On Stage Dayton

So This is Christmas…

November 30, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

8-Track:

The Sounds of the 70’s

THE HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

Grab Your Boogie Shoes!

The Human Race Presents

A Unique Holiday Offering

So this is Christmas and what have you done?

Another year older, a new one just begun.

A very merry Christmas and a happy new year,

Let’s hope it’s a good one without any fear.

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & Yoko Ono – December 6, 1971

Holiday fare at the theatres can often get stale and repetitive. I love a good Dickens’ tale or Nutcracker ballet like anyone else but wouldn’t it be a great to start a NEW holiday tradition, Recently, we’ve seen local production of fresher holiday fare including classics like Miracle on 34th Street and White Christmas (currently playing at La Comedia) to edgier offerings like Eight Reindeer Monlogues. Nationally, TWO new holiday musicals are making the rounds – a new musical adaptation of the classic holiday film A Christmas Story and on Broadway – a musical staging of the more recent film, Elf.

8-TRACK: THE SOUNDS OF THE 70'S - The Human Race Theatre Co.

This holiday season, amid all of the standards, The Human Race Theatre Company is inviting you back to the age of bellbottoms, flower power, and draft dodging. Fifty of the greatest hits of the 70’s wrapped into one rock ‘n’ roll evening doesn’t seem like typical holiday fare but The Human Race is betting on 8-Track: The Sounds of the 70’s.

From the creator of the 60’s musical revue Beehive comes this all new retrospective that the Minneapolis Star Tribune has called “an infectious, joyous celebration.” The show is cleverly split into 8 “tracks” or themes like War and Peace and Disco that give the show a thematic tie to the decade it represents. Be prepared to hear classic songs from Donna Summer, Helen Reddy, KC & The Sunshine Band, The Carpenters, The Bee Gees among others.

8-TRACK: THE SOUNDS OF THE 70'S - The Human Race Theatre Co.

The other thing you can be sure of is that these songs will be expertly executed. Under the direction of Human Race Resident Artist Scott Stoney, the cast of five include TWO locals-made-good including EBONY BLAKE and JJ TIEYMEYER – both Wright State graduates and both now New York based. Neither are strangers to the Loft. Blake was seen in Jitney and the workshop presentation of Nefertiti (Ms. Blake was last seen here in Dayton on the national tour of The Color Purple that played the Schuster Center). Tiemeyer has been seen in A Christmas Carol and Man of La Mancha with The Human Race. The cast is rounded out by JENNIFER WREN (Brigadoon at the Schubert) and JONATHAN BURKE (National Tour of Cats).

So go ahead and indulge in your “ghost of Christmases past” and dancing mice but don’t miss the holiday Disco party at the Loft.

Photos by Scott J. Kimmins

Tickets & Performance Information:

8-Track: The Sounds of the 70’s – December 2 through 22 at The Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St.

Various performances days and times, visit www.humanracetheatre.org or Ticket Center Stage for ticket information.

Tickets also available by calling (937) 228-3630 or toll-free (888) 228-3630

Group tickets for holiday outings (or otherwise) at (937) 461-3823 x 3113

-DB

8-TRACK: THE SOUNDS OF THE 70'S - The Human Race Theatre Co.

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company.Katherine Nelson, a senior theatre major at Cedarville University, serves as the Literary Intern for ETC. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

Move On…

November 27, 2010 By Shane Anderson 2 Comments

…a conversation with Chris Erk

The Tap Factor

Dayton is a tap town. There, I said it. Most people in this city and region probably had no clue, and yet this is another thing that Dayton should be really proud about. It’s been a whirlwind of a year for tap dance in Dayton. First, we come to the painful realization that Sharon Leahy and Rick Good’s RHYTHM IN SHOES was closing up shop after 20-some years…but then we start hearing news of other amazing dance projects in the works. We hear of South Park resident Kandee Thacker-Mann (who had performed with the legendary Savion Glover) teaching urban kids the art of tap dance through her company SOLE PURPOSE. Then, out of the blue there’s news of another new tap company in town….THE TAP FACTOR.

THE TAP FACTOR? Honestly, the first time I saw a flier advertising the studio, I assumed that it was some of the soon-to-be-former R.I.S. members, establishing their next project. Upon a little bit of investigation, we started to hear about this new guy in town, one Christopher Erk…he’d been in some Broadway tours and all.? ? A Broadway tour that ended in Dayton, Ohio? How did a star performer in TAP DOGS end up in Dayton? This Chris Erk guy was kind of elusive at first…until a quick introduction on Fifth Street one day, then the occasional friendly wave across a bar or on the street. Then SLAM! The Tap Factor started shaking things up in Dayton! The first gig…at Urban Nights; a special guest appearance at R.I.S’s last performance; SOUL’D OUT DAYTON at C{Space; Broadway caliber guest performers flying in from NYC to teach master classes around town; THE DAYTON TAP PROJECT at Stivers.

I contacted Chris…I wanted to find out more about this force that suddenly flew into town less than a year ago. What did I find out? 1) Besides talented, he’s a really nice guy. 2) He really appreciates our city & the artistic environment here. 3) He’s on his way out of town.? ?

onStageDayton: Chris, Dayton is just getting to know you as a performer in our arts scene…but, you came to our city after a pretty interesting career in New York and on the road. For our DMM readers who are just being introduced to you, just who the heck are you?

Chris Erk: I am originally from CT where I grew up dancing extensively and training in musical theater and drama. When I was 15 years old I was hired for the National Tour of Tap Dogs with whom I went on to tour internationally for 5 years. After putting some time in on the road I settled in NYC where I lived and worked as a tap dancer/teacher/choreographer for the next 5 years. Work there was diverse. I spent a lot of time covering the bases of what the dance world could offer. From corporate entertainment, the teaching and convention circuit, to independent and company projects, there was plenty to get mixed up in while living in the city, and many friendships developed along the way. The exposure gained in my first stint of my career has geared me up for round two.

OSD: It seems that you are quite connected on the national dance scene…what do you find exciting about the future of American dance?

CE: The thing that excites me most about the future of the American dance scene is that there is a lot more going on by a lot more people. I notice the country realizing that it doesn’t take much to get something done. Communities are starting to come alive and more groups are being formed. I find the “flash stardom” shows are showing that there is a shot out there for the average Joe. I also think that globalization and internet sharing are making cross culture exchanges “the norm”. That alone is making for a deeper creative pool which in turn yields a more diverse product for a wider audience to enjoy.

OSD: We are sorry to hear that your time in Dayton is coming to an end. What personal opportunities did your time here provide for you as an artist and an educator?

CE: Leaving Dayton is definitely not going to be the easiest thing to do. From the moment I got to town I was given warm reception and the open heart of the town. Good luck and favor kept coming at the rate of disbelief. I couldn’t fathom that the town was really as kind as it seemed. Whenever there was a hand in need there was a hand indeed.

As an educator, I would say that I got to have my cake and eat it too. Whether I was teaching “Broadway Bounders” at WSU, giving the recreational class at Sinclair their first tap steps, enriching the experienced dancers at the local studios, or getting my hands dirty getting the Tap Factor crew comfortable to take their tap to the streets to share with the town, the breadth of what I had to offer as an educator and coordinator was full spectrum here in Dayton. As any teacher can tell you, you learn as much as your students do, and in that, I was spoiled here. I will not take that for granted as I move on.

I found that there are community supported opportunities for everyone who wants to participate in the arts in any capacity. As an artist, the work just flowed out stimulated by the backdrop and resources made available by the city. All of the work that I created in town was a product of good company. I am not set out on a mission to accomplish anything in particular as much as I just like to have a good time tapping with others. If there was no one to work with, there would have been no work produced on my end. In all actuality the demand was steady and therefore in a short time, we got a lot of great work done.

In Soul’d Out, the show I produced at C{space, I found that I was able to utilize every bit of skill I had under my belt as well as get my feet wet as a producer. In that experience I was able to dance, teach, choreograph, create, delegate, coordinate, share, invite, collaborate, direct, host, design, etc…all in one show. Artistically and beyond, there was no stone unturned.

OSD: You mentioned what a fantastic working environment Dayton is for artists, what factors make you feel that way?

CE: Dayton has many hungry people ready for action. They just need to be led and to know, it really isn’t that hard to get something done. There is a venue and audience for all. The theater community itself is thriving which also adds for good stimulation, incubation, and cross pollination. It is nice to have this website, for instance, as a go to for people to get plugged in to what’s happening in town. There is art in everything and Dayton seems to get it. The main factor in all of it is that it costs a fraction of the price you would pay in any major city. If you have goals and a plan, Dayton is the canvass to get ‘er done. I also must attribute the Downtown Dayton Partnership for being a major catalyst and supporter for my work here. The exposure of The Tap Factor would have been dwarfed it it weren’t for frequent supported events that allowed us to get busy.

OSD: In the past year you have had the opportunity to collaborate with several other arts and community organizations…what are some of the highlights from these experiences?

