Arts & Entertainment

Joyful ‘Bee’ at Dayton Playhouse

February 2, 2011 By Russell Florence, Jr. Leave a Comment

"Spelling Bee" cast; photo credit John Gebhardt

Although William Finn, Rachel Sheinkin and Rebecca Feldman’s 2005 Tony Award-winning “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” has quickly reached ‘done to death’ status in the Miami Valley, its fifth area presentation courtesy of the Dayton Playhouse, which opened Friday, January 28, is a joyful affair that finds great heart within the high octane, racy humor.

You may have fond memories of seeing this musical about six colorful adolescents nervously yet enjoyably aspiring to spelling perfection presented by the University of Dayton, Victoria Theatre Association, Wilmington College or Wright State University, but there is definite merit in the Playhouse’s well cast, well sung incarnation. Despite a slightly erratic energy level and a few comedic bits that go overboard or grow overlong, director Natalie Houliston, with lively assistance from choreographer Erica Hamilton, credibly establishes a character-driven playground of fun that is particularly magnetic in the more introspective musical numbers and reflective moments.

Lilting soprano Corinne Derusha, naturally embracing the bouncy, emotive musicality within Finn’s terrific score, leads the proceedings as excited host and former champion Rona Lisa Peretti. She also maintains an appealing chemistry with the delightfully droll Errik Hood as Vice Principal Panch. The outstanding Hannah Berry is truly heartbreaking as shy bookworm Olive Ostrovsky, who enters the competition without parental support. Berry has the audience rooting for Olive at the outset when she tenderly sings “My Friend, The Dictionary.” Matthew Smith lets loose with hilarious abandon as the persnickety William “Magic Foot” Barfee, a whiz with an attitude. David Thomas, a good fit as eccentric underdog Leaf Coneybear, brings engaging subtlety to “I’m Not That Smart.” Bobby Mitchum, in his Playhouse debut, sums up the distressed Chip Tolentino with a funny, audience-friendly take on “My Unfortunate Erection.” Charity Farrell winningly returns to the Playhouse as overachiever Marcy Park and delivers a luminously carefree rendition of “I Speak Six Languages.” Lindsay Sherman, clothed in cute polka dots by costumer Erin Winslow, exudes a perfect amount of spunk and desperation as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre. As comfort counselor Mitch Mahoney, Muse Machine alum David Stone finally has a role that suits his powerfully soulful tenor. He joins Berry and Derusha for an incredibly passionate, spine-tingling, show-stopping version of “The I Love You Song” that feels as if Finn wrote it just for them.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee continues through Sunday, February 13 at the Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Act One: 60 minutes. Act Two: 53 minutes. Audience participation is encouraged. Tickets are $10-$15. The musical, which contains adult language and themes, is not recommended for children under the age of 13. For tickets or more information, call (937) 424-8477 or visit www.daytonplayhouse.org

Calling “Dolly”: behind the scenes as a stage manager

February 2, 2011 By Dayton937 7 Comments

Jessica Hickling as Dolly Levi (Photo Credit Beth Porter)

HELLO, DOLLY

CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY

Win tickets to this show! Read on…

5:17 pm

Balancing my prompt book and score, yellow legal pad, and Chai tea, I dart between two ladders (bearing paint-splattered shop workers, detailing the archway) to stand on the stage. Our first dress rehearsal begins soon, and the DeVries Theatre is busy. Properties supervisors cross the stage with a tray of tiered glasses and a stack of suitcases; our technical director oversees crew members counterweighting the chandelier at the flyrail; show director, Bob Clements, is deep in conversation with a designer.

I’m the Stage Manager for this production of Hello, Dolly! at Cedarville University, where I’m a senior theatre performance major. I applied and was selected as SM last spring, and have been thinking about or working with the show in some capacity since; the time has both passed slowly and flown by.

The rehearsal sign-in I posted earlier tells me that so far, cast members have arrived on time. Failure to do so results in fines – ordinarily $1/minute, but twice that during tech week. Although the program here is small, the professors work hard and creatively to instill professionalism in us.

I visit dressing and makeup rooms, greeting people and checking progress, before heading back upstairs. The couple of hours before rehearsal begins have a strange pacing, a mixture of urgent and quiet. The theatre is busy as people hurry to finish tasks, yet the pace is controlled, and these few moments are calm. In a little while, I’ll start calling the time until costume checks, go over the lighting effects with the designer, and ensure everything is ready; but for now, I drink my tea and review the opening sequence of cues.

7:24 pm

CU: Hello, Dolly (photo credit Beth Porter)

Ensemble (photo credit Beth Porter)

We’re a little late starting costume checks, but that is understandable for first dress, and I work to keep everyone moving. The costumers have done an amazing job with each of the thirty-eight cast members: the women are gorgeous in long, jewel-toned dresses and ornate hats; the men dashingly sport white tailed suits.

Student wardrobe manager, Amanda, a measuring tape draped over her shoulder, takes notes; I catch a glimpse of her spreadsheet, orderly and extremely detailed. Don, our eclectic and beloved design supervisor, surveys the actors individually, commenting on details many wouldn’t even know to notice. Pushing up his round glasses, he crosses his arms. “Where are his spats? He’ll need spats,” he says, and immediately a crew member rushes downstairs to pull some.

8:35 pm

“Are the actors in place?” I inquire over our intercom headsets. After receiving confirmation, I prepare everyone for our initial cues. After delaying start time to accommodate for costumes and tech, we’re finally ready to begin. “Standby follow-spot… Mrs. Porter and F1, go.”

The musical director appears from the archway, a spotlight illuminating her walk into the pit; she bows before our imaginary audience, raises her hands, and at her cue the overture begins. I breathe and mentally run through the cues: Take follow spot out and narrow lights on ramp. Transitional lights. Curtain up…

9:59 pm

The makeup room is busy, though not overwhelming, during intermission. Ben greys his hair, Charlee attaches facial hair, and Jessica adjusts her hatpins. “Ten minutes,” I announce, receiving a chorusing, “Thank you, ten!” from those in earshot. After refilling my water bottle, I return to the light board, put on my headset, and open my score to the entr’acte. Five minutes to end of intermission…

“Kate?” The light board operator gets my attention. “We’re using the chandelier here for the first time tonight, and I need to check the programming.”

Hello, Dolly! cast (Photo Credit Scott Huck)

“I’ll get the designer,” I offer, and call into com, “Carolyn, we have a lighting question. Could you run up please?” A moment later, she appears in her ornate costume and hat; Carolyn is also an ensemble member. Multiple interests and skills are common to the dedicated majors of our department. Jessica plays Dolly and designed the hair/makeup; Denise is an ensemble member, scene shop employee, and dramaturg; beside stage managing, I’m an electrician and student box office manager. Our program is conducive to educating those with multifaceted aspirations; many of us take both upper-level design and performance classes. Professor (and Dolly director) Mr. Clements stresses that we never know where we’ll have the opportunity for employment, so should be versatile and marketable, and always “do the ordinary extraordinarily,” no matter what that “ordinary” may be.

10:39 pm

Listening both to the show’s dialogue and com headset’s hum, I call the lighting cue an instant before the waiters dance onto stage bearing silver trays. I say, “Standby for L53…” Stanley enters. “L53, go.”

