On Stage Dayton Previews

Disney’s Resourceful Young Hero & Wise-Cracking Genie Come To Miamisburg

August 26, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

Childrens’ Performing Arts of Miamisburg is proud to present Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. Sept 12-21 at the Memorial Auditorium on South Sixth Street at Park in Miamisburg. This current favorite Broadway hit is popular with kids of all ages! Music written by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Tim Rice and Howard Ashman. Additional lyrics and book adapted by Jim Luigs.

With one rub of the magic lamp, you will be transported into a world of color and energy. Hitch a ride on the magic carpet and travel to Agrabah – the City of Enchantment – where every beggar has a story, every camel has a tail and every citizen can sing and dance. When a street urchin falls for the Sultan’s daughter, it’s love at first sight! But the power-hungry Jafar has other plans for these two and he will stop at nothing to become Ruler himself! Enter a cunning and ingenious genie and let the fun begin!

Aladdin Jr performances are Fridays, Sept 12 and Sept 19 at 7:00 pm., Saturdays, Sept 13 and 20 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm and Sundays, Sept 14 and 21 at 3:00 pm. Tickets are available from the CPAM website or at the door (subject to availability) Ticket prices are $13 for adults (19-59) and $11 for seniors, students and military. Discount pricing for groups of 10 or more. All performances are at the MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM South Sixth Street at Park in Miamisburg. For more information, call 937 867 0353.

Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg (CPAM) is a non-profit children’s theater dedicated to promote, to all area youth, the appreciation of the performing arts through education, practice and performance. Our goal is to enrich the lives of those participants by strengthening the performing arts community.

Twisted Cabaret A Decadent Dish

August 20, 2014 By Rodney Veal

A one night only event,Twisted Cabaret is a music and dance extravaganza geared for mature audiences, hosted by the one and only, Mahoganay Halsten Soule as a fundraiser for the Women and Dance fall concert, Opening Doors. Twisted Cabaret will transport you back to the decadent cabaret shows of the 1920s and 30s, brought forward with a contemporary and mischievous twist! The evening of performance will feature dance, live music, comedy and theater. Twisted Cabaret is an experience you will never forget!

Twisted Cabaret is a one night event which takes place at 1101 E 2nd St, Suite 2120, Dayton, Ohio 45403. Doors open at 8:30pm.
An evening at the Twisted Cabaret begins with Cocktail Time at half past 8 o’clock followed by The Show at 9pm. After The Show, there’s only one thing left to do, and that’s to party with the entertainers!
For more information go to www.LauranaWong.com

August 23, 2014

8:30PM

Tickets for Twisted Cabaret are only $20 and available now at www.BrownPaperTickets.com
Space is very limited
#dateyourcity

Master of the personal, embarrassing tale- Mike Birbiglia Brings Tour To Dayton

June 18, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Award-winning comedian, author, and filmmaker MIKE BIRBIGLIA returns to the stage with more painfully awkward stories in a show about jokes, and how they can get you in trouble. Join Birbiglia as he he gets arrested in New Jersey, screamed at by a famous director, heckled by Statler and Waldorf, and attacked by zombie rodents. Ira Glass of public radio’s “This American Life” writes“Birbiglia’s stories are even funnier live than they are on the radio.” Time Magazine calls Birbiglia “master of the personal, embarrassing tale.” The New York Times describes him as a “supremely enjoyable monologist.”Recommended for ages 21 and up.

Over the past 12 years comedian MIKE BIRBIGLIA has developed a one-of-a-kind storytelling style in the world of standup comedy. His recent off-Broadway hit, My Girlfriend‘s Boyfriend, won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo Show and was named a Critics Pick by The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Time Out New York. Following a successful New York run, Mike brought the show to more than 70 cities worldwide, including the Sydney Opera House, London’s Soho Theatre, and Carnegie Hall. The show was filmed in Seattle and debuted on Netflix; it was recently released on CD/DVD and on iTunes.

Mike has also made more than 40 network television appearances on shows including “Letterman,””Kimmel,””Conan,””Craig Ferguson,” and “Jimmy Fallon.”He is a regular contributor to the Peabody Award winning radio show “This American Life.” Birbiglia has released four albums, and both The Onion andUSA Today named My Secret Public Journal Live one of “The Best Comedy Albums of the Decade.”

In 2012, Mike directed and starred in the feature film adaptation of his one-man show Sleepwalk With Me. The film won an audience award at the Sundance Film Festival, was released in theaters nationwide by IFC Films and was one of the top three most critically acclaimed comedies of the year on Rotten Tomatoes, with top critics rating it 87 percent.

Currently Mike is touring the country with his all-new show, THANK GOD FOR JOKES, and is planning his follow-up feature film.

