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On Stage Dayton

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company presents World Premiere of “Inside Out”

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In February, there are two opportunities to experience the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, both in-person and Livestream.

The in-person performance is entitled, Inside Out, featuring a unique collection of interdisciplinary and collaborative pieces imagined by Debbie Blunden-Diggs, DCDC’s Chief Producing and Artistic Director. Witness the unveiling of three world premiere works rooted in DCDC’s legacy and sponsored by the Ohio Arts Council. 

If we learned anything during 2020 and 2021, we’re reminded that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. The world has changed, and we’ve evolved the way we think about craft, art, and society. DCDC’s resident choreographers embark upon new collaborations to explore life in a new world.

Nashville native Countess Winfrey collaborates with jazz composer Wesley Winfrey on new music and dance. The exquisite score is brought to life by The University of Dayton Jazz Ensemble and DCDC’s performing artists. The set design and projections created by visual artist Kanetha Scott are inspired by Winfrey’s choreography and the spirit of Memphis. Winfrey’s new work is the centerpiece of this concert, and you won’t want to miss it!

Performances will be held on February 26 at 7:30pm and February 27 at 4:00pm, LIVE at the Victoria Theater. For tickets call 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org/dcdc. Tickets start at $15!

Livestream event alert: On February 17, 2022 | 11:30 AM – 1 PM – DCDC presents Up Close & Personal: Anatomy of a Dance. Viewers will have the opportunity to see what happens during the creative process. Countess Winfrey will share a part of the evolution of her work for the February event Inside Out. Rehearsals in the studio, practices with the band, and conversations with the creative minds for this production will be shared virtually with our audiences as they get an inside look into the World Premiere of “Human Nature.”  Tickets & info at: info.dcdc.org/performances-tickets/seasons-series/up-close-personal
 
 

THANK YOU for the HAMILTONS, ‘Hamilton!’

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“Packed.” “Amazing.”  “So Good To See Everyone Out and About!” “Incredible!”  You’ve been hearing the accolades all week about ‘Hamilton!…but these remarks are from the business owners in the Dayton Area!

‘Hamilton’ is in town, and along with it comes a revived atmosphere in restaurants, bars and businesses in the downtown area. It has been a blessing for sure. The show, on it’s own, ground-breaking, eye-opening and pleasing to the throngs, carries with it large, sold-out crowds that rediscover out little city…lying in wait after a long 2 years!

To double-down, it was also restaurant week, which pushed some Daytonians to reach out to RESY and OPEN TABLE, something people haven’t relied on in months. And it’s a great problem to have.

Interestingly, the success of ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway lacks by comparison to the ‘Hamilton’ traveling the country! “One of the two touring productions of ‘Hamilton’ made $3,967,400 over its final eight performances in Pittsburgh. It made $4,309,027 during the previous week, which is more money than the record-breaking show has ever made during a week on Broadway.” reported M. Hershberg for Forbes magazine in ’19.
Dayton is no exception as people scramble to find a ticket or two to the show.

 

What’s more exciting is what it does for season ticket sales for local theaters like Dayton Live. With ‘Hamilton’ in-tow, season tickets sales can go 5% t0 30% higher….a true boon for theaters.

And, all that being said…it’ just great theater! What we can learn about Democracy, and how ‘diametric’ly opposed, foes’ can look beyond what divides us and find compromise and kindness.

Dinner, theater, life lessons and a city so excited to welcome back its life-blood….sounds like ‘Hamilton’ is just what we needed!

Hamilton is playing at the Mead Theater in the Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 West 2nd St, Dayton.

For more info visit: https://www.daytonlive.org/

 

 

Wright State Theatre presents Pulitzer Prize-winning drama SWEAT

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Wright State Theatre will present Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama, Sweat, as its first play of 2022, running February 3-13th. As if lifted from our own local headlines, this gripping drama takes us into the lives of middle-American industrial workers facing the end of their livelihoods as their factory jobs disappear and their families and friendships struggle to survive. Lynn Nottage has written an exquisite, devastating contemporary tragedy. Set, in one of the poorest cities in America (Reading, Pennsylvania), a group of down-and-out factory workers struggle to keep their present lives in balance, ignorant of the financial devastation looming in their near future. Based on Nottage’s extensive research and interviews with residents of Reading, Sweat is a bracing and topical reflection of the present and poignant outcome of America’s economic decline. 