CE: I would have to say that I was honored to have at least one opportunity to dance with Rhythm in Shoes. They joked and announced me in their final show at the Cityfolk festival as it being my first and last gig with the company. I was sad for that to be the case as I had gained much respect for their historical contribution to the town. They gave me their blessing and came out of retirement for a moment to perform with me and my friends in Soul’d Out. It really was a treat.

I am also sad to leave with out getting some puppets tapping for Zoot. I may have to make sure I get that taken care of at some point. I was also treated with the task of choreographing Gypsy at the Dayton Playhouse. That was my first community theater experience and a blessed one.

As I had mentioned before, the DDP has been a great resource to lean on, from writing press releases, finding space, to booking gigs, they really are there to be taken advantage of if one wishes to get pugged into the Dayton Circuit. I have also made great friends with some local movers and shakers. Local artist Mike Elsass and Peter Benkendorf of Blue Sky have been readily available for engagements in candid guidance and encouragement. Without their vote of confidence, some of the moves I made may have been handled with less follow through.

My future was headed towards, of course developing The Tap Factor, but also working with Ann Rassmusen to create space and opportunity for people who need a chance and a helping hand in getting their work out to the world. I believe there is a void in that capacity here in town and it will be exciting to see if and what will be created and by whom.

OSD: November 13th’s “Dayton Tap Project,” was most likely your last gig in the city. What story were you able to tell through your performance? What type of audiences were you hoping to reach & what is the personal message that you wanted them to take away from the show?

CE: In The Tap Factor segment in the showcase, you pretty much got a point for point account of the works that have come out of my time here. It was a nice recap and a great chance for me to dance with some of the company members that have been around through the whole process. I also cut up the stage with my best friend, Anthony Russo. There was tap dancing as you know it and may have never seen before. There were no age or language barriers up. It’s good clean fire. This was a priceless opportunity…I’m just sayin’…I want audiences to just have fun and let loose with us. No messages to be stated here. Each individual will make of it what they will.

OSD: What’s next for you?

CE: Next I am going to go back East and throw my self back into the whirlwind of NYC. There is a lot to latch onto. I plan on spending time developing my craft, continuing my college education, and reuniting with my professional peers to see what’s been shaking. I know I will have a wealth of experience from my time here to share.

OSD: Chris, thanks for taking time to chat with onStageDayton, we wish you well and hope that you will spread the word on the East Coast what a great arts scene Dayton, Ohio has!

CE: Trust me, I have been an advocate for Dayton since the moment I landed here. I have already had several friends in to get hands involved the arts scene. There are still stories to unfold about what the future holds for the arts in this town. There is a storm brewing up here and I will continue to let the world know that they are about to find out! I am not one to predict the future. I never would say that my time here had ended. All I can say for now is peace and love to you Dayton, onward. There is magic happening here and in due time it’s going to pop and the secret will be out. Trust I will be back for the party. Thank you! See you soon 🙂

In our conversation, Chris kept discussing how much he has enjoyed his time in Dayton, and the many great people & things to do that he’s heard about but hasn’t yet had the opportunity to meet/experience. You can tell what an organizational genius he is, because he went ahead made some lists and emailed them to me!

My Top 10 things I need to do before leaving Dayton:

1. Meet an Ervin

2. Box at Drakes Gym

3. Get on one of Dayton’s Bike paths

4. Have a Bad Juan Margarita

5. Go to the Dayton Arts Scene

6. Teach a class at Stivers

7. Dance one more time with the Puzzle of Light

8. See a show at the Loft

9. Go to a UD game

10. See a show at Canal Street Tavern

Top 10 favorite people:

1. Joe Deer (WSU Theatre)

2. Tristan Cupp (Human Race Theatre Co./Zoot Theatre Co.)

3. Ann Rassmusen (C{Space)

4. Mike Elsass (Artist/The Color of Energy Gallery)

5. Peter Benkendorf (Blue Sky Project)

6. Kristen Wicker (Downtown Dayton Partnership)

7. Russel Florence, Jr. (onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com)

8. Brian Sharp and Wade Hamilton (Dayton Playhouse)

9. Gina Nuerer (Sinclair Theatre)

10. Susan Byrnes (Artist/UD’s ArtStreet)

My Top 10 Spots I am taking with me!

1. Lihn’s

2. South Park Pizza Tavern

3. Tanks

6. Palermo’s

9. Boston Stoker (iced tea)

10. Brixx Cafe

Photos by Sarah Babcock & Kidtee Hello

-SA

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company.Katherine Nelson, a senior theatre major at Cedarville University, serves as the Literary Intern for ETC. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

Coming Up in Dayton Theatre – 11/25 – 12/08

November 25, 2010 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2010 – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2010

Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (Town Hall Theatre; Photo Credit - Mike Long)

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season for many Americans. We take it as an opportunity to spend time with family members, enjoy more food than we’ve eaten in the past week, and get a head start on holiday shopping. Unfortunately, it often becomes stressful as we attempt to ensure everything is ready and perfect and everyone is happy.

I’m grateful for the thriving arts base we have in the greater Miami Valley region, and for the power of theatre. Not only is theatre cathartic, it can be a wonderful experience for family and friends, to bring all of us closer together and remind us of the important things in life. Whether you need a break from slaving over a stove and want to step back in time to the ‘70s, are trying to teach your children important lessons about generosity and the “reason for the season,” or are just in the mood to laugh and enjoy a good show, there’s a great one for you over the next couple of weeks. Put down the TV remote and take a break from the thousands of things you’re trying to get done, gather some friends or family, and spend some time enjoying a show and growing closer together.

And, to all our onStageDayton readers, Happy Thanksgiving!

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

8-Track: the Sounds of the 70s

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

The Story: This new musical revue celebrates “the songs of the ‘70s in all their glory, or lack thereof! Expect plenty offlashy outfits and hairdos as four talented performers rediscover the heart and soul of the forgotten decade, with music made famous by artists from Donna Summer to the Eagles to Debby Boone” (HRTC).

Dates: December 2 – 22, 2010

Tickets: Ticket Center Stage

More Information: Human Race Theatre Company: 8-Track, DMM Event

A Christmas Carol

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE – CHILDREN’S THEATRE

The Story: When a young boy struggles to understand why his grandfather would give money to the poor, the grandfather tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge as he recalls it, and the story of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, where ghosts of past, present, and future persuade the stingy Scrooge to change his life, comes to life as a play-within-a-play in this heartwarming story.

Dates: December 3 – 12, 2010

Tickets: 927-439-4737

More Information: Look for my children’s theatre feature next week, and go to Beavercreek Community Theatre and the DMM Event.

Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells

TOWN HALL THEATRE: LANDMARK CHILDREN’S THEATRE

(Photo Credit: Mike Long)

The Story: The holidays are supposed to be a time of peace and goodwill… that is, until first grader Junie B. Jones draws her sworn enemy’s name for the secret Santa gift exchange at school. And if that’s not enough, their music teacher announces the two will perform together in the school’s holiday pageant!

Dates: December 3 – 19, 2010

Tickets and More Information: Town Hall Theatre, DMM Event, and watch for an OSD feature article next week!

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

VICTORIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION

The Basics: Featuring an international cast of acrobats, aerialists, singers, dancers, and musicians, in this show, ornaments come to life as costumed characters perform astonishing feats that celebrate the holiday season.

Dates: November 26 – 28, 2010

Tickets: Ticket Center Stage

More Information: Victoria Theatre Association: Cirque Dreams Holidaze, DMM Event

SUBMIT PRESS RELEASES

Would you like to submit theater news for DaytonMostMetro.com’s onStageDayton features? Email Shane, Dave & Katherine at [email protected]

~KN

Katherine Nelson is a senior theatre major at Cedarville University who focuses on performance, playwriting, and stage management. She’s the Literary Intern with locally basedEncore Theater Company, where contributors Shane Anderson and David Brush also work. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Schuster Center

November 24, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Dayton’s Victoria Theatre Association is bringing Cirque Dreams Holidaze to the Schuster Center this holiday weekend (11/26-11/28)! Created and directed by Neil Goldberg, Cirque Dreams – Holidaze is an original new musical extravaganza filled with spectacle, imagination and whimsy. Ornaments come to life as costumed characters perform astonishing feats that celebrate the holiday season. An international cast of acrobats, aerialists, singers, dancers and musicians fill the stage, the air and dangle from a gigantic and magical tree. Gingerbread men flip through the air, toy soldiers march along thin wires, snowmen balance, penguins spin, and reindeer soar high above a landscape of holiday wonderment. A great show to bring the whole family to!