“Standby for Follow Spot 26…” Dolly is going to arrive at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant; the waiters and cooks scramble into place. Stanley breathes his line and I see the tip of the feather from Jessica’s headdress behind the backdrop. “F26, go.” Jessica, in a sparkling sapphire gown and with a gaze that intermingles flirty and reminiscent, enters as Dolly into the light. She is beautiful, and the waiters see it, their eyes on her every movement.

“Hello, Harry, well, hello, Louie, it’s so nice to be back home where I belong…”

The men unite for their verse of the song. “Standby for L54.” Dolly crosses back to the stairs, t urns her head slightly, and looks out wistfully just as I call, “go,” and the lights shift with her thought…

Rehearsing for the Harmonia Gardens

11:52 pm

“Let’s go ahead and get started with the production meeting,” I say, and begin to ask each team member for their feedback and discussion items. “From my perspective, I felt the show went well. We have a few things we need to adjust, but otherwise, cues and scene changes went well, and the show ran smoothly…”

A few remaining actors, just out of hair and makeup, shuffle through the theatre on their way home. During the next forty-five minutes, we discuss aspects of the show from costume design to dramaturgy, handling issues that arose and coordinating our work; when I dismiss the meeting, only a few are able to head home, but the majority of technicians stand and go to continue working.

1:05 am

As I go to the design lab to email our rehearsal log, I pass Amanda laying out snacks on a chair by the props table. “This is for the props crew,” she explains, “although you can have some, too.” She continues explaining that several of the students are each setting food out for a crew, to show their and the cast’s appreciation. Our department, in many ways, is like a family, and we look out for each other. The properties supervisors, exhausted but surprised, come over to take a moment’s break as I again towards turn the lab to get ready for tomorrow’s rehearsal.

Before the Parade Passes By…

Performance Information

The Story: Dolly Levi, adored by all (especially the waiters at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant) is a self-termed meddler, but this time, she’s scheming to arrange her own marriage, to the well-known and rich Horace Vandergelder. In this optimistic and fun musical, Dolly charms (and meddles) her way into his heart, setting up a few other matches along the way.
Dates: February 3 – 5, 10 – 12; curtains at 8:00 pm, with additional Saturday performances at 2:00 pm.
Tickets: Cedarville University: Tickets
More Information: Cedarville University: Theatre Season

Win Free Tickets!

The Cedarville University Theatre & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to HELLO, DOLLY! We will be giving away up to TWO pairs of tickets for the second weekend of the show! (February 10-12) All you need to do is:

Share this article on Facebook or Twitter…just click the appropriate button at the top of this page.
Fill out the contact form at the bottom of this post.
Leave a comment, answering the following question…Dolly Levi is a matchmaker…Have you ever had someone set you up on a blind date? What’s your worst/funniest blind date story? (no names, please…to protect the innocent/guilt)
The deadline to enter is 9AM on FRIDAY, February 4th.
Winners will be selected randomly from all of the entries.

Contest Closed

FilmDayton – Production Assistant Training Seminar

February 2, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro 2 Comments

The following was submitted by Eva Buttacavoli, Executive Director of FilmDayton

George Clooney’s filming in Cincy; films have recently wrapped in Akron, Cleveland and Dayton; and you’re wondering “how can I be a part of it?” Well, here’s your opportunity to learn the protocols and procedures you need to be a successful Production Assistant on a film, television or commercial set.

The Production Assistant Training Seminar (P.A.T.S.) is the real deal. This “boot camp” style instruction workshop features practical, hands-on drills, and demonstrations to prepare you you for your first day of work on a professional set. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of what goes on behind the scenes with the Producers, Directors, and Actors. From the page to the screen, you’ll learn the elements you need to understand the PA’s role in the big picture. The program will teach you job search skills, from creating “industry standard” resumes and preparing for a production interview to finding entry-level jobs and applying.

P.A.T.S. is designed for all those who have some set experience but want to hone their production skills to those who are truly “green” and have never worked on a film. Upon completion of the Seminar, participants will be entered into the P.A.T.S. national database, a resource for Hollywood and locally based production companies and local film professionals for crew staffing.

Organized by FilmDayton and presented by P.A.T.S. LLC, Los Angeles, CA, a trusted on-location PA training for film, tv, video, new media and commercial production. P.A.T.S. will be led by Kenny Chaplin, a film industry veteran with experience on Terrence Malick’s “Thin Red Line, shows such as “Runaway Jury,” “Roswell” and “Judging Amy;” second assistant director BODY OF LIES, and the soon to be released TICKET OUT, starring Ray Liotta.

As a bonus for P.A.T.S. registrants – and open to anyone interested in taking their production to the next level, FilmDayton has partnered with the P.A.T.S. team to present a second workshop — Indie Financing: Closing the Budget for your Feature Film. This workshop is designed for producers, directors and filmmakers who are seeking funding for current or future projects. Indie Financing will provide an overview of the avenues for closing the budget for your project, including: pre-sales, studio financing, incentives and subsidies, pre-sales, private equity and bank financing. Indie Financing will be by Doug Lodato, producer (Co-Producer – WILD,WILD WEST) and director of the soon to be released feature TICKET OUT.

Date, Time and Place

P.A.T.S. will take place Saturday, February 26, 2011, from 10am-7pm. Indie Financing will take place Sunday, February 27, 2011, from 10am-2pm. Both programs will take place at Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Room 14-130 – The Forum.

Registration, Payment and Questions

· FilmDayton.com
· or E-mail [email protected] or 937.694.9374

Early Registration

P.A.T.S. (Includes FREE Registration for Indie Financing)

FilmDayton Members $100; Students with ID $125; Non-Members $150

Indie Financing ONLY

FilmDayton Members $50; Students with ID $75; Non-Members $100

Registration after February 15^th (Space Permitting)

P.AT.S. (Includes FREE Registration for Indie Financing)

FilmDayton Members $120; Students with ID $150; Non-Members $175

Indie Financing ONLY

FilmDayton Members $60; Students with ID $85; Non-Members $110

Registration includes free parking at Sinclair, lunch on Saturday, and a P.A.T.S. Resource Manual.

This program is generously sponsored by the Levin Family Foundation.

About FilmDayton:

FilmDayton is the go-to organization that supports the creative and professional growth of our region’s filmmakers and the film community. Established in 2007 through the DaytonCREATE initiative to revitalize the region’s economic competitiveness via a creative workforce, FilmDayton presents year-round initiatives including Film Connections, monthly info and networking meetings; classes and workshops that build our member filmmakers’ skills; filmmaking “Boot Camps” and Film Clubs for area students; and the annual FilmDayton Festival. FilmDayton is a publically supported, not-for-profit 501(c)(3).

Pecha Kucha Dayton – Volume 6

January 31, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro 4 Comments

We’ve been helping to promote the local Pecha Kucha events since the first one in August 2009, and this Thursday Feb. 3 brings number six to The Neon theater in Downtown Dayton. For those who have never experienced it – it is a social gathering where people present ideas to the group with 20 powerpoint slides at a face-paced 20 seconds each. It only costs $5 and it starts at 7:15pm.

