Arts & Entertainment

Saluting Dayton’s 2011-12 Theater Season

July 2, 2012 By Russell Florence, Jr. Leave a Comment

Dwandra Nickole (l) and Marva M.B. Williams in Gem of the Ocean

Excellent premieres, impressive resurgences and a superb anniversary heightened Dayton’s commendable 2011-12 theater season.

First and foremost, the Human Race Theatre Company turned 25 with an absolutely marvelous season of diverse local premieres that will surely be remembered as one of its best. In fact, elements of “Caroline, or Change” (which I saw three times) and “Red” clearly surpassed its Broadway counterparts. Also, an insightful August Wilson Symposium accented the splendid run of “Gem of the Ocean,” and the very promising “Band Geeks!” was a charming, touching finale. Human Race resident artist Scott Stoney also experienced one of his most productive seasons in recent memory as an actor (“Gem of the Ocean,” “Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical,” Wright State’s “Death of a Salesman”) and director (“Caroline, or Change,” Sinclair’s “The Laramie Project”). Moreover in the professional realm, the Victoria Theatre Association struck box office gold ($4.5 million) with the terrific return of “Wicked” featuring the vocally sublime Christine Dwyer’s Broadway-caliber Elphaba. The technically reconceived “Les Miserables,” feel-good “Jersey Boys” and thrillingly acrobatic “Traces” were additional standouts.

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY Caroline or Change

"Caroline, or Change" - Human Race Theatre Company

Elsewhere, the Dayton Playhouse, responsible for a sweltering FutureFest that led to the elimination of its fall musical, firmly recovered with the tried and true “Scrooge” and a pair of Rodgers and Hammerstein winners (“A Grand Night for Singing,” “The Sound of Music”). Playhouse South delivered its most pleasantly surprising artistic success in years with “Children of Eden.” Encore Theater Company wonderfully revealed the jubilance, heartbreak and loss of innocence within “Spring Awakening.” Zoot Theatre Company produced a little-seen yet mesmerizing adaptation of “The Pearl” that deserves a return engagement. The Dayton Theatre Guild, particularly attempting musical theater for the first time in ages thanks to the regional premiere of “The Story of My Life,” produced a dynamic “Lost in Yonkers” and a luminously engaging “Souvenir.” (Beginning July 5, “Souvenir” returns with the Guild cast at Brookville Community Theatre. Don’t miss it!).

At the collegiate level, Wright State pulled out the stops with an exceptionally infectious “Hairspray” (which I saw three times), but “Death of a Salesman” was an unforgettably gripping showcase. Also, Sinclair supplied a consistent, wonderfully ensemble-driven slate, and the University of Dayton grew stronger with “Eleemosynary” and “Urinetown: The Musical.”

On Saturday, August 11 at Sinclair Community College’s Ponitz Center, Dayton’s theater community will gather for the ninth annual DayTony Awards, honoring the achievements of designers, performers and productions across the area as voted on by participating theaters. The event will be held in conjunction with the 11th annual Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame induction celebrating scenic designer Bruce Brown.
In the meanwhile, assessing the 60 shows I saw this season, here are my choices for the most outstanding artists and productions.

BEST PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
“Gem of the Ocean,” Human Race Theatre Company

Honorable Mentions:
“God of Carnage,” Human Race Theatre
“Red,” Human Race Theatre
“Wishful Drinking,” Victoria Theatre Association

BEST PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
“Caroline, or Change,” Human Race Theatre

Honorable Mentions:
“The Color Purple,” Springfield Arts Council
“Jersey Boys,” Victoria Theatre Association
“Les Miserables,” Victoria Theatre Association
“Wicked,” Victoria Theatre Association

BEST COMMUNITY THEATER PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
“Lost in Yonkers,” Dayton Theatre Guild

Honorable Mentions:
“Going to St. Ives,” Dayton Theatre Guild
“The Oldest Profession,” Dayton Theatre Guild
“The Pearl,” Zoot Theatre Company
“Wittenberg,” Dayton Theatre Guild

BEST COMMUNITY THEATER PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
“Spring Awakening,” Encore Theater Company

Honorable Mentions:
“A Grand Night for Singing,” Dayton Playhouse
“Children of Eden,” Playhouse South
“The Sound of Music,” Dayton Playhouse
“The Story of My Life,” Dayton Theatre Guild

BEST COLLEGIATE PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
“Death of a Salesman,” Wright State University

Honorable Mentions:
“Almost, Maine,” Sinclair Community College
“The Crucible,” Sinclair Community College
“Eleemosynary,” University of Dayton
“The Laramie Project,” Sinclair Community College

BEST COLLEGIATE PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
“Hairspray,” Wright State University

Honorable Mentions:
“Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill: A Musical Voyage,” Wright State
“The Phantom of the Opera,” Wright State
“Rent,” Wright State
“Urinetown: The Musical,” University of Dayton

BEST NEW WORK
“Band Geeks!,” Human Race Theatre

Honorable Mentions:
“The Haven,” Dayton Playhouse FutureFest
“Love Makes the World Go ‘Round,” Human Race Theatre
“Play it Cool,” Human Race Theatre
“Pump Up the Volume,” Encore Theater Company