“Cirque Dreams Holidaze has truly earned its name: the vibrant colors and cheerful voices will delight audiences from three to ninety three.” – Third Coast Digest

“I must say that was one of the most awesome shows I have ever seen! I sat in awe and on the edge of my seat through the whole show. I was nervous about how my children would react to the makeup and the acts, but they LOVEd it! My daughter even asked if it was going to be long because she didn’t want to stop watching. My four year old loved it, too, and said it all was his favorite when I asked him what his favorite part was!” – My Milwaukee Mommy

Location:
Schuster Center

Showtimes:
November 26 – 8 p.m.
November 27 – 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
November 28 – 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Tickets:
On Sale Now!
Adult: $70, $56, $46, $36
Children 12 & Under: 50% Off A & B Section Seats
(Plus Service Fees. Prices Subject to Change.)
BUY TICKETS

The Courageous Professor Accepts Her Fate

November 17, 2010 By Russell Florence, Jr. 2 Comments

In Margaret Edson’s masterful 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama W;t, Dr. Vivian Bearing, a formidable poetry professor specializing in John Donne’s beautiful metaphysical sonnets, faces the battle of her life: terminal ovarian cancer. As Vivian openly and insightfully addresses the pain, perplexity and torment that stems from her grave diagnosis, a fascinating, meticulously constructed journey of self-awareness and reflection comes into view. The fast-moving story, incorporating a terrific use of flashbacks and overlapping dialogue, fluidly evolves into a touching, powerfully potent portrait of dignity amid despair that particularly manages to explore the sophisticated realms of literature and procedural medicine without leaving you flummoxed.

In the Dayton Playhouse’s commendable yet low-key presentation, which could benefit from more energy in spite of the solemn tone established by director Matthew Smith, Barbara Coriell embodies Vivian’s prickly, language-driven nature with total veracity. She commands attention from her engaging, believably professorial entrance, and astutely proceeds to delicately convey, without overly emotional tendencies, Vivian’s inherent struggle that she must bear as feelings of fear and frustration consume every fiber of her being. Her well-crafted performance never falls short of compelling, whether the focus turns to Vivian’s in-depth dissection of a sonnet or the sudden realization that she has become nothing more than research fodder in the eyes of her impersonal doctors.

Charles Larkowski and Jonathan Berry, silly standouts in the Playhouse’s outstanding production of The Producers three months ago, solidly join forces again in a refreshing dramatic context. Larkowski brings a detached sensibility to his portrayal of the straightforward Dr. Harvey Kelekian. Berry, an absolute chameleon, has the larger role of Dr. Jason Posner, Vivian’s former student who is ultimately derailed by his selfishness.

Admirable featured performances are also offered by Jeri L. Williams as Susie Monahan, Vivian’s compassionate nurse, and Chris Hammond as E.M. Ashford, Vivian’s punctuation-obsessed English professor who made a profound impact on her student.

Gloria Doty, Ellen Ballerene, Marcus Simmons II and Carol Narigon complete the cast.

Unlike Showtime’s new series The Big C, W;t does not tackle cancer lightly. There are moments of levity, but the quietly engrossing material stings with a somber bluntness on the whole. Even so, the payoff is extremely rewarding as Vivian’s courageous example lingers long after the cast has taken their final bows.

W;t continues through Sunday, November 21 at the Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15. The play is performed in two hours without intermission. For tickets or more information, call (937) 424-8477 or visit online at www.DaytonPlayhouse.org

Russell Florence, Jr. is a member of The American Theatre Critics Association and The Drama League. In addition to his role as arts and culture editor of Dayton City Paper and theater critic for Dayton City Paper and Impact Weekly, he served as a Dayton Daily News freelance writer and editorial page contributor. He has also written features for such theater publications as Spotlight Ohio and The Sondheim Review.

High Drama in the Court of A-Squeals

November 17, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

Town Hall Theatre

Last month I received a notice in the mail. OH, NO! I had been assigned jury duty! I have never been required to serve before. Initially I thought that I did not want this responsibility, but then I kind of got excited about seeing our judicial system in action. Unfortunately my pool of jurors was dismissed without ever stepping into the courtroom, I was crestfallen…that is until this week! Starting on Friday, we all get a chance to participate in our great civic duty, but this time the courtroom is the Mathile Theatre at the Schuster Center.

Washington Township’s Town Hall Theatre will present their hilarious courtroom spoof The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs this weekend on Friday at 7pm and Saturday & Sunday at 3pm. The family show is recommended for audiences age 4 and up.

The show, a zany musical adaptation of the classic story, takes place in “Piggsylvania’s” highest court during the trial of Alexander T. Wolf. The proceedings, under the insightful guidance of Judge Prudence Pig, will determine whether Mr. Wolf is truly a “big, bad wolf,” or really just a misunderstood carnivore with a cold! In this drama, YOU get to be the jury and decide the fate of Alexander! With songs like It’s a Piggy World and Cheeseburgers Ain’t Cute, audiences won’t stop giggling until the verdict is in!

The show is adapted from the 1989 children’s book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. It features book and lyrics by Robert Kauzlaric and music by Paul Gilvary and William Rush.

The production is presented by the Landmark Children’s Theatre Company, the THT’s premiere series featuring professional and volunteer adult actors performing with young people. The 20+ member cast includes C.J. Suchyta as Alexander T. Wolf, Tara Murphy as Judge Prudence Pig, and Centerville students Carley Marten & Grace James who will alternate in the role of Magill (the court reporter with a “snout for the truth”). The production is directed by Colin Thornton who previously staged another Scieszka adaptation (The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Sutpid Tales).

Mr. Thornton states that he especially enjoys working with these titles because he likes the way the author takes classic fairy tales and twists them in unpredictable ways.

“Scieszka is a master at turning our expectations upside down and scrambling familiar children’s stories into something unique and strange,” Thornton explains. “The random humor and insightful lessons that can be learned from the quirkiness of his literature are what inspires me as a director.”

The show, which was previously presented at Town Hall Theatre’s own theatre is being taken “on the road” to the Schuster Center’s Mathile Theatre as part of a special projects grant the theatre received from the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District. As part of this project, the theatre will present a free Friday morning performance of the show for Dayton Public Schools students, through a partnership with the Victoria Theatre Association.

Tickets & Performance Information:

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs (Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 20 & 21 – 3 p.m. in the Mathile Theatre at The Schuster Center) Show runs 60 minutes, without intermission.

Tickets: Adults $15 / Students & Seniors $13 / Children 12 & Under $12
(Plus Service Fees. Prices Subject to Change.)

Call (937) 228-3630 or by visiting TicketCenterStage.com.

Visit http://www.townhalltheatre.org/ for more information about Town Hall Theatre and their programs.

-SA/THT Press Release

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company.Katherine Nelson, a senior theatre major at Cedarville University, serves as the Literary Intern for ETC. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

W;t – DEATH BE NOT PROUD…a chance to win free tickets

November 12, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 6 Comments

W;t - showing at the Dayton Playhouse

W;t

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

DEATH BE NOT PROUD: Margeret Edson’s Pulitzer-Prize winning play opens this weekend at Dayton Playhouse

Pulitzer-Prize Winning plays seem to be the fall trend in Dayton Theatre. Leading the way was the joint premiere of Tracy Lett’s August: Osage County from Wright State University and The Human Race Theatre Company. This week, Dayton Playhouse will present one of Pulitzer’s more powerful selections in recent years – Margaret Edson’s W;t.

The play is structured as the last hours of Dr Vivian Bearing, a university professor of English, who is dying of ovarian cancer. She recalls the initial diagnosis of Stage IV metastatic ovarian cancer from her oncologist, Dr. Harvey Kelekian. Dr Kelekian then proposes an experimental chemotherapeutic treatment. Although Vivian agrees to the treatment, the heart of the piece is Vivian’s searing intellect and introspective journey with disease.

What’s striking about the play is that it serves as both an homage to those we have all lost to cancer – ovarian or otherwise – and a heartfelt “hell-yeah!” to those currently in a fight for their lives. This is an extraordinary achievement for a typically intermission-free evening of theatre. Even more striking is that W;t is not a play about cancer, but rather a play about the value of the heart in times of vulnerability. Theatrically, it has often served as a tour-de-force for the actress embodying Vivian. She is well-educated, logical, an expert on the work of John Donne, and an accomplished academic, yet through the play we see even her arguably above-average intellect is no match for the illogical complexities of this crippling scourge.

Premiering in 1995, one might think advances in cancer research since would render Edson’s play obsolete or, at the very least dated. Refreshingly, Edson’s carefully selected prose still has a visceral resonance and perhaps even a fresh one in 2010.

Dayton Playhouse is in the middle of an ambitious season that began with a widely well-received regional premiere of Mel Brooks’ Tony-Winning musical The Producers directed by Chris Harmon. The remainder of the year includes William Finn’s contemporary hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Jerry Herman’s iconic and progressive La Cage Aux Folles, and Christopher Durang’s Beyond Therapy. W;t – although not a light evening of theatre – could prove to be a fine addition to this line-up AND a rarely produced play in the region, and with local actors Barbara Coriell and Chuck Larkowski leading the cast (as Vivian Bearing and Dr. Kelekian, respectively), the prospects are high indeed.

W;t is directed by Matthew Smith with assistance from Anita Bachmann (lights), Duante Beddingfield (sound), Michael Stockstill (costumes) and Jamie McQuinn (stage management). The cast includes Barbara Coriell, Jonathan Berry, Chuck Larkowski, Jeri Williams, Chris Hammond, Gloria Doty, Ellen Ballerene, Macus Simmons II and Carol Narigon.

