On Stage Dayton

We all know about my ongoing addiction problem with dance.  With my recent experience with dance events, I was less than satisfied by the end results. Then I went to the Wright State University Dance Ensemble Winter Dance Concert and I could not wait to get home and tell you all about it. This gave me such a buzz that will stay with me to the Rise to Dance concert and the New Music for New Dance concert being presented this week.

While the concert was far from perfect, it had so much going for it, that by final stunning dance work choreographed by Susanne Payne it didn’t matter what my quibbles and personal dislikes were.  But for the purpose of a complete review, full disclosure is a must. What I love about dance programs presented by colleges and universities, is that you are given a buffet of artistic choices. If one choreographic work is not your cup of tea, something else on the menu might do the trick.

These types of shows are filled with risky choreographic choices and dancers eager to push themselves and the audience in new and exciting directions. Mostly hit or miss but at least an attempt is being made by all involved. And the fact that a college dance concert is more exciting than a professional dance concert should be of concern to this community.

The choreography of assistant professor, Gina Walthers kicked off the concert with a modern pedestrian/propulsive style of choreography that showcased the dancers in the most flattering of ways. The swooping curvilinear forms carried by the always dependable music styling of Kevin Anderson with a mighty assist from the distinctive vocalize of Nina Simone.  The quartet section was of particular choreographic note. Bravo Gina.

Next on the bill was the work of Justin Gibbs, Assistant professor, The Re-Player. A slightly quirky piece, it contained some interesting angular upper body positions that lead to beautiful turning combinations.

I was blown away by the work of student choreographer Joanie Evans, Unscripted.  She is a confident young artist with a very mature movement vocabulary and a burgeoning skill at creating movement sequences that swept the audience (myself included) up in a moody and intense exploration of young women on the edge of emotional vortexes beyond their control. It held the audiences attention from beginning to end. My only quibble is the lighting changes were too frequent and distracting. As you progress as a choreographer Joanie, deliberate you lighting choices very carefully.

Kudos to Abigail Beam for taking the helm of Dayton Ballet II and choreographing, Danza Scherzi, a work that  I feel is only the beginning of a renaissance of dancing at the pre-professional level.  In the past I have not been a fan of all of the works presented by DB II at the Wright State concert.  This work left me hopeful for a revitalization of this pre-professional training program. Since I began my dancing life there, I will always have a soft spot for DBII. And I want to encourage her to keep developing her choreographic chops and build upon her keen sense of musicality and overall aesthetic vision. Keep pushing their technical training.

What happened next on the concert bill nearly caused me to OD. Visiting guest choreographer Adam Hoagland, presented Risk of Flight, a daring, ambitious vertiginous work that left me speechless. Where does one begin with a choreographic work of such sublime intensity? This sublimity compelled me to stalk his choreographic output and to seek out the next show that contained his work. Not since the presentation of the solo Monster Partitur by the king of contemporary choreography at the Wexner a couple of years ago have I been so inspired by someone’s choreographic efforts.  Startlingly simplistic shapes of distorted limbs, like alien life forms, that the dancers thrust themselves into had a visceral freshness that cut through hubris presented by most contemporary choreography. This guy is the real deal.

The fact that Wright State performed his work has elevated their stature in my eyes.  This is a program that bounced back in a major way. If you are a lover of dance you must seek out his work wherever it is being performed (hint, he is the resident choreographer at Cincinnati Ballet). Dayton Ballet should be speed dialing him right now.

A Corps of Individuals, by Justin Gibbs, while not my favorite piece on the concert, had its moments.  I still had a buzz from Risk of Flight that allowed me to sit through it. The pointe work of the dancers was not as strong in sections as it could have been. As a satirical work about the machinations of ballerinas, the humor could have been more acerbic and witty had their technique been sharper this could been a lot o fun.

Nox, a stunning duet by former DCDC dancer Rodney Brown, was an incredibly poignant piece that pulled me into its intimacy. Amelia Dietz and Jordan McMahan danced this work with grace and nuance that served the piece incredibly well. He is another choreographer who we should all be following.