BEST SPECIAL THEATRICAL EVENT
“Souvenir,” Dayton Theatre Guild

Honorable Mentions:
“‘Master Harold’…and the Boys,” Dayton Playhouse
“The Wizard of Oz,” Muse Machine
“Tonight: The Songs of West Side Story & More,” Muse Machine
“Traces,” Victoria Theatre Association

BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Scott Stoney as Willy Loman, “Death of a Salesman”

Honorable Mentions:
Jonathan Berry as Citizen Barlow, “Gem of the Ocean”
Franklin Johnson as Sam, “‘Master Harold’…and the Boys”
Tim Lile as Michael, “God of Carnage”
Michael Kenwood Lippert as Mark Rothko, “Red”

BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Renee‘ Franck-Reed as Florence Foster Jenkins, “Souvenir”

Honorable Mentions:
Cassandra Engber as Blanche DuBois, “A Streetcar Named Desire” (Xenia Area Community Theater)
Jennifer Johansen as Veronica, “God of Carnage”
Dwandra Nickole as Aunt Ester Tyler, “Gem of the Ocean”
Kate Smith as Jackie Cochran, “Jinxed” (Dayton Playhouse FutureFest)

BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Drew Helton as Edna Turnblad, “Hairspray”

Honorable Mentions:
Mykal Kilgore as Elliott Goodman, “Band Geeks!”
J. Mark McVey as Jean Valjean, “Les Miserables”
David Shough as Captain Georg von Trapp, “The Sound of Music”
Ray Zupp as Melchior Gabor, “Spring Awakening”

BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Christine Dwyer as Elphaba, “Wicked”

Honorable Mentions:
Deb Colvin-Tener as Mary, “Play it Cool”
Beth Conley as Tracy Turnblad, “Hairspray”
Tanesha Gary as Caroline Thibodeaux, “Caroline, or Change”
Ashley Ware as Celie, “The Color Purple”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Will Allan as Ken, “Red”

Honorable Mentions:
Kevin Brown as Eli, “Gem of the Ocean”
Alan Bomar Jones as Solly Two Kings, “Gem of the Ocean”
Charles Larkowski as Cosme’ McMoon, “Souvenir”
Patrick Ross as Biff Loman, “Death of a Salesman”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Barbara Jorgensen as Grandma Kurnitz, “Lost in Yonkers”

Honorable Mentions:
Kes-lina Luoma as Mary Warren, “The Crucible”
Lee Merrill as Linda Loman, “Death of a Salesman”
Marcia Nowick as Ursula, “The Oldest Profession”
Marva M.B. Williams as Black Mary, “Gem of the Ocean”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Drew Bowen as Moritz Stiefel, “Spring Awakening”

Honorable Mentions:
Bobby Mitchum as Snake/Cain/Japeth, “Children of Eden”
Chris Shea as Adult Man, “Spring Awakening”
Zachary Jordan Steele as Will, “Play it Cool”
Christopher Timson as Igor, “Young Frankenstein” (Victoria Theatre Association)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Taprena Augustine as Dotty Moffett, “Caroline, or Change”

Honorable Mentions:
Samantha Helmstetter as herself, “Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill: A Musical Voyage”
Natalie Houliston as Adult Woman, “Spring Awakening”
Kate Hunt as Penelope Pennywise, “Urinetown: The Musical”
Katie Klaus as Laura Jane Kirk, “Band Geeks!”

BREAKTHROUGH MALE PERFORMANCE
Ian DeVine as Link Larkin, “Hairspray”

Honorable Mentions:
Joel Daniel as Arty, “Lost in Yonkers”
Chris Hahn as John Proctor, “The Crucible”
Jared Mola as Hamlet, “Wittenberg”
Philip Stock as Jay, “Lost in Yonkers”

BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE PERFORMANCE
Yvette Williams as Emmie Thibodeaux, “Caroline, or Change”

Honorable Mentions:
Amy Diederich as Bella, “Lost in Yonkers”
Tametha Divvleeon as Tituba, “The Crucible”
Lisa Glover as Wendla Bergman, “Spring Awakening”
Katie Kerry as Roxie Hart, “Chicago” (Beavercreek Community Theatre)

BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY
Mark Clayton Southers, “Gem of the Ocean”

Honorable Mentions:
Greg Hellems, “Death of a Salesman”
Richard E. Hess, “Red”
Sharon Leahy, “The Pearl”
Scott Stoney, “The Laramie Project”

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Joe Deer, “Hairspray”

Honorable Mentions:
Scott Hunt, “Rent”
Gina Kleesattel, “Urinetown: The Musical”
JJ Parkey, “Spring Awakening”
Scott Stoney, “Caroline, or Change”

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Teressa Wylie McWilliams, “Hairspray”

Honorable Mentions:
Lula Elzy, “The Wizard of Oz”
Greg Hellems, “Band Geeks!”
Annette Looper, “Chicago” (Beavercreek Community Theatre)
Nikki Wetter, “Spring Awakening”

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A PLAY
Dick Block, “Gem of the Ocean”

Honorable Mentions:
David A. Centers, “God of Carnage”
Don David, “Death of a Salesman”
Mark Halpin, “Red”
Terry Stump, “The Crucible”

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Pam Knauert-Lavarnway, “Hairspray”

Honorable Mentions:
Don David, “The Phantom of the Opera”
Dan Gray, “Caroline, or Change”
Matt Kinley, “Les Miserables”
Robin Wagner, “Young Frankenstein” (Victoria Theatre Association)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A PLAY
Colleen Alexis Metzger, “Gem of the Ocean”