PK Vol. 6 Presenters

Sam Enslen of Dragonfly Editorial uncovers a treasure trove of staged photos she and her sister took of their Barbie dolls 30 years ago. For the first time, the secret lives of these three Barbies, their modeling agency, their families, their pets, and their globe-trotting adventures are revealed to the public.

Sharon Howard, Director of Marketing for the Dayton Development Coalition, relates the story of how her celebration of the photo-journal: Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats, took on a life of its own to become a calendar benefit for the Kettering Medical Foundation’s Women’s Wellness Fund.

Sherif Hedayat, owner of Erratic Media, is a stand-up comic and director who will share his expertise on erratic creativity.

Brandy King, a.k.a. Vizz, is a food reviewer through her blog Food vs. Face. This ravishing redhead is known to extol the merits of meat and beer and eats like a well-mannered wild animal.

Chris Wire is an artist who is turned on by welding and grinding. He does not like celery. As head of Real Art Design Group he surely has something intelligent, imaginative and inspiring to share with us.

Jay King talks! If you are fascinated by comic book style illustrators, you will love Jay’s presentation. Normally a man of few words, it will be a rare treat to have him take the mic.

Reade Faulkner is a funny thinker and he is friends with Jason Sheets. But that’s not the only thing that makes him amusing. You’ll have to come listen to find out anything else.

Rounding out the speakers is urban activist Theresa Gasper, Full Circle Development, a woman of vision and action. Hear the story of how she came back to the neighborhood where she grew up, determined to renew it.

At 9:00PM, watch the 50-minute documentary DIVE! Filmmaker Jeremy Seifert dumpster dived in the receptacles of L.A.’s supermarkets to expose the truth about waste.

Present Mirth Hath Present Laughter

January 28, 2011 By Shane Anderson 1 Comment

Twelfth Night

The Human Race Theatre Co.

What is love? ’tis not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What’s to come is still unsure:
In delay there lies no plenty;
Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty,
Youth’s a stuff will not endure.

Seize the day. Enjoy the moment. Youth won’t last. Carpe Diem.

Aaron Vega has a vision. Take the bard’s classic comedy, Twelfth Night (orginally set in ancient Illyria) and plop it into an American / Jazz Age / F. Scott Fitzgeraldean setting. Cool.

You gotta be creative and have some guts to do something like that, no? Well Vega is and does! At 28, Aaron Vega (recognizable to most WSU & Loft Theatre audiences from his appearances on-stage) now holds the record as the youngest director of a production in The Human Race Theatre Company’s history.

The show, one of Shakespeare’s classic comedies, was written in 1601. It earns it’s name from the 12th night after Christmas Day, referred to as the Eve of the Feast of the Epiphany in the Catholic faith. In Shakespeare’s time, however, this 12th night had become quite the uproarious occasion, and the Bard felt compelled to contribute an evening’s entertainment to the frivolity. What better contribution to the revelry than a plot featuring shipwrecks, misguided romance, mistaken identity, merry pranksters, and, (of course) cross-dressing.

“if music be the food of love, play on.”

Don’t expect to hear lutes or panpipes accompanying this production, instead a wide range of music from the 1920’s, from Gershwin to Fats Waller. Additional music has been composed by WSU grad Christian Duhamel, who also appears on stage as Feste, the clown.

onStageDayton questioned Vega about his unique vision for the production & his first experience directing in the Loft.

onStageDayton: What was your goal in setting this production in 1920’s Jazz-Age America instead of the original Ancient Illyria?

Aaron Vega & Claire Kennedy in 2009's Lend Me A Tenor

Aaron Vega: Playing it in the ‘20s will help tell the story to a modern audience. The poetry of Shakespeare can be a hurdle for some audience members who aren’t used to it, so placing the story into a time-period that we all have at least a vague visual knowledge that helps people relax and enjoy the beautiful story. That being said, most people that have never seen or heard Shakespeare except in a high school English class, will find themselves pleasantly suprised at how much they will understand the poetry of the language.

OSD: By moving the plot into a more modern setting, what kinds of problems did this present to you and your actors? What creative freedom did it provide?

AV: The question I asked was, “does this help or hinder the story?” We’ve all heard about Shakespeare shows that have been placed in settings that don’t make any sense. HAMLET set in space springs to mind as an example. It was a fairly logical step to set it in the ’20’s because of all the rich history in this country at the time. Women’s suffrage, prohabition, jazz, etc. I knew we were onto something when the actors started coming to me with ideas about their characters based on the period AND supported by the text. It helped us go further and deeper with a play that can sometimes be played just for laughs.

OSD: Do you think that your choice to change the time and place of Twelfth Night might make the show more appealing to an audience that might normally not choose to attend a Shakespearian production?

AV: Yes. Yes. Yes. But again, give the play 8 minutes and then you’ll really be shocked at how much ANYONE can enjoy the language. The story is so accessible and there are so many characters, that everyone watching will be able to connect to at least one of the characters on stage. The actors and I have worked very hard to make sure that the play remains human. All of the relationships, character’s intentions or plots-even clowning-say human. It’s really been quite lovely to watch. The setting only amplifies that. It’s easier for me, as an audience member, to feel connected to a character if they’re dressed at least a bit like me. The second you put someone in poofy pants, and poofy shirts, even I get turned off.

OSD: This is your first directing gig with The Human Race and you are the youngest director in the history of the company–What has this experience been like for you? Following in the footsteps of great local directors such as Kevin Moore, Scott Stoney and Marsha Hanna, did you ever find yourself questioning your creative decisions throughout the process?

AV: It’s been a joy and an honor. I’ve questioned a few decisions early on but I had Marsha Hanna and Kevin asking the tough questions and making sure that I was as specific as I needed to be. They’ve been incredibly gracious and supportive. The other side of the story is that there is a larger staff at The Human Race Theatre Company, in their office and scene shop (where they build all of their beautiful sets), who have also been tremendously supportive. It’s nice to know that there are theatre companies in this country who are still dedicated to local audiences and telling a beautiful stories on the stage. My wife and I live in New York City and the amount of work has been getting smaller and smaller due to the economy and theaters closing their doors. The fact that a professional theatre company with such a good national reputation is still willing to produce the classics AND call Dayton, Ohio it’s home is truly inspiring. That is all because of people like the staff at the Human Race and specifically their leadership in Kevin Moore and the late Marsha Hanna.

OSD: Now that the show is about to open, what excites (or terrifies) you most about preparing for audiences to see this new version of classic Shakespeare?

AV: The actor’s dedication to the humanity of the characters is what keeps inspiring me. My dream is that people in the Miami Valley will choose live theatre as an entertainment option in a world that is becoming increasingly more disconnected. The Human Race Theatre Company at The Loft Theatre is Dayton’s opportunity to directly engage in their community and have a collective experience with other people from the area. It’s also fairly inexpensive and a wonderful way to enjoy their day. They’ll remember the play for the rest of their lives. Can any of us say that about the last TV show we watched?

Marsha Hanna

Twelfth Night is the fourth production of the 2010-2011 Eichelberger Loft Season of The Human Race. It will be the first Human Race production in more than 20 years without Artistic Director Marsha Hanna, who died January 3 of complications from esophageal cancer.