Win tickets to W;t

Dayton Playhouse & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to W;t. We will be giving away up to four pairs of tickets for the second weekend of this terrific show! All you need to do is:

Share this post on Facebook or Twitter…we’ll give away a set of tickets for every 10 ’shares’ on FB/Twitter, up to 4 pairs of tickets. Just click on the appropriate button below, it’s that easy!

Leave a comment, answering the following question…The character of “Vivian” is a college professor…tell DMM about an educator in your past who made an impact on your life.

The deadline to enter is MIDNIGHT on TUESDAY, November 16th; tickets will be made available for the second weekend of the show.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

Margeret Edson’s W;t (November 12-21, 8pm Fridays & Saturdays and 2pm Sundays at Dayton Playhouse, 1301 East Siebenthaler Ave
Dayton, OH 45414) Tickets: $10/$14/$15 Call (937) 424-8477 (M-F 2:00-5:00 pm) or by visiting their ONLINE BOX OFFICE.

Visit http://www.daytonplayhouse.org/ for more information about the organization.

-DB

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. Katherine Nelson, a senior theatre major at Cedarville University, serves as the Literary Intern for ETC. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

Coming Up in Dayton Theatre 11/11-11/24

November 11, 2010 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2010 – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2010

Dayton Playhouse: W;t (Photo Credit Art Fabian)

The last few weeks, I’ve been recovering from surgery, a process that has been unfortunately long, stressful, and exhausting. But in the midst of that, I had the opportunity to see the national tour of Spring Awakening at the Victoria Theatre last week, and for those two and a half hours, I forgot my pain and exhaustion as I watched and enjoyed an amazing piece of art. The experience reminded me of the incredible power of theatre, and how moving and cathartic seeing a show can be.

We all have plenty of stresses in our lives, and theatre can be a great way to cast those aside for a few hours as we lose ourselves in a show, many of which will still teach us something about life and ourselves in the process. Whether you want to do that by laughing (Anything Goes) or crying (Wit), there’s a show for you in Dayton these next two weeks. And, performing in a show can be just as cathartic, so be sure to check out the auditions below, too.

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

W;t

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

The Story: English professor Dr. Vivian Bearing has just been diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer; words and her wit are her only defense, since the hospital gown and Boston Red Sox cap cannot protect her from a body that has turned into an enemy and a cure that may be worse than the disease. Ultimately, “we uncover a new appreciation for the simple, the maudlin, and the kind, and see the triumph of the human spirit.”

Dates: November 12 – 21, 2010

Tickets: (937) 424-8477

More Information: Dayton Playhouse: W;t

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

TOWN HALL THEATRE – LANDMARK CHILDREN’S THEATRE

The Story: When Piggsylvania’s highest court puts him on trial, things don’t look so good for Alexander T. Wolf — everyone from judge Prudence Pig to the court reporter is rooting into the truth about his so-called terrible deeds! In this fresh musical adaptation of the familiar story, audience members (ages 4+) decide the way the story ends.

Dates: November 19 (7 pm), 20 – 21 (3 pm), in special performances at the Schuster Center’s Mathile Theatre

Tickets: Ticket Center Stage or call 937-228-3630

More Information: Town Hall Theatre, Victoria Theatre Association: Three Little Pigs

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

Anything Goes

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

Anything Goes (Photo Credit WSU)

The Story: In this musical set aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London, Billy Crocker is a stowaway in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who is unfortunately engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh; former Evangelist turned nightclub singer Reno Sweeney falls in love with Lord Evelyn; gangster Moonface Martin attempts to escape the law, and Hope’s mother only desires to maintain her social standing.

Dates: October 28 – November 14

Tickets: 937 775-2500

More Information: Wright State University: Theatre season

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

I Hate Hamlet

PLAYHOUSE SOUTH

Auditions: Nov 15 & 16, 2010, 7:00 pm

Performances: January 21-23 & 28-29, 2011.

Directed by Ray Gambrel

The Story: In this dramatic comedy, television actor Andrew Rally is struggling in his professional and private lives, attempting to play the role of Hamlet (which he hates) and deal with his girlfriend’s unrelenting chasteness. The dilemma deepens when the ghost of John Barrymore appears to try to convince Andrew to persevere in the role… while an old deal-making friend suddenly offers Andrew the chance at a new television deal.

More Information: Playhouse South: I Hate Hamlet, DMM Event

The Octette Bridge Club

The Spitfire Grill at BCT (Sept 2010)

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE

Auditions: November 15 & 16, 2010, 7:00 pm

Performances: January 28 – February 6, 2011

Directed by Jim Lockwood

The Story: Eight sisters in a small Rhode Island town meet twice a month to play bridge and gossip; the ten year span of the show, exploring the eras of WWI and WWII, shows the changes in the sisters, their relationships, and the world.

More Information: Beavercreek Community Theatre: Auditions

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

An Evening with Sutton Foster

SPRINGFIELD ARTS COUNCIL

The Basics: Broadway sensation Sutton Foster, known for originating roles in four shows, performs selections from her debut solo album, “Wish,” in a night of laughter and music. Music Director Michael Rafter accompanies Sutton on the piano in this evening filled with some of Broadway’s best.

Date: November 13, 8:00 pm

Tickets: 937-328-3874

More Information: Springfield Arts Council, DMM Feature

Broadway Rocks

DAYTON PHILHARMONIC

The Basics: In this dynamic review, four top-notch Broadway vocalists join the Dayton Philharmonic in an evening of musical theatre classics from shows such as Wicked, Rent, Tommy, Phantom of the Opera, The Wiz, Mamma Mia, and more, backed by a full orchestra and chorus.

Date: November 12 & 13, 8:00 pm

Tickets and More Information: 888-228-3630, Dayton Philharmonic, DMM Feature

SUBMITTED PRESS RELEASE

Would you like to submit theater news for DaytonMostMetro.com’s onStageDayton features? Email Shane, Dave & Katherine at [email protected]

~KN

Katherine Nelson is a senior theatre major at Cedarville University who focuses on performance, playwriting, and stage management. She’s the Literary Intern with locally based Encore Theater Company, where contributors Shane Anderson and David Brush also work. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

Expressing Herself with Song – Tony Award winner Sutton Foster bound for Springfield

November 10, 2010 By Russell Florence, Jr. 1 Comment

In the hearts of many musical theater enthusiasts, Sutton Foster is in a class all her own. A genuine triple threat with a radiant personality and a terrific belting voice, Foster, 35, continues to be one of the most sought after and admired actresses working on the Great White Way. Her star-making, Tony Award-winning performance in 2002’s Thoroughly Modern Millie cemented her leading lady status within the New York theater scene, and she further displayed her charm and versatility in Little Women (2005, Tony nomination), The Drowsy Chaperone (2006, Tony nomination), Young Frankenstein (2007) and Shrek the Musical (2008, Tony nomination). Last spring, she particularly wowed theatergoers with her strikingly nuanced portrayal of Fay Apple in the excellently conceived concert presentation of Stephen Sondheim’s Anyone Can Whistle at New York’s City Center, which, in my book, is in the running as one of the best NYC productions of 2010.

Having ended her first foray off-Broadway in Paul Weitz’s dark comedy Trust opposite Zach Braff (Scrubs), the Statesboro, Georgia native and sister of Tony nominee Hunter Foster (Urinetown) is on tour in support of her beguiling 2008 debut CD optimistically entitled Wish (Ghostlight Records). The CD is an infectiously intimate collection ranging from Duke Ellington tributes (“I’m Beginning to See The Light,” “I Like the Sunrise”) and bygone chestnuts (“Warm All Over,” “My Romance,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Come the Wild, Wild Weather”) to pop numbers (“Up on the Roof,” “Sunshine on My Shoulders”) and little known gems (“Danglin’,” “My Heart Was Set on You,” “Flight”).

On Saturday, November 13 at Springfield’s Kuss Auditorium, Foster will sing selections from Wish in addition to songs she introduced on Broadway. She will be accompanied by her musical director Michael Rafter (Swing!, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Everyday Rapture), and expect a few surprises along the way.

In advance of her concert, presented by the Springfield Arts Council, Foster discussed her craft and career.

onStageDayton: What does musical theater mean to you?

Sutton Foster: It’s everything to me. It’s my true passion…and honestly has changed my life. I’ve had moments in the theater, both as an audience member and on stage, where I have been transported. It’s powerful. To express yourself with song is very powerful.

OSD: What are some of your favorite musicals?

SF: Sweeney Todd is my all-time favorite. I also love Spring Awakening, The Light in the Piazza, West Side Story.

OSD: Do you have any musical theater influences?

SF: Patti LuPone has been a huge influence in my life. I used to listen to her sing over and over again in my room and try and sing like her.

OSD: How did it feel to win the Tony for Thoroughly Modern Millie? What did that win signify?

SF: It was a dream come true. I still to this day can’t believe that happened and that I now have a Tony in my apartment. I used to practice my Tony Award speech in my bedroom when I was a kid…I guess (winning) signified that I had made it in some way, but I think, more importantly, it signified to my family, especially my extended family, that maybe I could make a career out of doing this.

