING FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2ND

Wreck-it Ralph will be one of fall’s most lovable movies! Featuring John C. Rielly as Wreck-it Ralph, who is a video game villain who longs to be the good guy. When Ralph sneaks into the new video game with the intent to finally win a medal of his own, he accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy. Ralph then recruits help from Vanellope von Schweetz (voiced by Sarah Silverman), a young girl who is a “glitch” from a race car game. Can the two of them become heroes together? Come to Rave Cinemas and find out!

 

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btB8tb8fLYM’]

 

FLIGHT- OPENING NOVEMBER 2ND

 

If a drama is something you’re interested in, Flight is the movie to watch this upcoming week! Denzel Washington is a pilot who saves countless lives when his maneuvers save a plane from crashing. However things take a turn when an investigation reveals a shocking revelation. 

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlFMZ5D8FNc’]

 

THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS- OPENING NOVEMBER 2ND

 

For those seeking more of an action movie, The Man with the Iron Fists is the perfect option. The movie, starring Russell Crowe, RZA, and Rick Yune, occurs when a band of warriors, assassins, and a rogue British soldier attack a Chinese village, and a quiet blacksmith takes it upon himself to save his village.

 

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCVE9ykh9Y’]

 

SPECIAL SHOWING- SKYFALL- THURSDAY NIGHT @ 12:07AM.

Fans of James Bond can catch the movie before its official Friday, November 9th opening. Playing Thursday, November 8th at 12:07am (Thursday night into Friday morning). Featuring Daniel Craig as James Bond and Judi Dench as M, this James Bond pushes new limits as Bond’s loyalty to M is put to the test.

 

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGng9NLo37Y’]

For showtimes…http://ravecinemas.com/theater.aspx?id=47