On Stage Dayton Previews

WSU Winter Dance Concert 2011

March 9, 2011 By Rodney Veal Leave a Comment

How often do you get an opportunity to see the work of locally and nationally renowned Choreographers as danced by young and promising dancers? In Dayton you have the opportunity at least once a year, which is what makes the upcoming Wright State Dance Ensemble concert a must see.

Included in this exciting program are the work of Adam Hougland, chosen by Dance Magazine as one of the 25 artists to watch in 2011, to the works of former Dayton Ballet Dancer, Justin Gibbs and former DCDC dancer Gina Walther, both are now professors at Wright State guiding the next generation of great dancers from our region. Add to this mix is the choreographic work of the amazing Susie Payne, WSU alum and all around terrific lady. This a great chance to see her work before she makes her choreographic debut at Dayton Ballet later in the month for their New Works New Music competition, for which she is a finalist.

WSU Winter Dance Concert 2011

New works performed by Dayton Ballet II & DCDC2, choreographed by Abigail Beam and Rodney Brown respectively, all add to one of the best dance concert offerings in my opinion.

An added bonus is the piece choreographed by Gina Walther to excerpts of Leonard Bernstein’s celebrated Mass. This is a exhilarating collaboration between the Dayton Philharmonic and the Theatre, Dance and Music department of WSU.

All of this for ten dollars makes this is the best artistic bargain in town. It does not get any better than this! This is must see dance programming that you should not miss. I will be there on Saturday, see if you can spot me, swing by and say hello.

WSU WINTER DANCE CONCERT 2011

March 10-13 Adults/$10, Students/$5

Box Office: 937.775.2500

I Don’t Wanna Show Off, No More!

March 3, 2011 By Shane Anderson 12 Comments

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

Victoria Theatre Association & The Human Race Theatre Company

Win Tickets to Opening Night & Cast Party! READ ON!

Five years ago this interesting little musical won five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score. Whoop-de-doo, you might say, but listen to this…The Drowsy Chaperone had a very humble beginning. It started out as, get this, a bachelor party gift. ? Yes. The show originated as a boisterous spoof on old-time, pre-golden-age musicals, performed for the bride and groom Bob Martin & Janet Van De Graaff. Wait…wait, there’s more! Now, try to follow this…Bob Martin (the groom) went on to star in the show (he was the first Tony nominee for Best Actor, whose character didn’t even have a name…he was simply known as “Man in Chair”) AND the lead female character was named Janet Van De Graaff (the bride….but NOT portrayed by the bride, but rather the stunningly beautiful Sutton Foster) who falls in love with an Oil Tycoon named Robert Martin (aka the groom)….and we haven’t even addressed why the chaperone is “drowsy.”

Confused yet? Don’t Be! Just go see this hilarious show!

The show is good-natured fun with lot’s of silly characters and crazy situations. The idea of the show is that the modern-day “Man in Chair” always chooses to listen to his favorite vinyl original cast album, that of the jazz age hit musical “The Drowsy Chaperone,” whenever he is feeling blue. The album always lifts his spirits. We quickly discover why, when the characters from the musical suddenly take over his cramped apartment, transforming his little world into a Broadway spectacle. Various characters include Janet, a “Zeigfeld Follies”-type of showgirl, a stuffy rich dude, a couple of gangsters disguised as bakers, an over-the-top latin lover and the title character, Janet’s “drowsy chaperone” (this grand dame is not sleepy, but rather “tipsy.”)

Victoria Theatre Association & The Human Race Theatre Company are teaming up to present a new production of this nostalgic musical comedy March 8 – 20, 2011 in the Victoria Theatre.

“Delightful, Sparkling Entertainment! You’ll be over the moon! We haven’t seen anything quite this original in a long time.” – Associated Press

The Drowsy Chaperone, the 21st show The Human Race Company has produced for the Victoria Theatre Association’s Broadway Series, is directed and choreographed by Kevin Crewell. The cast includes: Wally Dunn (“Man in Chair”); Pat Linhart (“Mrs. Tottendale”); Scott Stoney (“Underling”); Robb Sapp (“Robert Martin”); Christopher Gurr (“Aldopho”); Megan Nicole Arnoldy “(Janet Van de Graaff”); and Jana Robbins (“The Drowsy Chaperone”), to name a few. John Faas is the Music Director and Conductor, with set designs by J. Branson, provided by Music Theatre of Wichita.