The cast of Twelfth Night is a result of local and national auditioning, including many members with local ties. It includes two Human Race Resident Artists, Tim Lile as Sir Toby Belch and Scott Stoney as Malvolio. Vega’s wife, Claire Kennedy (Lend Me a Tenor, A Christmas Carol), plays Viola, whose disguise as a man sets off the play’s events. Another WSU alum, Sara Mackie (Green Gables) plays Olivia.

Yellow Springs native Kevin Malarkey, a UC College-Conservatory of Music senior, is Valentine. Matthew Moore of Cedarville plays the Captain and Antonio. David Dortch, a veteran of Blue Jacket, plays Orsino.

Jennifer Johansen of Indianapolis (A Christmas Carol, Romeo and Juliet) is Maria. Josh Stamoolis, longtime Cincinnati Shakespeare resident performer, is Sir Andrew Aguecheek. And Justin Flagg, from the Royal Scottish Academy via New York, is Sebastian.

Behind the scenes, Dick Block designed the set, Lowell A. Mathwich the costumes, Rich Dionne the sound, Resident Artist John Rensel the lighting. Heather Jackson is the production stage manager, Scott Kimmins the Technical Director, with Heather Powell on props, Andrew Ian Adams on wardrobe and Nathan Dean on sound.

Photos by Scott J. Kimmins

-SA/Human Race Theatre Co. Press Release

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

Tickets & Performance Information:

TWELFTH NIGHT (January 28 – February 13 at The Loft Theatre, various performance times).

More information and tickets are available through www.humanracetheatre.org, by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Schuster Center box office, or at the box office at The Loft two hours before curtain.

A Cup of Ambition…at the Schuster Center

January 28, 2011 By Shane Anderson 7 Comments

9 to 5 – the musical

Victoria Theatre Association

Win tickets to this show! Read on…

The year was 1980. Dolly Parton was making her big-screen debut and the whole world was a-flutter! Dolly on the BIG SCREEN! This 10 year old little kid couldn’t figure out why Grandpa had four copies of her latest album which featured the title song from the movie 9 TO 5. Thirty-one years later, I think I’ve got it figured out.

This was one funny movie! Bravo still has it listed as #47 on their list of the “100 Funniest Movies.” I was so jealous of my older cousins who saw it in the local movie-plex. I am pretty sure that I wasn’t allowed to see the movie when it first came out (I had to wait several years for VHS on the small screen), but I know that there was many a chuckle at family gatherings that Christmas over this flick. I think I know now why Grandpa kept four copies of the vinyl. You always wanna a few back-ups of something this, umm, monumental.

Leap forward almost thirty years.

Dolly Parton brushes the dust off of this classic, writes a few new songs, hires a kick-butt cast & breathes new life into the hilarious story–but this time in one of the biggest houses on the Great White Way, marking the Broadway debut of the seven-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and musician.

2009 saw the premiere of 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL, starring contemporary stage greats Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, Mark Kudisch and Daytonian Allison Janney (who was just HEARD on stage in the recent Muse Machine production of Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS as the voice of the giant). Unfortunately the show’s NYC run only survived through September 2009, but a year later the first national tour kicked off…and will be making a stop at The Schuster Center February 1-6.

“it shines! Dolly Parton’s songs are bouncy, big hearted, fresh & original. If you’re looking for a diversion, 9 to 5 will do the trick from 8 to 10:15!” ~ The Daily News

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL is a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. This is the story of three unlikely friends who conspire to take control of their company and learn there’s nothing they can’t do — even in a man’s world.

Outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, the show is about teaming up and taking care of business… it’s about getting credit and getting even.

While the company has changed a bit, it still features a stellar cast of Dee Hoty (Violet), Diana DeGarmo (Doralee Rhodes) and Mamie Paris (Judy), along with Dolly Parton’s original hit title song in her new Tony Award® and Grammy-nominated score. 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL was nominated for four 2009 Tony Awards® including Original Score and received a record breaking 15 Drama Desk nominations including Outstanding Musical.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience on my first Broadway show,” said Dolly Parton. ‘I’ve had the privilege of working with an amazing group of people who have become like family to me. I can’t wait for this show to hit the road so people across the country can see why I’m so proud of everyone involved.”

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL’s book is by Patricia Resnick (co-writer of the original screenplay). The touring production will be directed and choreographed by Tony nominated, Jeff Calhoun.

“I met Dolly Parton as a chorus kid dancing in the film ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ only a few years after ‘9 to 5’ was already a hit movie. It was a thrill to work with her then and an honor and privilege to be entrusted to direct and choreograph this exciting new tour of 9 to 5: The Musical” said Mr. Calhoun.

9 to 5 - the musical ~ February 1-6, 2011 at the Schuster Center ~ present by Victoria Theatre Association

Allison Janney in 9 to 5

The co–choreographer is Lisa Stevens, scenic design by Ken Foy, costume design by five time Tony Award® winner, William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award® and Drama Desk Award winner, Ken Billington, music supervision by Stephen Oremus and casting by Telsey + Company.

-SA/VTA Press Release

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

Tickets & Performance Information:

9 to 5: The Musical (February 1-6 at The Schuster Center) Performance times are Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $36, with discounts available for senior citizens, students and groups.

Tickets are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage, and may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (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. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com. Group discounts for 20 or more are available.

For more information about Victoria Theatre Association’s entire 20010-2011 season, visit www.victoriatheatre.com.

Win Free Tickets!

The Victoria Theatre Association & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL! We will be giving away up to TWO pairs of tickets for the Tuesday evening show! (February 1st) All you need to do is:

Share this article on Facebook or Twitter…just click the appropriate button at the top of this page.
Fill out the contact form at the bottom of this post.
Leave a comment, answering the following question…WITHOUT NAMING NAMES…Describe your DREAM retaliation against your LEAST FAVORITE BOSS ever????! (no blood or guts, please)
The deadline to enter is 8PM on SUNDAY, January 30th.
Winners will be selected randomly from all of the entries.

CONTEST CLOSED

Coming Up in Dayton Theatre: 01/27 – 02/09

January 28, 2011 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

WSU: Jekyll and Hyde (Photo Credit Wright State University)

Thursday, January 27 – Wednesday, February 9, 2011

It seems like it’s the beginning of that time of year when hours pass too slowly and days even more so. There’s been snow on the ground for the majority of several months, but its melting seems too far in the future to even consider. The excitement of the holidays has been over for a month, and there aren’t any special events or vacations to which to look forward for quite a while. However, the plays that are up in Dayton over the next two weeks are perfect distractions from those winter doldrums, and whether you’re in the mood for a fun musical spectacle (Hello, Dolly!) or a tale of intense inner torment (Jekyll & Hyde), there’s a show for you. So… what do you plan on seeing?

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

Twelfth Night

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

The Story: After being shipwrecked, Viola pretends to be her drowned brother. When she falls in love with her employer, for whom she’s delivering love notes to the Lady Olivia, the result is a classic love triangle in this hilarious Shakespearean comedy of mistaken (and disguised) identities. HRTC sets this production in 1927 America, complete with speakeasies, tights, and all the music of the Roaring Twenties!
Dates: January 27 – February 13.
Tickets: Ticket Center Stage
More Information: Human Race Theatre Company: Twelfth Night

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

David Thomas as Leaf Coneybear (Photo Credit John Gebhardt)

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

The Story: Six eclectic students in the throes of puberty compete (along with some volunteer audience members) in pursuit of spelling bee fame; the adults and hosts aren’t so far from childhood themselves! In this fun and interactive musical, the students learn where they can stand out and fit in all at the same time.
Dates: January 28 through February 13; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm.
Tickets and More Information: Dayton Playhouse, call the box office at (937) 424-8477, or win some free through my DMM feature, s-y-n-e-r-g-y and spelling .