L to R: Jacob Jones, Marcus Antonio, Tommy Cole, Madyson McCabe, Elaine Mueller, Zavi Odetta. Photo Credit: Wright State Theatre

Shaun Patrick Tubbs

 

 

Visiting Guest Director Shaun Patrick Tubbs says, “SWEAT talks about people who don’t often get a voice. Those are the ones who tend to be affected most by the world around them. Often the choices we make are for survival, not because we want them. But, it’s because we feel they are our only choice. The truth of the matter is, until you’ve had everything you know taken away, you don’t know what choice you would make. And that’s what they’re going through in this play.”

Tubbs is a New York City-based director whose work has been seen at the Juilliard School, New York Theatre Workshop, The Signature Theatre (Arlington, VA), and many other theatres and opera companies nationally. He is also a graduate of Wright State’s BFA Acting program and has been seen locally in productions at The Human Race Theatre Company, among others. When asked about what it’s like to be back at his alma mater, Mr. Tubbs says, “I thought it would feel that so much time had passed – given that it’s been just about twenty years since I graduated. But it doesn’t feel that way. Instead, I feel I’ve stepped into somewhere familiar that’s reminded me of why I do what I do, because it’s about learning how to learn. My hope is that I can help these students realize the gap between where they are now and where they want to be – their dream – is much smaller than I thought it was when I was a student at Wright State.”

Sweat features scenic design by guest artist Michael Brewer, costume design by student Taylor Dumas, and Lighting Design by Matthew Benjamin.

Playwright Lynn Nottage is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama, receiving the award in 2009 for Ruined and again in 2017 for Sweat. Her other major works include the play, Intimate Apparel, now being adapted as an opera, composed by Ricky Ian Gordon, having its premiere at the Lincoln Center Theatre. She is also the librettist for the new Broadway musical, MJ: The Musical, recounting the life of pop sensation, Michael Jackson.

Sweat runs from February 3rd through 13th in Wright State University’s Festival Playhouse (Creative Arts Center). Patrons, cast and crew are required to wear masks at all times.

Tickets can be purchased at:

www.wright.edu/theatre

(937) 775-2500 box office

Cirque’s Pleasant ‘Dream’, A Holiday High Point.

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Nutcrackers, dancers, snow and songs. Sounds like a typical holiday event, but Cirque Dreams Holiday at the Victoria is anything but standard fare. We all have become familiar with the Cirque brand….acrobats, magicians, oddities….and they’ve arrived en force in Dayton! The 90-minute show, in 2 Acts, moves quickly, with some stunning ‘sideshow’ style moments  and solid aerobatic performances. Set to a loosely based ‘Nutcracker’ theme, the background highlights larger than life props, and chorus characters dressed in candy-striped sweetness.

One of the best parts of the show is watching and listening to those folks in the audience….kids with their mouths agape as a lady wrapped in cloth, suspended from the ceiling, seems to lose control in a quick roll to earth, only to stop just short of her demise. Loud claps, and uneasy ‘phews’ fill the space. Adults. watching in semi-horror as a contortionist twists 6 ways from Sunday, muttering ‘ewwws’ and ‘ouches!’ And, of course, the occasional, ‘Oh brother…’ when the tongue-in-cheek cheesy moments hit the stage. (There are a few!)

The dangling rope artist is exceptional, the hula-hooper is spectacular and the King and Queen Sugar Plum are the climax in terms of awe-factor! But, for me, and oddly, it was the high-spirited jumprope artists that made the impression. Smiling, without fail, and getting the audience into a clapping frenzy, the jumpers appear to hit 60mph, and it was just plain fun! The lady behind me saying ‘I’d have a heart attack doing that, but it looks so invigorating!’…..ummmm, don’t try that at home!