Behind the scenes, Gregg Barnes is Costume Designer, Nathan D. Dean is Sound Designer, and John Rensel is Lighting Designer. Technical crew includes: Technical Director, Scott J. Kimmins; Head Carpenter, D. Tristan Cupp; Production Stage Manager, Heather Jackson; Assistant Choreographer, Megan Nicole Arnoldy; Dance Captain, Eric Byrd; and Properties, Heather Powell.

Now, you might worry, after all that talk about this being a “stag night” show and that you might want to trade in those tickets you bought for your kids or your Mom. Let me reassure you that this is good, clean fun. There might be a few comic sexual innuendos thrown in (as there are in most musical comedies) but overall this show would be appropriate for any age. In 2006 I took my marching band students to NYC, and this was one of the shows we took in. It was a first true Broadway show for many of the students & it served as a great introduction to NY theatre. Those kids and the band parents (non-drowsy variety) all seemed to love the humor and the spectacle of this charming show. I think you will too.

-SA/VTA Press Release

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

Tickets & Performance Information:

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – March 8-20 – Performance Times Vary (click for details)

Tickets Prices: range from $39 to $81

Location: TheVictoria Theatre – 138 N. Main St. Dayton, Ohio 45402 (MAP)

For tickets call Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630, 888-228-3630, online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or visit the Box Office in person, located in the Wintergarden of the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center.

For more information about the Victoria Theatre Association, visit VictoriaTheatre.com. For more information about The Human Race Theatre Company, visit HumanRaceTheatre.org

There will also be an opening night cast party, immediately following the March 8 performance held in the Kettering Reception Room, located on the 3rd floor (Balcony Level) in the Victoria Theatre. The party is free and open to all ticket holders, and includes free hors d’oeuvres and cash bar – plus the possibility of meeting members of the cast.

Audiences are invited to learn more about the show at a free Chase Background on Broadway pre-show talk Saturday, March 12 at 2PM and Thursday, March 17 at 7PM in the Kettering Reception Room. Chase Background on Broadway provides informative and entertaining talks by theatre professionals, focusing on production history, musical highlights, and insider anecdotes. These talks are held prior to the select matinee performances of each show in the Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series. Chase Background on Broadway is free and open to Broadway Series ticket holders, but seating is limited.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE - Victoria Theatre Associaion & The Human Race Theatre Co. - March 8-20, 2011

Sutton Foster as "Janet Van De Graaff" in the Broadway production of The Drowsy Chaperone

Win Free Tickets!

The Victoria Theatre Association, The Human Race Theatre Company & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to the opening night of DROWSY CHAPERONE!

We will be giving away a pair of tickets to the show…BUT…if we get 25 Facebook shares, we’ll double the chances & give away TWO PAIRS OF TICKETS! Additionally, you will get to attend the cast party after the opening night performance! All you need to do is:

Share this article on Facebook or Twitter…just click the appropriate button (above or below the article) and if we reach 25 Likes or Tweets we will give away TWO pairs of tickets.
Fill out the contest entry form below.
Leave a comment in the Speak Your Mind section (below), answering the following question…“The Drowsy Chaperone” is an euphemism for the perpetually drunken state of the character…What is the silliest phrase you use to indicate someone is tipsy? (No Names please…to protect the innocent/guilty).
The deadline to enter is NOON on SATURDAY, March 5th.
Winners will be selected randomly from all of the entries.

Contest Is Now Closed

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zYlgKqexVc’]

Coming Up in Dayton Theatre: 02/24 – 03/09

February 25, 2011 By Dayton937 1 Comment

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24 – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011

“it can be interesting to see if other people – like dead people who wrote books – agree or disagree with what you think… because it makes you – a larger part of the human community.” – Eurydice

I’m currently in the midst of rehearsing to play Eurydice in Sarah Ruhl’s beautiful play of the same title. When asked why she loves books, Eurydice says, “It can be interesting to see if other people – like dead people who wrote books – agree or disagree with what you think… because it makes you – a larger part of the human community.”

Theatre, I believe, does the same. We sit in performance spaces surrounded by other audience members, and all experience a show slightly differently; we perform on stages in front of any number of people, but only focus on the ones in the world of the play; we talk about plays and glance at reviews and comment on upcoming events.