The Octette Bridge Club

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE

The Story: Eight sisters in a small Rhode Island town meet twice a month for bridge and gossip; in this play set in the context of the World Wars, we see them grow closer and apart, and how their selves, relationships, and world change between 1934 and 1944.
Dates: January 27 – February 6, 2011
Tickets and More Information: Beavercreek Community Theatre

Hello, Dolly!

CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY

The Story: Dolly Levi, adored by all (especially the waiters at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant) is a self-termed meddler, but this time, she’s scheming to arrange her own marriage, to the well-known and rich Horace Vandergelder. In this optimistic and fun musical, Dolly charms (and meddles) her way into his heart, setting up a few other matches along the way.
Dates: February 3 – 5, 10 – 12; curtains at 8:00 pm, with additional Saturday performances at 2:00 pm. Call for info on additional student and senior citizen matinees.
Tickets: Cedarville University: Tickets
More Information: Cedarville University: Theatre Season and watch for a behind-the-scenes preview article here next week!

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

I Hate Hamlet

PLAYHOUSE SOUTH

The Story: In this dramatic comedy, television actor Andrew Rally is struggling in his professional and private lives, attempting to play the role of Hamlet (which he hates) and deal with his girlfriend’s unrelenting chasteness. The dilemma deepens when the ghost of John Barrymore appears to try to convince Andrew to persevere in the role… while an old deal-making friend suddenly offers Andrew the chance at a new television deal.
Dates: January 21 – 23, 28 – 29, 2011
Tickets: 888-262-3792
More Information: Playhouse South

Jekyll & Hyde

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

The Story: Dr. Henry Jekyll studies what he perceives to be a dichotomous nature in humans, comprising good and evil; when he attempts to separate them, “he unwittingly unleashes his dark, inner self: the murderous Edward Hyde” (WSU). In this intense and thrilling musical, he battles that self and the destructiveness Hyde unleashes.
Dates: continues through Sunday, January 30.
Tickets: (937) 775-2500 (good luck getting them, but it’s worth trying)
More Information: (937) 775-3072 or DMM Review

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

Beyond Therapy, by Christopher Durang

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Auditions: February 1 & 2, 7:00 pm
Performances: March 11 – 20, 2011
The Story: Manhattanites Prudence and Bruce, both seeking stable romantic relationships with their psychiatrists’ help, place personal ads. After a disastrous meeting, the two flee back to their respective therapists, who may just be more troubled than their patients. Although Prudence and Bruce overcome their mutual loathing, in true Durang fashion, the chaos doesn’t end.
Directed by Kim Warrick
More Information: Dayton Playhouse: Auditions

ONE SHORT DAY

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

Cait Doyle’s Hot Mess in Manhattan

ENCORE THEATER COMPANY

The Story: Carrie Bradshaw is a Lie. In this stylistically encompassing new musical, we journey through the wilds of New York City life in an honest, hilarious, contemporary, and touching look at one woman’s interaction with the city that never sleeps. Encore Theater Company is pleased to be the host theatre for the out-of-town tryout of this New York bound musical.

Date: Saturday, February 12, 8pm at Sinclair Community College (Building 8)

Tickets: http://brushfire.e-vent.info/Events/Sinclair/Start.aspx

More Information: Encore Theater Company

BLUE VALENTINE & Oscar News at THE NEON

January 27, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

As predicted, MADE IN DAGENHAM only had enough business to stick around for one week…that’s not to say that audiences didn’t love the film – they did. If you still want to catch it, today (1/27) will be its last day. On Friday, we will open the much-anticipated film BLUE VALENTINE – a huge hit at Sundance, Cannes, Toronto and more. Numerous critics have given the film a 100% review, and Michelle Williams just earned an Oscar nomination for her performance.

Speaking of Oscar nominations…NEON titles popped up in several categories. THE KING’S SPEECH, nominated for 12 Academy Awards, is sticking around for another week. Here’s a look at other NEON titles that were recognized:
WINTER’S BONE, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, 127 HOURS, BLACK SWAN, BLUE VALENTINE, INSIDE JOB, I AM LOVE, ANIMAL KINGDOM, and RESTREPO.
The following films were also nominated…and are booked for the coming weeks:
ANOTHER YEAR, BIUTIFUL, RABBIT HOLE, THE ILLUSIONIST, IN A BETTER WORLD, and BARNEY’S VERSION. (more will likely come)
Details about our annual FREE Oscar Party will be available soon! Hold the date for Sunday, February 27!

Synopsis for BLUE VALENTINE: “BLUE VALENTINE is a story of love found and love lost told in past and present moments in time. Flooded with romantic memories of their courtship, Dean and Cindy use one night to try and save their failing marriage. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star in this honest portrait of a relationship on the rocks.” Visit the official website by clicking this LINK.

On Thursday, February 3 at 7:15, come to THE NEON for PK Night Dayton, Volume 6. PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in 2003 as an event where people meet, network, and share their creative endeavors with a lively audience. PK Nights are now held in hundreds of cities, inspiring creative people worldwide. The name comes from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit chat”, and rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It’s a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace. PechaKucha Night Dayton is on its sixth volume, with presentations from Samantha Enslen, Reade Faulkner, Theresa Gasper, Sherif Hedayat, Sharon Howard, Brandy King, Jay King, and Chris Wire. Following the presenations, stick around for a screening of the thought-provoking and motivating documentary DIVE! Grocery stores around the country are filling their dumpsters with food. Not rotten, spoiled food, but billions of pounds of good, edible food. Follow filmmaker Jeremy Seifert and his circle of friends as they dumpster dive in the back alleys and gated garbage receptacles of L.A.’s supermarkets. In the process, they uncover thousands of dollars worth of good food and an ugly truth about waste in America: grocery stores know they are wasting and most refuse to do anything about it. The cost for this entire event is $5. Presentations start at 7:15 and DIVE! starts at 9:00.

Here’s something special and new for us:
Regional premiere!
Here With Me: Christian Duhamel LIVE in Concert!
Grab a drink at The Neon Bar and join singer/composer Christian Duhamel for an evening of LIVE song and story. Guest artists will contribute their voices to his original music as they bring a new kind of “show time” to THE NEON. One night only! February 8th @ 9:30pm.
Details are still developing, so stay tuned for more information in next week’s newsletter!

BLUE VALENTINE is a true indie. Made with passion and a very modest budget – it took eleven years to go from page to the screen. Please spread the word to support this indie at a true indie cinema – THE NEON with the best ticket and concession prices in town…not to mention a great beer selection.

Hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for January 28 – February 3:

BLUE VALENTINE (R) 1 Hr 52 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:30, 4:50, 7:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 4:50, 7:20, 9:40

THE KING’S SPEECH (R) 1 Hr 58 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Monday – Wednesday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Thursday: 2:30, 5:00

PK NIGHT DAYTON, Volume 6 (NR)
Thursday: 7:15

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Due to Oscar Season, we know that many of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.