Kids will love the Holidaze as it never really slows down, and when it does, the bass filled music never lets us ‘rest’ long enough to take a breath. (Intermission is short, so grab that wine, pronto!) The show starts on-time and stays on-time, for parents. that’s a great thing to know.

The only real drawback to Holidaze is the story itself. We get moments of narration, and insights into what Clara wants for Christmas, but honestly, it’s not necessary and makes little sense. At one point, Clara gets her chance in the air, and you are left wondering, ‘Did Clara ask to be catapulted for Christmas?’

All that aside, it’s good, clean fun. The magician does his level best to engage the audience in a second act ‘sing-along’ and the ‘narrator’ stays the course by crooning some holiday hits. You’ll enjoy it….your kids will love it….and you will all leave with the proverbial ‘I wonder how they did that?’

Cirque Dream Holidaze is at the Victoria Theater 12/21- 12/26.

Tickets range from $35-$85.

More information at daytonlive.org

 

 

 

 

 

‘Season’s Greetings’ satisfies the Ho-Ho-Humbugs!

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Grab that Ho-Ho-Mojito, a pack of pretzels and settle in at the PNC Arts Annex for a little Christmas Cheer.  From the moment it kicks off with a jazzed-up version of ‘This Christmas,’  we are reminded that the HOLIDAYS are back! No more bah-humbug, isolation or streaming television necessary. It’s live and it’s lively. That alone is something to sing about!

Philip Drennen and Gina Handy provide an energetic  3-act  Christmas show, backed up by Deron Bell and his Merry-Makers. Each song, though familiar, seems to take on a live of its own when the band infuses jazz, swing and…yep…FUNK! There are some truly memorable moments in the set. ‘It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas’ takes on a smooth almost etherial tone. ‘The Christmas Song’ gives you a somber start, but an uplifting finish. And for the purest, Handy nails ‘Merry Christmas, Darling.’  The one you will leave loving is ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside.’ It’s fun, silly and timely!

Centered in the audience is a mailbox, where requests are taken, and performed during the 2nd and 3rd act. This makes for some fun chat with the audience. You learn of people’s wishes for the Holiday, and why certain songs ‘mean so much.’  It is truly the magnificent talent of Bell’s band that allows the show to flow. They seamlessly answer requests with spot-on versions of Christmas classics, and then some.

Dayton, once again, proves you don’t need to search for talent outside of our city limits. Take special note of the duets, as Handy and Drennen blend, back-up and harmonize with each as if they’VE been doing it for years!

‘Season’s Greetings’ is not big, and that is the point. It’s intimate, close-knit…more of a family ‘sing-along.’ The Holidays are about gathering…and laughing….and reminiscing. With all of that in mind, get your tickets for this charmer. Bring your mom, grandma….the one you love….and remember what Karen carpenter sang, ‘Everyday’s a Holiday when I’m next to you!’ That’s it…that’s this show, in a nutshell!!

General Information:

***If you are part of the WHAMAGGEDON Challenge, beware!

When: Dec. 9, 10, 12, 15, 16 and 19 at 7:30 p.m.

@: PNC Arts Annex, 46 W. Second St., Dayton

Cost: $25-$35

For Tix:  Call 937-228-3630 or

you can visit daytonlive.org/seasons-greetings

FYI: Masks are required for patrons 6 and over

 

The Nutcracker Returns to the Schuster For 8 Performancrs

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On Friday, December 10 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, December 11at 2:30 and 7:30 pm; Sunday, December 12 at 2:30 pm; Friday, December 17 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, December 18 at 2:30 and 7:30 pm; Sunday, December 19 at 2:30 pm in the Mead Theatre of the Schuster Center, the Dayton Ballet, accompanied by the full Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, will present the holiday favorite The Nutcracker, the second ballet of the DPAA 2021-2022 season.

