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Archives for May 2015

‘Wicked’ Review – Victoria Theatre Association – Wonderful Witches of Oz

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I couldn’t be happier to tell you the current national tour of composer Stephen Schwartz and librettist Winnie Holzman’s blockbuster 2003 musical “Wicked,” a fascinating, humorous and dark revisionist prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, once again proves its worth as a must-see at the Schuster Center courtesy of the Victoria Theatre Association.

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Alyssa Fox and Carrie St. Louis as Oz witches Elphaba and Glinda in “Wicked.” (Photo by Joan Marcus)

The production’s tremendous technical elements heighten the show’s appeal as usual, but this mounting, even stronger than its well-received 2010 engagement, uncovers new depths in the vital relationship between the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba and the beautiful, bubbly Galinda, the engaging duo that respectively becomes the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch of the South. Emphasizing the importance of connection and sisterhood, director Joe Mantello finds refreshing avenues for the characters to explore primarily during their impressionable time at Shiz University, the launching pad for their iconic wizardry. In fact, the moment Elphaba arrives at the Stardust Ballroom only to be humiliated by her peers yet ultimately encouraged by Galinda is filled with a revitalizing, extended sense of empowerment, respect and understanding between these characters I haven’t seen in previous productions. Mantello molds their newfound camaraderie wonderfully in the following scene which finds Galinda enthralled with Elphaba with a passion that grows to makeover proportions. By and large, it’s great to witness a “Wicked” completely rooted in the value of Elphaba and Galinda’s friendship no matter the cost, especially as political corruption and the intricacies of love threaten to dismantle their bond.
Alyssa Fox brings fierce urgency to her firm, commanding portrayal of Elphaba, effectively showcasing the intelligent, vulnerable and determined facets fueling the character’s complexity. Her superb renditions of “The Wizard and I,” “No Good Deed” and phenomenal Act 1 finale “Defying Gravity” contain terrific pop inflections. As perky Glinda, the absolutely dynamic Carrie St. Louis, a gorgeous soprano with a vibrant Elle Woods sensibility, skillfully balances the role’s pristine sophistication and playful undercurrents. She fantastically inhabits the exuberant “Popular,” an Act 1 hallmark, with hyperactive, cheerleader finesse while blending hilarious shades of Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”) and Salt-N-Pepa in the process.
Elsewhere, TV legend John Davidson is a kooky, grandfatherly delight as the Wizard, particularly filling “Wonderful” with a good old-fashioned vaudeville vibe. Kristine Zbornik is equally winning as the haughty, menacing Madame Morrible. Handsome former boy band star Ashley Parker Angel (O-Town) brings innate charisma and pleasant vocals to his understated portrayal of Fiyero. Michael DeVries (Dr. Dillamond), Liana Hunt (Nessarose) and Lee Slobotkin (Boq) provide solid work. The sharp ensemble, very astute and full of personality, is also commendable along with conductor P. Jason Yarcho’s excellent orchestra including nine local musicians.
Whether you’ve seen it before or you’re tempted to finally discover what all the fuss is about, “Wicked” resonates to the fullest in one of its finest touring incarnations.

 

“Wicked” continues through May 17 at the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets., Dayton. Performances are Tuesday-Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Act One: 90 minutes; Act Two: 60 minutes. Tickets are $43-$157. Discounts are available. A lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats is also held 2 ½ hours before each performance in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com

Golf With Gittleman at NCR Country Club

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GwGThe Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association was created in 1952 with an ongoing mission to support the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra in the areas of education, promotion, fund raising and membership development. Every year, DPVA raises thousands of dollars for scholarship funds and music education programs to help young musicians foster their gift and pursue their love of music.

Join the DPVA on May 4th, 2015 at the NCR Country Club for a round of golf on NCR’s historic South Course. a Shotgun start at 10am followed by prize presentations with snacks and beverages after the round.  Then between 4-5pm board one of the cycling Par-Tee buses for a quick  trip to the 2015 Designer’s Show House and Gardens (The Walther Family Home) for a fabulous tour of this famous Dayton home, plus a Par-Tee featuring “Brews and Barbecues” with Company 7 & Warped Wing Brewing Company. Buses will return you to the NCR lot as you need until 8pm.

Golf with Gittleman:  Join Conductor Neal Gittleman and musicians from the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra in the 1st  Bi-Annual Neal_Gittleman_20DPVA Golf Outing at NCR Country Club on May 4th, 2015.  Challenge Neal in a “Closest to the Hole” contest, bid on the opportunity to play your round with Neal or with a member of the Orchestra (these guys are good), or just have a chance to socialize with these talented musicians/golfers.  More information to follow so let us know if you’re all in on this great opportunity.

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If you don’t get to play the NCR South course regularly, here is your chance to experience this USGA honored course, most recently host to the USGA’s Senior Open.  For registration information please contact Milt Ross (937-287-5529 or [email protected]) or Pete Gratto (717-515-5954 or [email protected]) and we will send you an electronic (or paper) registration form which will include payment details, charitable contribution details and other pertinent information. Playing golf at NCR , maybe playing with Neal Gittleman, and supporting the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, what could possibly be better?

Join the DPVA on May 4th, 2015 at the NCR Country Club for a round of golf on NCR’s historic South Course. a Shotgun start at 10:00 am followed by prize presentations with snacks and beverages after the round.  Then between 4:00-5:00 pm board one of the cycling Par-Tee buses for a quick  trip to the 2015 Designer’s Show House and Gardens (The Walther Family Home) for a fabulous tour of this famous Dayton home, plus a Par-Tee featuring “Brews and Barbecues” with Company 7 & Warped Wing Brewing Company. Buses will return you to the NCR lot as you need until 8:00 pm.