Mike Birbiglia will perform one-night only at the Victoria Theatre on Friday, September 12, at 7:30 PM. Tickets are priced $49 and $39 and can be purchased at Ticket Center Stage, located in the Wintergarden of the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, by calling (937) 228-3630, toll-free (888) 228-3630 or online atwww.ticketcenterstage.com.

Buy your tickets now before they go on sale to the public on June 20! Use code JOKES at www.TicketCenterStage.com/presale by 11:59 p.m. June 19, 2014.*

*Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2014. When buying online or by phone, a $5 service fee is added to each ticket. Subject to availability. Some additional restrictions and additional fees may apply.

From Elvis Tribute Shows To Touring Elvis

June 17, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

It sounds like the beginning of a joke, or some impossible showbiz fairy tale: “Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins walk into a recording studio…”

And yet, on December 4, 1956, at Sun Records in Memphis, it happened, and they jammed on record together for the first and only time. Perkins, riding the success of “Blue Suede Shoes,” was in with his band to cut some new material. Cash, a fellow Sun artist and a fan of Perkins, dropped by to listen. Sun’s owner, Sam Philips (“The Father of Rock and Roll”), added Lewis to Perkins’ session in search of a more rockabilly sound. Presley, with a girlfriend in tow, stopped by to say hello. And then, magic happened.

Before they were famous, it wasn’t unusual for several of these guys to play together at rent parties, in after-hours joints—but this was the only time any such summit was preserved for history.

Million Dollar Quartet, the 2010 Broadway musical that dramatizes this meeting, will rock the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center starting tonight and running June 17 – 22 as part of Victoria Theatre Association’s Premier Health Broadway Series. A litany of classic hits including “Hound Dog,” “I Walk the Line,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Fever,” and many more are performed with electric gusto by an unbelievably talented cast of actor/musicians playing their own instruments.

The tour cast includes H. Bradley Waters as Carl Perkins, John Countryman as Jerry Lee Lewis (a role that won Levi Kreis a Tony Award), Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash, and Tyler K. Hunter as Elvis Presley.

Hunter, a country singer who began doing Elvis tribute shows in his youth, has been part of the M$Q tour for a year and a half.

“I’ve never done any acting before,” he said, “or anything like that. I do country music, but they called and asked if I wanted to audition, so I took a bus to New York.”

“It’s a blast,” he said of the show’s process. “When we come into rehearsals, our musical director—Eric Schaeffer, a very talented, smart guy who works the ‘theatre’ side of things—tells us to pick up our instruments and start jamming, like a regular band. Then we throw in the dialogue, and there it is. We’re a band. These guys become like your family, like best friends. It’s a really tight bond.”

When the show premiered on Broadway in 2010, New York Magazine called it “a dazzling raucous spectacle that sounds like a million bucks,” but Hunter downplays that, painting a down-home portrait of four scrappy young fellas as regular joes on the cusp of igniting the world.

“You get an idea of who these guys are and where they come from, ‘50s Memphis. These are buddies just coming in and hanging—real guys, you know? No different from you or me or anybody else.”

He uses that approach to inform his portrayal of Elvis, going for an evocation as opposed to an impersonation. Hunter, who does not resemble Elvis offstage, pulls a transformation onstage and presents a stunning take that evokes The King’s presence.

“A wig, some makeup…I dunno,” he said casually. “There are a few guys out there whoreally look like Elvis, but no one’s going to sound exactly like him. I try to do just enough so if you’re sitting back in your seat and catch a glimpse of me, there’s a split second where you think, ‘Wow, that’s Elvis.’ That’s all it takes, that split second. Then they’re on board with you even if you go somewhere they don’t completely expect.”

“You know, we think about Elvis, probably one of the most famous people since Jesus Christ, and we forget that he was a real person. These were all real people. They had their feelings hurt, they laughed, they did all the same things as us—they just had really cool jobs. When I’m up there, I try to capture that aspect. At this point, he’s 21 years old. He’s a kid. You remember how you were at 21? That’s what I try to capture.”

In Million Dollar Quartet, Hunter-as-Elvis performs songs like “Long Tall Sally” and “Peace in the Valley,” but Hunter dreams of singing his own material someday.

“I’ll always be an Elvis fan, but I would love to do my own thing. I’ve been writing songs for a little while now, and country music is what I grew up on. It comes naturally when I sing. I’m from Nebraska and kind of a redneck, and it’s just who I am. We’ve got some good people coming together to hopefully make a great album of original country music.”

But for now, he knows, The King still reigns.

“I definitely am very grateful and fortunate with the job I have, and the fantastic people I work with. We’re playing live music, which is a blast, and we get to pick up our instruments and play every single day. I really enjoy it, especially the finale. That’s when we get to rock out, just let it all hang out for ten or so minutes.”

Talented musicians jamming together—that’s what Million Dollar Quartet is all about.