Feb. 4 ANOTHER YEAR
Feb. 11 I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS
Feb. 18 BARNEY’S VERSION
TBD: RABBIT HOLE, BIUTIFUL, SOMEWHERE
TINY FURNITURE & THE ILLUSIONIST

SEED Theatre selects 2011-12 slate

January 26, 2011 By Russell Florence, Jr. 11 Comments

The emerging SEED Theatre Project’s 2011-2012 season will feature two musical regional premieres in addition to dramatic works by David Mamet and Marsha Norman.

The season will consist of Norman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “’Night, Mother,” August 19-20, 2011, staged by SEED executive artistic director Adam Leigh; Neil Bartram and Brian Hill’s friendship musical “The Story of My Life,” November 4-5, 2011, directed by William “Kip” Moore and starring Leigh and Shawn Hooks; James Sherman’s generational dramedy “Half and Half,” February 10-11, 2012; David Mamet’s controversial “Oleanna,” April 27-28, 2012, directed by Laura Estandia; and John Bucchino and Harvey Fierstein’s marital musical “A Catered Affair,” June 8-9, 2012, directed by Leigh. Season tickets can be purchased for $48. Visit www.seedtheatreproject.org or call (937) 823-0018.

SEED’s current season continues with John Cariani’s romantic comedy “Almost, Maine,” slated for February 11-12 under the direction of Moore; Arthur Miller’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People,” slated for April 15-16 under the direction of Estandia; and the local premiere of Doug Wright, Michael Korie and Scott Frankel’s musical “Grey Gardens,” slated for June 10-11 under the direction of Leigh.

All productions are held at the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, 1000 N. Keowee St., Dayton. For additional information about SEED (an acronym for Societal Empowerment and Everyman Development) and its mission, visit www.seedtheatreproject.org or contact Leigh at (937) 219-7835.

s-y-n-e-r-g-y and spelling

January 26, 2011 By Dayton937 9 Comments

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

"Spelling Bee" cast. Photo credit: John Gebhardt

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Win Tickets to this show…Read on!

“Trespass. T – R – E – S…” Nine years old and fourth speller left, I paused. Were there one or two s’s in the middle? I guessed two, and with the disheartening ding of the buzzer, my chance at spelling stardom disappeared. Since then, I’ve never forgotten how to spell ‘trespass,’ or been in another bee. However, in Dayton Playhouse’s upcoming production of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, we can all relive those childhood competitions… some of us, even onstage with the actors.

s-y-n-o-p-s-i-s

According to the show’s official website, this “hilarious tale of overachievers’ angst chronicles the experiences of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime.” Each student is eclectic and unique, from the youngest but politically aware Logainne SchwartzandGrubenniere (overseen by her overbearing, gay fathers), to the linguistic, obsessively confident, not-allowed-to-cry Marcy Park (Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, anyone?) to the pubescent (inopportunely so…) Chip Tolentino.

Bobby Mitchum as Chip Tolentino; photo credit John Gebhardt

p-r-e-c-o-c-i-o-u-s

The adults in charge are equally diverse and have barely managed to escape childhood themselves. The result is a quirky and hilarious story “filled with jubilant music, humor, and heart.”

Cast member Corinne Derusha, who plays host Rona Lisa Peretti, observed,

“Spelling Bee isn’t meant to be performed by kids [it’s aimed to be performed by adults portraying children] but with the range of ages and experiences [of our cast], it takes the audience away from that one aspect and focuses more on the characters we have created.”

d-i-d-a-c-t-i-c

This unique portrayal of children by adults is, according to director Natalie Houliston, “very revealing, [bringing] a new life and light to the struggle of the human condition.”

"Spelling Bee" cast; photo credit John Gebhardt

The characters are not the only spellers in this fictitious bee. Prior to the show, audience members can sign up with Vice Principle Panch and Rona to be considered for one of four audience speller roles. Don’t let this b-e-l-e-a-g-u-e-r you, though – these spellers don’t have to be amazing, merely willing to sit onstage and try their best!

p-a-r-t-i-c-i-p-a-n-t

The cast members have enjoyed working on this production. Derusha in particular loves the music: “[it] is brilliant. And singing it every day has been a treat. I’m going to be sad when it’s over.” Each of the cast members with which I spoke also praised the show’s direction as both professional and familial.

Charity Farrell, who plays Marcy, said,

“Natalie has been incredible to work with… she is completely open to any ideas we might have – in fact, every single suggestion that anyone has thrown out from the beginning has been answered with, ‘I’d be willing to see that!’”

Especially for a show about a student experience, that spirit of collaboration is perfect. But, this attitude has not come at the expense of quality and a clear vision, but rather alongside and promoting them.

Charity Farrell as Marcy Park; photo credit John Gebhardt

r-a-p-p-o-r-t

The cast shares this perspective : Errik Hood, vocal director and Vice-President Panch, said, “The entire cast showed up to the first rehearsal with great voices, but the truly special thing about each of them was their willingness and ability to try new ideas, experiment with new vocal colors and approaches, and to dramatically motivate each musical choice– making the singing an organic manifestation of the character instead of a superimposed or conflicting idea.”

That combination of synergy, creativity, and leadership, along with a s-t-e-l-l-a-r cast of s-p-e-l-l-e-r-s, makes Dayton Playhouse’s production of The 25^th Annual Spelling Bee a show Dayton audiences shouldn’t miss.

Performance Information

p-a-i-d-e-i-a (a compendium of general education)

Who: Complete cast – Corinne Derusha, Errik M. Hood, Lindsay Sherman, Charity Farrell, Bobby Mitchum, Matthew Smith, David Thomas, David Stone, and Hannah Berry. Directed by Natalie Houliston, with musical and vocal direction from Joe Whatley and Errik Hood, choreography by Erica Hamilton, lights by John Findley, sound by Tony Fende, costumes by Eric Winslow, and stage management by Cami Brewer.

When: January 28 through February 13; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm.

Where: 1301 Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton.

Warning: Parents strongly cautioned: “…Spelling Bee” contains strong language, adult jokes, and mature themes. Not recommended for children under 13.

To purchase tickets, visit http://www.daytonplayhouse.org or call the box office at (937) 424-8477.

Win Free Tickets!

The Dayton Playhouse & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to Spelling Bee! We will be giving away up to FOUR pairs of tickets for the show! All you need to do is:

Share this article on Facebook or Twitter…just click the appropriate button at the top of this page (We’ll give away one pair of tickets for every TEN FB/Twitter Shares).
Fill out the contact form at the bottom of this post.
Leave a comment, answering the following question…WHAT COMMONLY USED WORD ALWAYS TRIPS YOU UP WHEN YOU TYPE IT? You know…”D-E-S-S-E-R-T or D-E-S-E-R-T?”
The deadline to enter is NOON on FRIDAY, January 28th.
Winners will be selected randomly from all of the entries.