This will  be a fun day for golfers and non-golfers alike, so start planning now to show your support for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the many educational programs the orchestra provides by participating in this unique event.

Golf Format: Four person scramble (we will form competitive teams if you don’t have four players), all players welcome, prizes for both men’s and women’s contests including closest-to-the-pin, longest drive, longest putt (made), low gross and net, and most notable attire.  Price includes golf carts, driving range use, and refreshments after the round.

Costs:    

Golf and Par-Tee – $175.00                    

Golf Only – $130.00  

Par-Tee Only – $45.00

Register online.

Sip & Stroll – Coming Soon To Outdoor Drinking Districts

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3119262-Drinking-in-the-Streets-0Grab a beer and head outside. Well, not yet. But soon. Maybe. It depends on where you are.

State lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation that would allow outdoor alcohol consumption in areas such as The Oregon District, The Greene or Austin Landing. Governor Kasich signed House Bill 47 yesterday making it effective now,  allowing more than 60 Ohio cities with a population greater than 35,000 people to create ‘outdoor refreshment areas’ that are exempt from the state’s open-container laws.

The legislation designates that these entertainment area’s are limited to a half square mile area that has at least  four liquor licenses. Beavercreek Mayor Brian Jarvis has said his staff “will research it, look into all the details, all the legislation. Then come back to us during a work session to explain what it’s all about.”
No word yet from other potential outdoor drinking districts yet, but we’re sure we’ll be hearing more very soon.

According to the legislations, smaller communities would be able to designate such areas in two years.

Who was Dougie Apple?

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Dougie Apple

Sometimes a Daytonian’s story bears repeating.

As you know we go on many fantastic Food Adventures.  One you can’t miss is about 2 weeks away.

Friday, May 15th is the Big Brews and Blues Festival.  This is a blues festival with a cause.  The event raises money for the Dayton Diabetes Association.

It is an amazing event, with Blues Bands, dozens and dozens of Beers to sample, and food vendors.  The 2015 event is being held at Riverscape Metropark.  It is not only a terrific night, but it is a festival with a purpose.  Dougie Apple was a Dayton native who also had a purpose.

In fact, at the festival, a banner typically drapes a booth selling beverages for his foundation.  This is where the Food Adventures Crew first learned of his story.  If you have attended the festival, you may remember seeing the booth yourself.

 

Sometimes a person who spends a small amount of time on this earth, has a very big effect on those around them.

May 15th, 2015 – Big Brews & Blues festival for Dayton Diabetes Foundation

Such is the case of Dougie Apple, one of 6 kids who grew up in a Miamisburg, with his 5 sisters.  He was boy who at the age of 12 found out that he had diabetes.  When he was diagnosed it was a surprise, since there was no one else in his family who had this typically genetic disease.

He was active in sports like soccer, and he loved the Cincinnati Reds.  After his diagnosis he decided to attend a camp with other kids battling his diabetes.  This camp, called “Camp Ko-Man-She,” changed his life.  Dougie continued to visit the camp each year, and it helped him cope with the disease.   After his diagnosis as he grew up he took a job at King’s Island.  He even worked at a local car wash, to feed his interest in cars.  He then decided to work at the camp as a counselor, helping mentor other children with the disease.

Dougie’s journey from camp attendee, to counselor and eventually camp director.  He affected literally hundreds of lives for the positive, by comforting kids, and making them forget about their illness.

Meanwhile Dougie was dealing with an illness of his own.  He received a kidney transplant and pancreas transplant from a donor family who lost a child named Daniel.  The Apple family and Daniel’s family became close, and still are to this day.  As Dougie continued to have a positive influence on Dayton area kids with diabetes at camp, his illness unfortunately took an unexpected turn for the worse.  On February 3rd, 2012 Dougie Apple succumbed to the diabetes, which he fought so hard to conquer.

At his funeral, his family was overwhelmed by the crowd of young people who made the trip to his funeral.  They shared stories about how Dougie helped them get through a tough time in their childhood, or helped them get enough courage to give themselves diabetes shots.  He had affected so many lives, and the result was staggering.  The family wants to keep Dougie’s intentions alive, so they set up The Dougie Apple Tree Fund, and continue to raise money in his name.

Over the past 3 years, the Dougie Apple Tree Fund has raised approx 5 thousand dollars per year.  They donate the funds to the Diabetes of Dayton charity.  The request is that some of these monies go to send children to the camp that Dougie attended.  It is a chance to help these kids to live a normal existence.  If you attend the festival, please stop by the Dougie Apple booth and buy a bottled water or a soft drink can, you will be quenching your thirst and helping quench the desires to find a cure for diabetes.

 

Blue Bands Throughout The Night

So please, consider attending the

BIG BREWS & BLUES FESTIVAL

Friday night, May 15th from 5-9pm at Riverscape.

Tickets are $30 prepay or $40 at the door.

Besides great blues bands, there will be approximately 70 beers to sample.    The Food Adventures Crew is honored to be a part of this event, and hope you will be too.

Come celebrate the lives of those who are fighting diabetes, by helping them find a cure.

This is not an event that lines corporate pockets, it is an event that affects real people in the Dayton area.  Make sure you help make a difference as well.

If you would like to donate or learn more about the Dougie Apple Foundation, please send an email to [email protected].

Hope to see you with some Big Brews at the festival !  Below are some photos from previous year’s events, please browse the gallery.

 

Are you a Dayton Foodie?  Then join the over 5,000 foodies in the Miami Valley area following Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

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