Arts & Entertainment

Stephen Schwartz

Alexandra Finke of Centerville and Mimi Klipstine Dick of West Milton took top honors at the Human Race Theatre Company’s fourth annual Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Scholarship competition Tuesday, April 26 at the Loft Theatre.

Named in honor of the prolific composer of such musicals as “Godspell,” “Pippin,” “The Prince of Egypt” and “Wicked,” the competition, truly competitive and musically engaging, featured six collegiate and four high school students who prepared a Schwartz selection and a show tune from another composer.

Finke, a Muse Machine alumna and a junior at the University of Michigan who performed “Corner of the Sky” (“Pippin”) and “Pulled” (“The Addams Family”), received a $2,500 scholarship. She was also co-winner of the 2008 inaugural competition. “It’s a huge honor,” Finke said. “It was wonderful to perform with such amazing singers. It’s great that the Human Race Theatre Company provides such opportunities.”

Dick, a senior at the Interlochen Arts Academy who performed “Defying Gravity” (“Wicked”) and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” (“Anything Goes”), received a $1,000 scholarship. Equally thrilled as Finke, Dick looks forward to pursuing her musical theater aspirations in college. “It feels amazing!,” she said. “I love musical theater. I want to be on Broadway – that’s the dream.”

The remaining finalists were Joanna Draper of Oakwood High School, Bradley Farmer of Springboro High School, Mary Kate O’Neill of Kettering-Fairmont High School, Jamard Richardson of the University of Oklahoma and Wright State University students Blaine Boyd, Alyssa Hostetler, Jenyth Rosati and Lucian Smith. Each finalist received marvelous accompaniment courtesy of music director-pianist Julie Spangler of the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. Human Race resident artist Scott Stoney served as acting coach. Nathan D. Dean handled sound duties.

In addition to Finke and Dick’s radiant performances, musical highlights included Boyd’s dynamic “Proud Lady” (“The Baker’s Wife”), Draper’s cute and coy “Times Like This” (“Lucky Stiff”), Farmer’s perfectly perky “Popular” (“Wicked”), Hostetler’s magnetic “The Wizard and I” (“Wicked”), O’Neill’s outstanding deliveries of “Ain’t It Good” (“Children of Eden”) and “The Worst Pies in London” (“Sweeney Todd”), Richardson’s cool and smooth “It Ain’t Necessarily So” (“Porgy and Bess”), Rosati’s tender “Where Is the Warmth?” (“The Baker’s Wife”) and Smith’s gently authentic “With You” (“Pippin”).

Judges were Human Race producing artistic director Kevin Moore, Human Race resident artist Patricia Linhart of the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music and Victoria Theatre Association vice president of programming Tina McPhearson. The audience also provided a collective vote. Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra music director Neal Gittleman hosted the festivities, which included an intriguing preview of scenes from Schwartz’s first opera “Seance on a Wet Afternoon.”

For more information, visit www.humanracetheatre.org

Alan Bomar Jones (left) and Scott McGowan in Permanent Collection

The Human Race Theatre Company, a continual advocate of potent works spotlighting the African-American experience, returns to the hot button topic of race with an outstanding presentation of Thomas Gibbons’ museum drama “Permanent Collection,” which appropriately opened at the Loft Theatre the day after probable presidential hopeful Donald Trump reassured the country of his great relationship with “the blacks.”

Delicately yet crisply directed by Schele Williams, responsible for the Human Race’s marvelous 2009 production of “Ethel Waters: His Eye Is On The Sparrow,” “Permanent Collection” examines a controversial 2003 feud, loosely based on a true account and ensuing documentary, between two hardnosed men that forever changes Pennsylvania’s Morris Foundation. Exclusively tucked away in the suburbs of Philadelphia with a by-appointment-only admission policy, the Foundation, beautifully conceptualized by scenic designer Tamara L. Honesty, is caught in a period of major transition following the untimely death of its creator/benefactor Alfred Morris (Scott Stoney, playfully shrewd and spry). Alfred peculiarly willed his vast art collection, primarily known for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist treasures to be displayed without interference, to a historically black college who chose former corporate executive Sterling North (a tremendous Alan Bomar Jones) as the Foundation’s new director. Sterling, a Jaguar-driving African-American who has endured his share of prejudice, doesn’t ruffle feathers until he contemplates diversifying the museum’s 23 galleries by displaying eight pieces of African art found in storage. This bold idea deeply troubles the Foundation’s veteran curator Paul Barrow (Scott McGowan, a terrific adversary) who feels any disruption to the collection completely violates Alfred’s intent. As Sterling and Paul debate the preservation of legacy versus advancing the Foundation’s future, Gibbons credibly creates a volatile den of racially charged hostility that manages to sustain its neutrality, leaving the engrossing guessing game of right or wrong in the eye of the beholder.

When tempers rise and the race card is dealt, Gibbons predictably takes Sterling’s angry black male mentality too far, but Jones, magnetically commanding the stage with every move and gesture, rises above the tired stereotype with an impeccably crafted portrayal dynamically conveying Sterling’s dignity, intelligence, tenacity, wit and forward-thinking perspective. There is so much more to Sterling than mere rage and resentment, and I shudder to think what would have transpired in the hands of a lesser talent. McGowan, commendably holding his own in the face of the intimidating Jones, conveys Paul’s proficiency as an art aficionado with full veracity. He also excellently adopts a fiery persona in Act 2 when Paul, having sued Sterling for libel when called a racist in the local newspaper, leads various demonstrations against the Foundation after prodding from highly perceptive reporter Gillian Crane (Christine Brunner at her finest).

