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Muse Machine Presents “Crazy For You”

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Cast members in a musical moment from Crazy For You (photo credit: Daniel Rader)

Cast members in a musical moment from Crazy For You (photo credit: Daniel Rader)

Spotlighting over 100 of the Greater Dayton area’s most talented young singers, dancers and musicians, Muse Machine is proud to present the New Gershwin Musical Comedy, Crazy For You, which plays January 10-13 on the Victoria Theatre stage.

Packed with big laughs and even bigger chorus spectacle, the production brings new life and imagination to some of the most beloved music ever written for the American stage: “I Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and many other classic Gershwin tunes.

Join Polly Baker and Bobby Child as they launch a rag-tag musical comedy in a one-horse Nevada town.  Polly and Bobby fall in and out (and back into) love again, bumping into a heartwarming cast of comedic characters all along the way.

“Eighty years after these songs were originally written,” says producer Douglas Merk, they still warm our hearts and stir our memories.  Finally someone had the great idea to pack all of this classic music into one new show with a great plot, loveable characters and great humor.“

In just three months, the young performers in the Crazy For You cast pull together a show that rivals Broadway quality.  For many, these experiences are just the beginning and lead to very successful performing careers in New York City and L.A.

“What an opportunity,” says Centerville Senior Carly Snyder, “to perform for the Dayton community in such an amazing theatre and with so many talented people.  We’ve been working hard for the last three months and it’s about to pay off big time!”

Tickets for Crazy For You are available exclusively through Ticket Center Stage at 937/228-3630, online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or at the Ticket Center Stage box office in the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton.

ON STAGE DAYTON REVIEW: A Christmas Carol (Zoot Theatre Company) – Holiday Whimsy

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL -John Gary Thompson, JJ Parkey, Heather Atkinson and Lizzy Miller (Photo: Scott J. Kimmins)

A CHRISTMAS CAROL -John Gary Thompson, JJ Parkey, Heather Atkinson and Lizzy Miller (Photo: Scott J. Kimmins)

Excellent puppetry boosts Zoot Theatre Company’s production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Dayton Art Institute.

 
As the familiar, redemptive Christmas Eve journey of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge transpires, adapted and helmed by Aaron Vega, it’s difficult not to be amazed by puppet designer D. Tristan Cupp’s artistry. Every marvelously detailed creation brims with personality from Ebenezer’s beak-like nose and thin frame to an adorably diminutive youngster with a penchant for caroling. Most eye-catching is his clever reimagining of the Ghost of Christmas Past (recounting Ebenezer’s history in the form of a film projector) and the Ghost of Christmas Present (a humorous copper conception). Due to the slight monotony of Vega’s narrative-driven adaptation, which emotionally resonates but could have been better paced without an intermission, Cupp’s contributions, which also include fine illustrations, are vital to selling the story in a fresh, unexpected fashion.
 
Still, Vega sprinkles the proceedings with inspired moments including the wonderful reveal of Ebenezer’s late partner Jacob Marley (expertly lit by John Rensel) and the spooky use of videography for the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. His decision to place the actors in shadow late in Act Two is a notable misstep (the actors are occasionally unintelligible which slows the action), but his staging is atmospheric, fluid and playful nonetheless.
 
Exhibiting great versatility as puppeteers, the compatible cast, adopting decent British accents and nicely costumed with a Victorian sensibility by Shirley P. Wasser, features the welcomed return of Wright State University theater graduates Ryan James Imhoff and JJ Parkey along with Heather Atkinson, Lizzy Miller and J. Gary Thompson. The tall, striking Imhoff is a terrifically conflicted Young Ebenezer and an absolutely earthy delight as the boozy Ghost of Christmas Present. Parkey, bubbly and expressive as ever, is a funny, genial and warm Bob Cratchit as well as a fittingly ominous Marley. Atkinson and Miller, a charming pair, respectively shine as Mrs. Cratchit and the Ghost of Christmas Past. Oddly, Thompson, comfortably strapped to the Ebenezer puppet akin to Julie Taymor’s visualization of Timon in “The Lion King,” is more cranky than colorful, lessening his appeal in a role with numerous layers. Even so, he endearingly reiterates the joy permeating throughout Ebenezer’s chuckle-inducing transformation, which remains the ultimate heartwarming hallmark of this enduring tale.
 
“A Christmas Carol” continues through Dec. 15 in the NCR Renaissance Auditorium of the Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Act One: 45 minutes; Act Two: 48 minutes. Tickets are priced at $18 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and $12 for children 12 and under. For tickets, visit www.daytonartinstitute.org. For more information, visit http://zootttheatrecompany.org.

Coming up in Dayton theatre, 12/14 – 12/23

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Hello again, one and all. I can’t believe that this edition will bring us right up to the edge of Christmas and, ergo, nearly to the dawn of 2013. Things do tend to slow down a bit as we coast into the Holiday Season, most shows are done with their runs before Christmas and new ones don’t really start up again until we get into January. But there are still several offerings out here for you to sample. For starts!