Honorable Mentions:
Kathleen Hotmer, “The Crucible”
Mary Beth McLaughlin, “Death of a Salesman”
Linda Sellers, “Wittenberg”
Shirley Wasser, “The Pearl”

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Lisa Loen, “The Phantom of the Opera”

Honorable Mentions:
Costume Department/Costumer Janet Denman, “Hairspray”
Kristine Kearney, “Caroline, or Change”
Linda Sellers and Kim Kroll, “Chicago” (Beavercreek Community Theatre)
Molly Walz, “Spring Awakening”

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A PLAY
John Rensel, “Gem of the Ocean”

Honorable Mentions:
Andy Balmert, “The Pearl”
Nicholas Crumbley, “Death of a Salesman”
Gina Neurer, “The Crucible”
John Rensel, “Red”

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Nicholas Crumbley, “The Phantom of the Opera”

Honorable Mentions:
Matthew P. Benjamin, “Hairspray”
Matthew P. Benjamin, “Rent”
Nicholas Crumbley, “Spring Awakening”
John Rensel, “Caroline, or Change”

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A PLAY
Rich Dionne, “Gem of the Ocean”

Honorable Mentions:
Matthew J. Evans and Kyle Himsworth, “Eleemosynary”
Jon Lamb, “The Pearl”
Bob Mills and Fran Pesch, “Lost in Yonkers”
K.L. Storer, “Souvenir”

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
James Dunlap, “The Phantom of the Opera”

Honorable Mentions:
Nathan D. Dean, “Caroline, or Change”
James Dunlap, “Hairspray”
Mick Potter, “Les Miserables”
David Sherman, “The Wizard of Oz”

BEST VIDEO/PROJECTION DESIGN OF A PLAY
Patti Celek and Gion Defrancesco, “The Laramie Project”

Honorable Mentions:
Jake Pinholster and Daniel Brodie, “Wishful Drinking”
Tessa Trozzolillo, Alvoro Leite and Alfred C. Taylor, “Eleemosynary”

BEST VIDEO/PROJECTION DESIGN OF A MUSICAL
Fifty-Nine Productions, “Les Miserables”

Honorable Mentions:
Michael Clark, “Jersey Boys”
Nicholas Crumbley, “Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill: A Musical Voyage”
Jackson Gallagher, “Pump Up the Volume”
David Sherman, “The Wizard of Oz”

BEST ORCHESTRA
“Hairspray,” Musical director: Rick Church

Honorable Mentions:
“A Grand Night for Singing,” Musical director: Ron Kindell
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” Musical director: Thomas Kushmaul, Jr. (Clark State Community College)
“The Phantom of the Opera,” Musical director: Ryan Heinrich
“Wicked,” Musical director: Adam Souza

BEST PROPERTIES
Heather Powell, “Red”

Honorable Mentions:
John Lavarnway, “Hairspray”
John Lavarnway and Kim Townsend, “The Phantom of the Opera”
Heather Powell, “God of Carnage”
Terry Stump, “The Crucible”

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Stephen Brooker, Chris Jahnke and Stephen Metcalfe’s new and additional orchestrations for “Les Miserables”
Musical director Susan Carlock’s piano accompaniment for “Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill: A Musical Voyage”
Shana Carroll and Gypsy Snider’s acrobatic choreography for “Traces”
Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” (Nutter Center)
Tristan Cupp’s mask design for “The Pearl”
Musical director Brad Ellis’ piano accompaniment and portrayal of Henry in “Love Makes the World Go ‘Round”
Robin Farinet’s costumes for the role of Florence Foster Jenkins in “Souvenir”
Carrie Fisher as herself in “Wishful Drinking”
Julian Fleisher’s original music for “Almost, Maine” (Sinclair)
Margaret Foley as Auditioner #10 in “The Auditioners”/Nebraska or Bust!: A Theater Benefit (Stivers School for the Arts)
Rick Good’s original music for “The Pearl”
Terry K. Hitt, Patrick Hayes, Wendi Michael and Jacqui Theobald’s illustrations for “Drawing Room” (Dayton Playhouse FutureFest)
Ashanti J’Aria, Kimberly Shay Hamby and Shawn Storms as the Radio in “Caroline, or Change”
Sharon Leahy’s choreography for “The Pearl”
Eugene Lee’s Tony-winning scenic design, Susan Hilferty’s Tony-winning costumes and Kenneth Posner’s Tony-nominated lighting design for “Wicked”
Natalie Sanders’ vocals as Eve/Mama in “Children of Eden”
Musical director Scot Woolley’s piano accompaniment for “Play it Cool”

Coming Up in Cincinnati Theatre: June 25-July 1

June 28, 2012 By Rob Bucher Leave a Comment

…ENDING THIS WEEK

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE presented by the Showboat Majestic. Photo by Holly Yurchison.

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

Showboat Majestic

The Story: Meet the charming and innocent ladies who populate their cellar with the remains of socially and religiously “acceptable” roomers; the antics of their brother who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt; and the murderous activities of the psychotic other brother, Jonathon.
The Dates: June 13-July 1, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Showboat Majestic | BTC page |

Travis McElroy, Nick Rose & Billy Chace in CSC's THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED). Photo by Jeanna Vella.