I impulsively went to Chicago this past weekend to see two plays, and was reminded of these concepts as I spent some time in the audience. Seeing shows does bring us closer as human beings, whether with the two people we came with or the 212 in the audience, and that can be incredibly moving. So, these next two weeks, take someone you know to come see one of these shows, and enjoy being a part of that community.

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

Fat Pig

DAYTON THEATRE GUILD

The Story: From the moment they meet, Tom finds Helen witty and charming, and they quickly fall in love. She happens to be quite plus-sized; Tom claims not to mind, but the people around him do. In this daring and provocative play, one of famed and cruelly witty Neil LaBute’s best, we explore societal treatment of the unfit, our despisal in others of what we fear in ourselves, and the ever-relevant question of whether size really matters or not.
Dates: February 11 – 27, 2011
Tickets and More Information: DTG: Fat P ig, DMM preview

Play On

BROOKVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE

The Story: In this behind-the-scenes comedy about an amateur theatre group, novice director Gerry Dunbar deals with a diva actress (supported by her doting husband) and their play’s haughty author (with a plethora of rewrites), rounded out by a cranky stage manager and technician. This riotous comedy exemplifies only too well the old theatre adage – “If it can go wrong… it will.”
Dates: February 17 – 19 & 24 – 26 at 8pm and February 20 & 27 at 3pm
Tickets and More Information: Brookville Flower Shop, (937) 833-3531

The Foreigner

SINCLAIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Story: Charlie is pathologically shy; staying together at a bed and breakfast, his friend decides telling the other guests he is foreign and speaks no English will be the easiest thing to do… but once alone with the guests, he overhears more than he should – and much more than they want him to. “Based on what the NY Post describes as a “devilishly clever idea,” the play demonstrates what can happen when a group of devious characters must deal with a stranger who (they think) knows no English” (Dramatists).
Dates: Continues through Saturday, February 26
Tickets: (937) 512-2808 or http://www.sinclair.edu/arts
More Information: DMM event page, DMM preview

Picnic

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

The Story: In a small town in Kansas, everything is going calmly and according to plan for widow Flo Owens and her two daughters. Madge, the oldest, is on her way to being a trophy wife while the younger, more rambunctious daughter Millie is getting ready to go to college on a scholarship. However, Flo starts to worry about their safety when Hal, a handsome but troubled drifter, shows up… (WSU)
Dates: February 17th-19th & 24th-26th at 8:00 PM, February 20th, 26th, & 27th at 2:00 PM, and February 23rd at 7:00 PM.
Tickets and More Information: (937) 775-2500, onStageDayton Review

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

Honk!

TOWN HALL THEATRE – LANDMARK CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Auditions: February 23, beginning at 3:45 pm; February 26, beginning at 8:45 am. Register in advance.

THT: Berenstein Bears (2011) (Photo Credit Mike Long)

Performances: May 6 – 22, 2011
The Story: “Right from the start, Billy, Beaky, Downy and Fluff start flapping and squawking over their freshly-hatched brother duck. He just doesn’t seem right. His feet are way too big, he’s a lousy quacker and, well, he looks downright ugly! Even his parents are embarrassed to show him to the rest of the barnyard. Feeling miserable and alone, “Ugly” leaves home and begins a dangerous journey that will take him to a place where he, too, can be beautiful.” (THT)
Directed by Brittany Hayden-Hinkle
More Information: (937) 433-8957, Town Hall Theatre

La Cage Aux Folles

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Auditions: February 28 & March 1, 2011 (Callbacks March 3 & 4)
Performances: May 13 – 29, 2011
The Story: George (a glitzy nightclub owner) and his partner Albin (also the glamorous chanteuse Zaza)’s son is getting married… and in this musical, he brings his fiancée’s conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair. “The bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly [in this] tuneful and touching tale of one family’s struggle to stay together… stay fabulous… and above all else, stay true to themselves!”
Directed by Doug Lloyd
More Information: Dayton Playhouse: Auditions

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

First Friday

DOWNTOWN DAYTON PARTNERSHIP

The Basics: In this monthly event, Dayton showcases a variety of artistic, creative, and fun events and locations downtown. Gallery exhibits and entertainment provide a great way to discover downtown and have a great time!
Date: Friday, March 4 (and the first Friday of every month!)
More Information and Events Listing: Downtown Dayton partnership: First Friday

~KN

Victoria Theatre Association Reveals 2011-12 Season

February 23, 2011 By Shane Anderson Leave a Comment

VICTORIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION

2011-2012 Season Announcement

The Victoria Theatre Association hosted a special event Tuesday evening to announce their upcoming season to a Wintergarden-packed collection of special guests, subscribers and donors. The event had a theatrical flair complete with special lighting, dramatically unfurled banners, a prop or two and even a cash bar. The focus of the event was to build a buzz for the upcoming productions that will be included on the various series offered by the organization for the 2011-12 season.