“It’s got that raw, bluesy feeling that comes with rockabilly. You get that experience of being a fly on the wall and seeing this really cool moment. It’s not your typical Broadway show. We’re recreating a one-time thing with real people who were just buddies hanging out.”

Performances run from Tuesday, June 17 to Sunday, June 22. Group sales are underway for groups of 20 or more. Groups may call Betty Gould at 937/228-7591 ext. 3074. Tickets start at $25 and are on sale now at Ticket Center Stage, located in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center, by phone 937-228-3630, toll-free at 888-228-3630 or online at www.ticketcenterstage.com. For information on the production, visitwww.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com

Million Dollar Quartet Opens June 17th Ticket Contest

June 13, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro 5 Comments

The national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET,inspired by the electrifying true story, will make its DAYTON premiere June 17-22 at The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center as part of Victoria Theatre Association’s Premier Health Broadway Series. Tickets are on sale now at Ticket Center Stage, by calling 937-228-3630, 888-228-3630 or online atwww.ticketcenterstage.com.

The international Tony® Award-Winning musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, gathered the four legendary musicians at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “See Ya Later, Alligator,” “Fever,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more.

Portraying these icons are, H. Bradley Waters as Carl Perkins, John Countryman as Jerry Lee Lewis, Tyler K. Hunter as Elvis Presley and Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash. Vince Nappo plays the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Sam Phillips. The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Patrick Morrow (Fluke, drums) and Corey Kaiser (Jay Perkins, bass). Rounding out the company are: Andrew Frace, Robby Kipferl,Stephanie Lynne Mason, Sean McGibbon, David Sonneborn, and H. Bradley Waters.

The show is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design),Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).

When the Broadway production opened in April 2010, critics and audiences leapt to their feet in unanimous praise. The New York Times called the show, “a buoyant new musical that whips the crowd into a frenzy,” New York Magazine labeled it, “a dazzling raucous spectacle that sounds like a million bucks,” and NY1 called it, “90 minutes of platinum grade entertainment.” The musical continued its successful New York engagement at New World Stages through June 2012.

The longest-running musical production in Chicago’s history, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET opened in 2008and continues to perform to packed houses at the Apollo Theatre. The West End production played at the Noël Coward Theatre in London in 2011, and a Las Vegas production began performances at Harrah’s Showroom in Las Vegas in February 2013.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET won a Tony Award^® for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and received a Tony Award^® nomination for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical (Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux). The show received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance.

DMM Ticket Contest:

We’re sending one lucky winner and their guest to opening night on Tues, June 17th. Like this post, and fill out the form below to be entered in our random drawing. We’ll announce our winner Sunday. [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

A sychronized DCDC at the Dayton Art Institute

April 3, 2014 By Rodney Veal Leave a Comment

Another excellent chance to see the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company as it presents Synchronicity, a unique concert in collaboration with student musicians attending two of the company’s university partners, Central State University and Wright State University as well as South Dayton Dance Theatre. Special guest artist, Dayton’s very own renowned jazz musician, Khalid Moss and his Trio, will also perform. Mr. Khalid’s trio features Eddie Brookshire on bass and Fenton Sparks on drums. The performance takes place on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 7:30pm and Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 3:00pm in the Renaissance Auditorium at the Dayton Art Institute.

For tickets to Synchronicity please contact Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630 or 888-228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.

Who’s Ready For Girls Night: THE MUSICAL? Ticket Contest

March 24, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro 4 Comments

Sometimes you just need a reason to grab your girlfriends and plan a fun outing. The Victoria Theatre is giving you a reason to do that this Saturday, March 29th with GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL. This show has been thrilling audiences and earning raves from critics throughout North America since it began touring after its sensational Off-Broadway debut. This touching and hilarious “tell-it-like-it-is” musical takes audiences on a journey into the lives of a group of female friends. Audience members can’t help but laugh, cry and even sing and dance in the aisles to some the most popular hit songs of the 80s and 90s! Follow five friends as they re-live their past, celebrate their present, and look to the future on a wild and hilarious night out … and you’ll recognize a bit of yourselves in each one of them! It is described as “’Desperate Housewives’ meets Mamma Mia” (Applause Magazine) and “As funny and outrageous as ‘Sex & the City!’” (The Advocate). GIRLS NIGHT is packed with hits “Lady Marmalade,” “It’s Raining Men,” “Man I Feel Like A Woman,” “I Will Survive,” “We are Family” and many more!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83v-j2AMoL0&list=PL4ADDC103FD879FF4′]

Tickets are available for both the 4pm and 8pm show and can be reserved by visiting Ticket Center Stage. Or for a lucky couple of ladies, you can be guests of DaytonMostMetro.com. Just like this post, fill out the form below and leave us a comment that convinces us you need a girl night out! We’ll post the winners name Wed night!

Our contest is closed. Congratulations to Felicia Dellis!

Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg presents: The Music Man!

March 5, 2014 By Sarah Caplan Leave a Comment

Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg

The Music Man

The Theatre: Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg, or CPAM, is a non-profit children’s theater dedicated to promote, to all area youth, the appreciation of the performing arts through education, practice and performance. Our goal is to enrich the lives of those participants by strengthening the performing arts community. They feature classes and performances in the historic Baum Opera house in Downtown Miamisburg.

The Show: Later this week, the kids of CPAM are going to take on Meredith Wilson’s classic piece of Americana, The Music Man. This musical tells the tale of Harold Hill, a traveling ~~con artist~~ salesman who inspires the stiff-necked citizenry of fictional River City, Iowa to invest in the future of their town by putting together a Boys Band. Of course, Hill himself will lead it, and all the instruments, music and uniforms are available from him. For a fee. He never expected to meet Marian Paroo, the suspicious librarian-cum-piano teacher. The result is a beloved piece of musical theatre that gives us the songs, “76 Trombones,” “(Ya Got) Trouble,” and “Shapoopi,” among many others. By the end, you’ll wish you could play right along with the band.

Dates: Music Man opens Saturday, March 8th. The times and dates run as follows: 3/8 and 3/15, 2 pm and 7 pm. 3/9 and 3/16, 3 pm and next week, 3/13 and 3/14 at 7 pm.

Tickets: Tickets are available by following the link at CPAM’s page, here, and the prices are $17 for reserved seating, $15 for general admission and $13 for seniors (60+), military members and children ages 3-11.

Location: The Baum Opera House is located at 15 First St in Downtown Miamisburg.

TICKET GIVEAWAY
DMM has 2 pairs of tickets fro the Thursday, March 13th 7pm show. To enter our drawing, please like this post and fill out the form below. We’ll announce our winner this Friday. [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

Human Race Announces 2014-2015 season

March 4, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton’s only professional regional theatre company, launches its 28th season next September with a richly diverse 6-play combination of productions on its Eichelberger Loft Series. “Selecting the season is one of the hardest, yet most exciting parts of my job,” says Producing Artistic Director Kevin Moore. “Thanks to a wonderful committee of readers, I am able to hand select just the right shows for our audience. It’s a season for everyone, with something old and something new; something funny, and something blue.”

The 2014-2015 season includes Miracle on South Division Street, a wholly divine intervention; Mame, a larger-than-life laugh riot; the world premiere of Family Shots, a still life in motion; Taking Shakespeare, a lesson in self-discovery; and Crowns, a celebration of spirit; as well as a special added production of the current Off-Broadway hit Buyer & Cellar, a diva lover’s delight.

The six plays perform in The Loft Theatre, The Human Race’s intimate 212-seat downtown performance space, located in the Metropolitan Arts Center at 126 North Main Street. The plays are scheduled for three-week runs and musicals are scheduled for four-weeks, with a number of associated special events: a Thursday night preview performance, preceded by the “Inside Track” discussion with the director; Friday Opening Night with a free post-show party with the cast in The Loft Lobby; Lite Fare at The Loft, a Tuesday night pre-show dining in The Loft Lobby, with food items provided by Citilites Restaurant; a “While We’re on the Subject” talkback following a Sunday matinee; and a Saturday night signed and audio-described performance opportunity.

THE 2014-2015 EICHELBERGER LOFT SERIES SEASON LINEUP

Miracle on South Division Street

by Tom Dudzick

September 4 – 21, 2014

60 years ago, Grandpa Nowak had a vision of the Virgin Mary in his Buffalo, New York barbershop and had an unusual statue of her made to commemorate the miracle. For decades, his family has faithfully tended to his quirky shrine—a source of hope and inspiration in an otherwise run-down part of town. That is until a deathbed confession knocks them for a loop in this hilarious hit comedy that proves when it comes to local legends, there’s more than meets the eye.

Mame

Book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Based on the novel by Patrick Dennis, and the play Auntie Mame by Lawrence and Lee

October 30 – November 23, 2014

Mame Dennis is a free-wheeling eccentric without a care until she becomes the guardian of her ten-year-old nephew, Patrick. Now it’s up to her to open new windows and show the boy worlds he never knew existed. Through the Roaring 20s and the Great Depression, Mame teaches Patrick how to “live, live, live”—whether he’s willing or not. It’s the dazzling Broadway musical that proves life’s a banquet, featuring the classic songs “We Need A Little Christmas”, “It’s Today”, “Bosom Buddies” and, of course, “Mame”.

A World Premiere Production!