Gina Walther presented excerpts of Bernstein’s Mass, which will be performed on May 13, and 14 as part of a creative collaboration between the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wright State University Theater, Dance and Music departments. A powerfully meditative work that evoked a quiet spirituality that allowed for flowing sparkling group sections that spun off into, solo, duet and various other groupings. The dancers  were dressed in blue tunic style belted dresses that flattered the sweeping gestural quality of the work.  As a preview this was a wonderful teaser of what is to come in May at the Schuster (look for the preview). I have always been a fan of Gina’s work.

And last but not least, we had the sensual finale of Shake by Susanne Payne. I cannot think of another choreographer working in the Dayton region, other than William McClellan Jr., who possesses such superlative dance making chops. She has invested her energy and talents into transforming the ladies on stage into creatures of silken and sassy muscularity. I found myself keeping rhythm by slapping hand against my thigh, marveling at how she created a large cast group piece that managed to highlight the singular gifts of each talented dancer.  Susanne Payne is a choreographer of merit and note that deserves all of the accolades that she has coming. Any chance to see her work is a must see event.

The dancers were all in black skirts and shoulder length sleeves that swayed and twirled with a life of its own. As the dancers propelled themselves across the stage with shuffles and arm swings that enveloped the audience in a rapturous energy.

Finally a satisfying dance fix. I am looking forward to the New Music for New Dance  concert at Dayton Ballet coming this weekend.

In the delightful musical comedy “The Drowsy Chaperone,” the winner of 2006 Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score which opened Tuesday, March 8 at the Victoria Theatre produced by the Human Race Theatre Company and presented on the Victoria Theatre Association’s Miami Valley and Good Samaritan Hospital Broadway Series, a musical theater devotee simply named Man in Chair reflects on his adoration for a 1928 musical of the same name by playing its cast recording for the audience. As an assortment of colorful characters spring to life in his Manhattan apartment, the show-within-a-show marriage of fantasy and reality, meticulously constructed with hilarious, sardonic anecdotes by librettists Bob Martin and Don McKellar, cleverly soars, authentically propelled by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison’s bubbly pastiche songs.

This well cast, Broadway caliber presentation, fluidly directed by director/choreographer Kevin Crewell who predominately adapts the original Tony-nominated contributions of Casey Nicholaw, stars Wally Dunn whose outstanding portrayal of Man in Chair contains an easygoing humility and infectious bursts of bliss. Whether sipping on a juice box or gesturing dramatically under a crescent moon, Dunn wholeheartedly embraces the passion and quirks inherent in his unassuming role which is pivotal since the material would be deflated without an enthusiastic, fully committed narrator.

Although the show relies heavily on Dunn’s engaging personality, the featured roles are also winningly performed. Megan Nicole Arnoldy offers lovely vocals and an appealing stage presence as showgirl Janet Van de Graaff, whose impending marriage to Robert Martin (the handsome Robb Sapp) serves as the catalyst for “Drowsy Chaperone.” Sapp particularly shines near the outset with the catchy tap dance number “Cold Feets” opposite the excellent Richard Vida as George, Robert’s best man. Jana Robbins wonderfully tackles the tipsy titular role with boozy flair. Christopher Gurr displays sharp comedic timing as Latin lothario Aldolpho. Saul Caplan is believably exasperated as Janet’s producer Mr. Feldzieg, who spends the proceedings preoccupied with ditzy ingénue Kitty (a period-appropriate Adrienne Gibbons) and two vaudevillian-esque gangsters posing as pastry chefs (a humorously unified Scott Cote and Steven M. Goldsmith). Human Race resident artists Patricia Linhart and Scott Stoney are a charming duo as Mrs. Tottendale and her dutiful Underling. Shawn Storms, as aviatrix Trix, puts her belting voice to good use as she leads the cast in the cheerful “I Do, I Do In The Sky.” J.J. Tiemeyer, Amy Wren, Eric Byrd and Erica Steinhagen are compatible ensemble players.

In addition to incorporating Gregg Barnes’ stylish Tony-winning costumes, the creative sets, nicely modeled after David Gallo’s Tony-winning creations, are designed by J Branson courtesy of Music Theatre of Wichita. John Rensel and Nathan D. Dean respectively supply effective lighting and sound design. Musical director John Faas energetically conducts a terrific orchestra.