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

The Story: Three actors on a mission: to bring the entirety of Shakespeare’s canon to the stage in a single evening of theatre. Audiences will follow along as they careen wildly through all the comedies, histories and tragedies using a trunkful of props, wigs, and ridiculous costumes. Full of clever quips as well as silly slapstick, the script’s affectionate and irreverent treatment of Shakespeare’s plays has made it one of the most popular shows in America and England.
The Dates: June 8-30, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | BTC page |

Jessica Henday as Diana and Mike Schwitter as Gabe in ETC’s NEXT TO NORMAL.

NEXT TO NORMAL

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

The Story: The Goodmans seem like a perfect family. The only problem is that sometimes mom seems, well…a little too happy. Fresh from a remarkable Broadway run comes one of the most lauded musicals of the new century! With provocative lyrics and an electrifying score that includes more than 30 original songs, this thrilling, emotional powerhouse of a musical is a story about the stop/start life of a bipolar mother as she rides the sharp edge between coping and insanity.
The Dates: June 15-July 1, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati | BTC page |

THE PRODUCERS

Commonwealth Artists Summer Theatre

The Story: A down-on-his-luck Broadway producer, Max Bialystock, and a nerdy, young accountant, Leo Bloom, who concoct a scheme to raise thousands of dollars from backers and then put on a flop of a show. With all the money that will be leftover, the pair will be rich! Only one thing goes wrong: the show is a gigantic hit!
The Dates: June 22-July 1, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Commonwealth Artists Summer Theatre | BTC page |

The cast of THE SECOND CITY 2: LESS PRIDE...MORE PORK. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

THE SECOND CITY: LESS PRIDE MORE PORK

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

The Story: The world’s premier comedy company will again set its razor-sharp sights on Cincinnati. What’s left to skewer? The Second City was in town long enough to know they haven’t come close to exhausting the material. Not to mention, between now and opening night, entire sports seasons will come and go, politicians will star on reality shows and streetcars may (or may not) be on track. The future holds nothing but promise for comedy at our expense.
The Dates: April 29-July 1, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park | BTC listing

…ENDING THIS WEEK

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Xenia Area Community Theatre

The Story: The plot revolves around two pairs of lovers, Beatrice and Benedick and Claudio and Hero. The story focuses on obstacles to the union of the two young lovers – Claudio and Hero. The love-hate relationship of Beatrice and Benedick features the traditional war of the sexes. Benedick thinks he hates Beatrice but really loves her and Beatrice who thinks she hates Benedick but really loves him.
The Dates: June 15-24, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Xenia Area Community Theatre | BTC page |

PLAZA SUITE

Commonwealth Theatre Company

The Story: In one of Neil Simon’s most popular comedies, hilarity ensues as we glimpse into the relationships of three couples who occupy the same suite at the Plaza Hotel. There is a suburban couple who find themselves in the same suite where they honeymooned 23 years earlier. Next is a Hollywood producer who, after three marriages, is looking for an encounter. And, finally, a mother and father struggling to get their bride-to-be daughter out of the locked bathroom.
The Dates: June 6-24, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Commonwealth Theatre Company | BTC page |

…COMING SOON

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Kincaid Regional Theatre

The Dates: July 7-28, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Kincaid Regional Theatre | BTC page |

THE FOREIGNER

Commonwealth Theatre Company

The Dates: July 5-22, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Commonwealth Theatre Company | BTC page |

Magical MOONRISE KINGDOM Starts Friday at THE NEON!

June 27, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Our plans have changed for this weekend. In an unusual turn of events, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL experienced a major upswing in attendance this past weekend…so we’re going to hold it (along with one daily screening of HYSTERIA) for one more week. That said, on our other screen, we will still open my favorite film of the year – the charming, magical, and beautiful MOONRISE KINGDOM.
(Woody Allen’s latest – TO ROME WITH LOVE – is slated to open July 6.)

Synopsis for MOONRISE KINGDOM: “Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, the film follows a young boy and girl falling in love. When they are moved to run away together, various factions of the town mobilize to search for them and the town is turned upside down – which might not be such a bad thing.” (taken from Focus Features) This new film from Wes Anderson has an incredible cast including Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton and more. Visit the official site – it’s a really fun!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eOI3AamSm8′]

Don’t forget about our special screening of VITO on Thursday evening. The local press has been great, and the movie screens Thursday, June 28 at 7:30. Tickets are still available for $8 each. Professor Charles Derry will introduce VITO on Thursday evening. It was in his class at WSU where I was first introduced to Russo’s pinnacle book THE CELLULOID CLOSET. Don’t miss this chance to see a great film introduced by my favorite professor.

“Allow yourself to be immersed in a world where perception is redefined by a mysterious drug called I Razor. Dr. Gregory Fleer, a once brilliant scientist and the creator of I Razor, is transformed by his own experiment, along with a portion of the male population, into a band of telekinetic freaks who must negotiate their way through a world twisted beyond all recognition by their altered perceptions… Circus Devils (Robert Pollard of GUIDED BY VOICES and Todd Tobias) present: I RAZOR a New Film directed by Todd Tobias, starring Steve Five, Cory Race, and Brad Visker – with music by Circus Devils. Saturday July 14th at 12:30pm. Tickets are $5 each, and there aren’t many left! Buying a ticket will enter you into a raffle to win cool I Razor/Circus Devils stuff (I Razor Movie T Shirts, posters) before the movie…” (taken from press release)

And don’t forget that your movie ticket gets you 15% off your food order at Sa-Bai…located directly behind THE NEON.