 

Dayton Ballet’s beloved The Nutcracker is Dayton’s biggest and best holiday performing arts tradition.With choreography by Artistic Director Karen Russo Burke, sets by designer Ray Zupp, and costumes by Lowell Mathwich, the story of little Clara, her prized Nutcracker, the Rat King, the handsome Cavalier, and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy comes alive on stage this December. The elegance, grace and sheer athleticism of the full company of Dayton Ballet dancers brings the magical story to immediate, colorful life.

The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Neal Gittleman, again takes up residence in the orchestra pit, giving Tchaikovsky‘s music the full, rich, gorgeous interpretation that it requires. There is no better way to enjoy this classic ballet and experience the full depth of this wonderful music than at the Schuster Performing Arts Center, a world-class venue that stands as a jewel in the Gem City.

In addition, Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker involves a cast of 29 children from the Dayton area, representing the following communities:  Arcanum, Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Centerville, Dayton, Englewood, Enon, Franklin, Kettering, Oakwood, Springboro, Tipp City, Troy, West Carrollton, and Xenia. The following young dancers, including dancers from Dayton Ballet II Senior and Junior Companies, will appear this year on stage at the Schuster Center, alongside the 19 professional dancers from Dayton Ballet:

 

Trudie Arling**

Ellie Arnold

Emma Barrentine*

Blakely Barton

Izabella Bell
Audrey Blackburn

Eva Borbonus

Chelsea Brecht**

Carissa Buehler*

Adele Davis**

 

 Molly Dunn**

AJ Gross**

Mollie Juniewicz**

Parker Karban

Sophia Krapf*

Annabelle May*

Jane Middleton

Jenna Mumford**

Alexia Nalls

Emma Rubin**

 Ellie Savage

Mckenna Steneman**

Ella Strehle*

Karson Stubbs**
Claire Takizawa**

Bailee Waltersheide

Matthew Warren**

Caitlyn Wehner**

Caroline Woessner**

 

** Denotes Dayton Ballet II Senior Company Dancer
* Denotes Dayton Ballet II Junior Company Dancer

 

Before the performances and during intermissions, the Schuster Center Wintergarden bustles with the excitement of the holiday season. Find the perfect holiday gift at the Dayton Ballet Boutique, peer into the famous whimsical Rike’s window boxes, or treat yourself with candy and ice cream at the Graeter’s Sweet Shoppe.

 

Several events are planned to highlight the Dayton Ballet’s presentation of The Nutcracker as follows:

 

  • Behind the Ballet – After each performance, ticket holders are invited free of charge to “Behind the Ballet,” a Q&A with Ms. Burke and professional dancers from Dayton Ballet in the orchestra area of the theatre, giving audiences the opportunity to learn more about the life of a dancer at Dayton Ballet.

 

  • Nutcracker Boutique – The Dayton Ballet Nutcracker Boutique opens before each performance and during intermissions and features hundreds of holiday nutcrackers of all sizes, painted pointe shoes, and ballet-themed items for sale. The Boutique is a wonderful display of unique pieces to purchase as a way to remember your lovely visit to The Nutcracker or to give as the perfect holiday gift to a loved one.

 

  • Graeter’s Sweet Shoppe – To complete everyone’s visit to the Land of Sweets, Graeter’s Ice Cream will offer holiday goodies available for purchase at each performance.

 

  • Rike’s Holiday Windows in the Wintergarden – For those seeking a walk down memory lane, the former Rike’s Department Store animated holiday windows are on display in the Schuster Center Wintergarden once again this year. The Rike’s Windows are a holiday tradition for countless Dayton families since the elves first appeared in the windows of Rike’s Department Store in the 1940s.

 

Safety Protocols
The DPAA is excited to welcome audiences back to the 2021–2022 Season. The health and safety of patrons, performers, staff, and volunteers is our top priority. Beginning November 22, 2021, in partnership with DPAA’s venue partner Dayton Live, the following new health and safety protocols will be in place at all performances and events until further notice:

  • Vaccination and Testing – Proof of vaccination or COVID-19 testing will no longer be required to attend performances at Dayton Live venues, including the Schuster Center and the Victoria Theatre.
  • Masks – Masks will be required for all patrons over the age of 6 during the entire visit while attending a DPAA performance or event. Mask must cover both nose and mouth.