Like the Man in Chair, I encourage you to escape from the dreary horrors of the real world and sample the theatrical joy that is “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

The Drowsy Chaperone continues through Sunday, March 20 at the Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St. Performances are Wednesday-Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The show is performed in 105 minutes without intermission. Tickets are $39-$81. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com

Wright State University admirably delivers Jason Howland, Mindi Dickstein and Allan Knee’s poignant yet unremarkable 2005 musical “Little Women,” based on the classic Civil War-era novel by Louisa May Alcott.

Alcott’s semi-autobiographical coming of age tale centers on the colorful, tightly bonded March sisters of Concord, Massachusetts coping with life on the homefront with their mother while their father serves his country. This sprawling adaptation, which takes a few conceptual liberties, offers heartwarming sentimentality, but particularly lacks a wealth of strong, dynamic, period-appropriate tunes from Howland and Dickstein. Both acts open with lengthy, forgettable numbers emphasizing the adventurous writings of the fiery Jo (Jennifer Lamourt), and there are also songs that could have been discarded in favor of allowing librettist Knee to craft more compelling book scenes. Nevertheless, director Lee Merrill injects joy, sincerity and tenderness into the material which keeps the three hour presentation – which opened Friday, March 4 in the Herbst Theatre fluidly executed by a unified cast, smoothly music directed by Susan Carlock and attractively costumed by Vinicius Vargas – thoroughly engaging.

The spunky Lamourt doesn’t possess the vocal range required to belt her big solos, particularly the musical’s signature anthem “Astonishing,” but she effectively relies on her acting strengths to convey Jo’s spitfire determination to become a successful author while simply embracing the independent woman she is. In a welcomed touch of non-traditional casting, Ria Villaver effectively transitions from bratty immaturity to attractive sophistication as Amy. Kathleen Ferrini is nicely understated as Meg. Darien Crago is lovely as the quiet, reserved Beth and also serves as choreographer, specifically staging “Five Forever” with carefree enthusiasm. These ladies form a naturally compatible connection with Madeleine Casto, excellently commanding as the affectionately stern Marmee. Additionally, Michelle Weiser is terrifically authoritative as the society-driven Aunt March, and Lauren S. Deaton, a standout in productions at Sinclair Community College, fares well as boarding house owner Mrs. Kirk.

The men of “Women” are equally appealing. Casey Jordan creates a pleasant rapport with Lamourt in the charming yet underwritten role of Professor Bhaer. Fine tenor Zach Cossman is an endearing presence as Laurie, who pines for Jo yet ultimately falls for Amy. Jason D. Collins, marvelously paired with Casto in “August: Osage County” earlier this season, offers another satisfying turn as Mr. Laurence. The adorably meek Justin Talkington nearly steals the show as John Brooke, Laurie’s tutor smitten with Meg.

Little Women continues through Sunday, March 13 in the downstairs Herbst Theatre of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Act One: 90 minutes; Act Two: 70 minutes. Tickets are $7-$10. For tickets or more information, call (937) 775-2500.

In related news, WSU’s 2011-12 mainstage season will consist of Death of a Salesman (directed by Greg Hellems and tentatively featuring Scott Stoney and Lee Merrill), Hairspray (directed by Joe Deer and choreographed by Teressa Wylie McWilliams), Rent (directed by W. Stuart McDowell), The Merchant of Venice (directed by Sandra Crews) and The Phantom of the Opera (directed by W. Stuart McDowell). Part 2 of Bruce Cromer’s adaptation of Barnaby Rudge will be featured in the Herbst Theatre along with two productions yet to be determined which will be respectively directed by Marya Spring Cordes and Jamie Cordes. The mainstage and Herbst selections are subject to change.

Dance Reviews

Dayton Ballet – Streetcar Named Desire

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company – In The Spirit Of:  The Spirit Within

As a lover of dance in all of its incarnations, my passion for the art will compel me to seek out every performance that I can find, fit into my schedule and afford. I am owning up to my addiction to dance.

When I discovered that both Dayton Ballet and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company were both performing, I felt like I scored the biggest fix of my life. Now after my weekend binge, standing in the light of the rising sun  I realize that it was not a particularly great batch of…

Part of the pleasure of dance addiction is the almost perverse visceral joy you get by parading your addiction in public. The ritualistic anticipation of the heavy velvet curtain rising to  expose a portal to a world of incredible aesthetic beauty inhabited by  beings possessing  an invigorating super human physicality, what a rush.