OSD: What are some of the most eye-opening experiences you’ve had thus far in your career?

SF: I think, how hard it is…the sacrifices you have to make to do eight shows a week. How ‘unglamorous’ it can be at times…how it can be difficult to deal with being criticized publicly. But it’s also a beautifully small, supportive community, and I have made friends and relationships that I’ll have for a lifetime.

OSD: Are you excited to play the iconic Reno Sweeney in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes this spring? Do you have an idea as to how you plan to portray the role?

SF: We don’t start rehearsals until January so I’m still very much in the early stages. But I’m thrilled and honored to take on this challenge.

OSD: Are there any dream roles you’d like to perform in the future?

SF: One of my favorite shows is Me and My Girl. I’d love to play Sally in that…or The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods.

OSD: Can you share a little about the genesis of your Wish CD? What do the songs represent as a whole? Did you always intend to create an eclectic song list rather than a CD devoted to show tunes?

SF: I think when my music director Michael Rafter and I started looking at songs we chose material that spoke to us personally, and that is why the list is a bit eclectic. We really wanted our ‘first album’ to be true to us and where we were when we recorded it. We started working together on Millie back in 2001, and started working toward an album back in 2004, so this has been years in the making. And I think it’s my proudest achievement thus far.

OSD: Are there any tunes from Wish that hold a special meaning or are personal favorites?

SF: “Sunshine on My Shoulders.” I’m a huge John Denver fan, and I knew I wanted to include one of his songs on the album. And Michael wrote the arrangement for the song and it was just perfect. I also love the duet “Flight” that I sing with Megan McGinnis.

OSD: What are your thoughts on the current state of musical theater? Are new voices being heard?

SF: Well, I think they have been. Tom Kitt – Next to Normal – Lin Manuel Miranda – In the Heights…new shows like Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. I think the envelope is being pushed now more than ever.

OSD: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring musical theater performers?

SF: Don’t be an asshole. Respect your teachers, your peers…and take opportunities…you always have more to learn.

See event details on the DMM Event Calendar

Sutton Foster sings ‘Someone Else’s Story’

Playbill Video Cue & A: Sutton Foster

What: An Evening with Sutton Foster

When: Saturday, November 13 at 8 p.m.

Where: Kuss Auditorium, Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield

Cost: Adults $30-$50; Students (age 22 and under) $20-$40. Tickets can be purchased by calling (937) 328-3874 or visiting online at www.SpringfieldArtsCouncil.org. Group discounts available by calling (937) 324-2712.

Turning the Table on the Critic

November 9, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 7 Comments

A Discussion with Russell Florence, Jr.

DaytonMostMetro.com/onStageDayton’s newest contributor!

We are pleased to announce our newest contributor to DaytonMostMetro.com, Russell Florence, Jr.! The addition of Russell to the onStageDayton team means that DMM will not only be the place to go for previews and announcements about Dayton area theatre activities and events, but also your destination for theatre reviews as well!.

We are certainly honored that Russell has chosen to work with us at onStageDayton. He is well known around the Miami Valley theatre scene, having written for such publications as Dayton Daily News, Impact Weekly and, most recently, Dayton City Paper. In an effort to introduce Russell Florence, Jr. to our DMM readers, we asked him to respond to a few questions.

Russell, Welcome to DaytonMostMetro.com! We are thrilled that you will be joining our group of onStageDayton contributors. We’d like to take a couple of moments to “turn the tables” on you…and ask YOU a few questions!

OSD: You have been a pretty recognizable personality around the local theatre scene for quite some time now. What was the first review you wrote in a major Dayton area media outlet? What memories do you have of that experience?

RF: My first review was in 2001 courtesy of Impact Weekly, formerly the Dayton Voice. I reviewed the national tour of Titanic at the Victoria Theatre. The production definitely struck a chord. I’ve always loved Maury Yeston’s grand, operatic score.

OSD: In your years reviewing productions in the area, what changes have you witnessed in the Dayton area theatre scene?

RF: Primarily, Dayton’s theater community has been more open and receptive to risk, which I find extremely refreshing. At one time, there were only a handful of theaters willing to break from mainstream tastes, but multiple troupes, from the suburbs to downtown, are embracing challenging, thought-provoking, and edgy material. Many organizations are currently planning their 2011-2012 seasons as well. I’m excited to discover what’s in store!

OSD: Every community would love to know that their local theatre climate is a microcosm of the national one…in what ways is this true (or untrue) of the Dayton community?

RF: The ongoing support and encouragement of new voices in musical theater has been particularly wonderful. From professional theaters to collegiate and community theaters, Dayton audiences are being treated to important works and witnessing the rise of many up and coming composers with clear potential. It’s great that there are so many theater organizations in the Gem City with close connections to some of the best and brightest talents working in the industry.

OSD: What are two currently running shows in New York (Broadway or Off-Broadway) that make you feel optimistic about the future of American theatre?

RF: John Kander and Fred Ebb’s The Scottsboro Boys and Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Next to Normal are two examples of compelling, conceptually dynamic musical theater that will hopefully inspire other artists to pursue the same.

OSD: You’ve had the opportunity to interview quite a few big names in theatre…who still makes you “starstruck”?

RF: I’m very fond of my 2002 interview with producer Cameron Mackintosh (who was in Dayton for the non-equity launch of Miss Saigon at the Victoria Theatre), but in terms of “starstruck,” I’ve crossed paths with and spoken briefly to Stephen Sondheim on two occasions and couldn’t move afterward!

OSD: Tell us, and our onStageDayton readers, a guilty pleasure that you just might be a little bit ashamed to admit…

RF: Waiting at the stage door to have my Playbill signed and chat with cast members after seeing a Broadway show remains tempting!

Make sure you visit DaytonMostMetro.com – onStageDayton regularly for the latest in theatre news! Russell will be contributing his first preview later this week, and reviews of local productions will begin soon! Additionally, David, Shane & Katherine will continue to highlight upcoming local performances and audition notices.

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

SA/DB

Russell Florence, Jr. is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association and the Drama League. In addition to his role as arts and culture editor of Dayton City Paper and theater critic for Dayton City Paper and Impact Weekly, he served as a Dayton Daily News freelance writer and editorial page contributor. He has also written features for such theater publications as Spotlight Ohio and The Sondheim Review.

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company.Katherine Nelson, a senior theatre major at Cedarville University, serves as the Literary Intern for ETC. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

Dayton Philharmonic Rocks – Broadway Style

November 8, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 2 Comments

The Dayton Philharmonic’s 2010-2011 Kettering Health Network SuperPops Series will continue with a fast-paced revue of the best of contemporary musical theatre titled “Broadway Rocks!” on Friday and Saturday, November 12 & 13, at 8 p.m. both nights at the Schuster Center.

Four top-notch Broadway vocalists – Rob Evan, Capathia Jenkins, Doug LaBrecque, and Anne Runolfsson – will join the DPO for inspired performances of the best in up-tempo hits from smash shows such as Wicked, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray, The Wiz, Mamma Mia and more. Each guest artist brings an impressive list of leading-role performances in popular Broadway musicals. Together, they will light up the stage in a dynamic revue that will leave audiences breathless!

Robert Evan starred in the original Broadway cast of Jekyll & Hyde, playing the title roles for three years and over 600 performances. His rendition of This Is the Moment has been heard at numerous prestigious events including the 2001 Inaugural Gala for President George W. Bush, the Millennium Independence Day US Naval Revue aboard the USS JFK for President Clinton, the Millennium World Forum Conference with guest speaker Mikhail Gorbachev, the 1998 Goodwill Games, the New York City Mayor’s Inaugural Gala, the 1998 and 1999 NY Yankees World Series Celebration at City Hall, The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Telecast, the Today Show, and Monday Night Football. Robert has starred around the world in the all-new Jekyll & Hyde: The Concert, having enjoyed a 16-show run in Seoul, South Korea’s Olympic Hall.

Capathia Jenkins was born and raised in Brooklyn who made her Broadway debut in The Civil War, where she created the role of Harriet Jackson. She then starred in the Off-Broadway revival of Godspell, where she wowed audiences with her stirring rendition of ‘Turn Back, O Man’ which can still be heard on the original cast recording. She returned to Broadway in The Look of Love and was critically acclaimed for her performances of the Bacharach/David hits. Ms. Jenkins then created the roles of ‘The Washing Machine’ in Caroline, Or Change and ‘Frieda May’ in Martin Short-Fame becomes me where she sang ‘Stop the Show’ and brought the house down every night.

