Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

On Stage Dayton

A Tragedy in South Park…and Idina Flies into Cincy!

By 1 Comment

Romeo & Juliet - Shakespeare in Historic South ParkRomeo & Juliet

SHAKESPEARE IN HISTORIC SOUTH PARK

A few years ago I met up with my family in Columbus to attend a Shakespeare in the Park production in German Village.  While not a huge fan of “The Bard,” I still completely enjoyed the experience.  The acting was terrrific, it was a perfect atmosphere-a great sense of community and idyllic summer evening under the stars with my family watching the Tempest.  Fast forward a couple of years and the neighborhood in which I now reside in Dayton has the same great tradition.

This weekend marks the third outdoor Shakespeare production in the Historic South Park neighborhood in as many years.  The passionate and dedicated troupe of actors and other volunteers have previously produced A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM (2009) and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (2008).  The 2010 Shakespeare in South Park Company will tackle it’s first tragedy in  what will surely be a unique setting for the classic ROMEO & JULIET.   As in past productions, a significant number of cast and crew are Historic South Park neighborhood residents.

From the Official Press Release:

Director Daniel Wilson has set the famous story of star-crossed lovers shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War and placed it near the border state region in a spot historically similar to Montgomery County, Ohio. As students of history know, it was a time when sympathies still ran hot. The Montagues (Romeo’s family) are depicted as Union soldiers and officers; Juliet’s Capulets as Confederates.

The director explains his choice for the play’s setting: “The Civil War’s causes are complex, but…those involved came to believe the only way to resolve their differences was through violence. Romeo and Juliet is a play about…non-violence. Friar Laurence (“Mother Laurence” in this production, played by Judi Earley), the only character respected by [both the Montaguesand Capulets], consistently preaches the need for balance and peace.”
Romeo & Juliet - Shakespeare in South Park
By setting the play 150 years ago in America, Wilson finds renewed relevance in a 400-year-old play written in England and set in Italy. The divisive politics of today have left people unwilling to compromise. Shakespeare’s play reminds us that if we are unwilling to find peaceful solutions to our differences, our children will pay the price.

Dayton Skyline as viewed from South Park GreenThe venue for Romeo & Juliet will once again be the South Park Green, an intimate park located on Hickory Street.  The troupe reports that they will be utilizing a historic two-story carriage house in the bordering property as a backdrop.  This setting also provides a terrific opportunity for the famous “Balcony Scene,” utilizing a second story window and the foliage below.

A unique South Park presence in Romeo and Juliet will be the antique sword carried by Lord Montague. Made in Cincinnati about 1900, it was found in the attic of 130 Alberta Street during a mid-1980s rehab, and has remained with the house, passed to each successive homeowner.

Midsummer Nights Dream - 2009 - Shakespeare in South Park

Midsummer Nights Dream - 2009 - Shakespeare in South Park

Show times are 8:00 PM Friday through Sunday, September 17-19 at South Park Green on Hickory Street in the Historic South Park neighborhood.

Shakespeare in South Park productions are free to the public, while contributions are gratefully received and used to defray costs of the show. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket.

The weekend is calling for some gorgeous weather, with just a slight chance of rain on Sunday. If it does rain, don’t worry, the play will be staged at Hope Lutheran Church, 500 Hickory Street.

For more information, visit the Historic South Park website at historicsouthpark.org, or call 937-603-4893.

SA

Win Tickets to Idina Menzel & the Cincinnati Pops!

Encore Theater Company’s MusicalWorld Podcast & DaytonMostMetro.Com’s onStageDayton team up to offer you an exciting opportunity to WIN TICKETS to see

Idina Menzel to perform with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

IDINA MENZEL

IN CONCERT WITH THE CINCINNATI POPS ORCHESTRA

SEPTEMBER 24-26, 2010

Tony Award winner Idina Menzel has a diverse career on the stage, in films and in music. Menzel recently joined the cast of GLEE, the Fox juggernaut where she plays the coach of rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline, McKinley High Glee Club’s main competition. Last year, Menzel concluded a national tour promoting her album, I Stand. A skillful songwriter, Idina writes and performs her own music. She released the Glen Ballard-produced album for her record label, Warner Bros. Records, and played to sold out houses around the United States. Menzel performed her show in New York as part of the Mastercard Soundstage series, which aired on PBS. PBS also aired the concert version of Chess: The Musical, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall where Idina shared the stage with Josh Groban. In film, Idina appeared opposite Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams in Disney’s hit, ENCHANTED as well as Chris Columbus’ film version of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical RENT, in which she reprised her role as Maureen. This was on the heels of her co-starring role in Robert Towne’s ASK THE DUST, opposite Salma Hayek and Colin Farrell.

In television, Idina recently completed an arc on the Grey’s Anatomy hit spin-off, PRIVATE PRACTICE on ABC.

Menzel completed her Tony Award winning performance, for Lead Actress in a Musical, in WICKED in December 2005.  Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Joe Mantello, WICKED has played to packed audiences at the Gershwin Theatre since it opened in October 2003. Additionally, Menzel was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her role as the misunderstood green girl.

Idina received a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut performance as Maureen, in the original production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning hit RENT. She also earned a Drama Desk nomination for her performance as Kate in Manhattan Theater Club’s Off- Broadway original musical THE WILD PARTY.

…but how do I win the tickets…?

REGISTER TO WIN

1. Become a Facebook fan of Facebook.com/MusicalWorldEncoreTheater

2. Post on our wall why you are “Idina’s Biggest Fan” -OR- post a YouTube video on our wall of yourself singing “Defying Gravity” or another Idina Menzel song (this one counts as two entries in our drawing!).

3. All entries will be entered into a drawing for TWO tickets to see IDINA MENZEL with the Cincinnati Pops September 24-26, 2010.  (note:  winner will need to make arrangements early next week with the onStageDayton staff for retrieval of the ticket voucher for the Idina Menzel tickets).

HURRY! – DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS

11:59pm on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

This Week in Dayton Theatre

By 1 Comment

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2010 – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2010

The Spitfire Grill - Beavercreek Community TheatreThis week is an exciting one in the arts, because September 12 – 18 marks the first national Arts in Education Week. Because four shows are up this weekend, it’s also a busy one in the Dayton region theatre scene. Those shows range from a children’s show to a Shakespeare, so no matter what you’re in the mood for, there’s definitely something to pique your interest.

Between the national observation and all the opportunities, then, it’s pretty much a perfect weekend to get out and see some of the great theatre that’s around Dayton!  Here’s an overview of what’s going on this week…

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING THIS WEEKEND

Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

TOWN HALL THEATRE – All Children’s Theatre

September 17 – October 3, 2010

Town Hall Theatre - Cinderella (2009)When a sleepy Alice tumbles down the rabbit-hole and into Wonderland, her madcap adventures are just beginning! From chasing the White Rabbit to racing the Dodo Bird, to having tea with the Mad Hatter and rapping with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, Alice meets one zany character after another while discovering some important things about herself.

Alice in Wonderland opens the Town Hall Theatre’s 19th season, and features performers in grades 2 – 12. Performances will be held on Fridays at 7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm; additional matinee performances are scheduled on Saturday, September 18th at 11am, and Thursday, September 23rd and 30th at 4:30 pm. The show runs 70 minutes and is recommended for children ages 2 and up.

Town Hall Theatre is located at 27 North Main St. in the “Heart of Centerville,” directly beside Panera Bread. For the September 18 performance, the theatre is partnering with that Panera for “Taste of the Show,” where guests will be served a show-themed tea party (http://www.townhalltheatre.org/html/tasteOfTheShow.html ; $5, reservations required). Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and $6 for children 12 and under; all day of show tickets are $10. Reserve tickets online at www.townhalltheatre.org or call 937-433-8957.

Romeo and Juliet

SHAKESPEARE IN SOUTH PARK

By William Shakespeare
September 17 – 19, 2010: 8:00 pm

During the Elizabethan era, settings of Shakespearean plays varied widely through different times and places, based largely on whatever costumes (donated from the rich and prominent members of society) the acting company had available. Appropriately, then, Shakespeare in South Park has chosen a more recent setting for their production of the classic romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Director Daniel Wilson has set the famous story of star-crossed lovers shortly after the Shakespeare in South Park - Romeo and Julietconclusion of the Civil War and placed it near the border state region in a spot historically similar to Montgomery County, Ohio; by doing so, he finds renewed relevance in the themes, providing apt reminders that if we are unwilling to find peaceful solutions to our differences, our children will pay the price.

This weekend is your only chance to see the performances, so don’t miss it. The play is staged outdoors at South Park Green at the intersection of Hickory and James, with a minimalistic set that takes advantage of a real two-storey carriage house at the back of the performance space (perfect for the famous balcony scene!). Make sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Admission is free, but contributions are gratefully received and used to defray costs of the show. Parking is available at Hope Lutheran Church (also the location in case of rain; 500 Hickory St) or Emerson Academy. For more information, visit the Historic South Park website at historicsouthpark.org or call 937-603-4893. Also, expect a special onStageDayton feature article soon about the show!

The Spitfire Grill

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE

Music & Book by James Valcq; Lyrics & Book by Frank Alley; based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
Beavercreek Community Theatre - the Spitfire GrillSeptember 17 – September 26, 2010

Following the feisty Percy Talbot’s release from prison, she follows her dreams and an old travel book to Gilead, Wisconsin, not realizing the town is a struggling one with little to offer. She gets a job at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill, the only local eatery, which happens to be up for sale; when it won’t sell, she suggests raffling it off in an essay contest. Things start heating up pretty quickly!

Performances of The Spitfire Grill are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm, at Beavercreek Community Theatre in the Lofino Center (3868 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Beavercreek). Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for students, seniors, and BCT members. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (937) 429-4737, email [email protected], or visit http://www.bctheatre.org.

…SHOWS STILL PLAYING

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

LA COMEDIA DINNER THEATRE

Book by Jeffrey Lane; Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek; based on the film by Frank Oz
September 8 – October 31, 2010

Read last week’s column here for a synopsis and full description of this show! But, here’s a recap of ticket information:

Arrival times for Wednesday to Sunday evening performances are 5:30 – 6:00 pm; Wednesday and Thursday matinees and Sunday brunch, 10:30 – 11:00 am. For more information or tickets, call 1-800-677-9505 or (937) 746-4554 or visit http://www.lacomedia.com. Also check out the DMM event page here.