Family Shots

by Michael Slade

January 22 – February 8, 2015

Charming family patriarch Sam Baker lies in a hospital bed, recovering from an apparent heart attack, but his wife, Marsha, won’t stop making the crisis all about her—much to the dismay of their son, Aaron. The young photographer wonders why his parents even stay together while dealing with his own issues as a newlywed. Intimate, yet universal, this new work by Michael Slade (Under a Red Moon, Gingerbread Children) is a wildly funny and touching comedy about marriage—its joys, challenges and responsibilities—and what’s worth fighting for.

A Special Valentine’s Event!

Buyer & Cellar

by Jonathan Tolins

February 12 – March 1, 2015

An out-of-work actor in Los Angeles, Alex takes on the oddest of odd jobs when he’s hired to work in the museum-like basement “mall” of an American entertainment icon’s lavish home. He spends his days alone and in awe, tending to a lifetime of countless mementos, until the lady of the house—the “Funny Girl” herself—appears and they strike up the unlikeliest of friendships. It’s an outrageously unbelievable comedy that will go down “like butta” as one talented performer takes on all the roles, even the dynamic “Babs”.

Taking Shakespeare

by John Murrell

April 16 – May 3, 2015

When a longtime, disillusioned college professor is asked to tutor her dean’s son through his freshman Shakespeare class, she finds it to be as much a test for her as it is for him. Although they seem to have nothing in common, as they explore the Bard’s Othello together, they learn more about each other—and themselves—than either is ready to admit. While they draw strength from the play, they come to understand what it means to live up to expectations.

Crowns

by Regina Taylor

adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry

June 11 – July 5, 2015

When troubled Brooklyn teenager Yolanda is sent to live with her church-going grandmother down South after the death of her brother, she finds healing in the personal stories of the ladies of the congregation and the hats that adorn their heads. Through time and space, their intimate histories create a soulful, joyous triumph of song, dance, culture and glorious “hattitude” in this powerhouse gospel musical like no other.

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND TICKETS

Subscriptions are available in 3-, 4- and 5-show packages, as well as in Flex Pass plans. Package prices range from $102 – $190, and discounted subscriptions are available for students. Both renewing and new subscribers may place their orders with Ticket Center Stage by calling (937) 228-3630 or by visiting the Schuster Center Box Office. New subscribers will be seated starting May 5. Single tickets to Miracle on South Division Street and Mame go on sale August 5, tickets to Family Shots go on sale October 28, tickets to Buyer & Cellar go on sale December 2, and tickets to Taking Shakespeare and Crowns go on sale February 10. Buyer & Cellar is not part of subscription packages, but subscribers can purchase tickets in advance when renewing or ordering a new subscription. Productions, performance dates and ticket prices are subject to change.

More ticketing and performance information on The Human Race Theatre Company’s 2014-2015 and 2013-2014 Loft seasons are available online or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

The Human Race Theatre Company was founded in 1986 and moved into the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at the 212-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces for the Victoria Theatre’s Broadway Series, the Musical Theatre Workshop series, and special event programming. The Human Race, under the direction of Producing Artistic Director Kevin Moore, also maintains education and outreach programs for children, teens and adults, as well as artist residencies in area schools, The Muse Machine In-School Tour, and summer youth programs. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, the Shubert Foundation, the Erma R. Catterton Trust Fund, the Jesse & Caryl Philips Foundation Fund for the Development of New Works, the Virginia W. Kettering Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council, which helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The 2013-2014 season sponsor is the Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation of the Dayton Foundation, with additional support from Jim and Enid Goubeaux, KeyBank, the Sam Levin Foundation, Premier Health, Heidelberg Distributing Company and Morris Home Furnishings.

Victoria’s 2014-2015 season offers ‘Billy,’ ‘Joseph,’ ‘Mormon’ & More

February 14, 2014 By Russell Florence, Jr. 1 Comment

Cast members of “The Book of Mormon”
Photo by Joan Marcus

The Victoria Theatre Association combines recognizable titles with fresher fare for a 2014-2015 season absolutely bound to please unlike any other lineup from the organization in recent memory.
The Premier Health Broadway Series, Projects Unlimited Variety Series, Star Attractions and PNC Family Series were announced Thursday, Feb. 13 in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center. Emceed by Larry Hansgen of WHIO AM/FM, the event incorporated business and community leaders, media personalities and Victoria subscribers in addition to Victoria donors and friends. Attractive promotional banners and an assortment of entertaining production snippets also accented the breezy ceremony.

Curiously, the Star Attractions can be considered the true headliners, especially 2011’s “The Book of Mormon,” the irreverent, naughty, nine-time Tony-winning joy ride from the creators of “South Park” and “Avenue Q.” The musical, which will only run one week and is sure to quickly sell out, should have jumpstarted the organization’s 2015-2016 lineup (it arrives in August 2015 after all), but kudos to the Victoria for securing such a hot commodity and being willing to push the envelope as never before. Also, Stephen Schwartz’s popular “Wicked” will return to the Schuster Center for the third time and for three weeks. Even so, I’m particularly thrilled for the overdue local premiere of 2010’s “Billy Elliot,” the remarkable 10-time Tony-winning Best Musical based on the outstanding 2000 film of the same name about a young boy’s passion for ballet.