In 2007 she went back to Off-Broadway and starred in (mis) Understanding Mammy-The Hattie McDaniel Story for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Most recently she was seen in Nora Ephron’s Love, Loss, and What I Wore. She has appeared with the Cleveland Orchestra, National Symphony, Utah Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, San Diego Symphony and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Doug LaBrecque thrilled theater audiences as The Phantom and Raoul in the Harold Prince production of The Phantom of the Opera. In addition, Mr. LaBrecque has starred on Broadway as Ravenal in the Hal Prince revival of Showboat, a role he also performed in Canada and Chicago. He was featured in Oscar Hammerstein’s 100th Birthday Celebration on Broadway at The Gershwin Theatre, and toured nationally with Les Miserables. Regionally, Mr. LaBrecque has performed leading roles in Candide, A Chorus Line, and Man of LaMancha among others. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he was featured in the world premiere of A Wonderful Life, written by Sheldon Harnick and Joe Raposo, and starred in the premiere revival of Kurt Weill and Alan Jay Lerner’s Love Life.

An active concert performer, Mr. LaBrecque has been a soloist with some of the world’s finest symphony orchestras, including The San Francisco Symphony, The Israel Philharmonic (Tel Aviv), The Chicago Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Atlanta Symphony, The National Symphony, among many others. In the last few years, Mr. LaBrecque’s U.S appearances have included Seattle Symphony, Detroit Symphony, , Houston Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Utah Symphony, and with Marvin Hamlisch both at the Ravinia Festival with The Chicago Symphony, and at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops.

Anne Runolfsson is one of those rare artists whose unique versatility has allowed her a distinguished career not only in the theater but also in recording studios, intimate cabaret spaces, and concert halls throughout the world. The New York Times proclaimed, “Ms. Runolfsson has a flexible virtuosity, between ethereal melodiousness and piercing big-moment resonance,” while the LA Times has called her “A savvy and thoughtful performer.”

She recently completed a two-year run on Broadway as the tempestuous diva, Carlotta Giudacelli in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, the longest running show in Broadway history. Hal Prince referred to her performance as a “revelation.” Prior to that she made a splash in Victor/Victoria where she had the honor of standing by for Dame Julie Andrews and Liza Minelli. She performed the title role over 120 times to great acclaim and went on to recreate the role in the National Tour which began in Seattle and Houston. Other Broadway and National Tour credits include: the role of Gretta Conroy in James Joyce’s The Dead, Fantine in Les Miserable, Roxane in Cyrano-The Musical, Lili in The Secret Garden, and Aspects of Love. Off-Broadway and Regional credits include: Listen to My Heart (Studio 54), Rags, Jack’s Holiday, Cather County, A Little Night Music, Showboat, and Funny Girl.

She has appeared as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall (with Tenor Jose Carreras), The Kennedy Center, Town Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, The National Theater in Iceland, Rainbow and Stars, The Russian Tea Room, Bay Street Theater, The Pump Room, The Cinegrill, The 92nd st. Y, and with The National Symphony, The Boston Pops, The Jerusalem Symphony, The Orchestra of St. Lukes, The National Symphony of Canada, The Hong Kong Philharmonic, The Cincinnati Pops, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, The Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Symphony orchestras of San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Indianapolis, Toronto, Milwaukee, Utah, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Columbus, San Diego, Colorado, Minnesota, and St. Louis, among many others.

Patrick Reynolds, Assistant Conductor of the DPO, will conduct. The concerts will also feature the Dayton Philharmonic Chorus, under the direction of Hank Dahlman.

Tickets for the concerts range from $22 – $76 and are available by calling (888) 228-3630 or by ordering on the web at www.daytonphilharmonic.com.

Spring Awakening Comes To Dayton

October 25, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

'Spring Awakening' - Nov. 2-3 at the Victoria Theatre

The Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening is coming to Dayton next week on November 2nd and 3rd at the Victoria Theatre in Downtown Dayton! Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion you will never forget and has been called “the best musical of a generation” (NY Observer). Adapted from Frank Wedekind’s play of the same name, with an acclaimed score by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, book by Steven Sater and direction by Tony-winner Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening boldly depicts how a dozen young people make their way through the thrilling, complicated, confusing and mysterious time of their sexual awakening.

According to the Victoria Theatre Association, this show is intended for mature audiences only. Check out the videos below to see a number from the original cast at the 2007 Tony Awards and interviews with the cast and creative team behind Spring Awakening.

Tickets are still available at TicketCenterStage.com, and if you’re a student with a valid student ID then you can get HALF OFF when you buy your tickets at the box office two hours before showtime.

Coming Up in Dayton Theatre

October 20, 2010 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Human Race Theatre Company: The 39 Steps

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010 – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2010

This is the week for theatre, evidently… looking at the show dates below, you could see a different show during every performance time on every weekend day, and still not be able to catch everything that’s up. Six shows are opening this weekend, and those could keep you busy from now until my next onStageDayton update, let alone trying to fit in closing shows or special events!

So, what are you waiting for? Go get tickets to one (or two or all) of these great shows! After all, there are plenty to choose from…

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

The Sugar Witch

DAYTON THEATRE GUILD

The Story: Dark family secrets are revealed and unusual passions are ignited as a family is forced to confront madness, truth, and the destructive legacy of racism, while the spirits of the dead walk the dark Florida Swamp, haunting the hearts of all who reside there.

Dates: October 22, 23, 29 & November 5 at 8:00 pm; October 30 & November 6 at 5:00 pm; October 24, 31 and November 7 at 3:00 pm

Tickets: DTG Box Office or 937-278-5993

More Information: http://www.daytontheatreguild.org/, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

The Diviners

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON

The Story: In a small Depression era farming community, a boy with the gift of divining water develops a friendship with a drifting, charismatic but disillusioned preacher; when the townspeople embrace the drifter as the answer to their prayers, the choice leads to a tragic climax.

Dates: October 22-23 and 28 – 30, 8:00 pm; October 24, 7:00 pm, in the Kennedy Union Boll Theatre

Tickets and More Information: Kennedy Union box office, 937-229-2545

Messiah on the Frigidaire

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE (Edge of the Creek)

The Story: After the image of Jesus appears on a trailer park refrigerator, a frenzy of conflict, communion, and good old fashioned commerce is set in motion, as three friends are forced to come to grips with their lowly status in the caste system of the rural south.

Dates: October 22 – 31, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm

Tickets: Box office, 937-429-4737

More Information: Beavercreek Community Theatre

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

TOWN HALL CHILDREN’S THEATRE

The Story: When Piggsylvania’s highest court puts him on trial, things don’t look so good for Alexander T. Wolf when everyone from judge Prudence Pig to the court reporter is rooting into the truth about his so-called terrible deeds! In this fresh musical adaptation of the familiar story, audience members (ages 4+) decide the way the story ends.

Dates: October 22 – November 7, 2010: Fridays at 7:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 pm, with a special family matinee on Saturday, October 23 at 11:00 am.

Tickets: Town Hall Theatre or 937-433-8957

More Information: Town Hall Theatre: The Three Little Pigs, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

Flash: A New Musical

CLARK STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Story: In the premiere of this new musical by CSCC professor and Springfield resident Dan Hunt, Ed, a seemingly normal man, revisits his past when all the highs and lows of his entire life flash before his eyes.

Dates: October 29-31 & November 5-7

Tickets: 937.328.3874 or Clark State

More Information: CSCC: Flash, Flash: the Musical official site

The 39 Steps

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

The Story: Four performers (and 150 characters), an innocent Englishman caught in a deadly ring of spies, and a pair of handcuffs that won’t seem to come off make this combination of Alfred Hitchcock and Monty Python “one of the funniest shows to hit the stage this millennium”!

Dates: October 21 – November 7, 2010

Tickets: HRTC Box Office

More information: Human Race Theatre Company, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

Once On This Island

SINCLAIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Story: Ti Moune, a peasant girl, rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of the island; when he is returned to his people, the fantastical gods and rulers of the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred, and death. (And, ETC/onStageDayton’s very own David Brush directs this musical!)

Dates: October 15 – 23, 2010

Tickets: Sinclair Box Office , (937) 512-2808 or (937) 512-2076

More Information: Sinclair: Once On This Island, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

Moon Over Buffalo

PLAYHOUSE SOUTH

The Story: In this farce set in 1953, after rumors begin to swirl that a famous Hollywood director will be auditioning fading acting couple George and Charlotte, misunderstandings ensue and merriment begins.

Dates: October 15 – 23; Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 pm, Sunday 2:00 pm

Tickets: Box Office, 888-262-3792

More Information: Playhouse South, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar, DMM feature

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

In the Spotlight

PLAYHOUSE SOUTH

Auditions: October 25 & 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm, at the Clark Haines Theatre, 3700 Far Hills Dr.

Performance: December 10, 2010

The Basics: Featuring the talents of dancers, singers, actors, and performers of all ages, this show highlights PHS’s 50th Anniversary/2010 season while giving a taste of what’s to come in 2011.

More Information: 888-262-3792, Playhouse South, and DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

Ravenscroft

DAYTON THEATRE GUILD

Auditions: November 1 & 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave.

Performances: January 7 – 23, 2011

Directed by Debra Kent

The Story: In this comedy about deception and the nature of truth, when Inspector Ruffing is called to a remote English county manor house to investigate the death of Patrick Roarke, he becomes involved in the lives of five alluring and dangerous women who lead him through an evening of contradictory versions of Patrick’s demise, including ghosts, skeletons, and much more than he bargained for.