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

Wit

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

By Margaret EdsonWit, by Margaret Edson
Auditions: Monday, September 20 & Tuesday, September 21 – 7:00 pm
Performances: November 12 – 21, 2010

Auditions are this week! Last week’s column included a synopsis, cast breakdown, and special audition notes, so refer back to that for specific information. But remember that auditions will be held at the Dayton Playhouse (1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton), and auditionees should be prepared to read from the script. Resumes/headshots encouraged, but not required. Visit http://www.daytonplayhouse.com for more information.

~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.

This Week in Dayton Theatre

By 1 Comment

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

Glengarry Glen Ross - Springfield StageWorksExcited about SEED Theatre’s upcoming production of Grey Gardens, I was listening to the Original Broadway Cast recording earlier. In the song “Goin’ Places,” Joe sings to Edie, “Kid – we’re goin’ places, goin’ places you’ve never really seen… All the signs are good, so knock on wood, we’re gonna be a-okay! ‘Cause the place we’re goin’, we’re goin’ all the way.”

Well, onStageDayton is going places, too.

My name is Katherine Nelson, and I’m a senior theatre performance major at Cedarville University and also a literary intern with Encore Theater Company. For a while, Shane and David at Encore have been writing occasionally to feature various shows and organizations, and now, we have a lot of plans to make onStageDayton even better. We all would like this to become not just another website to check, but the central place to go for everything pertaining to Dayton stages, a nucleus for theatre and arts professionals, participants, and spectators alike.

So, I’ll be publishing a column on Wednesday of each week, centrally including:
–          The upcoming weekend’s shows opening, reminders of what’s still playing, and things not to miss before they close – and where to get tickets for all of those.
–          Any special arts events, such as the upcoming Urban Nights celebration.
–          And, auditions and casting calls for the next several weeks, so you can plan ahead.

Additionally, we’ll continue to write feature stories to highlight events, shows, volunteers, organizations, and more. Comments are accepted on the stories, so join the conversation and let us know what you’re thinking! We’d love to get your input.

So… onStageDayton is definitely going places! But for now, here’s a post, like what you’ll be able to expect from me and onStageDayton every Wednesday. Here’s to many more!

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS TO CATCH BEFORE THEY CLOSE

The Producers

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan; Music & Lyrics by Mel Brooks
September 10 – 12, 2010

What happens when a down-and-out producer and his mousy accountant realize that they can make more money on Broadway with a flop than a hit? They option the rights to “a gay romp with Adolf and Eva” in a guaranteed disaster of a show called “Springtime for Hitler!” What they didn’t plan on is that flop becoming a runaway hit… Find out what happens as the Dayton Playhouse presents its season opening musical comedy The Producers.

This is the final weekend of performances, so make sure to see it before it closes! Curtain is Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm.

The production is directed by Chris Harmon, with choreography by Annette Looper and musical direction from Ron Kindell.

Dayton Playhouse is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, Ohio.  Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.DaytonPlayhouse.org or by calling the Box Office at (937) 424-8477 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Monday thru Friday.

Glengarry Glen Ross

SPRINGFIELD STAGEWORKS

by David Mamet
September 9 – 11, 2010

Small-time, cutthroat real estate salesmen try to grind out a Glengarry Glen Ross - Springfield StageWorksliving by pushing plots of land on reluctant buyers, the scramble for their share of the American dream never ending. Described as a “scalding comedy,” Glengarry Glen Ross (by legendary playwright David Mamet) took Broadway and London by storm, winning Tony nd Pulitzer awards. Now, Springfield StageWorks is entering their second and final weekend of performances of this gripping work.

Directed by Josh Katawick, Glengarry Glen Ross is at the historic State Theatre in downtown Springfield (19 S. Fountain Ave). Curtain is at 8:00 pm each night, and tickets are available for $10 at the door. Go to http://www.springfieldstageworks.org/home for more information.

…SHOWS OPENING THIS WEEKEND

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

LA COMEDIA DINNER THEATRE

Book by Jeffrey Lane; Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek; based on the film by Frank Oz
September 8 – October 31, 2010

In this hilarious musical comedy, two fraudsters living on the French Riviera discover the small town they live in isn’t big enough to support two scammers. They agree that the first person to successfully steal $50,000 from a young tourist will get to stay, so thus begins a contest that will keep you guessing and laughing the whole way!

To accommodate for dinner before the show, arrival times for Wednesday to Sunday evening performances are 5:30 – 6:00 pm; Wednesday and Thursday Matinees and Sunday brunch, 10:30 – 11:00 am.

For more information or tickets, call 1-800-677-9505 or (937) 746-4554 or visit http://www.lacomedia.com. View the DMM event at Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. La Comedia Dinner Theatre is located on 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro, OH.

Part of it All

…CASTING CALLS AND AUDITIONS

Wit

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Auditions: Monday, September 20 & Tuesday, September 21 – 7:00 pm
Performances: November 12 – 21, 2010

Directed by Matthew Smith

Playwright: Margaret Edson
The Story: Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a renowned English professor, has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. Her approach to her literary studies: aggressively probing, intensely rational. But during the course of her illness—and her stint as a prize patient in an experimental chemotherapy program at a major teaching hospital—Vivian comes to reassess her life and her work with a profundity and humor that are transformative both for her and the audience.

Roles:
Vivian Bearing, PH.D. – 50; Professor of Seventeenth Century Poetry at the University
Harvey Kelekian, M.D. – 50; Chief of Medical Oncology, University Hospital (Also plays Mr. Bearing.)
Jason Posner, M.D. – 28; Clinical Fellow, Medical Oncology Branch
Susie Monahan, R.N., B.S.N. – 28; Primary Nurse, Cancer Inpatient unit
E.M. Ashford, D. Phil – 80; Professor Emerita of English Literature
Lab techs/clinical fellows/students/code team

Auditions will be held at the Dayton Playhouse (1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton). Those wishing to read should be prepared to read from the script. Resume/headshot encouraged but not required. Go to http://www.daytonplayhouse.org for more information.

Special note: those wishing to be considered for the role of Vivian Bearing should understand that there are the possibilities of nudity and hair alteration (including shaving).

One Short Day

…Special Events for the Artistically Minded

URBAN NIGHTS

September 10, 2010 – from 5:00 pm on
Urban NightsUrban Nights is a free event showcasing downtown’s dining, nightlife, art, music, retail, and urban living options. Described as an all-inclusive street party that overtakes downtown Dayton, there’s definitely something for everyone to see. Close to 100 creative places and spaces participate, including locations throughout downtown, the Artists of Front Street, the Oregon District and the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. Free trolleys help transport people to the more distant venues, but many of the locations are within walking distance. Courthouse Square is the central starting point and the main stage for artistic performances, but there are also roving entertainers and smaller stages throughout downtown.

Come explore the city, check out art, peek inside a cool loft, enjoy live entertainment by amazing community artists, eat at a restaurant you’ve never been to, and party ‘till the break of dawn. You’ll see that it’s possible to make every night an urban night downtown!

We at Encore are particularly excited, because at 8:00 pm will be our performance of Come Together - Encore Theater CompanyCOME TOGETHER, an original musical starring Amy Geist and JJ Parkey. The show is free, and will be on the stage next to the Trolley Stop in the Oregon District at the corner of 5th and Wayne. Don’t miss it!

For more information and performance listings, visit http://www.downtowndayton.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11

~KN

We are excited to introduce you to another contributor to onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com.  Katherine Nelson, a senior theatre major at Cedarville University, will be posting a weekly update of shows opening or closing that weekend, along with audition notices and other notices.  Welcome, Katherine, to the DaytonMostMetro.com family of contributors!

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. 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.

OnStageGuide: 2010/2011

By 1 Comment

onStageDayton ...with Shane & Dave

Top 14 Picks for the 2010-11 Local Theater Season

Shane Anderson & David Brush

So there is all this talk about how great the arts are in Dayton.  You keep hearing how that for a city of it’s size, Dayton is like numero uno for arts organizations, but you never know quite for sure what show you should attend…something that you know you’ll like and it won’t be a waste of time and money for you.  Well, here you go, this is a guide to the local theater season, but we’ve narrowed it down a bit.

Whether your a regular theatre-goer, a novice, or just hate musicals (how could you!), there is something on this list for everyone. So rather than overwhelming you with the more than 85 plays and musicals that will grace area stages this season, Shane and Dave have compiled our most-anticipated Top 14 highlights of the season complete with pop cultural references to help you navigate! But we don’t want you to just take OUR word for it – so we’ve included the website links to the OTHER offerings for each organization for those of you who dare venture away from the path. (PS – We encourage such venturing!)

Dave’s Top 7 Picks

August Osage County - Human Race Theatre & Wright State TheatreAugust: Osage County

by Tracy Letts
Human Race Theatre Company and Wright State University

Stellar Cast. Amazing venue. First regional production since Broadway. This has the makings of setting the bar high right away in the fall. People can’t seem to get enough of this darkly comic play about family dysfunction. This is not a light evening at the theatre but it IS a rewarding one.

September 23-October 10, 2010 – www.HumanRaceTheatre.org & www.Wright.edu

If you like O’Neill’s ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’, you’ll LOVE ‘August: Osage County’

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - La ComediaDirty Rotten Scoundrels

Book by Jeffrey Lane
Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek
based on the film by Frank Oz
La Comedia Dinner Theatre

It had a successful Broadway run and a troubled national tour. But it’s post-Broadway life is seeing some light primarily thanks to the hilarious original source material (the fantastic film starring Steve Martin) and a smart composer in David Yazbek who has a flare for comedy. The comedy centers on a pair of con-men competing for the affections (and money) of Beumont Sur Mer’s upper crust. When the con goes on a little long, hilarity and chaos ensue. There’s a great twist at the end (I won’t spoil it for you) and the entire show is really very smart. It should be fascinating to see it in a more intimate setting like La Comedia.
September 8-October 31, 2010 – www.LaComedia.com

If you like ‘The Full Monty’, you’ll LOVE ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’

Romeo & Juliet - Shakespeare in South Park

Romeo & Juliet

by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare in South Park

Huh? “Gone with the Wind”? “Romeo & Juliet”? Yes, the Shakespeare in South Park troupe has decided to return to their original concept of setting W.S. classics in a post-war setting, this time in a border state in the years following the Civil War.  Everyone is still wearing their uniforms and bent out of shape about loyalties brought about by war.  We hear that the scenic elements will include an actual historic carriage house neighboring the park where the show will be performed. (hmmm? Balcony scene????)…and the good news is…this show is FREE- but I’m sure donations will be gratefully accepted!