Additionally, the lovely Melissa Joyner radiates with cool sophistication as Kanika Weaver, Sterling’s associate who remains a loyal friend to Paul despite the heat of battle. Joyner is truly compelling late in Act 2 when Kanika, created by Gibbons as a means to explore common ground between the races, weighs her fate and shares an eye-opening epiphany. The likable Sharon Hope portrays Ella Franklin, Alfred’s longtime assistant.

Whether the core issue is race or art, “Permanent Collection,” incredibly relevant while fascinating with mystery, brings thought-provoking awareness to the pitfalls and repercussions of narrow-mindedness. Dissension is an inescapable fact of life, but perhaps after reflecting on the gorgeous universality of such masters as Cezanne, Matisse, Renoir, Seurat and Van Gogh in Gibbons’ captivating context, everyone can agree with Paul’s assessment that “art can make us better human beings – deeper, richer, more alive.”

Permanent Collection, which opened Friday, April 15, continues through Sunday, May 1 at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St. Performances are Wednesday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Act One: 65 minutes; Act Two: 50 minutes. Tickets are $20.50-$40. A talkback discussion will be held following the Sunday, April 24 performance featuring Will South, chief curator of the Dayton Art Institute. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.humanracetheatre.org

Tom Griffin’s humorous and poignant 1987 comic drama “The Boys Next Door,” a story of four mentally disabled roommates and their compassionate social worker, receives an excellently character-driven presentation at the Dayton Theatre Guild.

Director Natasha Randall, subtly inserting Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” for topical relevance at one point, deftly establishes the varying tones in the challenging play which encompass moments of utter pandemonium, charming levity and heartrending potency. Whenever the action particularly plummets into chaos, the hyperactive tendencies of the meticulous Arnold Wiggins (Darren Maddox), the childlike Lucien P. Smith (Franklin Johnson), the doughnut-craving Norman Bulanksy (William Fulmer) and the golf-adoring Barry Klemper (Craig Roberts) unintentionally rise to grating levels, but these unique men are endearingly and energetically brought to life nonetheless which is paramount.

Griffin doesn’t provide many conceptual fireworks in the mildly meandering Act 1, but supplies two terrific scenes in the more substantive, emotionally engaging Act 2. The tense arrival of Barry’s abusive, bigoted father, played with casually cruel ease by Mark Jeffers, completely demolishes Barry’s self-esteem and psychological well-being, which Roberts, in perhaps his most sympathetic performance to date, skillfully conveys. Shortly after Barry is reduced to tears, Lucien appears before the state senate in heartbreaking fashion to fight for his benefits. While questioned, Lucien delivers a powerful out of body monologue, a fervent plea for tolerance and understanding which also serves as the highpoint of this production,   superbly and passionately rendered with dignified dynamism by Johnson, whose fully absorbing, applause-inducing portrayal is among the finest of the season.

Jeffers, Roberts and Johnson are fortunate to have the most compelling material, but Maddox, Fulmer and an appealingly understated Jeff Sams as Jack, the friendly caregiver coping with uncertainty in his personal and professional life, are equally solid. The tall, lanky Maddox, wearing a funny assortment of hats throughout, effortlessly lays the quirky groundwork for the play in the opening scene. Fulmer, speaking loudly and vigorously barreling his way through the action, shines during his tender scenes opposite Lisa Sadai as the adorably smitten Sheila. Sams, very good at being totally unpretentious, embodies Jack with a genuinely supportive, paternal temperament which makes the final moments unquestionably touching. Ellen Ballerene and Darren McGarvey effectively portray multiple roles that accent the authenticity of this meaningful and thought-provoking Guild achievement.

The Boys Next Door, which opened Friday, April 1, continues through Sunday, April 17 at the Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Act One: 57 minutes; Act Two: 70 minutes. Tickets are $11-$18. For tickets or more information, visit www.daytontheatreguild.org or call (937) 278-5993.

In related news, the Guild’s 2011-12 season, dubbed Truth and Consequence, will feature Paula Vogel’s The Oldest Profession (Aug. 26-Sept. 11, 2011 directed by Greg Smith), Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers (Oct. 21-Nov. 6, 2011 directed by Fran Pesch), Tom Stoppard’s adaptation of Gerald Sibleyras’ Heroes (Jan. 6-22, 2012 directed by Fred Blumenthal), David Davalos’ Wittenberg (Mar. 16-Apr. 1, 2012 directed by Saul Caplan), Lee Blessing’s Going to St. Ives (Feb. 10-26, 2012 directed by Greg Smith) and Horton Foote’s Dividing the Estate (Apr. 27-May 13, 2012, directed by Ralph Dennler). The season extra productions will consist of Stephen Temperley’s Souvenir (Sept. 16-25, 2011), Ed Graczyk’s The Blue Moon Dancing (Dec. 2-8, 2011, directed by Greg Smith) and Neil Bartram and Brian Hill’s The Story of My Life (June 1-17, 2012, directed by Debra Kent). Additional information about the season including audition dates will soon be found online at www.daytontheatreguild.org or by calling (937) 278-5993.