More Information: Dayton Theatre Guild: Ravenscroft

Christmas Belles

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Auditions: November 1 & 2, 2010, at Dayton Playhouse, 1301 Siebenthaler Dr.

Performances: December 17 – 19, 2010

Directed by Wade Hamilton and Brian Sharp

The Story: A church Christmas program spins hilariously out of control in this Southern farce about squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator.

More Information: Dayton Playhouse: Auditions

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

The Second City: Fair and Unbalanced

THE VICTORIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION

The Basics: The Second City’s Fair & Unbalanced takes unbridled comic pleasure in the foibles of our politicians, celebrities and even our significant others. No institution escapes the satiric eye of The Second City – from the blowhards of the Beltway to the Hollywood elite. Ripped from the stages of Second City’s legendary theatres in Chicago and Toronto, The Second City’s Fair & Unbalanced improv-based sketch comedy is a hilarious ride through present day America.

Date: October 23, 7:30 pm

Tickets: Ticket Center Stage, (937) 228-3630, or (888) 228-3630

More Information: Victoria Theatre Association, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

SUBMITTED PRESS RELEASE

Would you like to submit theater news for DaytonMostMetro.com’s onStageDayton features? Email Shane, Dave & Katherine at [email protected]

~KN

Katherine Nelson is a senior theatre major at Cedarville University who focuses on performance, playwriting, and stage management. She’s the Literary Intern with locally based Encore Theater Company, where contributors Shane Anderson and David Brush also work. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

Moon Over Buffalo – and FREE TICKETS!

October 15, 2010 By Dayton937 4 Comments

Moon Over Buffalo

PLAYHOUSE SOUTH

Playhouse South: And Never Been Kissed

George and Charlotte Hay are an acting couple (well, theirs is not quite the Lunt-Fontanne partnership) on tour in Buffalo in 1953, performing a repertory of Cyrano de Bergerac and Private Lives. Just after their relationship is threatened when George dallies with a young ingénue, they learn that famed director Frank Capra is coming to Buffalo to see their matinee performance – and possibly star them in his movie remake of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Unfortunately, it seems like everything that could go wrong does, and hilarious misunderstandings ensue.

This and next week, Playhouse South presents that story in the farce Moon Over Buffalo, written by Ken Ludwig (famed author of Lend Me a Tenor). The original production marked Carol Burnett’s return to Broadway and opened in 1995; since it’s been described as a combination of Waiting for Guffman and Noises Off, the show’s humor and success are not surprising.

A common element to Moon Over Buffalo, Waiting for Guffman, and those other shows I mentioned is the community aspect of theatre, which aligns well with PHS’s mission and goals. Actor Megan Cooper, who is new to PHS but very involved in other Dayton theatres (and in leadership with jumpstART), observed that every person in Moon Over Buffalo has a different reason for being in the show and brings a different level of experience, yet are brought together by their common passion for the collaboration and art of theatre. She added, discussing her positive experience with the show,

“People who have that much passion are great to work with.”

PHS considers itself a theatre that hinges on both the passion of participants and audience members, and strives to “get people involved in our love of theatre” (Rob Breving, Publicity).

Cooper (Roz Hay) and Breving (Paul Singer) are both cast members in this production, along with Geoff Burkman (George Hay), Joanne Augenstein (Charlotte Hay), Brad Bishop (Howard), Lisa Carter (Eileen), Terry Lupp (Ethel) and Rick Johnson (Richard Maynard). Dayton theatre veteran Jim Lockwood (2008 inductee into the Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame) directs, and Dawn Roth-Smith produces. Not only are those involved in the production a community, but audience members will find one in this show as well. Breving said,

“Being theatregoers, the audience will relate with the characters or know people like them,”

which promises to make the show even more entertaining for those who come.

Alongside of that “community” emphasis, PHS is really working to move forward in quality and talent, and therefore recently named Dawn Roth-Smith and Human Race resident actor Alan Bomar Jones as co-artistic directors. The theatre hopes that Moon Over Buffalo will engage and connect with audience members and be one step towards achieving those goals.

Those things aside, this show promises to be funny and enjoyable. Breving described,

“The cast has worked very hard and is truly having so much fun… It’s a show for anyone that needs a good laugh and a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously.”

WIN TICKETS TO MOON OVER BUFFALO!

Playhouse South: Rent cast

Playhouse South & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to this fun show! We will be giving away up to three pairs of tickets! All you need to do is:

Share this post on Facebook or Twitter…we’ll give away a set of tickets for every 10 ’shares’ on FB/Twtr, up to 3 pairs of tickets. Just click on the appropriate button below, it’s that easy!

Leave a comment, answering the following question…WHERE IS THE MOST UNIQUE PLACE YOU HAVE EITHER “MOONED” SOMEONE….OR BEEN THE UNFORTUNATE VICTIM OF A “MOONING”?

The deadline to enter is MIDNIGHT on SUNDAY, October 17th; tickets will be made available for the second weekend of the show.

(creativity counts in this forum…but we’ll be selecting winners randomly Monday morning when Bill rolls into the office!)

Performance Information

Moon Over Buffalo runs from October 15 – 23, with performances at 8:00 on Fridays/Saturdays and 2:00 on Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (over 60) and $7 for students. For more information and reservations, please call the Box Office at 888-262-3792 or visit http://www.playhousesouth.org.

SUBMITTED PRESS RELEASE

Would you like to submit theater news for DaytonMostMetro.com’s onStageDayton features? Email Shane, Dave & Katherine at [email protected]

~KN

Katherine Nelson is a senior theatre major at Cedarville University who focuses on performance, playwriting, and stage management. She’s the Literary Intern with locally based Encore Theater Company, where contributors Shane Anderson and David Brush also work. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

Dirty Rotten – Murder Mystery (plus FREE TICKETS)

October 7, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 3 Comments

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

La Comedia Dinner Theatre

‘Here I Am’ – In the wings with Lauren Morgan

A Conversation with a cast member from La Comedia’s current offering – the hit musical comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

I first met LAUREN MORGAN when I was seeking a choreographer for Encore Theater Company’s summer production of RENT. She came highly recommended and boy – they weren’t kidding! I found her to be among the most professional, respected and thorough dance designers I’d ever worked with.

Currently, you can catch Lauren among the cast of La Comedia’s staging of the David Yazbeck-penned musical comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – based on the Steve Martin film of the same name. A contemporary hilarious musical – itself a love letter to the golden age of American Musical Comedy.

onStageDayton sat down with Lauren recently to talk about the show, her training, and what’s next for this Dayton-bred star.

[LAUREN MORGAN is a recent graduate of Wright State University with a BFA in Dance. She began dancing at age 3 in her hometown of Middletown, Ohio. She has performed throughout the area with many different companies including La Comedia Dinner Theatre, Dayton Ballet, Wright State University, and Middletown Lyric Theatre. Her regional performance credits includeFootloose, Beauty and the Beast, and A Chorus Line. Her university credits include The Pajama Game, Titanic, Aida, Lady Be Good, and many dance concerts. Recently Lauren has taken to choreography having staged her original work for the musicals The Wedding Singer, RENT, and Footloose.]

OSD: Tell us about the training and experience you recieved in the Dayton region. How and when did theatre/dance come into your life?

LM: I began dancing at age 3. In fourth grade I auditioned for The Nutcracker with Dayton Ballet and was cast as a toy soldier. From then on I was hooked. My first musical was The Wizard of Oz at Middletown High School where I was a Munchkin and a monkey. My junior year of high school I auditioned at La Comedia for Footloose and was double cast as a teen ensemble member. That was the first time that I realized that I needed to pursue theatre as a career. Immediately after that I was cast in Beauty and the Beast or another eight week run. I stopped taking dance my senior year of high school with the intention of being a musical theatre major in college. For some reason I ended up at WSU as a dance major and it was the best thing that could have happened to me. Wright State’s department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Picture has given me more opportunities to perform than I could have ever asked for. I was in six mainstage musicals including Titanic as ‘Kate Murphy’. I had many choreographic and performance opportunities with concert dance and even participated with student films and voice overs.

OSD: Many of our readers are probably familiar with the original source film of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, but what can audiences expect from the musical adaptation?

LM: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels the musical offers great laughs and singing, as well as a fantastic dancing ensemble that helps tell the story. The cast has a lot of fun performing and audiences always leave with a smile on their face.

OSD: In New York and on the road, it was a large show. How is it translating to the unique La Comedia space?

LM: Even though the La Comedia stage is small, it doesn’t stop the story from being told. The show starts off with a fantastical dance overture and follows all the twists and turns that any audience member who has seen the movie expects. The cast functions as the crew in some scenarios and each setting unfolds in front of the audiences eye.

OSD: What’s next for you?

LM: After the show I tell everyone I need to save money. I’d like to end up out west performing and choreographing. I love mountains and rock climbing so I find I need nature to help me create. Graduate school is in the cards at some point in the near future. I would like to have my master’s in choreography or directing as well as be qualified to teach the Alexander Technique.