September 17-19, 2010 – www.HistoricSouthPark.org

If you like ‘Gone with the Wind’, you’ll LOVE ‘Romeo & Juliet’


The Spitfire GrilleThe Spitfire Grill

Music and Book by James Valcq
Lyrics and Book  by Fred Alley
Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
Beavercreek Community Theatre

You may remember this quiet little brilliant film from the 90’s about a young female ex-con who discovers a new life in a small town. The film was powerful and darkly heartwarming and seemed unlikely material for a musical. But Valcq and Alley do a gorgeous job of capturing the heart of the film with a colorful transcendent country-flavored score. One of my personal favorite nights at the theater. I’d been hoping to see it produced again since I first saw it some years ago and I’m even more pleased to see it under the direction of of one the areas most respected directors – Doug Lloyd.

September 17-26, 2010 – www.BCTheatre.org

If you like redemption stories like ‘Eat. Pray. Love.’,  you’ll LOVE ‘’The Spitfire Grill’

Grey Gardens - SEED Theatre ProjectGrey Gardens, the musical

Book by Doug Wright
Music by Scott Frankel
Lyrics by Michael Korie
Based on the 1975 documentary by Albert & David Maysles
SEED Theatre Project

When you think of the list of most unlikely source material for a musical, it’s hard to not move Grey Gardens to the top. On the surface, the true story of an aged recluse and her daughter living in squalor in an East Hampton mansion (where the cat population far outweighs the human one) seems like the stuff of reality TV. But when you consider that these two were once at the height of New York City’s most exclusive circles of wealth and prestige, it is even more shocking. Oh yeah – and did I mention they are related to Jackie Kennedy Onassis? This is the ultimate “black sheep in the family” story and like any good train wreck, you just can’t turn away.

November 5-6, 2010 – www.SEEDTheatreProject.org

If you like the TLC’s Hoarders, you’ll LOVE ‘Grey Gardens’

Wit at Dayton PlayhouseWit

by Margaret Edson
Dayton Playhouse

Anyone whose life has been touched in some way by cancer (and whose hasn’t?) will be moved by this tour-de-force. HBO loved it so much they cast Emma Thompson in the film several years ago. Dayton Playhouse is coming off a fabulous season and no doubt this will be a welcome addition.

November 12-21, 2010 – www.DaytonPlayhouse.org

If you like Showtime’s new series THE BIG C, you’ll LOVE Wit

The Drowsy Chaperone by Victoria Theatre Association & The Human Race Theatre Co.The Drowsy Chaperone

Book by Bob Martin & Don McKeller
Music & Lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison
Victoria Theatre Association & Human Race Theatre Company

There is something at once nostalgic and contemporary about this Tony-Winner from a few years back. Basically – here it is in a nutshell: A musical theatre fan plays his favorite cast album (yes – album!) and the characters, story and shenanigans come to life right in his one-room apartment. PLUS – produced under the care of The Human Race makes this is both a surefire hit AND a Dayton Original.

March 8-20, 2011 – www.VictoriaTheatre.com & www.HumanRaceTheatre.org

If you like ‘The Carol Burnett Show’,  you’ll LOVE ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’

Shane’s Top 7 Picks

Glengarry Glen Ross by Springfield Stage WorksGlengarry Glen Ross

by David Mamet
Springfield StageWorks

It won the Pulitzer. It won the Tony. The playwright is legendary. and still this 1982 play about the illegal and unethical activities of a Chicago real estate outfit remains vital and edgy -particularly in our current economic climate. Fair warning: Mamet’s favorite word is four letters and starts with an ‘F’ – SO MUCH SO that during the making of the film adaptation, the cast affectionately subtitled the play, Death of a “F*&^*& Salesman.”

September 2-11, 2010 – www.SpringfieldStageWorks.org

If you like AMC’s ‘’Mad Men’, you’ll LOVE ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’


Once On This Island - Sinclair TheatreOnce On This Island

Music by Stephen Flaherty
Book & Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Sinclair Theatre

A Caribbean-flavored romance where two star-crossed lovers – one lower class native and one French upper class – must find a way to be together despite the pressures of their feuding families, Once On This Island uses dance, music, and folklore to spin this timeless tale.  This show will likely be a joyful, colorful event for the whole family.  The music for the show – from the creators of Ragtime and Seussical – is spirited and melodic and the themes of survival amidst peril feel contemporary again in light of recent tragedies in Haiti.

October 15-23, 2010 – www.Sinclair.edu

If you like ‘Pippin’ and ‘Romeo & Juliet’, you’ll LOVE ‘Once On This Island’

The Second City: Fair & Unbalanced - Victoria Theatre

The Second City:  Fair & Unbalanced

Victoria Theatre Association

With an alumni list that includes Alan Alda, Dan Akroyd, Chris Farley, Jim & John Belushi, Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert…who can resist a night of “LMAO” comedy?  While the touring cast does not include any of these big stars, you never know if there might just be a future Gilda Radnor on stage (We’re not sure if there is any relation, but there is a young Belushi listed in the cast of this ensemble).  You never know, you might just witness comedy history on the stage of the Victoria in October!

October 23, 2010 – www.VictoriaTheatre.com

If you like Saturday Night Live,  you’ll LOVE ‘The Second City: Fair & Unbalanced’

Flash: A New Musical by Dan Hunt at Clark State Community College

Flash: A New Musical

book, music & lyrics by Dan Hunt
Clark State Community College

Honestly, we know very little about this new show about to premiere at Clark State, but we LOVE the fact that they are willing to take a chance on a brand new musical!  The premise is that Ed, a seemingly normal guy revisits his past (in a musical form) during a horrific moment when all of the highs and lows of his life flash before his eyes.  The show was conceived, written & directed by Springfield resident Dan Hunt, technical director and theatre professor at Clark State.

October 29-November 7, 2010 – www.ClarkState.edu

If you like J.J. Abrams’ shows, you’ll LOVE ‘Flash:  A New Musical’

An Evening with Sutton FosterAn Evening with Sutton Foster

accompanied by Michael Rafter
Springfield Arts Council

How can one even begin to explain the joy that IS Sutton Foster?  Foster first claimed her fame as the chorus girl plucked out of obscurity to save the show and become the star…which led to her infamous 2002 Tony-winning run on Broadway in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”  She has been compared to three comediennes/actresses listed below, and her natural goofiness combined with an incredible vocal talent has made Sutton Foster into the “it girl of Broadway.”  You won’t want to miss this simple evening of Foster and a pianist giving you some “melt your face off” belts and rolling in the aisle laughter.

November 13, 2010 – www.SpringfieldArtsCouncil.org

If you like ‘Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett or Julie Andrews’, you’ll LOVE ‘An Evening with Sutton Foster’

Mauritius - Dayton Theatre GuildMauritius

by Theresa Rebeck
Dayton Theatre Guild

Cincinnati native Rebeck’s play, “Maurititius” is often described as a comedy thriller dealing with suspense, lies, deceit, greed, mystery, intrigue and….stamps.  It centers around the rivalry of two sisters faced with dividing up their recently deceased mother’s belongings and the discovery of two rare stamps from the nation of Mauritius and unscrupulous dealers pursuing them.  While you might question going to the theatre to watch a philatelic thriller, the play has been a hit all over America since it’s debut on Broadway in 2007.

May 13-29, 2011 – www.DaytonTheatreGuild.org

If you like Bogart’s ‘The Maltese Falcon’, you’ll LOVE ‘Mauritius’

right next to me - The Human Race Theatre Co.right next to me

book,music & lyrics by Gregg Coffin
The Human Race Theatre Company

Dayton’s Human Race Theatre Company, under the leadership of Kevin Moore & Marsha Hanna has been raising the bar for several years in a national movement to develop new works of musical theatre.  Through their unique programs of workshops, residencies and collaboration with composers, Dayton theatre audiences have been fortunate to see pieces like Convenience, Was, Fetching Water and many more.  This season, they tell a NEW story from Greg Coffin – the creator of Convenience- A  story about the distance between people and the space love leaves behind when it goes.

May 26-June 12, 2011 – www.HumanRaceTheatre.org

If you like ‘We Were Soldiers’, you’ll LOVE ‘right next to me’

…& keep watch for exciting news about:

ZOOT Theatre Company. They haven’t announced their season yet, but this innovative puppet & mask troupe consistently puts together cutting-edge productions of classic tales. www.ZootTheatreCompany.org

Encore Theater Company. We’ve got some exciting things in the works as well, including our Litehouse New Musical Reading Series, our Summer 2011 MainStage Series, MusicalWorld podcast and a new Concert Series that will premiere this fall! www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com

Idina Menzel in Concert with the Cincinnati Pops. Yes!  The almighty green one will be flying into southwest Ohio at the end of September (fresh from her stint on GLEE)…and YOU just might get a chance to go watch this icon of the Broadway stage defy gravity!  onStageDayton, MusicalWorld & DaytonMostMetro.com are teaming up with an opportunity for you to win a pair of tickets to this concert (valued at $100!). Keep watching onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com for details!

onStageDayton. We will be introducing you to another contributor to onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com.  Katherine Nelson, a senior theatre major at Cedarville University, will be posting a weekly update of shows opening or closing that weekend, along with audition notices and other notices.  Watch onStageDayton for Katherine’s first post soon!

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. 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.

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

…a play without boundaries

By Leave a Comment

The Syringa Tree - SEED Theatre ProjectThe Syringa Tree

THE SEED THEATRE PROJECT

This weekend, The SEED Theatre Project will present the regional premiere of The Syringa Tree, by Pamela Gien.  The thought provoking play is performed by one actress, Robin Smith, who portrays twenty-four different characters, all of whom speak, and sing, in a variety of languages & dialects.  To further complicate this actress’ task, she performs without physical scenery and props, allowing the voices of her characters free to tell the story of Elizabeth Grace with only the external impact of light and sound to place these people in a time and place.

I spoke with Robin, along with Adam Leigh (director), Amy Brooks (dramaturg/assistant director) & Michelle Leigh (production manager) last weekend about The Syringa Tree.  I am curious about the concept of this show, and I am very much looking forward to attending the performance to hear this amazing tale spun by so many characters on an empty stage with only one actress.