The captivating elements of theatricality and music combined with choreographed movement that when it works can leave you breathless.  Addiction is about extremes and so I make no apologies for wanting the experience to elevate me.

Dayton Ballet – Streetcar Named Desire

At the Dayton Ballet performance of Streetcar Named Desire and mixed repertory program was the beginning of my “lost” dance weekend, the curtain rose on the first ballet, Freudian Slip. A quartet of ballerinas in gray athletic cut mini dresses with pink  under-skirts was the perfect opening work, a delightful minor ballet that provided just enough of an initial rush for the ballet addiction to kick in.

The crisscrossing patterns accented by losses of ballet decorum, movement hiccups that hinted at a desire to break free, was danced by Erika Cole, Erica Lehman, Halliet Slack and Annalise Woller with a subtle precision. I get the sense that the choreographer Mrs. Russo Burke, wants to not play it so safe. I question what is holding her back, more on that later.

This was followed by a presentation of the centerpiece of the evening, a ballet interpretation of Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams seminal drama of lust, brutality, and madness interpreted by the choreography of Mrs. Russo Burke.

The ballet for the most part contained some interesting choreographic passages that effectively portrayed the relationships of the central characters, Stella, Blanche and Stanley.  But as the ballet progressed I felt as if the underlying salient sexual tension, which is truly integral to Blanche and her falling into the pit of madness had been stripped away and neutered. I felt sorry for the plight of this Blanche but not devastated for her.

Choreographically, the Pas de deux between Stella and Stanley, (beautifully danced by Erika Cole and Justin Michael Koertgen) set us up perfectly for what is the lynch pin of the play, the sexual brutalization of Blanche at the hands of Stanley. And somehow this was woefully underplayed.

Might I suggest that if this is going to be a part of the repertory of Dayton Ballet under Mrs. Russo Burke’s direction that some time is taken to rework this ballet and give it some teeth.  This is one dangerous sexy beast of a story that should make us more than a little uncomfortable.  I know it is possible because Mrs. Russo Burke provided us the underlying reason for Blanche’s descent into madness (husband is a closet case and commits suicide) and to display that choreographically was a bold decision.

This was an intimate chamber drama that played more like a Sophia Coppola film, a drama that skirts around the dark matters of the heart when it should have played like the first “Godfather” film, going straight for the visceral sucker punch.

And then came Five Flights Up, a work whose charms utterly failed to inflict its mojo on me. I desperately wanted to like this ballet. The dancers tirelessly gave an energetic performance of the choreography set to songs by the Squirrel Nut Zippers. I was completely in their corner, yet it did nothing for me.

All of the elements were there like a choreographic shopping list’ Fun music, check, cheeky partnering sections, check, colorful costumes, check. As the ballet progressed I kept waiting for it to get better as if the high would kick in soon.  Wait? Had I gotten a hold of a bag of mediocre dance “chronic”? The choreography played it way too safe. I love repetition and developing a phrase of movement material that resurfaces through out a piece, but to what end if the ballet fails to deliver as a piece of great entertainment?  I just could not get past its lackluster construction.

“Basics” like the other ballets on the program hinted at the possibilities what this ballet company could deliver; strong and committed dancing, they could lose some of the rigidity in their upper backs and necks.

A word of advice to Mrs. Russo Burke, as one of my local dance “dealers” In the future I am looking for the best buzz that I can get from being in the audience for a live dance concert, delight me, scare me and don’t be afraid to turn me on. I will do my job to get others hooked on your artistic stuff.  Quit diluting your stash, The buzz never fully kicked in when it should have.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company – In The Spirit Of : The Spirit within

In The Spirit Of : The Spirit within… A cacophonous celebration of dance and gospel music reminded me of church sermons from when I was growing up. The perfunctory duties were up front, shout out to the infirmed, a few hymns sung, passing the collection plate   and as the service progressed it finally got to the point of why we were there, a reaffirmation of our faith. The big fiery sermon by a dynamic and captivating pastor was the big payoff.  Like the sermons from my childhood we had to witness a lot of  perfunctory stuff to get to the big payoff of this concert as well.