Performance Information:

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (through October 31 – various show times) visit LaComedia.com / (937) 746-4554 for ticket info, menu and show times.

Die Mommie Die!

Dayton Playhouse

Win Tickets to this show! Keep reading for details!

The Dayton Playhouse is delighted to present the second production of their 2010/2011 Mainstage Season, Die Mommie Die! by Charles Busch – opening Friday, October 8, 2010 and running through October 17. Die Mommie Die! is a delightful send-up of film noir classics such as touch of Evil, Double Indemnity and in particular, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. The production is directed for the Playhouse by Michael Boyd, lights by Anita Bachmann, costumes by Erin Winslow, stage management by Jeremy King and set design by Wade Hamilton.

Die Mommie Die! The Plot:

Set in 1967 Beverly Hills, this off-beat, “comic-thriller-melodrama” features the glamorous Angela Arden, a once grand, now fading diva of the recording industry. She is trapped in a corrosive marriage to a overbearing film producer, Sol. In her attempt to find happiness with her lover Tony, a much younger, out-of-work TV star, Angela murders her husband – in a most unusual manner! Angela’s meddling, daddy’s-girl daughter Edith convinces her emotionally disturbed, secually ambiguous brother Lance to avenge their father’s death and to learn the truth about Angela by putting LSD in her coffee. This triggers a wild acid trip exposing Angela’s dark, secret past! Can anyone predict how the plot will twist?

“This show is a blast. It’s some kind of cross between film noir murder mystery and campy revenge story…” says Director Michael Boyd. “We have a fantastic cast who understands the spirit of fun and homage.”

Die Mommie Die! The Cast:

The complete cast of Die Mommie Die! includes: Cassandra Engber, Jonathan Berry, Jeremey Gingrich, Megan Grabiel, Richard Young and Cynthia Karns.

Your Chance to WIN TICKETS to Die Mommie Die!

The Dayton Playhouse & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to this fun show! We will be giving away up to four pairs of tickets! All you need to do is:

Share this post on Facebook or Twitter…we’ll give away a set of tickets for every 10 ‘shares’ on FB/Twtr, up to 4 pairs of tickets.
Leave a comment, answering the following question…WHAT UNUSUAL MANNER DO YOU SUPPOSE ANGELA ARDEN USES TO MURDER SOL?
The deadline to enter is MIDNIGHT on FRIDAY, October 8th

(You don’t have to have a correct answer to win the tix! We will draw the winners from the entire group of entries.)

Performance Information:

Die Mommie Die! (October 8-17) visit DaytonPlayhouse.com or call (937) 424-8477 from 10am – 2pm Monday through Friday for ticket information and show times.

SUBMITTED PRESS RELEASE

Would you like to submit theater news for Dayton Most Metro’s onStageDayton features? Email Shane, Dave & Katherine at [email protected]

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. Katherine Nelson, a senior theatre major at Cedarville University, serves as the Literary Intern for ETC. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

Coming Up in Dayton Theatre

October 7, 2010 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

August: Osage County at HRTC/WSU. Photo Credit: Scott Kimmel

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2010 – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2010

CLICK HERE to learn how you can get FREE TICKETS for “Die Mommy Die!” at the Dayton Playhouse!

To make this page an even better, more centralized place for you to come find all the latest information about what’s going on in the Dayton greater metropolitan area arts scene, we’re trying some new things with onStageDayton. These posts will now be biweekly, and we’ll continue to write regular feature articles highlighting specific things and events. Join the conversation by leaving comments, and let us know what you think. And, make sure to attend one of these great performances! There are lots to choose from…

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

Die, Mommie, Die

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

The Story: Glamorous but fading diva Angela Andrews murders her husband in an attempt to find happiness with her lover, but her son seeks to avenge the death by killing his mother in this off-beat, “comic-thriller-melodrama.”

Dates: October 8 – October 17, 2010

Tickets and More Information: Dayton Playhouse: Die, Mommie, Die

Moon Over Buffalo

PLAYHOUSE SOUTH

The Story: In this story set in 1953, after rumors begin to swirl that a famous Hollywood director will be auditioning fading performers George and Charlotte, misunderstandings ensue and merriment begins.

Dates: October 15 – 23; Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 pm, Sunday 2:00 pm

Tickets: Box Office, 888-262-3792

More Information: Playhouse South

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

The Importance of Being Earnest

CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY

The Story: A trivial comedy for serious people, this show is a romantic delight that entertains, satirizes the hypocrisy of social obligations, and comments on society’s foibles – all in the midst of mistaken identities.

Dates: September 30 – October 9; Thurs – Fri 8:00 pm, Saturday 2:00 and 8:00 pm.

Tickets: Cedarville Box Office

More Information: Cedarville University Theatre

August: Osage County

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY & WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

Photo Credit: Scott Kimmel

The Story: A pill-popping mother, a vanished father, and a family that personifies dysfunctional combine in this intense yet humorous drama, a collaboration between the collegiate and professional, and the regional premiere.

Dates: September 23 – October 10. Curtain times vary; check the performance calendar.

Tickets: WSU Box Office, (937) 775-2500

More information: HRTC website; onStageDayton feature article, last week’s post, and DMM event.

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

Mid-Day Arts Café: Porgy & Bess

THE VICTORIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION

The Basics: Dayton Opera will feature songs from Porgy and Bess and a Q&A with the actors and director Gary Briggle, while you enjoy a box lunch from Citilites Restaurant & Bar and connect with others interested in the arts.

Date: Registration/Networking – 11:30 am – 12:00 pm; Performance – 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Tickets: www.TicketCenterStage.com/ArtsCafe, (937) 228-3630.

More Information: Victoria Theatre Association, Mid-Day Arts Cafe

JUMP Into Dance

JUMPSTART

The Basics: Young adults (20s – 30s) are invited to join with other YPs for a fantastic night of fusion including a mixture of art, dance, music, food, and fun!

Date: Saturday, October 16. 7:30 pm show – Stivers School for the Arts; 9 pm post-show social – SideBar

Tickets: $20 when you mention jumpstart; box office – 937-228-3232 x111

More Information: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, jumpstART Facebook page

Within the Silence

SPRINGFIELD ARTS COUNCIL & CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Basics: This story follows the life and dreams of a Japanese-American girl during WWII, the plight of her family in an internment camp, and her desires to rebuild her life and tell her story.

Date: Wednesday, October 13, 7:30 pm

Tickets: free!

More information: Springfield Arts Council

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

The Last 5 Years

SPRINGFIELD STAGEWORKS

Auditions: October 16, 2010, 10:00 am (callbacks later, same day, if necessary)

Performances: February 10 – 12, 2011

Directed by James Straley & Tom Kushmaul

The Story: Cathy is a struggling actress, Jamie a rising writer, and over the course of five years, they fall in and out of love in this emotionally powerful and intimate song cycle.

More Information: Springfield StageWorks: Auditions

A Christmas Carol

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE – CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Auditions: October 19 – 20

Performances: Dec. 3 – Dec. 12, 2010

Directed by Teresa Connair

The Story: Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale is told from a new perspective – a young boy’s grandfather, who uses the story of Ebenezer Scrooge to explain to his grandson why he would give his money away.

More information: Beavercreek Community Theatre: Auditions

~KN

Katherine Nelson is a senior theatre major at Cedarville University who focuses on performance, playwriting, and stage management. She’s the Literary Intern with locally based Encore Theater Company, where contributors Shane Anderson and David Brush also work. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC just concluded their summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton, which featured Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] & the new musical in development Next Thing You Know.

On Stage Dayton

8-Track:

The Sounds of the 70’s

THE HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

…a conversation with Chris Erk

The Tap Factor

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

8-Track: the Sounds of the 70s

A Christmas Carol

Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

Town Hall Theatre

Tickets & Performance Information:

W;t - showing at the Dayton Playhouse W;t

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Win tickets to W;t

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

W;t

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

Anything Goes

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

I Hate Hamlet

The Octette Bridge Club

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

An Evening with Sutton Foster

Broadway Rocks

A Discussion with Russell Florence, Jr.

DaytonMostMetro.com/onStageDayton’s newest contributor!

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

The Sugar Witch

The Diviners

Messiah on the Frigidaire

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Flash: A New Musical

The 39 Steps

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

Once On This Island

Moon Over Buffalo

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

In the Spotlight

Ravenscroft

Christmas Belles

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

The Second City: Fair and Unbalanced

Moon Over Buffalo

PLAYHOUSE SOUTH

WIN TICKETS TO MOON OVER BUFFALO!

Performance Information

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

La Comedia Dinner Theatre

‘Here I Am’ – In the wings with Lauren Morgan

Performance Information:

Die Mommie Die!

Dayton Playhouse

Win Tickets to this show! Keep reading for details!

Your Chance to WIN TICKETS to Die Mommie Die!

Performance Information:

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

Die, Mommie, Die

Moon Over Buffalo

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

The Importance of Being Earnest

August: Osage County

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

Mid-Day Arts Café: Porgy & Bess

JUMP Into Dance

Within the Silence

W;t - showing at the Dayton Playhouse

W;t