 

Tickets for Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker start at $19 and are available at the box office by calling (937) 228-3630 or online at www.daytonperformingarts.org.  Senior, teacher and student discounts are available at the box office. For more information or to order subscriptions, including flexible subscription types that include performances by Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Opera and Dayton Ballet, visit www.daytonperformingarts.org.

“WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC Coming to Schuster

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“WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC: THE UNFORTUNATE RETURN OF THE RIDICULOUSLY SELF-INDULGENT, ILL-ADVISED VANITY TOUR is coming to the Schuster Center in Dayton on Aug. 23, 2022.

 

Tickets go on sale at 10 am on Dec. 10, 2021 and can be purchased at daytonlive.org/weird-al or from our Ticket Office Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at 937-228-3630.

Almost four years after his first foray into unfamiliar concert territory with his highly-acclaimed Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, “Weird Al” Yankovic will be pressing his luck again, this time with THE UNFORTUNATE RETURN OF THE RIDICULOUSLY SELF-INDULGENT, ILL-ADVISED VANITY TOUR.

The tour marks Weird Al’s long-anticipated return to the concert stage after his hugely successful Strings Attached Tour in 2019 where he performed each night alongside a full symphony orchestra.

Once again drawing from his back catalogue of 14 studio albums, Weird Al promises to deliver a different set list every night, with no two shows the same. As before, rather than focusing on the hits from his career, the show will feature Yankovic’s non-parody material – the somewhat more obscure pastiches and original songs that have largely escaped the pop culture radar but are adored by his long-time fans. 

And like the last Vanity Tour, he is leaving behind the high-octane theatrics that he’s known for and going bare-bones – no costumes, no props, no video screens… just Al and his band of almost four decades hanging out on stage, playing music.

Opening the show each night will be returning fan favorite and Al’s long-time friend, the legendary comedian Emo Philips.

“Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. He is one of only five artists to have had Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades, the other four being Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, and Kenny G.

Adults Only Who’s Holiday Opens At The Loft Theatre

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If playwright Matthew Lombardo’s searing look at actress Tallulah Bankhead in Looped was the main course, then his spicy confection about Cindy Lou Who inWho’s Holiday! – playing this December at The Human Race – is the decadent dessert we have been waiting for.   Called a “raunchy riff on Dr. Seuss,” Who’s Holiday! is a wildly funny and heartfelt adult-only comedy about grown-up Cindy Lou Who, as she recalls that Christmas Eve when she first met the Grinch and the twisted turn of events her life has since taken.  Who’s Holiday! will fill the Loft Theatre with laughter, starting tonight and run through December 19, 2021.

“We have a bit of history of finding those off-center, holiday shows that make us laugh” states Human Race Artistic Director and Founding Member, Kevin Moore. “I recall the naughty elf in Santaland Diaries, and the crazy residents from A Tuna Christmas.  Who’s Holiday! continues this tradition.  It is definitely an irreverant, “adults-night-out.”

Actress Alex Sunderhaus (Cincinnati native – Wright State graduate – and last appeared on the Loft stage as the loveable dog Sylvia) is taking on the bottle-blond role of Cindy Lou Who, as she prepares for a holiday party in her trailer just outside of Whoville, and reminisces about that fateful Christmas eve.

Who’s Holiday! is directed by Human Race Resident Artist and Wright State Artistic Director Joe Deer.  Our Production Stage Manager is Jacquelyn Duncan; Costume Design by Zoe Still;  Scenic Design by Scott J. Kimmins;  Lighting Design by John Rensel;  Sound Design by Alexander Koker.

Tickets are on sale through Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org  All audiences are required to wear masks.

The Wedding Singer at Springboro Performing Arts Center

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It’s  1985, and rock star wannabe, Robbie Hart, is New Jersey’s favorite wedding   singer. He’s the life of the party until his own fiancée leaves him at the   altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as   his own. Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. As luck   would have it, Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and,   unless Robbie can pull off the performance of a decade, the girl of his   dreams will be gone forever.