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. June 29 – Thur. July 5:

HYSTERIA (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 9:40

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (PG-13) 2 Hr 4 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 4:50, 7:15

MOONRISE KINGDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
July 6 TO ROME WITH LOVE
July ?? THE INTOUCHABLES
July 13 YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
July 27 BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?, LOLA VERSUS

This Norman Rockwell-like image from MOONRISE KINGDOM is brilliant!

Katherine Mann: An Artistic Conversation

June 27, 2012 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann is a Washington, DC – based painter who works primarily on paper. She received her BA from Brown University and MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She is the recipient of a Fulbright grant to Taiwan, the AIR Gallery Fellowship program in Brooklyn, NY, and the So-Hamiltonian Fellowship in Washington, DC. She has participated as an artist in residence at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Vermont Studio Center, Salzburg Kunstlerhauss, Triangle Workshop and Anderson Ranch Art Center residencies, and will take part in the Bemis Center residency program later this year. Mann is currently an instructor at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Blue Sky Project is a summer experience that empowers professional artists from around the world and local youth to collaborate and build community through the creation of ambitious works of contemporary art and performance. Katherine Mann participated in the Blue Sky Project in 2009 and is now one of six returning resident artist who have come back to the program for the summer of 2012. I had the opportunity to sit down with Katherine and discuss her work and experiences.

Philip Titlebaum: What was it that initially drew you to Blue Sky Project?

Katherine Mann: I heard about Blue Sky Project when I was in grad school. I think I just found it on a listing online and I liked the idea of doing something in the community. Before that I had done a couple community projects but didn’t think of myself as a community oriented artist. I mostly kind of just stuck to myself in the studio. Working by yourself in the studio can be really great and your work changes as you take risks on your own but my work has always been about introducing incongruous elements into a larger environment and it seemed like the perfect way to do that was by using other people to help me make the work. Introducing high school students into the work sounded like a really interesting challenge and it was. It was great.

PT: Could you briefly discuss your 2009 Blue Sky experience?

KM: I came there with one project idea, which was to make a large painting essentially. We finished that and we had all this extra time on our hands. The idea of the painting project was that I’m interested in pattern and abstraction so I sent all these kids out into the community and we built our own patterns and abstractions from sketching and looking at patterns of leaves and bricks and whatever else was out there in the wide world and then brought all those together and placed them into a larger painting that ended up being twenty-five feet long using a lot of print making. In the end that piece looked very much like my work but it had all these other voices in it. They all kind of came together and it was a really strong painting. But since we had this extra time, we began looking at the space we were supposed to exhibit in and they had this big pit in the middle of the building. Since my process has always incorporated pouring; I’ll begin paintings by pouring inks and water and allowing them to dry and then building on top of that and using that sort of as a skeleton of a larger abstract painting, so it seemed like I should do this on a really grand scale. This pit was about sixty by thirty feet in diameter so why not make something that large and have the kids work together with me to make something that felt truly immersive. That initial idea then got grabbed onto by a bunch of the other artists especially Rodney [Veal], the choreographer and dancer and it turned into all of these other projects.

PT: Can you speak a little bit about the projects that came out of that?

KM: The pit projects began with two collaborative dance and painting performances, where the process of pouring paint into this giant architectural space became performative, with dancers in the same space and the act of pouring paint becoming choreographed. We poured gallons and gallons of paint into that pit, then allowed it to dry and painted on top of that. We ended up with a huge wall and floor drawing, but one in which the process of pouring and dancing was integral.

PT: What effect did that experience have on you as an artist?

KM: I think it made my work stronger. It made me understand that my work doesn’t have to only be painting; I can expand into other mediums and it’ll still be my work. It also allowed me to understand that when you’re working with a bunch of other people somebody’s going to make a move that I don’t personally like and that I’ll cringe at but eventually all of that can come together. Since my work is so much about systems anyway, there ought to be some parts of the painting that make me cringe. Everything shouldn’t work seamlessly. I’m not interested in a seamless painting, I’m interested in a fragmented painting that has elements of poetry and lyricism but then other jarring elements as well. Working with other people really did that, especially going out of my comfort zone and working with other artists including sound, dance, choreography, and installation.

PT: How has this year been different?

KM: It’s more solitary, I’m not working with the kids but I am still working with the same dancer, with Rodney. Everything that I said about 2009 is still true this year, I just have more time on my own. It’s more like other traditional residencies that artists are used to in which you have a lot of solitary alone time; the time and the space to make work, which is in and of itself a gift, plus the risk taking ability that Blue Sky has. The only thing that’s missing is the kids, which is too bad, but they’ll be back.

PT: Can you speak a little about what to expect at your upcoming exhibition on June 27?

KM: They’ll get to see the installation that I’m creating for Rodney to dance in; the beginning of a collaboration that I’ll be doing with Rodney and Shaw Pong [Liu]; so a painter, a chorographer/dancer, and a sound artist, beginning with me. I’m creating this environment that the dancers and sound will become a part of. We’ll see the beginnings of that environment. I’ll install a twenty-five or thirty foot cut paper installation that will be hanging in the space. Essentially what people will see is the work that I’ve done in June.

PT: Is there anything you’d like to leave people with?