A description of the show, provided by SEED:

The Syringa TreeThe Syringa Tree is a personal, deeply evocative story of an abiding love between two families, one black, one white, and the two children that are born into their shared household in the early 1960’s South Africa. Seen first through the eyes of a child, six-year old Elizabeth Grace, as she tries with humor and sometimes palpable fear, to make sense of the chaos, magic and darkness of Africa, we follow their destinies in a story that spans four generations, from early apartheid to the present day free South Africa.

Robin Smith - THE SYRINGA TREE - The SEED Theatre Project Resident Artist Robin Smith will portray twenty-four very different characters (black, white, old, young, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Zulu, English, Jewish, etc.) in the telling of this story.

The SEED crew is highly passionate about this piece, pointing out the similarities of the time & place of the story with our lives in Dayton, 2010.  The play takes place in apartheid-bound Johannesburg, South Africa from the 1960’s through the mid-1990’s, as apartheid was lifted.  The production staff points out that even as the characters in this play live in a world where boundaries are all they know, there is a love in this script that defies all racial boundaries…the play becomes timeless and boundless.  It concerns itself more with the interconnectedness of people in a time and place where the disruption of apartheid created a disconnectedness with the land.

The Syringa TreeIn their research on this work, Adam & Michelle Leigh began looking into the South African community within the Miami Valley.  They were surprised to find out how many refugees are living in the Dayton area, some by choice and some by force.

“…it’s not over in South Africa.  It’s not on the 6:00 news, but it still exists.  Americans know apartheid exists, but not the details.”

Adam Leigh, the show’s director and founder of SEED states that their mission is to present entertainment, but at the same time taking the audience on a journey so that when they leave, they understand that we, in Dayton, experience the exact same issues today.  The SEED Theatre productions will feature an Enter-Action Forum following each performance.  The forum will be a time for the audience, the actors, the staff and other guests to discuss the issues presented in the play.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

The SEED Theatre Project, Dayton, OhioTHE SYRINGA TREE (8pm, August 20-21 at the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center) Tickets: $12  Call (937) 823-0081 or by visiting their ONLINE BOX OFFICE:  ShowTix4u.com.

Please Note: This production contains adult language and themes. Viewer discretion is advised.

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

Visit The Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center for information about this amazing community center now open in Dayton. The Kroc Center is located at 1000 North Keowee Street, Dayton, Ohio  45404.

The Syringa Tree will be the first theatrical production to take place in the center.  The staff of SEED Theatre indicated that they were very fortunate to the gracious people of the Kroc Center.

SA

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. 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.

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

Accidentally Coming of Age

By 4 Comments

The Cast of Encore Theater Co.'s production of NEXT THING YOU KNOWNext Thing You Know

ENCORE THEATER COMPANY

Encore Theater Company in association with Sinclair Community College will present a developmental production of the new musical NEXT THING YOU KNOW written by Drama Desk Nominees JOSHUA SALZMAN & RYAN CUNNINGHAM August 12-14, 2010 at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theatre. (Note…there is an opportunity for you to win tickets to this show.  Details are found at the end of this post!)

Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham, writers of Next Thing You KnowJoshua Salzman (music) and Ryan Cunningham (book and lyrics) met at the NYU Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. Their thesis musical, I Love You Because went on to be professionally produced Off-Broadway, earned a Drama Desk nomination for the team, spawned a cast album on PS Classics and garnered a licensing deal with Theatrical Rights Worldwide, resulting in productions both nationally and internationally including Encore Theater Company’s own regional production several seasons ago.

“The opportunity to see our show developed outside of NY, under a dedicated and enthusiastic team of actors and directors, is invaluable”, says composer Joshua Salzman, “The nurturing and safe environment ETC provides for musical theater writers to hone their craft is essential to the creative process of developing a new musical”.

Salzman & Cunningham spent several days in Dayton developing the show which the creators describe this way:

“Real life comes real fast. One day you wake up, and instead of a hangover, you have a job. Instead of a fling, you have a live-in girlfriend. And instead of naïve dreams, you have reality. For four artists in New York City, discovering yourself can take a lot longer than you think. The little joys and compromises that bring us into adulthood are brought to life in this all-new musical”.

The cast of ETC's production of Salzman & Cunningham's NEXT THING YOU KNOWThe cast for the Dayton engagement of NEXT THING YOU KNOW includes: Amy Leigh (Waverly), Matthew D. Curry (Luke), BethAnn Wipprecht (Lisa) and JJ Parkey (Darren). Production staff include David Brush (Director), Shawn Storms (Assistant Director), Jackson Gallagher (Lighting Design), Nathan Dean (Sound Design), and Ally Wetz (Stage Manager).

The cast and staff of NEXT THING YOU KNOW shared some thoughts with me about working directly with the writing team, and what it means to originate a character in a brand new piece of musical theater.  Excerpts are below, but you can read more of their thoughts on the production blog at NextThingYouKnowDayton.wordpress.com and listen to an interview with the cast and writing team at MusicalWorld.us .

As the weekend with the writer’s approached in July, what did you feel most anxious about?

Amy LeighAmy Leigh:  “I was nervous that Josh and Ryan were seeing us do the entire show just after we’d blocked it, before we had time to settle into the scenes. I wanted to prove to them that, although we might stumble on lines, lyrics, or notes here and there, that we honor the original intent of their show. But they were anything but judgmental. They seemed to truly appreciate seeing the show on its feet, and having their input really completed the experience for me.”

JJ Parkey and Amy Leigh of ETC's NEXT THING YOU KNOWJJ Parkey: “I was afraid that their presence in the room would be really intimidating, but as it turns out, Ryan and Josh are absolutely WONDERFUL to work with. They were so very supportive of what we were all doing, and the entire weekend was a very positive experience. Ryan and Josh brought about a sense of grounding to the project for me.

Describe the experience of working directly with the creators of a new piece of theater.

Matthe Curry in ETC's production of Salzman & Cunningham's NEXT THING YOU KNOWMatthew D. Curry:  “Having Josh there to guide us through deeper meaning of our music, and Ryan giving us hints and clues to where our character’s thoughts lie, weather we thought we had it or not, gave me personally a truer look into Luke. And that’s an experience you never get with just a script and our own analysis of the writer’s words.”

What has it been like, leading a team of actors through the discovery of new characters that have never before been seen on stage?

Shawn Storms, assistant director of ETC's NEXT THING YOU KNOWShawn Storms, assistant director:  “I have found this process easier than the work I have done with new plays. I feel that it has much to do with the extremely talented cast of this show. They have been open and eager to try new things; go with the flow. I feel that without that beautiful collaborative spirit, this show would never have evolved in the many ways it has.

It has been a pleasure to witness each character’s evolution. To see the script change, new moments discovered, and songs soar. I hope that our audiences see what a gem this show is!”

Why did ETC choose a new musical, one that nobody in Dayton has even heard of before, as the finale for it’s summer theatrical season?

David Brush, director: “This kind of development is what new shows need – a long term commitment to walk a show from one step to the next and allow creators to make changes, additions and deletions along the way. This gets at the very heart of ETC’s mission and we are thrilled to kick off the program with two amazing young, fresh talents like Ryan and Josh.”

NEXT THING YOU KNOW is part of Encore Theater Company’s New Musicals In Development program which includes a focus on developing new work through podcasts, readings, and development productions.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

NEXT THING YOU KNOW (August 12-14) Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 on the day of the performance.  Please note:  this show contains adult language and situations.  Visit http://www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for tickets.

WIN TICKETS TO Next Thing You Know!

Encore Theater Company & DaytonMostMetro.com are giving away a pair of tickets to NEXT THING YOU KNOW.  It’s really easy to enter. The deadline to enter is Noon on Wednesday, August 11th.

1.  In the comment section below, answer this question…WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE OMELET INGREDIENTS? (Yeah, we know…it doesn’t make sense, but if you come see NTYK it will!)

2.  Share this DMM post on Facebook!  At the bottom of this post there are buttons to like, tweet & share this…Please share it!  For every 10 FACEBOOK SHARES of this post, we’ll add  a pair of tickets (up to 6 pairs!). The more people who share this, the more chances there are to win!

Dayton Area Casting Calls:

Grey Gardens: The Musical

THE SEED THEATRE PROJECT Open Auditions

Continuing the 2010-2011 theatrical season with the SEED theatre project will be the area premier of Scott Frankel, Michael Korie & Doug Wright’s musical Grey Gardens. Grey Gardens: The Musical will be directed by Adam J. Leigh. In addition, Judy Mansky serves as music director while Shayne Thomas Petty serves as assistant director.

Grey Gardens at SEED Theatre ProjectFresh from Broadway where it was nominated for ten Tony Awards in 2007, this new musical was inspired by the 1975 Maysles brothers documentary of the same name. Grey Gardens tells the entertaining and poignant story of two unconquerable women, Edith Bouvier Beale and her adult daughter Edie, the eccentric aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Once known as two of the brightest stars in the social register, these two women became East Hampton’s most infamous “reclusive inhabitants”, sharing their rundown 28-room mansion with 52 stray cats and rabid raccoons. From the glittering high society of 1940s New York to the tabloid headlines that rocked the Kennedy clan in 1970s, Grey Gardens hurls you into American royalty and poses the questions: When do private lives become public fascinations? How much is too much? And where does it stop?

The SEED Theatre Project, Dayton, OhioOpen Auditions for this show will be held on Tuesday, August 10th and Wednesday, August 11th. They will begin at 7pm each night. Auditions will be held at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center – 1000 N. Keowee Street – Dayton, OH 45420. Performers will only need to attend one night of auditions for consideration.

Performance dates are Friday, November 5th and Saturday, November 6th, 2010.

For more information please contact Adam Leigh via phone at (937)219-7835 or via email at [email protected] or visit SEED’s website for casting requirements and additional audition details:  www.SEEDtheatreproject.org

The Sugar Witch

THE DAYTON THEATRE GUILD Open Auditions

Sugar Witch at The Dayton Theatre GuildThe Dayton Theatre Guild announces open auditions for it’s upcoming production of THE SUGAR WITCH by Nathan Sanders.

Auditions will take place August 23rd & 24th, 2010 at 7 pm in The Dayton Theatre Guild’s  Caryl D. Philips TheatreScape at 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton, OH 45410.  Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script

The show, directed by Doug Lloyd and produced by Debra Kent is set in the Florida swamp country of the Watchalahoochee River unfolding an at times eerie, weird and often very funny story of what’s left of the Bean family, Moses and Sisser, along with Annabelle, the Sugar Witch. And yes, there may be flying cats, casting of spells, country music, not to mention a few possible surprises.