Contest Closed 1/28/2011 at Noon

Delectable ‘Jekyll’ at Wright State

January 25, 2011 By Russell Florence, Jr. 2 Comments

(L to R) Alexandra Sunderhaus, Blaine Boyd and Darian Taschner in 'Jekyll & Hyde' (Contributed Photo)

Wright State University could have produced Leslie Bricusse, Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn’s dark pop musical “Jekyll & Hyde” a decade ago, but thankfully the powers that be held the show until now so Blaine Boyd’s transcendent leading performance would be remembered as one of the best to ever appear on the Festival Playhouse stage.

Boyd, a key element to the remarkable success of WSU’s Ohio collegiate premiere of “The Light in the Piazza” last season, broadens his expertise as an actor and vocalist in the extremely demanding title roles. As Dr. Henry Jekyll, an earnest Victorian scientist who concocts a serum to separate good from evil in man, Boyd possesses an amiable charm coupled with a steadfast determination that gives total credence to Jekyll’s progressive mission, which his hypocritical colleagues and government officials deride. In fascinating contrast, he molds Jekyll’s diabolical alter ego Edward Hyde into a cunning, sensual and unnerving creation (effectively enhanced by sound designer James Dunlap). His stunning transformation into Hyde alone contains an animalistic physicality and excruciating pains so real you will cling to your seat in trepidation.

Musically, Boyd’s striking tenor fits impressively within the confines of Wildhorn’s challenging, rigorous score. “This Is the Moment,” the show’s signature anthem which has wallowed in beauty pageant hell for years, feels reborn due to his decision to emphasize the inspiring lyrics rather than resorting to self-indulgent vocalizing. Elsewhere, he unleashes Hyde to terrifying degrees in “Alive!” and presents a convincing “Confrontation” between the dual personalities resulting in a surprisingly chilling finish.

Although Boyd is an undeniable draw, this melodramatic yet substantive 1997 adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic novella also relies on two women who endearingly frame the action and fuel its emotional impact. As Jekyll’s devoted fiancé Emma Carew, lovely soprano Alexandra Sunderhaus radiates with elegant gentility. Her rendition of “Once Upon a Dream,” Emma’s desire to restore her fractured relationship with Jekyll, is a highlight given added depth by Boyd’s marvelously silent interplay. Darian Taschner, another standout in “The Light in the Piazza,” shines again as Lucy Harris, the main attraction at London’s decadent Red Rat nightclub who has feelings for Jekyll and is abused by Hyde. Taschner poignantly delivers the bulk of Wildhorn’s beautiful ballads, specifically “Sympathy, Tenderness,” “Someone Like You” and “A New Life.” She also fills the melancholy magnetism of “No One Knows Who I Am” with a captivating introspectiveness that fully reveals Lucy’s somber uncertainty of her circumstance, existence and future. In addition, Sunderhaus and Taschner combine for a heartfelt “In His Eyes,” and are equally strong in their duets with Boyd, especially Taschner who applies keen apprehension to the seductive heat of “Dangerous Game.”

Well defined featured roles are offered by Zach Steele as John Utterson, Drew Helton as Sir Danvers Carew, Lucian Smith as Simon Stride, Jon Hacker as Spider, Cameron Blackenship as Lord Savage, Drew Bowen as General Lord Glossop, Eric Julian Walker as Bishop of Basingstroke, Charis Weible as Lady Beaconsfield, Ian DeVine as Sir Archibald Proops and Kylie Santoro as Nellie.

In a refreshing change of pace, director W. Stuart McDowell dials back the flashy showmanship evident in his helming of such musicals as “Cabaret,” “Hello, Dolly!,” “Show Boat,” “South Pacific” and “Titanic.” This time, he opts for a clear-cut, character-driven approach, refashioning “Jekyll & Hyde” as a relatively scaled down chamber piece. His skillful staging flows with intimacy, intensity and precision.

Choreographer Greg Hellems creates a foreboding flair with ensemble numbers “Façade” and “Murder, Murder” and playfully tackles Taschner’s titillating “Good and Evil.”

D. Bartlett Blair’s attractive period costumes, Kelly Green’s sleek set design and musical director Rick Church’s fine off-stage orchestra are also commendable.

“Jekyll & Hyde,” which opened Friday, January 21, is practically sold out, but try to get a ticket if you can.

Jekyll & Hyde, which has been dedicated to the memory of Marsha Hanna, continues through Sunday, January 30 in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Act One: 75 minutes; Act Two: 50 minutes. Tickets are $17 and $19. For tickets or more information, call (937) 775-2500. In related news, Wright State plans to stage the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray in the fall of 2011. WSU’s complete 2011-2012 lineup will be announced at a later date.

Kevin Smith vs Hollywood – Springfield, Ohio is a battlefield…

January 25, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro 2 Comments

Kevin Smith, the director of the 1994 cult-hit Clerks as well as several follow-up films such as Mall Rats, Dogma, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back and Chasing Amy (as well as playing Silent Bob in many of those same films) has made a new movie. Titled Red State, this horror/thriller is about a group of sex-crazed teens who encounter a gay-hating minister and his group of fundamentalists with a sinister agenda.

While this genre is a bit of a departure from Smith’s prior efforts, his method of marketing and distribution for the film harkens back to his Clerks days when he sold his comic book collection and maxed out credit cards in order to achieve independent film maker status. This time around, he is completely bypassing the Hollywood machine – instead choosing to use his fan base through social media to release the film, as well as a fifteen-city screening tour that will make a stop at Kuss Auditorium at the Clark State Performing Arts Center on March 14th.

Smith plans to work directly with movie theater owners in order to get the movie on screen by the targeted October 19, 2011 date, a plan he unveiled at the film’s Sundance Film Festival premiere this past Sunday where he had originally indicated he’d be auctioning the film to a distributor live on the stage. Instead, he “bought” the film himself for $20 and gave the proverbial middle finger to Hollywood. As an added twist, the film is supposedly based on the Christian fundamentalist Westboro Baptist Church, infamous for picketing soldiers’ funerals with “God Hates Fags” signs. That group predictably protested the premiere and will likely be in Springfield in March for the screening.

Tickets to the local screening go on sale for $67 this Friday at 10am in person at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, with online tickets available that same day at noon.

Arts and Entertainment on a Budget

January 24, 2011 By Dayton937 3 Comments

Marsha Pippenger said it best in her article about supporting the Dayton arts scene: just go. Yet despite the plethora of arts and entertainment options in Dayton, we all have our excuses, and money is certainly a legitimate one. The arts aren’t cheap to produce, and while the high quality productions are usually worth every penny, many of us can’t afford to drop that kind of cash every weekend. That being said, my motto for 2011 is “No Excuses.” So fear not – there are plenty of discounts and freebies to go around. Here are just a few:

Oscar season is upon us, and “The King’s Speech” is certain to appear on the list of nominees. Check it out at The Neon this week; on Tuesdays, tickets are only $5! Even full-price tickets at The Neon ($8.50 for evening screenings) are a few dollars cheaper than the big-box movie theatres.

This Wednesday (1/26), preview the Human Race’s “Twelfth Night” for the price of a canned good. Ticket distribution begins at 5:30 pm (first-come, first-served); performance begins at 7 pm. If you can’t make it to Wednesday’s Pay What You Can performance, then join JumpstART on Feb. 10th for Jump Into Theatre. This young-professional branch of Culture Works is offering half-price tickets to “Twelfth Night,” plus a backstage tour.