KM: I’m really happy with the work that I’ve done over the last couple weeks. Even what I was saying before about taking risks and moving into new mediums in 2009, when I was here with Blue Sky, I’ve still always thought of myself very much as a painter and a two-dimensional thinker, so this new piece that will be exhibited on June 27 is going to be my first foray into real three-dimensionality. I’m working with a lot of cut, filigreed paper that’s kind of folded in on itself and hung so that it sways and moves in a three-dimensional manner. That’s something that people should check out.

“New Works by Katherine Mann” is an exhibition that is free and open to the public. It will take place on Wednesday, June 27 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at 8 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio. The work also comprises 1/3rd of a collaboration with choreographer Rodney Veal and sound artist Shaw Pong Liu, which will be performed August 10 & 11 at 8 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio. “New Works by Katherine Mann” can be seen by appointment through August 1 by calling Blue Sky Project @ 937.732.5123.

(Submitted by Philip Titlebaum, an intern with Blue Sky Project)

Cityfolk Festival: Where You Make The Music Happen

June 25, 2012 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

When Ohio’s #1 Multi-Cultural festival sets up shop June 29-July 1, at RiverScape MetroPark 700+ volunteers will be helping make it go and your donation at the entrance and onsite will be a key piece. While festivals continue to materialize throughout the summer months, this one, begun as the three year run of National Folk Festival in 1996, remains unique and completely dependent on community participation. The festival will take place between 6 and 11 pm on Friday, and 1-11 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The City of Dayton fireworks, the region’s largest, will cap the event on Sunday night at 10 p.m.

The festival will feature music from across America and around the world on this year’s Main Stage, located in the MetroParks Pavilion. Among the Main Stage artists featured will be bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent, the newly formed Royal Southern Brotherhood featuring Devon Allman, Cyril Neville and Mike Zito and a Sunday showcase for Dayton’s own Shoefly. A spacious dance floor situated at 1st and Patterson Streets will feature wild bhangra funk from Red Baraat, African and Caribbean sounds from Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca and Louisiana’s queens of Cajun and country, Bonsoir Catin.

Culture Builds Community (CBC) has become a centerpiece of Cityfolk’s year round effort and the CBC Family Funway, located at the intersection of St. Clair and Monument streets, will be brimming with activities that reflect the spirit of this initiative. Photo portraits of kids, ready to be framed with K12 Gallery artists, passport stations for each of five Latino countries and an interactive story stage with Zoo Beezoo Beezoo Story Works. The whole family can enjoy the group mosaic project with K12 Gallery, African, Bhangra and Bollywood dance classes and performances by Stiver’s Dancers and the The People’s Music.

Latino Ohio will showcase a vast range of artists, highlighting Mexican mural traditions, music and paper cut art, Puerto Rican mask making, Latino food traditions and much more. Latino Ohio is curated by Juan Dies, leader of the Grammy-nominated Mexican band Sones de Mexico, who will be performing throughout the festival site over the course of the weekend. The exhibit will include a workshop stage that offers a chance for festival attendees to learn about the artists, the traditions they represent and their methods. Latino Ohio hours will be 1-7 pm on Saturday and 1-6 pm on Sunday

Room With A View tickets are available for festivalgoers who are looking for prime seating near the Main Stage, easy access to beverages, a parking pass and other amenities.

An international beer garden will be located on Dragon’s plaza and delicious food will be on sale throughout the festival site.

To register as a volunteer, see a complete schedule and full listing of performing and Latino Ohio artists, directions, a map and other information visit cityfolk.org.

Photo Credit: Andy Snow

And All That Dance – Review of BCT’s “Chicago”

June 21, 2012 By Russell Florence, Jr. 2 Comments

Tina De Alderete and the cast of Chicago (contributed photo)

Musicals have been tough for Beavercreek Community Theatre this season. “Evil Dead” and “The Big Picture” were forgettable missteps, and the current Edge of the Creek production of “Chicago” arises unevenly under Chris Harmon’s hit and miss direction.

John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse’s 1975 satire, a marvelous look at greed, murder and celebrity, is primarily fueled here by the terrific contributions of choreographer Annette Looper. Looper’s Fosse-inspired work is commendably performed by a fine ensemble that includes the ever-reliable Malcolm Walker, one of Dayton’s best Fosse interpreters. From the vengeful, “Cabaret”-esque allure of “Cell Block Tango” to the wonderfully circus-themed “Razzle Dazzle,” Looper’s routines, brimming with personality and enticement, are the main selling point of this production, which peculiarly uses pre-recorded music instead of a live orchestra/band.

By and large, the hilariously biting jailhouse rivalry between acerbic veteran killer Velma Kelly (Tina De Alderete) and dopey upstart Roxie Hart (Katie Kerry) is topsy-turvy. De Alderete possesses a striking physicality, but lacks passion and intensity, particularly at the outset while leading the most underwhelming version of “All That Jazz” I’ve heard. Conversely, the confident Kerry infectiously conveys Roxie’s sly innocence and deep desire for fame. Her songs are also executed with clear emotional intent. “Funny Honey” winningly transforms from adoration to rage, and “Roxie” and “Me and My Baby” are delightful. Kerry also creates a satisfying rapport with Dean Swann, effectively oily and conceited as hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn.