Performance Dates:  October 22nd – November 7th, 2010

Casting Requirements:

Sisser – Female – Late 20’s to late 30’s – Southern, Obese, and somewhat mad. A wheel chair bound lover of little Debbie Snack cakes. She is capable of anything – even murder.

Ruth Ann Meeks – Female – Late 20’s to Mid 30’s – Southern, Racist, and half insane. A “church-goer”, plain, not necessarily pretty, most likely the product of incest.

Annabelle – African-American Female – Mid 40’s to 50’s – Southern swamp mystic and conjure woman. She brews magical potions from sugar cane molasses. Annabelle is the last in a long line of powerful “Sugar-Witches”.

Moses Bean – Male – mid 20’s – Southern, Handsome and boyish. He is a mechanic at the local Texaco station. Innocent and virginal; a gender reversed “Sleeping Beauty”.

Hank Hartley – Male – 30’s – Southern, handsome and strong. He is the play’s “gentleman caller”. He has recently returned to Sugar Bean to take over his family funeral home business. Hank is madly “in-love” but yet hiding a dark secret.

Granddaddy Meeks – Male – 60’s to 70’s – Southern, redneck, racist, abusiveand mean. He is Ruth Ann’s Grandfather.

Additional information about The Dayton Theatre Guild can be found online at www.DaytonTheatreGuild.org

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC are currently in the midst of their summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton, which featured Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] & the upcoming new musical in development Next Thing You Know.

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

http://musicalworldpodshow.mevio.com/

Oh What A Night…

By Leave a Comment

Muse Machine - CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOUCan’t Take My Eyes Off Of You

THE MUSE MACHINE

This week, the Dayton-based, nationally recognized arts education organization The Muse Machine will continue it’s tradition of presenting near-professional quality music, theatre and dance with local teens.   The Muse Machine  is busy preparing for their 12th summer concert, joining nearly 200 current students from the Miami Valley with fellow Muse Machine alums.  The group will croon from the Victoria Theatre stage, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You:  the Songs of Frankie Valli, The Four Seasons & Friends” (other popular groups of the era).

Michael Ingersoll

Michael Ingersoll

This summer, those performers are joined by very special guest star, Muse alum Michael Ingersoll, who was featured in the original L.A., San Francisco and Chicago casts of the Tony-award winning Jersey Boys, as well as appearing on the Emmys, the Tonight Show and Oprah.

There are only 2 chances to catch this concert, this Wednesday & Thursday, and tickets are going fast, so press pause on this post, go to www.ticketcenterstage.com, order up some great summer entertainment, then come on back and read on…

The many muse performers include singers, dancers and musicians who range from talented alumni all the way down to budding elementary school performers. The songs are recreated with a new vision, original concepts, choreography and arrangements.  While most of the show focuses on the actual songs of the Four Seasons, there are a few other surprises.

The Muse Machine - Singin In The Rain - Winter 2010

The Muse Machine - Singin' In The Rain, 2010

“Jersey Boys gives a nod to the girl groups of the 60’s, and later the Four Seasons perform songs by other great artists,” said producer, Douglas Merk.  “And there are a few of these really exciting influences that we’ll visit to round out the show.”

Nobody has performed more shows as one of the Four Seasons in Jersey Boys than Michael Ingersoll. After more than 1,300 performances, his solo concert tour — often backed by other cast members, performers and even a big band — has sold out venues as large as 1,800 seats. His projects have raised nearly $1 million for charitable causes, and he is eager to return to Dayton, where he credits Muse for launching his career on stage.

The Muse Machine - Singin In The Rain - Winter 2010

The Muse Machine - Singin' In The Rain, 2010

“Jersey Boys was a huge break for me that led to major concert and producing opportunities. It’s such an honor to be asked to return to Muse where my love of performing began,” said Ingersoll.

Michael Ingersoll in The Jersey BoysCan’t Take My Eyes Off Of You: The Songs of Frankie Valli, The Four Seasons & Friends runs at the Victoria Theatre at 8:00 p.m., August 4 and 5, 2010. Tickets, currently on sale, are offered exclusively through Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630, online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or at the Ticket Center Stage box office, located in the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. The concert is presented by MeadWestvaco with additional support provided by Bieser, Greer & Landis, LLP., BounceU and James Free Jewelers.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

I CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU (August 4-5) Call Ticket Center Stage at  (937) 228-3630 or visit http://www.ticketcenterstage.com, visit http://www.musemachinedayton.com for more information about the organization.

About the Muse Machine

The Muse Machine is a nationally recognized arts education organization, providing creative experiences and resources for young people of the Miami Valley. Since 1982, they’ve produced 24 annual musicals and 12 concerts for the community and engaged thousands of students through academic-relevant lessons, workshops and in-school projects.  For more information, visit www.musemachinedayton.com.

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC are currently in the midst of their summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton which featured Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] & the upcoming new musical in development Next Thing You Know.

SA/Muse Press Release

Arts Reviews (by people who don’t know any better)

By Leave a Comment

Want to know if you can wear jeans to the latest show?  Interested if parking is readily available at local venues?  Do you want the scoop from a regular audience member?  Here’s the latest “First-Person Review” from JumpstART.  This time – a few jumpers checked out ETC’s {Title of Show} and two of them are sharing their conversational thoughts.  Check out the review, and become a fan of JumpstART on Facebook for more info.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/notes/jumpstart/review-etcs-title-of-show/447812694852

{Title of Show} ran one weekend only and has already closed.  Next up from ETC: Next Thing You Know

Visit the Arts Calendar to see what’s happening NOW with other arts around the region.

The Future(Fest) is Here

By 1 Comment

FutureFest '09 - CARVE - The Dayton PlayhouseFutureFest 2010

THE DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

One of the biggest theatre weekends of the year is about to descend upon the Dayton-region, and 2010 marks an important milestone.  FutureFest, the annual new works festival at The Dayton Playhouse is celebrating it’s twentieth year and festival organizers can’t be more excited!

Every year writers from across the country, and from several other countries as well, submit their previously unproduced scripts for consideration.  This year over 390 new works  were submitted in hopes of being one of the famed “top six” to be presented at FutureFest 2010 from July 23rd to the 25th.
FutureFest 2009 - AdjudicationFor those who are new to FutureFest, it’s almost an unbelievable experience.  In one weekend the Dayton Playhouse mounts six different productions.  Each with a different director, cast, scenery, and technical aspects.  Following each show a panel of professional theatre folk, flown in from across the country, take to the stage with the author, director, and cast to adjudicate the show right in front of the audience.  They give the author feedback about their script and direct them in ways to make improvements that will get them closer to being published.
Several scripts from the Dayton Playhouse’s FutureFest have made it on to be published.
One has even appeared on Broadway and is now being made into a movie starring Jake Gyllenhall.
This year’s FutureFest productions are:
  • An Uncommon Language by Evan Guilford-Blake
  • Dancing Backwards by John Fiorillo
  • How It Works by Cary Pepper
  • The Judicial Murder of Mrs. Surratt by Rich Amada
  • Refuge by Marc Kornblatt
  • Short Story Long by Joel Fishbane
(synopsis for each play can be found at the end of this article)
Tickets are still available for this weekends FutureFest and may be purchased by calling the Dayton Playhouse Box Office at 937-424-8477 or online at daytonplayhouse.org.

Peter Filichia - A Personal History of the American Theater

Peter Filichia

A Personal History of the American Theatre

by Peter Filichia at THE DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

So, what’s it like to be a theater critic? Is it really fun to attend the theater night after night after night after night? Ask Peter Filichia, who has been attending theater consistently for the last half-century and has been a reviewer for more than half that time.

Filichia has seen theater in 42 states and 14 foreign countries and has managed to see as many as 365 stage shows in a single year. He will, God willing, soon see his 10,000th stage show.

One of those was Spaulding Gray’s one-man show, A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN THEATER. Gray simply sat at a table and held a bunch of oversized index cards. He pulled out a card at random and would tell a story based on the title of the show printed on that card.

Gray died in 2004. Filichia reasoned that the show should not go with him – but should go on. And so, he’s created his own version of A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN THEATER. He’s got quite a few index cards from which to choose.

Each performance of A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN THEATER is, of course, different. An audience might hear about Filichia’s adventures with a nice celebrity (Jerry Orbach), a not-so-nice one (Mary Tyler Moore), or one who turned out to be a little sneaky (Steve Allen). What’s it like to face Ben Vereen shortly after you’ve written a negative review about his performance? How did Filichia feel after he put his foot in his mouth when dealing with James Earl Jones?

There are stories about memorable audience members, ranging from Richard Rodgers’ daughter Mary to the black man and old white woman who buttressed Filichia at The Wiz. Filichia also goes back to when he began theatergoing as a teen, and how many a play changed his life, be it as serious as A Raisin in the Sun or even as frivolous as Damn Yankees. There’s a poignant story about the time Filichia took Yugoslavians to a musical, as well as funny ones involving community theater disasters.

It’s all in the cards – and the story-telling. Filichia has performed A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN THEATER in points north (New York State), south (Miami), east (Boston), and west (Aspen, Colorado). Because of the very nature of the show, it can be as long or as short as a presenting house demands. Afterwards, Filichia is glad to take questions from the audience.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

FutureFest (July 23-25) visit http://www.daytonplayhouse.com/ (937) 424-8477 (tickets are availble for each individual play…see below for a synopsis of each play)

A Personal History of the American Theater by Peter Filichia (July 22) visit http://www.daytonplayhouse.com/ (937) 424-8477

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

FutureFest 2010 Plays

Dancing Backwards – John Fiorillo (Fully Staged) – 8pm Fri. 07/23

This is a story about the choices we make between loyalty and ambition or independence and accepting help.  Victor Belkin, a famous dancer, is worried about his friend Robert, an elderly Yankee widower. He asks Robert to share his home, although his lifestyle and Robert’s couldn’t be more different. Robert rejects Viktor’s offer. He has a secret, as well as a plan to escape. However, the situation gets out of hand as it turns from amusing to life threatening.

How It Works – Cary Pepper (Staged Reading) – 10am Sat. 07/24

HOW IT WORKS explores the issues of success, power, fame, recognition, compromise, integrity and personal satisfaction in the world of art.  How do you handle The Struggle? How do you maintain personal integrity as a person and an artist? What happens when you’re given one of the most prestigious awards in the world, but you yearn for a “smaller” award the public knows nothing about?