The Broadway Series, always the main attraction, supplies a very promising six-show slate. Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” is an odd inclusion (a tour has launched in celebration of the show’s 135th anniversary), but be thankful for 2012’s five-time Tony-winning play “Peter and the Starcatcher” (a “Peter Pan” prequel full of brilliant storytelling and stagecraft), 2012’s charming Gershwin outing “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” the tuneful return of 1995’s “Smokey Joe’s Café” (which played the Victoria Theatre during its last engagement well over a decade ago) featuring legendary troupe the Coasters, a new, vocally enticing production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” starring “American Idol” alums/husband and wife Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo, and the Human Race Theatre Company’s local premiere of Christopher Durang’s dysfunctional family comedy “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” the 2013 Tony winner for Best Play.

The Variety Series supplies evenings with Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee/singer-songwriter J.D. Souther (ABC’s “Nashville”), mind reader/comedian Eric Dittelman, and the Nobodies of Comedy Tour featuring up-and-coming comedians who have appeared on Comedy Central, “Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” The Family Series features Zoot Theatre Company’s production of “The Velveteen Rabbit” in addition to tours of “Pinkalicious: The Musical” and “Robin Hood.”
“Every show and every Season is a leap of faith,” said Victoria and Arts Center Foundation CEO and President Ken Neufeld in a press statement. “Certain shows touch us and inspire us to share the story, the songs and the message with our audience. 2014-2015 will be a season audiences will reconnect with some familiar titles that may surprise them as well as connect with some of the very best work from the contemporary stage for both the Premier Health Broadway Series and Star Attractions.”

Season tickets for the 2014-2015 Broadway Series and Variety Series are on sale now by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visiting online at www.ticketcenterstage.com. Single tickets will go on sale this summer. Single tickets for “The Book of Mormon” and “Wicked” will specifically go on sale in 2015. Additional Star Attractions and Family Series selections as well as the lineups for the Cool Films Series and National Geographic Live! Series will be revealed at a later date.

2014-2015 Premier Health Broadway Series

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Oct. 21-26, 2014 – Schuster Center)

Smokey Joe’s Café (Nov. 11-23, 2014 – Victoria Theatre)

The Pirates of Penzance (Jan. 20-25, 2015 – Schuster Center)

Nice Work If You Can Get It (Feb. 10-15, 2015 – Schuster Center)

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (March 10-22, 2015 – Victoria Theatre)

Peter and the Starcatcher (June 9-14, 2015 – Schuster Center)

2014-2015 Star Attractions
Billy Elliot: The Musical (Nov. 28-30, 2014 – Schuster Center)

Wicked (Apr. 29-May 17, 2015 – Schuster Center)

The Book of Mormon (Aug. 18-23, 2015 – Schuster Center)

2014-2015 Projects Unlimited Variety Series

Singer/songwriter J.D. Souther (Oct. 10, 2014 – Victoria Theatre)

Mind reader/comedian Eric Dittelman (Feb. 6, 2015 – Victoria Theatre)

The Nobodies of Comedy Tour (Apr. 10, 2015 – Victoria Theatre)

2014-2015 PNC Family Series

The Velveteen Rabbit (Dec. 6, 2014 – Victoria Theatre)

Pinkalicious (Feb. 2, 2015 – Victoria Theatre)

Robin Hood (May 2, 2015 – Victoria Theatre)

For more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com or www.victoriaheatre.com

Spend Father’s Day With Bill Cosby!

February 7, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The last time Bill Cosby was in Dayton was 2003, when he was the last act to play at Memorial Hall, before they mothballed it. Now 11 years later, one of America’s most beloved comedians of all time, Cosby, whose comedy transcends age, gender and cultural barriers, will return to town to play the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, Sunday, June 15 at 7 pm. Cosby has captivated generations of fans with his comedy routines, iconic albums and best-selling books, including “Fatherhood,” “Time Flies” and his current bestseller, “I Didn’t Ask to Be Born, (But I’m Glad I Was.)”

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Bill Cosby broke television’s racial barrier with “I Spy,” becoming the first African American to co-star on a television series while winning three consecutive Emmys^©. He created and produced the Emmy^©-winning cartoon “Fat Albert” and the “Cosby Kids,” which began airing in the 1970s and was made into a film in 2004. The show, based upon Cosby’s childhood in Philadelphia, was designed to educate and entertain.

The former Navy serviceman’s illustrious list of accomplishments includes roles on the children’s educational show “Electric Company” and creating and producing the Emmy^© award winning “Little Bill,” which is based on his bestselling book series. Cosby has received the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (America’s highest civilian honor), the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the Marian Anderson Award. Among his many awards for his stand-up comedy albums are five Grammy^© Awards, eight Gold and five Platinum records.