Enjoyable featured roles are provided by the endearing Michael Shannon as Roxie’s dim-witted husband Amos, strong vocalist Monique Hobbs as the Matron, handsome Jordan Duvall as Fred Casely, radiant Muse Machine alum Odette Gutierrez del Arroyo as June, and the excellent B. Mitchum whose humorous portrayal of Mary Sunshine is believably fixated on Billy.

Accented with attractive costumes by Linda Sellers and Kim Kroll and moody lighting by John Falkenbach, “Chicago” entertains but falls short.

“Chicago” continues through June 24 at the Lofino Center, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Act One: 70 minutes; Act Two: 55 minutes. Tickets are $11-$13. For tickets or more information, call (937) 429-4737 or visit www.bctheatre.org.

Friends and Lovers – Review of “bare” at Playhouse South

June 21, 2012 By Russell Florence, Jr. Leave a Comment

Mike Embree (l) and Zach King in Bare (contributed photo)

Religion, sexuality and teen angst collide in Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo’s gay-themed, sung-through 2000 pop opera “bare,” adequately staged in its local premiere by Playhouse South.

Warmly incorporating a “Romeo and Juliet” subtext, “bare” vividly and provocatively captures a coming of age romance at a co-ed Catholic boarding school. As the common thread of teen concerns take shape from body image and drug use to the questioning of faith and authority, Peter (Mike Embree in his most complex, emotionally gripping performance to date) and Jason (an equally admirable Zach King) are depicted as soul mates realistically trapped by fear. While Peter grapples with God’s will in his life, Jason, popular and closeted, struggles with sexual identity, ultimately directing his attention toward the oblivious Ivy (pleasant soprano Chelsea Walters) with serious consequences. This melodramatic yet engaging love triangle adds momentum to the plot since the dominant cultural vs. spiritual debate, which remains polarizing among religious circles, grows predictably heavy-handed.

Additionally, Lindsay Sherman, TC Schreier, Eric Bracht and Angie Thacker are strong in featured roles. Sherman, witty and heartbreaking as the self-conscious Nadia, delivers a lovely rendition of “Quiet Night at Home.” Schreier is appropriately intimidating as Matt. Bracht effectively embodies the hardened Priest who refuses to acknowledge the anguish in his students. The zestful, comedic Thacker, who sings the gospel-tinged “God Don’t Make No Trash,” delights as Sister Chantelle, a sassy drama teacher. The vocally strong cast also includes Matthew Glenn, Stephanie Shubert, Amber Todd, Jess Freesen, Angela Dermer, Brett Norgaard and Ann Potter.

Director Jamal Cann grasps the earnestness of the material, specifically in the confessional scenes, but his vision would have been better served in an intimate concert setting. After all, musical director Kyle Freeson’s overpowering band is so loud they repeatedly drown out the cast, rendering multiple lyrics utterly unintelligible. Perhaps if the show was only accompanied by a keyboardist and drummer and staged with the cast permanently planted center stage, the score, a melodic yet overstuffed blend of introspective ballads and pop anthems, could come alive with greater comprehension.

Even so, “bare” boldly resonates at its core and packs a thought-provoking punch.

“bare” continues June 21 and 23 at 8 p.m. at the Clark Haines Theatre (Kettering Board of Education Building), 3700 Far Hills Ave., Kettering. Act One: 75 minutes; Act Two: 60 minutes. Tickets are $7-$12. In addition, the gay-themed relationship drama “Stop Kiss” runs concurrently with “bare” and will have its final performance June 22 at 8 p.m. Both shows are involved with the Trevor Project. For tickets or more information to both shows, call 1-888-262-3792 or visit www.playhousesouth.org.

Coming up in Dayton Theatre: June 22 – July 6

June 21, 2012 By Sarah Caplan Leave a Comment

Ah, it is officially summer! A time for swimming and barbeques and all sorts of outdoor based activities. And when you’ve had your fill of the sun and heat, where better to turn then the soft squishy seat inside the darkened confines of an air-conditioned theatre? Summer is traditionally the “off-season” for theatre, meaning the opportunity for live shows will be slightly less in the coming weeks, but that doesn’t mean it’s non-existent. Two great musicals are finishing up their runs this weekend, and I have news for you on Dayton’s favorite traveling Shakespeare Troupe!

Closing this weekend:

Wicked

The Schuster Center

The Skinny: This beloved “Wizard of Oz” prequel folds up its tent and hits the road soon. You can read Russell Florence, Jr’s take on it here.

If you haven’t seen it yet, fear not! Tickets are still available.

Dates: The last performance will be Sunday, June 24th.

Tickets: All information regarding tickets can be found online at www.victoriatheatre.com

Chicago

Beavercreek Community Theatre

The Skinny: Kander and Ebb’s well-loved musical about prohibition-era murderesses finishes its run in Beavercreek this weekend.

The Dates: Chicago closes on June 24th.

Tickets: Tickets are still available but are becoming rather scarce, so if you’re interested, please get ticketing information at www.bctheatre.org

Bare/Stop-Kiss

Playhouse South

The Skinny: Playhouse South’s duel billing of Bare and Stop-Kiss ends this weekend.

Dates: Bare’s last performance is June 23rd and Stop-Kiss will perform last on June 22nd.

Tickets: For all ticketing information please visit Playhouse South’s website at www.playhousesouth.org

Coming Soon

Free Shakespeare!

Dayton’s traveling Shakespeare Troupe is celebrating their 3rd summer of free theatre with Shakespeare’s provocative play, The Merchant of Venice.