The line up includes many titles that will be familiar to Dayton audiences. The biggest surprise of the evening was the announcement that Wicked would make a return trip to the Gem City. The musical broke VTA box office records just a year ago. The witches will return to the Schuster Center in Spring 2012. The big questions will be whether or not the Dayton market will be able to support another 3 1/2 week run of the mega-musical, and whether the VTA staff will ever be willing to voluntarily wear green again.

Some promising moments in the Broadway series include the first visit of Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony Award winning musical and Wishful Drinking starring Carrie Fisher, the one woman Broadway show starring everyone’s favorite inter-galactic princess.

The Human Race Theatre Company’s contribution to the 2011-12 Broadway series will be the world premiere production of Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical. This musical about the legendary stage & screen star from the Cincinnati area was developed by area writers Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman. The show received a developmental workshop in the Human Race Theatre Co. 2010 summer Musical Theatre Workshop.

There are additional local ties in at least two of the productions on the schedule. 1986 Wright State University alum Brad Sherwood, mostly widely recognized from his appearances on the TV program Whose Line Is It Anyways? will return to Dayton in Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Two Man Group. Muse Machine alum Benjamin Magnuson will appear in the cast of the 25th anniversary production of Les Miserables. Ben has a couple major Broadway credits under his belt, most notably his performance as Anthony in the recent John Doyle revival of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, alongside Patti Lupone & Michael Cerveris.

Besides a few questionable selections, the 2011-2012 line up of VTA performances should prove to be fairly well received, yet it still seems like very safe programming. I can understand the desire to play it safe in the current economic climate, but I was really hoping that there would be at least a couple of envelope pushing titles (similar to the inclusion of Spring Awakening & Avenue Q on this season’s Star Attractions…perhaps Next To Normal or even the recent revival of Hair). It sounds as if the upcoming Avenue Q is selling quite well, so I hope that there are a couple of additional Star Attractions, yet to be named, even if only one-night-only affairs.

Below is the official press information for each of the shows listed in four of the major series offered. The VTA offers additional programs such as The Discovery Series for kids, the Mid-Day Arts Cafe, the ImPACT series and other educational opportunities. Read about these other offerings and more information about the organization at www.VictoriaTheatre.com.

Season subscriptions for the 2011-2012 Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series are on sale now via Ticket Center Stage and may be purchased at the Box Office, online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or by phone 937/228-3630 or toll free at 888/228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday noon – 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance.

Victoria Theatre Association 2011-2012 Selections:

Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

October 4 – 9, 2011– Schuster Center

The classic Mel Brooks movie is ALIVE…and it’s headed to Dayton! This wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein (that’s Fronkensteen) as he attempts to create a monster — but not without scary and hilarious complications. The brains behind the laughter is mad genius and three-time Tony® winner Mel Brooks himself — who wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book along with his record-breaking, award-winning team from The Producers.

Adult situations and language.

TRACES

December 6 – 18, 2011 – Victoria Theatre

TRACES combines awe-inspiring acrobatics with infectious urban energy. With versatile artists who deliver dazzling, gravity-defying displays of skill, dance, and acrobatic brilliance. Created by 7 Fingers, an astonishingly talented company that has pioneered a whole new brand of theatrical entertainment, this unique new show is described as “Family Friendly and Urban Date Night Cool!” by Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune.

JERSEY BOYS

January 17 – February 5, 2012 – Schuster Center

Too Good to Be True!,” raves the New York Post for JERSEY BOYS, the 2006 Tony Award®-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30! JERSEY BOYS, winner of the 2006 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album and most recently, the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

Authentic, profane Jersey language and adult situations.

TENDERLY: The Rosemary Clooney Musical
By Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman
produced by The Human Race Theatre Company

February 21 – March 4, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

The story of film actress and legendary singer Rosemary Clooney comes to life on stage in TENDERLY, an engaging new musical that captures the highlights of her amazing career and the challenges she faced as wife, mother and performer. Hear her beloved and classic songs, meet the characters who touched her life, and follow this remarkable woman on a journey that leads to ultimate triumph.