 

 

Airness: A Play About The World of Competitive Air Guitar.

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According to the Urban Dictionary, “airness” is the extent to which an air guitar performance transcends the medium and becomes a higher form of artistic expression.  The Human Race Theatre Company continues its 35th year with Chelsea Marcantel’s award-winning play Airness, the story of a young guitar player’s introduction to the unique and intense world of competitive air guitar.  But even more, it’s about being true to yourself, letting go of your inhibitions, accepting people for who they are and finding the Rockstar locked deep inside yourself.  Airness will light up the Loft stage, October 21 – November 7, 2021.

“We have had our eyes on this play since it rocked the 2017 Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville” states Human Race Artistic Director and Founding Member, Kevin Moore.  “It went on to win the American Theatre Critics Association’s New Play Award in 2018.  This story of an underdog triumphing – with the help of a community of fellow underdogs – is a perfect way to spend an evening in the theatre.”

Set in a series of dive bars and performance venues (designed by Human Race regular and native Daytonian, Dick Block), our young heroine Nina is taken in by a group of misfits who guide her through the world of air guitar competitions.  She learns the “six pillars” on which she will be judged:  artistic merit, originality, feeling, technical ability, charisma and the elusive quality of airness.  Through classic rock guitar riffs and offstage dramedy, we follow Nina’s journey to achieve “airness.”

Human Race Resident Artist and Director Jamie Cordes, who previously directed the sensational musicalLizzie,  has assembled a powerful cast of familiar and new faces.  The cast includes:  Andrew Ian Adams (Avenue Q) as “Golden Thunder;”  Allison Kelly (Red-Blooded All-American Man) as “The Nina;”  James Roselli (Play It By Heart) as “The Announcer;”  Zack Steele (Mame, Sweeney Todd) as “Shreddy Eddy;”  and Drew Vidal (The Glass Menagerie) as “Facebender.” Making their Human Race debuts:  Reanne Acasio as “Cannibal Queen” and Rasell Holt as “D Vicious.”  Production Stage Manager is Jacquelyn Duncan;  Costume Design by Janet G. Powell;  Scenic Design by Dick Block;  Lighting Design by John Rensel;  Sound Design by Jay Brunner.

Airness will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, October 21 – November 7, 2021.  Tickets are on sale through Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org  Following local mandates set by the City of Dayton and Dayton Live, all audiences must show proof of vaccination or a recent negative Covid-19 test, and all are required to wear masks.  Details can be found on our website.

 

The Best of Abbey Road Live for One Night at Schuster

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Dayton Live presents RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES in The Best of Abbey Road Live! In celebration of Abbey Road, RAIN will bring the greatest hits to life in addition to all your early favorites for one night only, October 27, 2021 at the  Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center in downtown Dayton.

 

This mind-blowing performance takes you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is “the next best thing to seeing The Beatles!” (Associated Press). Experience the worlds’ most iconic band and come celebrate The Best of Abbey Road Live with RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES with updated sets that include state of the art LED, high-definition screens and multimedia content for the new 2021 tour.

Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN has mastered every song, gesture and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a totally live, note-for-note performance that’s as infectious as it is transporting. Like The Beatles, the onstage members of RAIN are not only supreme musicians, but electrifying performers in their own right!

 

Tickets are available only through DaytonLive.org and the Dayton Live Ticket Office, the official ticketing outlet for all performances at the Schuster Center, Victoria Theatre, Loft Theatre at the Metropolitan Arts Center, and the PNC Arts Annex.

 

Please note: In accordance with the city of Dayton mask mandate, masks will continue to be required inside all Dayton Live venues for patrons 6 and over. Starting October 1, 2021, patrons 12 and over attending performances at Dayton Live venues will also be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for entry. Health and safety policies will continue to be regularly evaluated and adjusted based on community health data, and public health and government guidance. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: https://www.daytonlive.org/about/health-safety/

Sinclair Theatre Presents: She Kills Monsters

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This high-octane comedy is directed by Chris Harmon and features fight choreography by Joshua Pikar. It’s the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge.