Dates and Locations:

July 19: Blommel Park, South Park, Dayton
July 20, 21, 22: ArtStreet, University of Dayton
July 26: Tower Park, Ft Thomas, Kentucky
July 27, 28, 29: Antioch College Amphitheatre, Yellow Springs
August 2: Rosewood Arts Centre, Kettering
August 3, 4, 5: Newcom Park, Oregon District, Dayton
August 9: Blommel Park, South Park, Dayton
August 10, 11, 12: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Dayton

All performances begin at 7 pm. Audience members should bring chairs or blankets. All performances are free of charge (but donations are happily and readily accepted!).

The Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame

I’ve been told by a member of the Hall of Fame committee that I can confirm this year’s Hall of Fame inductee. Bruce Brown, well-known local theatre set designer, will be the 2012 honoree at the annual DayTony’s award dinner. Bruce has designed sets for The Dayton Playhouse, The Dayton Theatre Guild, Kettering Children’s Theatre, Epiphany Lutheran Church and many, many more. Bravo and congratulations, Bruce!

Future Fest

Just as a reminder, weekend pass tickets for Future Fest, Dayton’s internationally-known festival of previously unpublished works, are still on sale. Also, single-performance tickets will go on sale on July 1st at a cost of $15.00. Single-performance seating is limited, so act fast. As a reminder, the schedule of performances is as follows:

Friday, July 27th, 8:00 pm: A Political Woman

Saturday, July 28th, 10:00 am: Provenance

Saturday, July 28th, 3:00 pm: Nureyev’s Eyes

Saturday, July 28th, 8:00 pm: Curve

Sunday, July 29th, 10:00 am: Excavation

Sunday, July 30th: 3:00 pm: This Rough Magic.

Each performance is followed by an adjudication and limited talk-back session.

Information about all things Future Fest can be found at the Dayton Playhouse website, www.thedaytonplayhouse.com

In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention I am a member of the cast for A Political Woman. And I’m very excited!

That will just about do it for now, I believe. 2 weeks from now, I’ll bring you mention of a little season extra show from earlier this year, that another theatre has decided to import, part and parcel, for their season!

2 Crowd-Pleasers, 1 More Week + Special Screening at THE NEON

June 20, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

This week’s newsletter will be short and sweet. If you still need to see HYSTERIA or THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, you have one more week! Both films will play until Thursday, June 28. On June 29, we will open MOONRISE KINGDOM (my favorite film of the year so far) and LOLA VERSUS (for one week only). Click on any of these titles to visit each film’s official site.

On Thursday, June 28 at 7:30, The Greater Dayton LGBT Center and The Miami Valley Pride Partnership will present a screening of the new documentary VITO. This wonderful new film is about the life of Vito Russo – author, film lover, leader and activist. In addition to being educational and enlightening, I found the movie to be utterly inspiring. I’m anxious to see it again. Tickets, just $8 each, are available at our box office. (Above is an image of Vito Russo and Bette Midler…her appearance in the film is quite special!) This just in: I’m delighted to announce that Professor Charles Derry will introduce VITO on Thursday evening. It was in his class at WSU where I was first introduced to Russo’s pinnacle book THE CELLULOID CLOSET.

“Allow yourself to be immersed in a world where perception is redefined by a mysterious drug called I Razor. Dr. Gregory Fleer, a once brilliant scientist and the creator of I Razor, is transformed by his own experiment, along with a portion of the male population, into a band of telekinetic freaks who must negotiate their way through a world twisted beyond all recognition by their altered perceptions… Circus Devils (Robert Pollard of GUIDED BY VOICES and Todd Tobias) present: I RAZOR a New Film directed by Todd Tobias, starring Steve Five, Cory Race, and Brad Visker – with music by Circus Devils. Saturday July 14th at 12:30pm. Tickets are $5 each, and they are going fast. Buying a ticket will enter you into a raffle to win cool I Razor/Circus Devils stuff (I Razor Movie T Shirts, posters) before the movie…” (taken from press release)

And don’t forget that your movie ticket gets you 15% off your food order at Sa-Bai…located directly behind THE NEON.

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. June 22 – Thur. June 28:

HYSTERIA (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:10, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:15
Thursday: 2:50, 5:10

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (PG-13) 2 Hr 4 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30

VITO (NR) 1 Hr 33 Min + Introduction
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
June 29 MOONRISE KINGDOM
June 29 LOLA VERSUS
July 6 TO ROME WITH LOVE
July ?? THE INTOUCHABLES
July 13 YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
July 27 BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?

Here’s a sneak peek at LOLA VERSUS…

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15kG87BW22Y’]

Coming Up in Cincinnati Theatre: June 18-24

June 20, 2012 By Rob Bucher Leave a Comment

…BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS

MURDER WITH A TWIST

The Whodunnit? Players

The Story: You are cordially invited to join Richard Toomie for the opening of his posh new martini bar, Twist. Twist is sure to be the next hot spot and things are about to get even hotter! Big Dick’s personal life is nearly as twisted as his lemon peels and some of the guests at his opening gala would not mind seeing him choke on a cocktail onion. Who has the best motive for murder?
The Date: June 23, 2012
Tickets and More Information: The Whodunnit? Players | BTC page |

…NEW THIS WEEK

THE PRODUCERS

Commonwealth Artists Summer Theatre