WISHFUL DRINKING starring Carrie Fisher

April 10 – 22, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

The daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher became a cultural icon when she starred as “Princess Leia” in the first Star Wars trilogy at 19 years old. Forever changed, Carrie’s life did not stay picture perfect. Fisher is the life of the party in this uproarious and sobering look at her Hollywood hangover. A colorful evening of what Fisher calls “talking about myself behind my back,” Wishful Drinking is a breezy combination of one-liners and behind-the-Hollywood-scenes-gossip, all relayed with Fisher’s withering, dry humor.

Adult language and situations.

WICKED

May 30 – June 24, 2012 – Schuster Center

Entertainment Weekly calls WICKED “the best musical of the decade,” and when it first played Dayton in 2010, it broke box office records and sold out in record time. Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards, WICKED is Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, a cultural phenomenon and was just named “the defining musical of the decade” by The New York Times.

THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS

October 7, 2011 – Victoria Theatre

Four times triumphant on Broadway, the award-winning Flying Karamazov Brothers are back with an unforgettable spectacle of music, comedy, dance, theatre and juggling. “100 minutes of cleverness and comedy go by in a flash,” “It’s the Julliard String Quartet meets Monty Python,” and “as close to a sure thing as can be found on stage.” “It’s unleashed fun!” Come join the Flying K’s in proving with each unique performance, that the unexpected events in our lives are the best part of being human.

GONE MADIGAN with KATHLEEN MADIGAN

February 3, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

“One of America’s funniest female comics” (Jay Leno), “The funniest woman in America” (Lewis Black) and “One of my favorite comedians” (Bob Costas), comedienne Kathleen Madigan has made a name for herself around the globe since her winning bout on the 2004 “Last Comic Standing.” In addition to three CDs and now four DVDs of her hilarious work, she has been seen extensively on TV including E!, CNN, “The Tonight Show” (10 appearances), “The Late Show with David Letterman” (5 appearances), “The Conan O’Brien Show,” HBO, Comedy Central, and ESPN.

COLIN MOCHRIE & BRAD SHERWOOD: TWO MAN GROUP

April 28, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, stars of the EmmyR-nominated “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” have teamed up to present an evening of extraordinary improvisational comedy. Using their quick wit, Colin and Brad take contributions from the audience to create hilarious and original scenes — just like a live version of “Whose Line”! Their high-profile presentations have played to sold-out venues all over the country. “A two-hour laugh riot!” – Springfield Sun News

Star Attractions appeal to the cultural and ethnic variety of our community and may include blockbuster Broadway hits, cutting-edge off-Broadway theatre, family-friendly shows and concerts. Ranging from one-week runs to single-evening events, Victoria Theatre Association’s Star Attractions are presented to appeal to a variety of different audiences and guaranteed to provide you with the finest entertainment.

DAVID SEDARIS

October 27, 2011 – Victoria Theatre

The celebrated NPR humorist comes to the Victoria Theatre for an evening of cutting wit, social satire, and riveting conversation, including a question and answer session! Experience live, the hilarious brilliance that created the national bestsellers: Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, and his latest best-seller, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. “One of America’s most prickly and most delicious, young comic talents.” – The Washington Post

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT

October 30, 2011 – Schuster Center

Winner of the 2005 Tony® Award for Best Musical, Monty Python’s SPAMALOT is the outrageous new musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Directed by Tony® Award-winner Mike Nichols, with a book by Eric Idle and music and lyrics by the Grammy® Award-winning team of Mr. Idle and John Du Prez, SPAMALOT tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences everywhere are eating up SPAMALOT.

Adult content.

LES MISÉRABLES

November 22 – 27, 2011 – Schuster Center

DREAM THE DREAM. Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25^th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes. The New York Times calls this LES MISÉRABLES “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.” NY1-TV proclaims “musical theatre fans can rejoice: ‘Les Miz’ is born again.”

BAM PERCUSSION: THE BLUE BARREL SHOW

November 5 & 6, 2011

Meet three completely odd characters who will have you rolling – and dancing! – in the aisles: BAM! Fabulous drumming is mixed with zany, slide-splitting humor, and the results are contagious. With audience participation, quick-witted humor and impeccable timing, BAM has performed for thousands all around the world, including extensive tours of Europe, Canada, Asia, South America, Africa and more, making it clear we all laugh in the same language.

GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS

December 3 & 4, 2011

Exponents of the 25-century-old tradition of Chinese acrobatics, the Golden Dragon Acrobats defeat gravity and fear with feats of balancing, tumbling and startling gymnastic wizardry. They captivate audiences everywhere with the charm and swashbuckling showmanship of ancient skills, such as the Dancing Plates, the Diablo Yo-Yo, and The Tower of Chairs. Don’t miss this thrilling parade of contortionists, jugglers and dizzying, seat-wiggling entertainment.

STINKY CHEESE MAN & OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES

Based on the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

February 4 & 5, 2012

Poor Jack. He’s got to use his wits to save himself from the terrible Giant, but a host of familiar fairytale characters keep messing up his plans – and then there’s that annoying Stinky Cheese Man! The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales deconstructs the tradition of the fairy tale. Characters slide in and out of tales, Cinderella rebuffs Rumpelstiltskin, and Goldilocks meets the Three Elephants. Nothing is quite the same as you remember it, but all is hilariously fun!

THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS LIVE

March 24 & 25, 2012

Seatbelts everyone! The Magic School Bus® celebrates its 25th anniversary with an all-new musical adventure. Ms. Frizzle’s students are putting on a play about global warming, and they need some cold, hard facts. The Friz and her reptilian sidekick, Liz, know just where to find them! This is no ordinary field trip, as a hop on the Magic School Bus takes the class and the audience on a whirlwind tour. From the Arctic to the Equator, they see telltale signs of climate change and learn how conservation, recycling and alternative energy can make a positive difference.

Tickets & Performance Information:

WHY SUBSCRIBE?

Series subscribers receive many perks, including VIP service and the chance to purchase single tickets to shows before tickets go on sale to the general public.

GUARANTEED SEATS & THE BEST SEATS.

By the time tickets go on sale, the best seats will be snatched up by our series subscribers. Sometimes just getting a seat at all is a challenge! Buy the series of your choice and get the best seats for every show!

SAVINGS.

With the Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Broadway Series, you’re getting six shows for the price of five– and saving as much as 15 percent over buying single tickets. Subscribe to all six Broadway shows for as little as $244, the three-show Variety series for as little as $83, and our five-show Family series for just $52!

ADVANCE SALE OPPORTUNITIES.

All series subscribers or season ticket holders can buy extra tickets to series shows–including JERSEY BOYS and WICKED–before they go on sale to the general public. Plus, you get the first crack at tickets to new shows as they’re added to our calendar!

FLEXIBILITY.

With subscriber exchange privileges, you can change your plans and change your seats for another performance time–no problem! A small up-charge fee will be applied if you switch into a more expensive performance.

TICKET INSURANCE.

If you misplace your tickets, just call Ticket Center Stage and we’ll reprint them for you.

DISCOUNTED PARKING.

Only series subscribers can purchase prepaid parking at the Arts Garage at Second and Ludlow Streets (to the west of the Schuster Center) at a discount! You’ll pay only $5 a park–instead of $7 for event parking. Parking packages are available for all three series.

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT.

Mark your calendar now with as many great performances as you like. We all need to relax and recharge, and there’s nothing like a fabulous performance to do just that!

SEASON TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!

To become a Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series subscriber, call Ticket Center Stage, at (937) 228-3630 (toll free (888) 228-3630), or subscribe online.

Not a subscriber? Call 937/228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com and purchase your subscription today!

Please note: New subscribers will be seated per their requests once renewing subscriber’s requests have been handled.

-SA/VTA Press Release

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

Mistaken Identity: Classic Farce Opens at Sinclair

February 16, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The Foreigner

SINCLAIR THEATRE

Larry Shue loved his comedy. And not just any comedy – but slapstick, drag down, knock out, CLASSIC comedy. Even though The Foreigner opened to sell-out audiences in Milwaukee in 1984, the script feels more like the golden age of comedy a la Sid Caesar. Under the expert direction of Nelson Sheeley, Sinclair Theatre tackles Shue’s classic romp beginning this weekend.