An Uncommon Language – Evan Guilford-Blake (Staged Reading) – 3pm Sat. 07/24

An Uncommon Language examines the repression of women and the nature of madness. Set in England in 1906, the play explores the life of HÉLOISE LACASSE, an untrained but passionate and talented sculptor, who chooses to subjugate her prowess to benefit JOHN BATISTE, her lover, the self-described enfant terrible of English sculpture.  Silently, she crafts heads for his statuary. Héloise has a history of free-spirited behavior, which, ultimately, John interprets as madness and has her institutionalized — where she is forbidden access to her sculpture.

Refuge – Marc Kornblatt (Fully Staged) – 8pm Sat. 07/24

Two men meet on a secluded boardwalk along a marsh in a bird sanctuary in the Midwest.  Jim brings a notepad and a gun.  Laz brings a pile of pills and a six-pack of beer.  By the end of their first encounter, the pills are consumed and the gun goes off.  Both men live.  Jim and Laz meet again and again in the same place to argue, cajole, circle and embrace in a somber and funny dance of death that also draws Jim’s burdened wife and Laz’s yearning girlfriend to the marsh to find refuge and renewal.

The Judicial Murder of Mrs. Surratt – Rich Amada (Staged Reading) – 10am Sun. 07/25

Based on true events, the play follows the story of Mary Surratt, the first woman judicially executed by the U.S. government.  It was Mrs. Surratt’s boardinghouse where John Wilkes Booth and others are said to have plotted the assassination of President Lincoln.  By charging her, the government hoped to flush out her fugitive son, an alleged key conspirator.  On trial, Mrs. Surratt faced the gallows in what was 19th Century America’s trial of the century.

Short Story Long – Joel Fishbane (Fully Staged) – 3pm Sun. 07/25

After famed author Lincoln Kennedy dies, he bequeaths his money to his wife and his writing to his former girlfriend.  His wife, Julianne, refuses to obey her husband’s wishes until she can determine the reasons behind them.  Amalthea is equally confused, she has not seen Lincoln in years.  Together, the women work to unravel the mystery, slowly forging a tentative peace that is threatened once Lincoln’s true motivations are finally revealed.

Yeah… but can it play Dayton?

By 8 Comments

[title of show] - Encore Theater Co. - Dayton CastDayton, Ohio:  a hotbed for the development & performance of new musical theatre?

YES.

“It is a hopeless endeavour to attract people to a theatre unless they can be first brought to believe that they will never get in.” – CHARLES DICKENS, Nicholas Nickleby

Musical Theatre Workshop:  Festival 2010

THE HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

During the 1940’s and 1950’s, American Musical Theatre was developed right in the heart of it all – Manhatten. After all, that’s where all the great theatre was happening. PLUS – it wasn’t nearly as expensive to produce a big Broadway musical as it is today. (Wicked has just recently recouped its $40 million investment and THAT’S a runaway hit). Add to that the fact that the vast majority of Broadway audiences are tourists, then you can see why so many writers of new musical theatre are hungry to test their work in an “everyman” market. After all, those are the folks buying tickets.

Events here in our city over the next two weekends suggest to me that New York writers might just begin asking themselves –“Yeah, but will it play Dayton?” Without a doubt, Dayton is becoming a new Midwestern Mecca for new musical theatre development.

Human Race Musical Theatre Workshop 2008

"The Black Crook Project" 2008

Consider this. Downtown at The Loft theatre this coming weekend, THREE new musicals will premiere. One of those – PLAY IT BY HEART – features the work of Brian Yorkey (2009 Tony-Winner for Next To Normal). Another – TENDERLY – was written by the same team that created the wildly popular GREEN GABLES that played the Victoria in 2005. And the third – being written as we speak by local students – will make its national debut – right here in Dayton (The Lovewell Project). This is coming on the heels of the stellar Human Race production of Adam Gwon’s new musical ORDINARY DAYS. There is simply no excuse not to catch one of these shows. Not to mention, the schedule for the festival weekend makes it so easy. PLUS there are opportunities to meet the creators and party with the Race.

Do yourself a favor and make time for this festival weekend.
MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP: FESTIVAL 2010 FULL SCHEDULE

Friday, July 16

8pm               Play It By Heart @ The Loft Theatre
Followed by an After-Show Reception @ The Dayton Racquet Club

Saturday, July 17

1:15pm          Meet the Play It By Heart writers @ The Loft Lobby
2pm                Play It By Heart @ The Loft Theatre
7pm               Lovewell Show @ The Loft Theatre
Followed by an After-Show Reception The Loft Lobby
8pm                Tenderly @ Creativity Center

Sunday, July 18

2pm                 Lovewell Show @ The Loft Theatre
2pm                 Tenderly @ Creativity Center
6:15pm           Meet the Tenderly writers Creativity Center
7pm                 Tenderly @ Creativity Center
Followed by a Wrap-Up Party @ a Location TBA

Synopses:

Play it By Heart tells the story of a female country music star battling her family and a changing industry. Taylor, who penned such hits as Tammy Wynette’s “Another Chance” and Johnny Cash’s “The Baron,” calls it “the quintessential story of family in country music.”

Tenderly is about a real musical legend, one of the most famous entertainers ever to come out of the Southwest Ohio/Northern Kentucky region, Rosemary Clooney. The show includes such Clooney hits as “Come On-a My House,” “Mambo Italiano” and “Hey There.”

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

Musical Theatre Workshop: Festival 2010 (July 16-18) will be celebrated at both the 219-seat Loft Theatre at 126 N. Main St. and the approximately 60-seat Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center at 116 N. Jefferson St. Tickets ($15 per performance) are available at the door. Visit http://www.humanracetheatre.org for more information.

If we seem to have a particular passion for developing NEW and innovative work, it because we do! After all, the same weekend as the MTW Festival at the Loft, Encore Theater Company is presenting local premiere of the 2009 Tony-Nominated musical [title of show] – trust me – a comedy like no other!

DB

[title of show]

ENCORE THEATER COMPANY

What do you get when you gather four friends, four chairs, a keyboard, some monkeys, vampires, drag queens and a fresh batch of rice crispy treats?  Why [title of show] of course!

How do you explain a show that has an ingredient list like that?  How about “a show that really [BEEEEEEP]’ing ROCKS!”

Shawn Hooks as "Jeff" in [title of show] - Dayton, Ohio But really, all poor grammar aside, this show really does ROCK!  Just ask Dayton native Susan Blackwell, an original cast member of the Broadway, Off-Broadway and New York Musical Theater Festival productions of the little show that could. Not only was Ms. Blackwell an original cast member…she is also a character in the show.

Angele' Price as "Susan" in [title of show] - Dayton, OhioConfused? Don’t be, here’s the premise-[title of show] is a hilarious new musical written by 2 struggling writers about 2 struggling writers writing a hilarious new musical. word.  Essentially, art imitating life imitating art imitating life.  Get the picture? Oh, and Susan was a great pal & agreed to be in their show.

Chris Smyth as "Hunter" in [title of show] - Dayton, OhioWith a song list that includes such classics as “Untitled Opening Number,” “Monkeys & Playbills,” “I Am Playing Me,” “Nine People’s Favorite Thing,” and  “Die Vampire, Die!” how could you possibly consider missing this opportunity to catch this show?

Nora Coyle as "Heidi" in [title of show] - Dayton, OhioWell…here’s good news!  You can win Tickets to [tos]! YAY! DaytonMostMetro & Encore Theater Company are giving away three pairs of tickets to [title of show].  All you need to do is give the show’s director a good DRAG QUEEN name! Yes, that’s right, brainstorm a great drag queen name for the director of the show…and suggest it in the comment section below (everyone else in the cast/crew has a DQ name already…you can check them out HERE).

We will announce winners on Wednesday night.  You will have a choice of performances (Thursday, Friday or Saturday at 7:30pm).

Help DOUBLE the number of tickets that we will be giving away!  We will announce three additional winners, if we can help DaytonMostMetro reach 2,000 fans by midnight Wednesday! Go to the DMM Facebook Fan Page, become a fan if you are not already, then share it with all of your friends, family & FB lurkers.

[title of show] will be performed at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday & Saturday (July 15-17) at Blair Hall Theatre on the campus of Sinclair Community College.  Visit www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for more information about Encore Theater Company & [tos].

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

[title of show] (July 15-17) Call Blair Hall Box Office at  (937) 512-2808 or visit http://www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for information and links to the online box office.  Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door.  Please note:  [title of show] contains adult themes and language.

SA

Encore Theater Company welcomes the writers of Next Thing You Know to Dayton, July 23-25

Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham - Next Thing You KnowOn the “developing new musical theatre in Dayton, Ohio” front, ETC would like to mention the exciting fact that the writers of NEXT THING YOU KNOW will be traveling from New York to work with the Dayton cast on the show.  Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham (who penned the Off-Broadway hit I LOVE YOU BECAUSE) have been developing NTYK for a potential New York run, and will be utilizing the Encore Theater Company production as an opportunity to test some changes and make some creative decisions in the development process.

In an effort to help cover Josh & Ryan’s expenses, ETC kicked off the 30 for 30 for New Musical Theater campaign last week.  The response was great from the Dayton arts community…making this opportunity a reality!  If you would like to contribute to the fund, and an opportunity to meet the writers, please email the ETC staff at [email protected] for information about how you can participate in the campaign.

While Salzman & Cunningham are in town, they will also conduct a workshop for Dayton actors about auditioning for musical theatre productions.  This workshop will take place on Saturday, July 24th in the Oregon District Arts Collaborative space above the new SideBar (400 East Fifth Street, Suite A).  Email the ETC staff at [email protected] for information.

Next Thing You Know will be performed at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday & Saturday (August 12-14) at Blair Hall Theatre on the campus of Sinclair Community College.  Visit www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for more information about Encore Theater Company & NTYK.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

Next Thing You Know (August 12-14) Call Blair Hall Box Office at  (937) 512-2808 or visit http://www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for information and links to the online box office.  Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door.  Please note: NTYK contains adult themes and language.

Update: NEXT THING YOU KNOW by Salzman & Cunningham

Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham traveled from New York to Dayton last weekend to work with the ETC cast of NEXT THING YOU KNOW.  The writers continued to mold & shape their show into what they envision it to be.  This was a thrilling experience for everyone at Encore Theater Company.