Closing This Weekend!

12 Dancing Princess

Xenia Area Community Theatre (X*ACT)

The Skinny:X*ACT bills this production as a “Holiday family show,” and indeed this story is one that will please the youngest among us. Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, it follows the 12 daughters of a king who are locked in their bedroom each night, and yet appear each morning with shoes worn out from dancing.

Dates: Closing on the 16th.

Tickets: Tickets are available at the door, for more information please visit the X*ACT website, here.

A Christmas Carol

Zoot Theatre Company

The Skinny: Dayton’s puppet theatre company takes on Dickens seasonal classic, delightfully retelling this classic morality play as only Zoot can.

Dates: Closing this weekend, on the 15th.

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

Scrooge

The Dayton Playhouse

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

Dates: Three performances left, closing on 12/16.

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

Annie

Troy Civic Theatre

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

Dates: One more weekend, closing on the 15th.

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

Continuing!

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! Dayton Most Metro’s Russell Florence reviewed Oliver! Click here to read it!

Dates: You’ve got several more chances to catch this wonderful production, which runs through the 22nd.

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

One Weekend Only!

In The Spotlight!

Playhouse South

The Skinny: Playhouse Souths annual revue-style evening of musical theatre selections, this year entitled “At The Movies” and featuring numbers from musicals, TV shows and movies.

Dates: Two performances only, December 2oth and 21st.

Tickets: Tickets are available at the Playhouse South website, here.

 

So, that all gives you plenty to see up to Christmas eve eve eve (12/22)!  Remember, a night at the theatre is not only a wonderful date, it’s also a splendid holiday gift! There’s 9 days til Christmas and 2 nights of Hanukkah left…head to your favorite theatre box office and buy tickets!

ON STAGE DAYTON REVIEW: Oliver! (Human Race Theatre Company) – A Dynamic Dickensian Delight

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Pictured: The cast of Oliver! Photo by Scott J. Kimmins

Lionel Bart’s perennial “Oliver!,” his immensely tuneful 1960 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel “Oliver Twist,” has been thrillingly reborn as a dynamic, ensemble-driven triumph at the Human Race Theatre Company.

Astutely conceived with inspired direction by Alan Souza, previously associated with the Human Race productions of “Was” and “Ears on a Beatle,” “Oliver!” doesn’t begin in the traditional confines of a workhouse with a throng of hungry orphans. In Souza’s innovative landscape, the Dickensian London setting is Christmas Eve 1838 in a modest British pub, handsomely designed by David A Centers. The “Food, Glorious Food” is still praised, but the song primarily belongs to an assortment of ordinary, tough, working class men who know the tavern and each other very well, particularly the curiously combative, foreshadowing relationship between the bartender and his significant other whose child he derides. Souza doesn’t reveal their identities, which may be perturbing or perplexing to some, but these individuals are undeniably unified as their rough and tumble existence finds welcomed relief and unexpected similarities in an impromptu decision to interpret this musical rendering of “Oliver Twist,” originally published in monthly installments in “Bentley’s Miscellany” periodical beginning in 1837.

Pictured: The cast of Oliver! Photo by Scott J. Kimmins

As the bouncy title song kicks into gear, this rowdy bunch, appropriately with periodical in hand, seamlessly transition from the tavern backdrop into the familiar framework of the tale, full of the engaging, iconic characters Dickens meticulously constructed to mirror the corrupt, hypocritical, impoverished and menacing society he knew so well. Thanks to Souza’s incredibly versatile 10-member cast, Spencer Liff’s phenomenal choreography, Helen Gregory’s first-rate musical direction, and John Rensel’s excellently subtle lighting design, the two worlds smoothly coalesce without overt confusion. Fortunately, Souza’s fresh, communal approach doesn’t produce a dull moment and is consistently arresting. Even the altered if abrupt conclusion, authentically correlating with “Oliver Twist” remaining unfinished in “Bentley’s Miscellany” until 1839, packs a dark, dramatic punch. It’s extremely exciting and rare to see a director reinterpret a tried and true product with intimate boldness. In fact, Souza’s vision recalls John Doyle’s scaled-down, ensemble-centric 2005 Tony-winning revival of “Sweeney Todd,” which also lived uniquely outside the box within an intriguing milieu. And for pure ingenuity, Souza, Liff and Gregory’s kinship recalls Roger Rees and Alex Timbers’ equally creative handling of this year’s Tony-nominated play-with-music “Peter and the Starcatcher.”