Set in a resort fishing lodge in Georgia, the comedy revolves around two of its guests, Englishman Charlie Baker and Staff Sergeant Froggy LeSueur. Charlie is so painfully shy that he is unable to speak. To explain it away, Froggy claims his companion is the native of an exotic country who does not understand a word of English. Before long, Charlie finds himself privy to assorted secrets and scandals freely discussed in front of him by the other visitors. These include spoiled Southern belle Catherine Simms and the man to whom she is somewhat reluctantly engaged,and impregnated by, the Reverend David Lee, a seemingly humble preacher with a dark underside. Her younger brother, Ellard, a chubby and somewhat “slow” boy is a simpleton who tries to teach Charlie how to speak English. Owen Musser, the racist county property inspector, plans to oust property owner Betty Meeks and convert the lodge into a meeting place for the Ku Klux Klan.

The Foreigner is undoubtedly a great evening of laugh-out-loud antics.

It’s hilarity heaped upon hilarity in a style as old as the Greeks, perfected by Carol Burnett, and still the stuff of television sitcoms. In an unprecedented feat for such a wild farce, Shue won two Obie Awards and two Outer Circle Critics Award for Best New American Play and Outstanding Off-Broadway Production of 1984. The only other major return to New York for the play was the 2004 Roundabout Theatre Production starring the then fresh-off-The Producers Matthew Broderick. However, Shue never saw the success of his work following the Milwaukee original cast as he passed away just one year after its premiere. He was just 39, and still his two major plays – The Foreigner and 1981’s The Nerd are indeed a part of the American Theatre fabric.

The Sinclair cast includes: Chris Hahn, Isaac Hollister, Melissa Kerr Ertsgaard, Nick Moberg, Sarah Parsons, Travis Clyburn and Steven Brotherton.

-DB

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

Tickets & Performance Information:

Larry Schue’s THE FOREIGNER – February 08-26 – Performance Times Vary (click for details)

Tickets Prices: $15 Adult; $10 Students/Seniors/Sinclair Employees

Location: Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2, Sinclair Community College – 444 West Third St, Dayton, OH 45402 (MAP)

Tickets are on sale now through Sinclair Theatre’s Online Box Office, or via phone at (937) 512-2808

For more information about Dayton Theatre Guild’s entire 2010-2011 season, visit http://www.sinclair.edu/arts/theatre/season/index.cfm or contact Sinclair Theatre via email at [email protected]

Shhhhh….

February 11, 2011 By Shane Anderson 1 Comment

Vincent Holiday

Dirty Little Secret

presented by J.T. Ryder & Vincent Holiday

A while back, while at the DMM contributor holiday party, J.T. Ryder mentioned to me that he was putting together a new kind of show. Now, J.T. Ryder has quite a backstory – he’s a mysterious, intellectual, no-nonsense kind of guy…used to work in the circus (no joke), used to guard diamonds (no joke), seriously loves the Dew (addiction) and passionate about what he does (whatever that is) – I was more than a little bit intrigued about what kind of show this guy might be developing, especially when words like vaudeville and burlesque started creeping into the conversation. A little over a month later, that show is a reality. J.T. Ryder and Vincent Holiday will be presenting A DIRTY LITTLE SECRET next Wednesday night in the Oregon District’s Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub and they’ve got an interesting line-up.

I had a few more questions for J.T. about what exactly this secret is:

onStageDayton: When we first spoke about this new show happening, it was being billed as a burlesque or vaudeville-style show. What exactly are we talking about here?

Geborah

J.T. Ryder: I originally began describing Dirty Little Secret as a burlesque style event, but that was a bit of a misnomer. Although it has elements of burlesque and vaudeville, it has evolved into more of a variety show. I would like to have some true burlesque in the show, but most of what I am seeing is more like plain old stripping. It would be great if I could find something local that was more in the realm of skit comedy, kitsch or a classy portrayal rather than just pasties and panties. I think that the show has evolved into the realm that it needs to be in: a wide ranging variety show of divergent acts that an audience would never really see all in one place.

OSD: When I think “variety show” I think of Rowan & Martin, Sonny & Cher , The Gong Show and all the Late Night programs. Images of stupid human tricks, chimps on tricycles and ukelele-wielding musicians come to mind. What genres of entertainment can audiences expect?