Theater Is Back….and CABARET Delivers the GOODS!

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Vanae Pate scores as LuLu!

The cast is gathered together, talking, giving ideas to their director, Dayton Native, Philip Drennen. He likes to hear from his actors and dancers, and he welcomes their ideas. ‘The strength of this cast,’ Drennen says ‘is they genuinely like each other and build each other up. That makes their on-stage performance cohesive and electric.’ Drennen chose CABARET, one of Broadways’ truly iconic shows, because ‘it is relevant even today. It’s balance of dark and light is historic and yet, contemporary!’

Charity Farrell brings Bowles to LIFE!

As the music begins in their 3rd practice venue, the Cannery, the cast takes a deep breath knowing once it starts, its full-on CABARET! Charity Farrell, who shines as Sally Bowles, the show’s broken, scarred female lead, puts every inch of her soul into the role. ‘I understand Sally. ADHD, the struggles, her demons….yet she controls the room!’ Farrell’s MAYBE THIS TIME is goosebump worthy. ‘I have been in many, many shows, but I can feel the support of this company. They are so generous and giving as a cast!’

Midway through practice, they EMCEE, brought to ‘bigger-than-life status by 6’4″ newcomer, Alex Everett, belts out one of his many tunes with wonderfully eerie tones and strange physicality. Lights change, music fades and we are back in a 1930’s apartment building awaiting the ‘play within a play’ transition.

Although the show has songs we all know, many times people forget the backdrop….the beginning of the Rise of the Nazis. ‘You forget what complacency does,’ says Amy Askins, who brings her character, Fraulein Kost, a delicious, slutty energy. ‘The shows begs us to pay attention to what’s happening around us. For my character, it’s about survival.  She tries to make the best of things in a world about to turn upside-down. She gives us a glimpse into her heart, and we see how some people must sell their soul to get by.’

The cast, uniquely diverse, is well suited for the political drama. ‘The storyline is so important. Our cast is made up of so many minorities and it highlights the idea of hatred and ignorance in the script.’ says Naman Clark, a Dayton Theater staple. ‘You see why we have to stand up for what is right.’

The lights are on as rehearsals start at D2D!

CABARET has had many revivals, many versions of the same tale. Drennen looked to make his version pertinent to today, without losing sight of its roots. Take the cherished character of Fraulein Schneider. ‘I knew I wanted to use this moment to open peoples’ eyes to all kinds of ways of life. I called Josh Stucky and said, ‘What if you play Schneider?’ Stucky, a well-known drag queen in the Dayton Area,  jumped at the opportunity.

Winters, Stucky and Everett ready themselves for Cabaret!

‘First of all, I love Schneider. She’s the backbone in CABARET in many ways. And I feel playing her gives all of us a voice….men, women, trans, whatever! She doesn’t need to be any one thing, but rather every kind of thing. I hope to do her justice!’ Stucky’s turn at the tune ‘So What?’ is sweet and endearing, which can also be said for Schneider’s love interest, Dayton theater Patriarch Saul Caplan (Herr Schultz.)

For first-timer Scott Winters, who plays Bobby, his eyes were open to community theater. ‘It is so amazing to see how the pieces fall together and a really great show happens!’ Winters character, a homosexual longing to reunite with the male lead Cliff, dances, sings, and delights as one of the famous Kit Kat Club kids. Dancing is integral in CABARET, and it’s fun, phrenetic and forceful throughout the show…and yes, the Gorilla makes an appearance!

As rehearsal winds down, and Garrett Young’s Clifford Bradshaw leads the cast through the hauntingly unsettled ending, the ensemble sits in an awkward silence. ‘You can feel the broken world we live in in that moment.’ says Young. ‘Each of us trying to figure ourselves out. This leads to the understanding the story is still important today as it was in the 40’s, 60’s 80’s….There is a great cost in doing nothing.’

Theater is back. And so is this importance of story-telling.

Life Is a CABARET and thank GOD this one is open for business!

Show runs 10/13-10/16 at the PNC Art Annex, for 5 shows. There are tickets available at https://www.daytonlive.org/events/cabaret/

The show is sponsored by the RubiGirls and SquareOne Salons.