Perhaps Cosby’s greatest contribution to American entertainment and culture is “The Cosby Show,” about a close-knit, upper class black family. Cosby said his intent was to portray an American family. Time magazine called the show “an encouraging sign of maturity in matters of race.” “The Cosby Show” dominated the No. 1 spot for years, earning nearly unanimous critical praise. Life magazine described the program as “a gentle, whimsical, warmhearted” show whose “delicious ordinariness of its pleasures and tribulations has given millions a fresh, laughter-splashed perspective on their own domestic lives.”

Don’t miss the iconic Bill Cosby at the Schuster Center, on his Comedy Central “Far From Finished Tour“, Sunday, June 15 at 7 pm! Tickets go on sale Feb. 14, and start at just $39.25. Ticket are available the Ticket Center Stage Box Office, located in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center or by phone at 937-228-3630, 888-228-3630 and online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.

Godzilla Set To Invade Yellow Springs Playhouse

February 7, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

QUICK! LOOK!

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

IT’S GODZILLA!

The 500 foot dinosaur-like creature that has rough, bumpy gray scales and a long tail that could wipe out buildings with a single swipe. The lizard that has terrorized Japan and the world will once again come to instigate havoc on the mainland.

The Yellow Springs Kids Playhouse will be presenting the musical parody of GODZILLA!, written by Corrie Van Ausdal in collaboration with Phillip and Gordon Reynolds and musician Blaze Wright. The show will begn starting tonight at the Glen Building in Yellow Springs.

For those who aren’t aware of the story involving Godzilla, the story begins in the island called Lagos Island. By surviving the extinction of the dinosaurs, Godzilla mutated to be the its size by the nuclear fallout of atomic bomb tests performed on the island near Lagos Island called Rongerik. Godzilla was awakened when an American hydrogen bomb was tested in the Pacific Ocean. The large monster made its way toward Tokyo, with the goal of destroying much of the city. The fictional character was conceived and came to the big screen for the first time in 1954. Since then, Godzilla has become a huge phenomenon in the entire monster movies ever created. In the Japanese pop culture, Godzilla is still widely popular and is still one most recognizable feature.

The Yellow Springs Kids Playhouse was founded in 1995 and was a summer theater experience for the youth. The playhouse started commissioning original musicals from playwrights regional and nationally couple of years later. The mission is simple-develop youth who are interested in being future actors, leaders, patrons, and audiences and enhance art awareness in the community. To achieve this, they will do it through the education of arts and the creation of original multimedia theater for youth. Over 1200 youths have participated in the productions, with some going off to becoming professionals in theatre and performing arts.

GODZILLA! centers around the 500 foot monster rising from the sea and destroying everything that gets in its way. The cast of teens and young adults will travel around the world, risking their lives and hoping the save all mankind. The play will feature visual effects by local graphic artist Zane Reichert, as well as live sound effects and music directed by Xavier Suarez. Also part of the production are Bear Wright, Duard Headley and Sumayah Chappelle. Along with these folks are musicians Sam Salazar and Jason McClean , sound effects creator Maddie Allen, Assistant Director/Antioch student Hannah Craig, and Stage Manager Amy Cunningham. All of the performances will also showcase a one-night only celebrity guest star.

GODZILLA! will be taking over Yellow Springs starting tonight at Glen Building, which is located at 405 Corry Street. The performance dates and times are:

February 8th @ 7pm

February 9th @ 3pm

February 14th @ 7pm

February 15th @ 7pm & 10pm

Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students.

A Muse Sparkles Brightly at the DCDC ReVisioning Concert

February 6, 2014 By Rodney Veal Leave a Comment

What makes a legend? In the dance world, it is a dancer whose singular talent that has been burnished to a blinding artistic brilliance by time. Sheri “Sparkle” Williams, the vessel for the post modern choreographic sensibilities of Rodney Brown, is that legend.

“The Gathering/wee Thing” had it’s world premiere in 2012 as part of the world premiere of the Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar Documentary Film “Sparkle” at the Dayton Art Institute.
I had the great fortune of being in the audience for the sold out event, a powerful testimony to the magical allure of Sheri “Sparkle” Williams, and bearing witness to her masterful talents. The powerful combination of Rodney Brown’s multifaceted and textured choreography and the magisterial interpretive skills was absolutely intoxicating.

As a reviewer I am grateful for the opportunity to revisit this work and that a larger audience will get an opportunity to experience this indelibly awe-inspiring work of art.