Because of my professed dance addictions, this was the perfect scenario. Contemporary dance and gospel music on a Sunday afternoon; what a way to make up for the mild buzz from the Dayton Ballet performance on Friday and great buzz from the Encore Theatre Company presentation on Saturday, “Hot Mess in Manhattan”, How could one not be elated after that workshop performance.

I walked into the Masonic Temple eager for a fix.  I knew I was in for an ebullient performance from the company, they have reliably delivered that kind of performance every time before.

The first half of the show contained many individual moments from the quiet beauty of Crystal Michelle’s choreography, the unified and beautiful dancing of the second company of DCDC and the strength of  the authoritative choreography of William McClellan Jr. Yet I was left with the sense that this was not the strongest presentation of this dance company’s singular skills.  As the stylish lady who sat next to me tersely asked, “What is this?”

The second half to the show delivered what the first half the show could not; Art that was also entertaining and uplifting.  From the incredible marriage of choreography and music that was The Central State Men’s Choir and Shonna Hickman Matlock and William McClellan Jr. to the soul stirring sound of Shirley Murdoch and the raise the roof finale (Special shout out to our greatest natural resource, Sheri Williams), I felt the salvation of a masterful sermon about the spiritual power of dance. It was worth the wait but waiting for a fix is never the most comfortable situation to be in.

As with Dayton Ballet, I am sending you a similar but different message Mrs. Blunden-Diggs, make sure that everything that you send out on stage transports the audience to the next level and I will do everything in my power to help get people hooked, but all your stuff has to truly be world class.



Wright State University commendably stages William Inge’s 1953 Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic drama “Picnic,” an authentically engaging slice of life about family, friendship, love and regret boiling over on a hot Labor Day weekend in 1950s Kansas.

The tall, lanky and handsome Riley Able is a personable focal point as Hal Carter, a drifter who sets hearts aflutter in the shared backyard of Flo Owens (Tess Talbot, reminiscent of a young Judith Ivey) and Helen Potts (an excellent Kelsey Hopkins). Hal, a former football hero with a troubled past, has grown accustomed to making women swoon, but finally finds what he’s looking for in Flo’s pretty daughter Madge (Stephanie Tucker), the girlfriend of wholesome Alan Seymour (Greg Mallios), Hal’s college friend.

“Picnic,” which opened Thursday, February 17 delicately directed by Marya Spring Cordes, thrives on its central love triangle, and there is palpable chemistry between Able and Tucker, particularly during an impromptu dance that hints at the sexual fireworks to come. Tucker fully conveys Madge’s soul-searching essence and supplies an emotional tug-of-war as her pivotal choice of suitor begins to blur. The moment of truth arises in a flustered frenzy which Tucker wonderfully infuses with touching optimism. The appealing Able, astutely remembering Hal doesn’t feel comfortable being “natural,” exudes a charming, sunny bravado that rarely wanes. Mallios, an effectively straight-laced contrast, is especially strong late in the play when Alan’s aims turn to betrayal.

Along withMallios,  Talbot and Hopkins (who is heartbreaking in the final minutes when Helen recalls her fondness for Hal), fine featured portrayals stem from the delightful Chelsey Cavender as sassy tomboy Millie Owens, Becca Frick and Dani Cox as respective teachers Irma Kronkite and Christine Schoenwalder, Joey Monda as paperboy Bomber and the voice of Helen’s mother, and Valerie Reaper as the opinionated Rosemary Sydney, who fears growing old and is desperate to wed Howard Bevans (Zach Schute). The ladies are particularly clothed in striking period designs by D. Bartlett Blair, and Nicholas Crumbley’s lovely lighting design is also a plus.

Picnic continues through Sunday, February 27 in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. Performances are Wednesday at 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Act One: 80 minutes; Act Two: 38 minutes. Tickets are $17 and $19. For tickets or more information, call (937) 775-2500.

In related news, Wright State is in need of storage space for sets and props. “We want  and need to recycle our sets, reuse major portions in future shows, as a major way of economizing and being more green,” said W. Stuart McDowell, chair and artistic director of WSU’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures. McDowell, who will stage WSU’s Ohio collegiate premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera in spring 2012, can be reached by phone at (937) 775-3784 or by e-mail at stuart.mcdowell@wright.edu