 

 

Comedy Improv is Back at Black Box Theater

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The Black Box Improv Theater is back! Starting tonight (which is sold out) the laughs return to the stage with a new ownership group. Originally founded in 2012 by Justin Howard, he has turned his focus to corporate consulting.  With the Covid-19 pandemic, the theater closed its doors in March of 2020 unsure what the future held. Thankfully, in the summer of 2021, ten veteran performers and instructors pulled together to take over the space and return the theater to a viable entertainment option for the southwest Ohio region.

Kevin Carter, Garrett Geilenfeldt, James Fritchman,  Othalia Larue,  Jason VonVille,  Teri Herbstreit,  PJ Lindsay, Jonathan Sauline and Bryan Lakatos now share the tasks required to operate the theater.  Some teach, some perform, others handle legal responsibilities, accounting and marketing.  They all pitched in for a big clean up and refresh day, handling some repairs, painting and other refreshes to the space.  They’ve even applied for a liquor license- but for now it’s BYOB.

Shows that are inspired by audience suggestions will be Wed – Sun nights, after this weekends grand re-opening. They feature long form improv featuring  locally grown improvisors and we have a variety of shows ranging from hour long shows based on your personal stories to a local favorite, our improvised musicals!  Our musicals feature the former music director of Second City, Trey Stone.

Another major part of Black Box are the Improv classes.  They are a great way to improve public speaking skills, overcome shyness, meet new friends, and more! In Level 1, students learn to be comfortable and have fun on stage using the #bbimprov approach to improv comedy. They will focus on learning to actively listen and responding in a “YES AND” manner. The listening and awareness techniques you will learn can be invaluable in your personal life, or at your work.  In Level 2, students continue to learn how to be comfortable and have fun on stage using the #bbimprov approach to improv comedy. The  focus is on the rules of improv, including beats, escalation and scene edits.​ More information about classes will be posted to there website soon.

The Black Box Improv Theater

518 East 3rd Street,
Dayton, OH 45402
Shows:
Wed 8pm $5
Thurs 8pm $10
Fri & Sat 8pm $15

Doors open 30 minutes before showtime and seating is first come, first served. Theater and Stage are both handicap accessible and the showroom seats about 100.

 

 

DCDC is “Taking It to the Streets” on Sunday at Levitt Pavilion

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The world-renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company invites the community to their 2021-2022 season kickoff party! “Taking It to the Streets” is a free performance on Sunday, August 29, 2021, at 7 pm at Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton.

 

For the historic local dance company, being able to host an in-person performance has been a long wait. It’s been a year and a half since their last hometown concert, so they decided to make it a free community celebration. They want to reawaken the city with their dancing, special musical guests, food trucks, and more!

 

“Taking It to the Streets” celebrates the company’s collective energy like no other.  This event combines the summer energy of a street party and the innovation of site-specific performance in an open-air concert for the community. These dancers bring the city to life with new pieces celebrating black joy and global culture. “If joy was a protest, this would be our protest march!”

 

Debbie Blunden-Diggs, the Chief Artistic & Producing Director for DCDC, told us she’s super excited about returning to live performance. “This performance lets us celebrate DCDC’s 53rd season with the community we live in!”

 

DCDC’s 53rd season is entitled Evolve(d), and is self-described as a “shift to black joy, embodied global culture, inspiration towards real change, spiritual awakenings for the soul, and communal metamorphosis, all at once and through the humanity of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.” The line-up for Dayton performances includes the beloved holiday piece “The Littlest Angel,” along with 2022’s “Inside Out,” “Dancing in the Light” and “Soulstice: Mahogany Nights.” For more information about season subscriptions and single tickets, visit dcdc.org. Purchase your subscription before September 15th, 2021 and save 10%.

HOW TO GO?
Performance: “Taking It to the Streets”
Date: August 29, 2021
Time: 7 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Dayton Levitt Pavilion, 134 S. Main Street, Dayton, OH 45402  Directions