While Salzman & Cunningham were in town we took some time to sit down with them, and the cast of NTYK to record a MusicalWorld episode.  Look for that episode below.

We also hosted a reception for the writing team at the home of Dr. Michael Ervin, followed by a trip to the new SideBar in the Oregon District.  Much thanks go out to Dr. Ervin, Kevin Moore (artistic director of The Human Race Theatre Co.), the donor’s in the “30 for 30” campaign, the folks at Toxic Brew Company (keep watching DMM for info about this cool Dayton start-up), Bill & Shannon from Dayton Most Metro and representatives from other local organizations & theatre companies.  Look for a video about that reception below.

http://www.mevio.com/episode/241734/mw66-salzman-amp-cunningham-next-thing-you

SA

Spitfire Grill

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE

The Spitfire Grill - Beavercreek Community TheatreWhile not a brand new piece of musical theater, SPITFIRE GRILL is a rarely performed show.  The last performance in Dayton was the excellent production by The Human Race Theatre a few seasons ago.

Doug Lloyd will helm the Beavercreek Community Theatre production of Spitfire Grill September 17th through the 26th.  He will be joined on staff by Stacey Gear (choreographer) and Dr. James Tipps (music director).  BCT recently held auditions for the show.  The result was what looks to be a terrific cast for this heartwarming show.

Percy Talbott – Sydney Lanier

Shelby Thorpe – Katie Storost

Hannah Ferguson – Pam McGinnis

Effy Krayneck – Teresa Connair

Sheriff Joe Sutter – Max Monnig

Caleb Thorpe – Brad Mattingly

The Visitor – Nick Vanderpool

Synopsis:

A feisty parolee follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill. It is for sale but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy suggests to Hannah that she raffle it off. Entry fees are one hundred dollars and the best essay on why you want the grill wins. Soon, mail is arriving by the wheelbarrow full and things are definitely cookin’ at the Spitfire Grill

Mark your calendars and plan to attend what will surely be a terrific production of  Spitfire Grill.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

Spitfire Grill (September 17-26) Call Beavercreek Community Theatre Box Office at  (937) 429-4737 or visit http://www.bctheatre.org for information and links to the online box office.

SA

FINALLY – be sure to check out the latest MusicalWorld Podcast that features an interview with Susan Blackwell (who was in the original cast of [title of show] on Broadway!

Extraordinary Days

By 1 Comment

Ordinary Days at The Human Race Theatre Co.Ordinary Days at The Loft

It isn’t often that patrons in ANY city get the rare theatrical opportunity currently occurring Downtown Dayton. Currently housed in an extended run in the Schuster Center is – for many – the gold standard for musical theater goers all over the world – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s now iconic THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. But quietly, intimately, and indeed passionately next door at The Loft, the next generation of musical theater writers is being heralded in by a young composer named Adam Gwon and his remarkable musical ORDINARY DAYS – thanks to the amazing staff and cast at The Human Race Theatre Company. Ordinary Days is anything but ordinary. The small in size – large on theme – musical evening explores several interconnected stories against the backdrop of New York City’s bustling contemporary culture. The music is contemporary – the lyrics are brilliant – the cast is engaging.

Adam Gwon, composer/lyricist of Ordinary Days

Adam Gwon, composer/lyricist of Ordinary Days

I cannot tell you strongly enough how important it is for the future of this artform that as patrons – we make the decision to not make only ‘safe’ choices with our entertainment dollars. Remember that once upon a time someone (whose name no one remembers) told Sir Lloyd Webber that a musical based on Gaston Leroux’s Gothic tale of a creeper with mommy issues stalking a young ingénue was a HORRIBLE idea for a musical. Someone lost their job over that one I am certain. So as wonderful as it is to JOIN an already exciting bandwagon – also take the time to be there from the start of one as well. And Ordinary Days and Mr. Gwon himself are poised to take this industry by storm sooner rather than later.

Ordinary Days continues through June 27 at The Loft.

The Human Race Theatre Company’s executive director Kevin Moore & Ordinary Days composer/lyricist Adam Gwon were recently featured on MusicalWorld discussing the journey that Ordinary Days took to Dayton, Ohio:

Additional Local Theater News:

Opening This Weekend:  BCT’s The Who’s Tommy

Cast of BCT's "The Who's Tommy"

BCT's "The Who's Tommy" with Dean Swann, Aiden Kesson, Lynn Kesson

Beavercreek Community Theatre wraps up its 2009-2010 season with the classic 60s rock opera “The Who’s Tommy.”

Pete Townsend’s tale of a young boy, who becomes catatonic after witnessing the murder of his mother’s lover by his father, will be presented at 8 p.m. on June 18, 19, 25 and 26 and at 3 p.m. on June 20 and 27.

The show includes many hits by The Who including “The Acid Queen,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Sensation,” “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” “See Me, Feel Me” and “Listening to You.

Matt Curry in BCT's "The Who's Tommy."

Matt Curry of Dayton portrays the adolescent Tommy. His parents are played by Dean Swann and Lynn Kesson, also of Dayton. In additiona, the cast includes Matt Owens of Beavercreek, Megan Vonder Kolk and Megan Grabiel of Fairborn, Rick Burnette of Huber Heights, Jillian Varner of Bellbrook, Malcolm Walker of Sidney, T.C. Schreier and Nick Moberg of Springfield, Leah Kushmaul and Montana Iverson of Springboro and Dayton residents Mike Stockstill, Aiden Kesson and Jenna Burnette.

The show, directed by Chris Harmon of Beavercreek, is an Edge of the Creek production, which means it is for mature audiences.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $11 for BCT members, students, and senior citizens.  A group discount of $1 per ticket is available to groups of 10 or more purchased at the same time for the same performance.

Beavercreek Community Theatre is located within the Lofino Adult Enrichment and Cultural Arts Center at 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road in Beavercreek.

__________________________________________

(this week’s ridiculously cheesy sign-off)

Extra, extra, read all about it!  Pinball Wizard in a miracle cure!
Extra, extra, read all about it! Right now, right now, story and pictures
to show times, lessons and actors…
Extra, extra!  onStageDayton with Shane & Dave
only on Dayton Most Metro!

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

Ordinary Days (through June 27) Call Ticket Center Stage at  (937) 228-3630 or visit http://www.ticketcenterstage.com

The Phantom of the Opera (through June 27) Call Ticket Center Stage at  (937) 228-3630 or visit http://www.ticketcenterstage.com

The Who’s Tommy (June 18-27) Contact BCT Box Office at [email protected] or (937) 429-4737  or visit http://www.bctheatre.org

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC are currently in the midst of their summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton: Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] & Next Thing You Know.

Casting Call

Beavercreek Community Theatre will hold open auditions for  “The Spitfire Grill” at 7 p.m.  July 5 and 6 at the theater, located within the the Lofino Adult Enrichment and Cultural Arts Center at 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road in Beavercreek.

Doug Lloyd will direct the show, which will be presented on September 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26.  The vocal director will be Dr. James Tipps and the choreographer will be Stacy Gear.

Those wishing to audition should prepare a one-minute Broadway-style song that “shows your belting abilities.”

There will also be cold readings from the script and those auditioning will be taught and asked to perform a short dance number.

For more information call 429-4737, email [email protected] or visit the theater’s Web site at www.bctheatre.org.

“Real Person” Review Provided at JumpstART

By 1 Comment

So, do you ever wonder what YOU would think of a concert, theatre performance, or art opening?   It seems like the people who review these things professionally are just that – professionals who already love the stuff.  So – their complaints are so specific and detailed that the review is above your head or when they like it it seems like they they know so much about the history of the show and all the actors – it’s like they’re laughing at inside jokes.  What about the rest of us?  What about if you’re wondering if this would be a good date night and what you have to wear?  Check out JumpstART‘s reviews of local arts events.  Most recently posted – Arts Jumper SP comments on Ordinary Days at The Human Race Theatre Co.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/jumpstart/review-ordinary-days-a-musical/434082364852

Did you see the show yet?  What do you think?

AIN’T THAT GOOD NEWS…?

By 5 Comments

The Bengson's performing on the rooftop terrace of Dayton's Firefly Building

The Bengson's performing on the rooftop terrace of Dayton's Firefly Building

…a butt-kicking, heart-breaking, raucous, Vaudevillian Cabaret!

What?

Yeah…I thought the same thing, the first time I was forcibly encouraged to attend a performance by Shaun & Abigail Bengson.  “What are we going to see again?  Who are these people? Can’t we just go to Chappy’s instead?”

Then, upon exiting the venue I asked…”What did I just see?  Who were those people?  When are they performing again? Is there a CD?”  The performance WAS heart-breaking, it WAS butt-kicking.  I fell in love with these performers, and the 20-some characters from around the world that they introduced me to that evening.

Shaun & Abigail Bengson.  Performers like no other.  To be frank…you, yes YOU….have NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER to miss their performances whenever their nomadic path winds through Southwest Ohio.  Sorry if that sounds too strong for a friendly little blog post, but I am forcibly encouraging you to attend a performance of AIN’T THAT GOOD NEWS by The Bengson’s at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival this week.

Shaun & Abigail Bengson's AIN'T THAT GOOD NEWS

"Not only a tremendous musical talent, but also a raw honesty and sincere righteousness." THE NEW YORK TIMES

Shaun McClain Bengson was a local boy.  Bellbrook.  You might’ve even seen him perform as a kid…BHS marching band & theater productions, Sinclair Jazz Combo, community theater groups. In 2001 he began to explore beyond the Miami Valley.  First he attended college at Indiana University (studied Ethnomusicology & Traditional Indiana Fiddling), then after graduation Shaun moved to New York City as a part of the city’s teaching fellows program.  He became a music teacher in NYC.  He was assigned to a school for special education students, in a unit for students with Autism.  It was in this unit where Shaun crafted programs such as “Little Kids Rock!” and then “The New Manhattan Music Project,” where his students wrote, produced & performed their own musicals.  It was at the performance of these musicals where Shaun found love.  In walks Abigail Nessen, out walks “The Bengson’s,” and a new band called the “Zombie Nationalists.”  They were engaged within two weeks and writing their first musical.

The couple is constantly touring.  They have traveled to South Africa, West Africa, El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Europe as well as many areas of the U.S.  They perform while touring, but more importantly they connect to the people they encounter,  educating kids and talking with families.  They collect stories along the way.  These stories…NO…these people become the Bengson’s show.