The fact that Sheri “Sparkle” Williams is receiving the Ohio Governors Award for Arts Excellence this spring is another reason we all need to be at this concert to show our appreciation and gratitude for a woman and an artist who defies categorization and all the normal laws of the physical universe. I cannot imagine any obstacles or excuses for not attending this show.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ_EFJquDwQ

ReVisioning 45: New Works Unveiled
Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 7:30pm and Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 3:00pm
Victoria Theatre, 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
For tickets to ReVisioning 45: New Works Unveiled please contact Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630 or 888-228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.

A New Choreographic Perspective on DCDC Concert Stage

February 4, 2014 By Rodney Veal Leave a Comment

One of the many pleasures of a mixed repertory concert is the diversity of artistic voices and choreographic invention. You, as an arts patron are privy to work that has not been seen and disseminated by others; part of a special moment that only occurs once, bearing witness to a premiere performance. Who doesn’t want to be an early adopter?

Ray Mercer is the least known choreographer premiering work on the ReVisioning concert, however he brings a unique and never the less impressive biography to the fore. Mr. Mercer, currently starring on Broadway in Walt Disney’s “The Lion King,” has had an eclectic performance career that has taken him from the concert stage to the bright lights of Broadway, having worked with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart and Garth Fagan. His choreographic work has been presented all of over the country on companies such as Philidanco, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and now Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.

Because of Mr. Mercer’s background, I am curious to see how his aesthetic sensibilities meld with the talents of the DCDC dancers. Oh how I love the unpredictability and the visceral experience of the new and so should you.

Check out the work of Mr. Ray Mercer.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUyTwPlh3Ts

ReVisioning 45: New Works Unveiled
Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 7:30pm and Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 3:00pm
Victoria Theatre, 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
For tickets to ReVisioning 45: New Works Unveiled please contact Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630 or 888-228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com

Ronen Koresh and a Fresh Choreographic Vision for DCDC

January 30, 2014 By Rodney Veal Leave a Comment

Choreography that combines technical agility, emotional resonance and visceral impact; there are few choreographers working today with this level of acumen. This makes seeing the work of Ronen Koresh, being set on Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, all the more necessary.

Ronen (Roni) comes to the International dance scene via early training in folk dancing in the Yemenite tradition in his native Israel. Ronen actively pursued his dance training in Israel while serving his three year enlistment in the Israeli army. In 1983 he left for the United States to actively pursue his dance training and career. He is a multi-year recipient of fellowships from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. While he has his own namesake company, he is also a highly sought after choreographer and teacher renowned for his choreographic inventiveness and transformative teaching skills; That will be on full display February 8th and 9th at DCDC’s winter concert.

Check out the following youtube clips and you will see why he was selected to create work for this seminal moment in the forty -five year history of the one artistic institution in our community with well deserved international credentials.

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And also check out http://youtu.be/HI8ZB1p8Vdw.

This gives you a point of entry to the choreographer’s aesthetics and movement vocabulary. Brave the weather forecasts and get tickets to what promises to be must see art event.

Countdown to DCDC’s return to the Victoria Theatre stage Ticket Contest

January 29, 2014 By Rodney Veal 5 Comments

In two weeks Dayton Contemporary Dance Company will return to the Victoria Theatre for what promises to be a highlight of the arts season. How often do we get to pay homage to the perseverance and relevancy of a modern dance company that has been in existence for forty five years. The significance can honestly never be overstated. DCDC bucks the trend of dance companies that fold once the visionary artistic leadership departs this mortal coil. This company has roared back with a renewed sense of artistic vitality.

Several reviews past, I intimated that Dayton audiences needed to do their homework and investigate the people, concepts and histories that inform and are the fabric of the artistic endeavors being presented. So I have decided to highlight every day this week one choreographer presenting work on February 8th & 9th.

The first choreographer being highlighted is the masterful Donald Byrd.

Donald Byrd is one the leading and seminal figures in Modern Dance, his biography highlights an artist who has created works all over the globe. His work has been performed by Alvin Ailey, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera and New York City Opera. In 2010 his company appeared in New York in a new interpretation of a John Zorn composition as part of the Guggenheim Museum’s Works & Progress series. This prolific and vital choreographer has set his latest work “Geography of the Cotton Fields” on the upcoming Dayton Contemporary Dance Company concert.

I have selected a couple of youtube clips that are wonderful examples of Mr. Byrd’s prodigious choreographic talents:
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr2eMHEyDAo&feature=youtu.be’]

You’ll also want to check out this Youtube video. This gives you a point of entry to the choreographer his aesthetics and movement vocabulary. Brave the weather forecasts and get tickets to what promises to be must see art event.

ReVisioning 45: New Works Unveiled
Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 7:30pm and Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 3:00pm

Victoria Theatre, 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
For tickets to ReVisioning 45: New Works Unveiled please contact Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630 or 888-228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.

DMM want to send a couple of our readers to see the DCDC Show. To enter our random drawing, like this article and fill out the form below. Feel free to comment below on why you should win. Good Luck! [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]