Pictured: The cast of Oliver! Photo by Scott J. Kimmins

Liff, a Broadway standout who received an Emmy nomination four months ago for his splendid routines on last season’s edition of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” absolutely pulls out the stops using nearly every inch of the Loft Theatre stage for a dazzling array of breathtaking, energetic, applause-inducing sequences reflecting his trademark athletic artistry. In addition to his fantastic use of set pieces and props adhering to the tavern setting, I was particularly in awe of the jubilant atmospherics of the show-stopping “Consider Yourself,” the fast-paced cleverness permeating “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,” the humorously posh sensibilities within “I’d Do Anything,” the amusing nod to “Les Miserables” in “Be Back Soon,” the rambunctious kicks, leaps and twirls of “Oom-Pah-Pah,” and the sliding, gliding, gleeful exuberance of “Who Will Buy?” The spirited ensemble is vigorously immersed in every mesmerizing routine to the utmost, undergoing the epitome of a theatrical workout. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gatorade is stored backstage for this hard-working crew.

Attractively costumed in period attire by Molly Walz, Souza’s marvelously cohesive cast portrays multiple roles with expertly detailed aplomb. In the titular role, Blaise Bouschard is an appealingly innocent, humble presence offering pleasant vocals, especially in his sincerely plaintive rendition of “Where is Love?” Gary Troy’s humorously slick, shrewd interpretation of Fagin, the scoundrel who craves his treasure and independence with equal passion, culminates with a delectably superb “Reviewing the Situation.” As the saucy, abused Nancy, Sara Sheperd, a terrific vocalist and a lively source of vigor and warmth, particularly supplies a compelling rendition of the lovely torch ballad “As Long as He Needs Me.” Nicholas Belton, another fine singer, is a perfectly brooding Bill Sikes. Joseph Medeiros, a skillfully sharp dancer with numerous Broadway credits, is a charming, crafty and witty Artful Dodger. He also scores big laughs as Widow Corney in “I Shall Scream” opposite the fittingly authoritative and droll Scott Stoney as Mr. Bumble. Adam Lendermon delights as creepy undertaker Mr. Sowerberry and is strikingly believable as the gentle, soft-spoken Mrs. Bedwin. Chris Shea is a great fit as the kindly Mr. Brownlow and the hopelessly agitated Mrs. Sowerberry. Ian DeVine, a Wright State University senior musical theater major who continues to amaze, winningly startles and intimidates as the cruel Noah Claypole. As Bet, the aforementioned, multitasking Gregory amiably partners with Sheperd for back-to-back knockouts “It’s a Fine Life” and “I’d Do Anything.”

Pictured: The cast of Oliver! Photo by Scott J. Kimmins

Brilliantly enhancing the art of storytelling through concept, song and dance, Souza, Liff and Gregory have overseen a must-see showcase, coinciding with the bicentennial of Dickens’ birth, which could have a life beyond Dayton in regional theaters or beyond. After all, Broadway hasn’t revived “Oliver!” since 1984, and considering the current success of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s terrific production of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” there could be a timely Dickens resurgence brewing which this version could promisingly accentuate.

Purists may scoff, but the Human Race supplies a joyously refreshing experience expanding the possibilities of what musical theater can be.

“Oliver!” continues through Dec. 22 in the Loft Theatre of the Human Race Theatre Company, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. Act One: 60 minutes; Act Two: 40 minutes. Performances are Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. There is also a 2 p.m. performance on Dec. 22. The Dec. 11 performance is sold out. A post-show discussion will follow the Dec. 9 performance. Jonah Sorscher is also featured in the cast as the Oliver understudy. Tickets are $17.50-$45. A limited number of $25 tickets are available for each performance. Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.humanracetheatre.org or www.ticketcenterstage.com. For more information, call the Human Race at (937) 461-3823 or visit www.humanracetheatre.org.

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

Closing This Weekend!

 

White Christmas

The Schuster Center

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

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

Tickets: All ticketing information is available online, here

 

Now Running!

A Tuna Christmas

The Dayton Theatre Guild

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

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

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

Opening This Weekend!

Oliver!

The Human Race Theatre Company

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

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

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

Scrooge

The Dayton Playhouse

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

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

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

A Christmas Carol

Zoot Theatre Company

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

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

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

Annie

Troy Civic Theatre

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

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

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

One Night Only!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Tipp City Players

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

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

 

 

The Zoot Theatre Company presents “A Christmas Carol”

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

Ebenezer Scrooge

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

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

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

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

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

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winners!

Anna Black
Rachel DeFord
Donald Weaver

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

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

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

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

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

SPECIAL OFFER

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

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

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

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winners:

Brad Hansen
Heather Krey
Abby Puterbaugh
Heather Lance
Ashley Hill

 

It’s not a pen – it’s a FRINDLE!

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

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

NEW FAMILY WORKSHOPS and PNC STORYTIME!

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

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

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Human Race Theatre Company Presents Oliver!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PERFORMANCE AND SPECIAL EVENT INFORMATION

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

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

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

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

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

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

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our three winners:

Shannon Blair

Brian Gerhardstein

Margie Rivera

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0bND8u6OsY#!’]

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