The Bengson's in C{space 2009Those of you who attended last week’s production of RENT in C{space got just a glimpse of Shaun & Abigail.  Shaun led the rockin’ band, giving this version of RENT an instrumental style of it’s own.  Abigail portrayed “Mimi.”  Her Mimi was perhaps a tinge “Joplin-inspired.”  She took the dark role & gave it a fierce, hard edge that was probably more truthful to the character than “glam’d” for Broadway.

Currently they are touring with AIN’T THAT GOOD NEWS, finishing up a new album called THE PROOF, and writing their next show which is titled the same as the album.  The new show, which will employ a cast of 12 and an 8 piece band, will be developed through a residency in Vermont followed by an Off-Broadway run in 2011.

AIN’T THAT GOOD NEWS is described as

Shaun & Abigail Bengson…a raucous vaudevillian cabaret, full of roaring original music and impassioned characters. The Bengson duo evoke the quintessentially American stories of the immigrant and the outcast and play at the heart of the political struggles of our age through a melding of the musical forms of Tin Pan Alley, the Old South, German Weimar and rock and roll. The show is constantly evolving. As the Bengsons travel, they trade songs and drinks for new stories from the personal to the divine, and shift the work to reflect where they’ve been, and each new community they’re in. This work was made possible through support from the Puffin Foundation.

AIN’T THAT GOOD NEWS opened on Sunday night in the Cincinnati Fringe Festival.  You have three more chances to catch their show, so you will need to start making arrangements today. Hire a babysitter, make dinner reservations and ORDER YOUR TICKETS before they are gone!

AIN’T THAT GOOD NEWS @ The Cincinnati Fringe Festival

Wed. June 9 at 9:30p / Thurs. June 10 @ 8:45p / Sat. June 12 @ 9:00p

Venue: The Coffee Emporium, 110 E. Central Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio

Tickets:  $12 online at www.cincyfringe.com/aint-that-good-news

More Info:  www.bengsons.com or email Shaun & Abigail at [email protected]

When you get the chance to meet Shaun & Abigail after the show, make sure you give them a hug for us…but be careful what you say…you never know, it might just make it into their next musical!

SA

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC are currently preparing for their upcoming Summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton: Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] &Next Thing You Know (a developmental production of a new musical by NYC-based writing team of Salzman & Cunningham)

Jonathan Larson’s RENT @ C{Space in Downtown Dayton

By 32 Comments

Jonathan Larson's RENT at C{Space June 3-5 www.RENTdayton.org

Jonathan Larson's RENT at C{Space June 3-5 www.RENTdayton.org ~ Win Tickets Below!

On June 3rd Encore Theater Company will open it’s summer season of musicals with a show which has become a cornerstone for the musical theater world of the past decade and a half.  ETC will present Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical RENT in C{space on three evenings next week, and if you don’t plan ahead, you just might miss out this highly provocative production in a truly unique downtown venue (Saturday is nearly sold out & tickets are selling fast for the other performances).

The musical, which is based loosely on Puccini’s opera La Boheme, follows a year in the lives of seven friends living the disappearing Bohemian lifestyle in New York’s East Village.  AIDS and both it’s physical and emotional complications pervade these characters as they struggle to find their place in a quickly changing world.

Maureen & Joanne in RENT www.RENTdayton.org

We think of RENT as this iconic “rock opera” legend but what RENT was saying and how it was saying it was revolutionary in 1996 and the theater world has never been the same.  The number of doors RENT opened for new musical theatre writers was unprecedented.  Shows that have followed – like SPRING AWAKENING & 2010’s AMERICAN IDIOT (Yes, the GreenDay one) –  are indebted to Larson & his show for their success.  RENT’s influence is still profound in shows opening today, fourteen years after it quietly opened it’s Off-Broadway run the night after Larson died of an aortic aneurysm.

When talking with cast members of the show, it’s interesting, almost comical actually, to realize that for many of them, their first knowledge of this show was the 2005 film version.  As depressing as that is to this almost-40-year-old, who could’ve been in the original Broadway cast (if he could act & sing that is), it’s also refreshing.  This cast is approaching this material with such an infectious energy!  They are exploring the souls of these characters, but through a new point of view, in a very different world.

Drew Bown as "Roger" in RENT www.RENTdayton.org
“To be able to experience something so beyond myself in sharing with my fellow castmates and it’s viewers, the very real struggle that these characters live through has been life-changing.  This chance to live in love, to spread the message to carry on and be thankful every single day has been a gift.”

Drew Bowen, “Roger”

JJ Parkey as "Mark" in RENT www.RENTdayton.org
“Being a part of RENT is something deeply profound that I’ve strived for in my art and I finally have the chance to play my dream role.  I’ll carry with me the artistic lessons that I’ve learned from this production as I pursue my stage career.”

JJ Parkey, “Mark”

Since ETC carries as its mission the development and preservation of new musical theatre, it seemed only fitting that we honor Jonathon Larson – the pioneer who made our work and our mission possible.  Along with a unique group of collaborators including C}Space, Sinclair Community College Theatre Department, AIDS Resource Center of Ohio, and Project Runway Finalist Althea Harper, ETC invites you to rediscover why you fell in love with RENT all over again and see this generation-defining musical in a fresh innovative production against the backdrop of one of Downtown’s Dayton’s most unique spaces.

Maureen & Joanne in RENT www.RENTdayton.org

Jonathan Larson’s RENT will play June 3, 4 & 5 in downtown Dayton’s C{space at 7:30pm each evening. An additional 11:30pm performance will take place on Friday, June 4th. Tickets for the event are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.  You can order tickets by visiting www.RENTdayton.org

WIN TICKETS to RENT!

It’s easy!  Just COMMENT to this post before midnight Saturday, May 29th to be entered into a drawing to win a set of tickets to the Encore Theater Company production of RENT.  We will be giving away one set of tickets for each 7:30 performance (Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 1 winner per performance)…but you can help DOUBLE the number of tickets we will be giving away!  If 50 readers “SHARE” this post, by clicking the FACEBOOK SHARE BUTTON before midnight Saturday…we’ll give away two sets of tickets for each evening’s performance! Start Sharing!

Dangerous Curves Ahead: Burlesque comes to Gilly’s

By Leave a Comment

Burlesque shows have been enjoying a revival in recent years, and this Thursday night Dayton will get a taste of the glitter and glamor when Brooklyn’s Dangerous Curves Ahead come to town. Billed as “Burlesque on the Go-Go,” this cabaret-style show at Gilly’s starts at 8pm and is only $10.  Several members of this year’s show performed to rave reviews in last year’s Monsters of Burlesque, and they’ll be joined onstage by local burlesque performer Champagne Shock.

Bonnett’s Book Store in the Oregon District is helping to promote the show.  Kevin Bonnett says, “Burlesque is racy, but it’s about stagecraft and performance; not pole dancing and dollar stuffing.  Regardless of the ‘sexy’ involved, these folks know how to put on a show that will make you smile!”

Teenagers, Princesses & Strippers…OH MY!

By Leave a Comment

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead by Sinclair Community College Theatre

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead by Sinclair Community College Theatre

Hey everyone!

We are quickly approaching Tony Award season and while New York is seeing a record-breaking number of NEW openings in the last few weeks before the Tony deadline (including Green Day’s American Idiot, Denzel Washington in Fences, and another front-runner for best musical Memphis), Dayton has it’s share of exciting Spring Openings.

Dayton Playhouse presents Gypsy

Dayton Playhouse presents Gypsy

Opening May 7 – make certain to catch Dayton Playhouse’s GYPSY – directed by Brian Sharp and featuring a stellar cast. This Sondheim/Laurents/Styne show is one you don’t get the opportunity to see very often – especially the hilarious “You Gotta Get A Gimmick” from that show is worth the price of admission. (GLEEK ALERT: Rumor has it, selections from ‘Gypsy’ will show up at McKinley High this spring on an episode of Fox’s hit series ‘Glee’)

Town Hall Theatre’s double bill of Disney’s Cinderella and Disney’s Sleeping Beauty opening May 6

Town Hall Theatre’s double bill of Disney’s Cinderella and Disney’s Sleeping Beauty opening May 6

We are blessed to have a fantastic children’s theatre company in the region – check out Town Hall Theatre’s double bill of Disney’s Cinderella and Disney’s Sleeping Beauty opening May 6.

However, I am most excited about a regional premiere opening May 7 at Sinclair Community College – that’s why Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead is my PICK OF THE WEEK. Leave the kids at home for this recent Off-Broadway hit and “R-rated” parody by Bert V. Roy. Dog Sees God is a modern tale of teenage angst directed by Brian McKnight. Still plagued with his endless identity crisis, CB turns to his friends to find answers to his questions. They offer him irreverent glimpses into sex, drugs, suicide, violence, rebellion and sexual identity. Cast includes: Steven Brotherton as CB, Katie Klein as CB’s sister, Max Monnig as Van, Sara Linker as Van’s sister, James Roselli as Matt, Corey Schall as Beethoven, Michelle Faulkner as Marcy and Lauren Bernstein as Tricia. Opening at New York’s Barrow Street Theatre in 2004, the rarely staged play is a unique (if not altogether shocking) glimpse into the American teenager. Sinclair Theatre continues to do some exciting work, so if you haven’t been to Blair Hall yet, get your tickets while they last for this limited 9-performance run.

(this week’s ridiculously cheesy sign-off:)

“Do something special…anything special…

If you wanna make it, twinkle while you shake it…

If you wanna grind it, wait ’til you’ve refined it…

If you wanna stump it, bump it with a trumpet…

So get yourself a gimmick, and you too can be a star!”

onStageDayton…with Shane & Dave

D.B.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

Dog Sees God (May 7 – 15) Call (937) 512-2808 or visit http://brushfire.e-vent.info/events/sinclair/start.aspx

Gypsy (May 7 – 23) visit http://www.daytonplayhouse.com/

Disney’s Cinderella & Disney’s Sleeping Beauty (May 6 – 23) Call (937) 433-8957 or visit http://www.townhalltheatre.org/

onStageDayton ...with Shane & Dave

Shane Anderson & David Brush work with locally based Encore Theater Company. ETC recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon District, along with Zoot Theatre Co. & Rhythm in Shoes. Anderson, Brush & ETC are currently preparing for their upcoming Summer season of new musicals in downtown Dayton: Johnathan Larson’s RENT, [title of show] &Next Thing You Know (a developmental production of a new musical by NYC-based writing team of Salzman & Cunningham)