Patricia Berg

J.T.: Well, there is Henrique Couto, who is a comedic musician, and he will be opening the show with songs and banter. Geborah will then take the stage and she is a jazz hip-hop dancer, and I’m even intrigued to see what she is going to come up with. Patricia Berg is next up. She is an absolutely phenomenal vocalist. She has performed in such elegant venues that I finally had to ask her what she expected from this show and it came down to the vibe and the creativity that this show offered. Rounding out the show will be Underbelly, which is a comedy/improve troupe out of Cincinnati. Holding the whole thing together will be our emcee, Vincent Holiday, who will introduce and interview the acts as well as doing some of his own monologues. It’s kind of like a Tarantino soundtrack: it is all from different genres and different eras, but it all seems to blend well together.

OSD: This event is taking place in Wiley’s Comedy Club in the Oregon District. Is there anything planned to give the experience a different vibe than a night at the comedy club?

Underbelly

J.T.: Yes, there is also going to be a special wait staff in place. I want the whole evening to be an immersive experience from the moment the customer walks through the door. The waitresses will be decked out in their favorite retro/pin-up style outfit and will be a prominent part of the evening. I know one girl has a little 1940’s style outfit prepared, with black fishnet stockings and all the accouterments. I have not been really specific as far as era or anything…I think it will be fun just to see what everyone shows up in.

OSD: J.T. I have a question that you don’t want to answer. It’s regarding teh fishnet stockings that you mentioned in the above answer and Henrico. ((Publishers Note: this question has been removed for public decency reasons. It involved J.T. Ryder’s Dirty Little Secret and fishnet stockings. -B. Pote)

J.T.: My God, Shane! I can’t believe that you would ask me such a question! You should be ashamed! Ashamed I say!

OSD: The show sounds really intriguing and I’m sure other performers in the area might be interested in getting involved in future editions. Will there be more “Dirty Little Secrets” down the road? What other types of acts would you be interested in including?

Henrique Couto

J.T.: We are kind of waiting to see what the outcome of this show is before cementing the next show in place. There has been a lot of interest from various performers and artists that want to be involved. Some of the elements that will be added to future shows will be theatrical groups, storytellers and music from different genres like boogie-woogie and surf music. I am also looking for people with skills for short sets like jugglers, magicians and entertainers such as that. The one thing we do have set in stone is a show coming up on March 23rd which will feature The Invisible Man Corporation, which is a true sideshow out of Austin, Texas.

OSD: Austin, Texas? The city has a motto of “Keep Austin Weird.” I imagine The Invisible Man Corp. Sideshow is pretty entertaining. I’ll have to google them.

J.T.: They have the whole freakshow thing in place. There is a sword swallower, a fire-eater, a glass eater, a glass walker, a human blockhead…they have it all. It should be a very, very interesting evening.

Tickets & Performance Information:

J.T. Ryder and Vincent Holiday Presents A DIRTY LITTLE SECRET

When: Wednesday, February 16th at 8:00 pm.

Where: Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub at 101 Pine St. in the Oregon District.

Who: Vincent Holiday, Henrique Couto, Geborah, Patricia Berg and Underbelly.

How: Admission is $10.00 – Reservations can be made by calling (937) 224-5653.

Booze: Cash Bar with drink specials (credit cards will be accepted, but no tabs will be run).

-SA

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

Coming Up in Dayton Theatre: 02/10 – 02/23

February 10, 2011 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

ETC: Cait Doyle's Hot Mess in Manhattan

Thursday, February 10 – Wednesday, February 23

Renowned dancer Twyla Tharp observed that the arts are the only way one can run away without leaving home, and the shows in the greater Miami Valley area these next two weeks reflect that concept well. While there are a couple of deeper shows, there are quite a few comedies and musicals, which range across a spectrum from the witty Twelfth Night to humorous Hello, Dolly! One thing all of these shows have in common, however, is the ability to remove us from the stresses of our daily lives. This is also true of the deeper plays – like Fat Pig – which can provide escape while concurrently challenging us to consider social issues. This can be just an effective a tool for kids busy with school, so be sure to check out the children’s auditions while you’re at it. For those two or two and a half hours, you can step away from whatever occupies your thoughts, relax, and just enjoy a show… “running away” to take a breath, reenergize, and just laugh.

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

The Last 5 Years

SPRINGFIELD STAGEWORKS

The Story: Cathy is a struggling actress; Jamie, a rising writer. Over the course of five years, they fall in and out of love, The Last 5 Years chronicling that journey in an emotionally powerful and intimate song cycle.
Dates: February 10 – 13, 2011 One weekend only!
Tickets: $10 at the door
More Information: Springfield StageWorks