Are you a fan of bluegrass? JumpstART is also offering discounted tickets to the Ricky Skaggs concert on Jan. 29th, presented by Cityfolk.

If jazz is more your style, then don’t miss the Eddie Brookshire Quintet on Monday, Jan. 31st at the University of Dayton. This concert is free! Learn more about this high energy ensemble at http://www.eddiebrookshiremusic.com.

Forbidden Broadway: Dances with the Stars will hit the Victoria Theatre stage on February 19th; buy your ticket online before January 28th and get 35% off. Just visit http://www.ticketcenterstage.com and use the code “DWTS”.

Just Go

January 20, 2011 By Marsha Pippenger 3 Comments

Marking the Past/Shaping the Present: The Art of Willis "Bing" Davis (at DAI)

I want to thank Mary McCarty for her DDN column of Sunday, January 16. She made note of something we all do in regards to the arts. We talk and talk and talk about how we need to go more, see more, do more, and do it all more often, and then one day, when we do go, it’s gone, and just like the song, we realize we don’t know what we’ve got till it’s gone.

That’s what could happen to our arts – all of them – if we don’t change our attitudes.

Back in the early 80s, my husband and I lived in the Washington DC area, a region rich with art – the many museums of the Smithsonian, the Phillips Collection, the galleries, free stuff on the Mall, the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Art Gallery – and to this day I regret not going more often to these wonderful places while I lived so close and it was so easy. Some of them I never got to (shame on you Marsha!). I had the same problem we all have in our lives; I had a finite number of hours in a day, a week, a month, and I still had to do laundry, run errands, clean the house, go to work, so how could I possibly set aside those “have tos” for an “I‘d really like to”?

Because, as Mary so rightly points out, those “like tos” have to become “must dos” or those things in life that enrich us will disappear. Some already have, sadly. It’s tough to change our actions; it’s a decision to be intentional; to set time aside to nurture ourselves. And, as we all know, the laundry still has to get done.

How do we do it? Am I making a case for a 12 step program in saving the arts? Do we need to form a support group of arts lovers who drag us to the museum, to the theatre, to those wonderful galleries full of interesting, thought-provoking local art?

I don’t think so. But I do think it’s time to make a promise: to honor that part of us that gains health and nourishment from creation, visual thought, and imagination. Otherwise we will surely starve.
When you go to the Dayton Art Institute: Enjoy the permanent collection, then visit these:

100 Years of African-American Art: The Arthur Primas Collection
On view through January 30

Marking the Past/Shaping the Present: The Art of Willis “Bing” Davis
On view through January 30

Folk Art from the Collection of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
January 21 – March 27 in the Lower Level Galleries

Investigation Destination: Science and Math in Art
On view through April 3 in the Experiencenter

THE NEON – MADE IN DAGENHAM Set For One Week Only!

January 20, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

It’s time for us to move along. Today (1/20/2011) will be our last day for BLACK SWAN, and MADE IN DAGENHAM – starring the enchanting Sally Hawkins – will start tomorrow (1/21/2011). That said, you’ll have to move fast if you want to see DAGENHAM…we only plan to have the film for one week…that’s because BLUE VALENTINE is set to open on January 28.

Synopsis for MADE IN DAGENHAM: “Based on a true story, MADE IN DAGENHAM portrays a decisive moment in that decade of upheaval, when the fight for equal rights and pay was led – unexpectedly – by ordinary working-class women with one foot in the kitchen , one foot on the factory floor, and ears glued to the pop coming over the radio and telly from far-off London (19 kilometers and a world away). It’s a vintage “girl-power” tale.” (Sony Pictures Classics) Una LaMarche of The New York Observer writes, “Made in Dagenham is a retro romp with heart, smarts, soul and wit that will restore your faith in the power of the picket line. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone writes, “Sally Hawkins is just plain irresistible in this funny, touching and vital salute to women in the work force.”
Check out this incredible supporting cast…Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson and Rosamund Pike! Visit the official site by clicking this LINK.

In the next couple weeks, we have a few special events (I’m waiting on a description of a ski movie set for early February). In each case, THE NEON has been rented by a person or an organization. Ticket prices are then set by that lessee in accordance with their mission. Here are details that are ready for the press:

“RIDE THE DIVIDE, which was named best adventure film at the 2010 Vail Film Festival, is an inspiring journey about the world’s toughest mountain bike race, which traverses over 2,700 miles along the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. The film weaves the story of the three characters’ experiences with immense mountain beauty and small-town culture as they attempt to ride from Banff, Canada, to a small, dusty crossing on the Mexican border. The tests of endurance and the accomplished moments throughout Ride the Divide prompt us to reflect on our inner desires to live life to the fullest.” The film will play One Night Only – Wednesday, January 26 at 7:30.
Advanced tickets – ($10 each + $1 processing) are only available by visiting this LINK.
Tickets the day of the show will be available at the door for $15 each.
The official site of the film can be found atwww.ridethedivide.com.

Details about our annual FREE Oscar Party will be available soon! Hold the date for Sunday, February 27!

We’re quite excited to start BLUE VALENTINE next Friday. Given a 100% review from numerous critics (and a handful of my friends in other cities), I’m really looking forward to finally seeing it. If you haven’t seen the preview, you can visit the official site by clicking this LINK.

See you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for January 21 – January 27:

MADE IN DAGENHAM (R) 1 Hr 53 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:30, 4:50, 7:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 4:50, 7:20

THE KING’S SPEECH (R) 1 Hr 51 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Monday & Tuesday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Wednesday: 2:30, 5:00
Thursday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30

RIDE THE DIVIDE (NR)
Wednesday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Some of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.

Jan. 28 BLUE VALENTINE
Jan. 28 I LOVE YOU PHILIP MORRIS
Feb. 4 THE ILLUSIONIST & ANOTHER YEAR
TBD: RABBIT HOLE, BIUTIFUL, SOMEWHERE
TINY FURNITURE & BARNEY’S VERSION

Seth Rudetsky Brings ‘Big Fat Broadway’ To Springfield

January 20, 2011 By Russell Florence, Jr. Leave a Comment

If you adore Broadway and love to laugh, be sure to catch comedian Seth Rudetsky deliver his “Big Fat Broadway Show” Saturday, January 22 at the Turner Studio Theatre of the Clark State Performing Arts Center in Springfield.

The hilarious, one-of-a-kind Rudetsky, a Sirius/XM Radio host who has music directed numerous Broadway shows such as “42nd Street,” “Les Miserables,” “Mamma Mia!” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” will deconstruct a slew of personal musical theater-related recordings/videos (such as Cher singing all the roles in “West Side Story”!) in a style all his own. In fact, his energetic, funny and knowledgeable musings on Broadway past and present have become a staple in Manhattan in recent years thanks to Seth’s Broadway Chatterbox, his weekly talk show at New York’s Don’t Tell Mama.

In addition, the Emmy and Grammy nominee, born in Jamaica, Queens and raised on Long Island, appeared in the Broadway revival of “The Ritz,” was a member of “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” writing team, and wrote “The Q Guide to Broadway.” He also majored in classical piano performance at Oberlin College and will accompany Tony winner Betty Buckley (“Cats”) at the Performing Arts Center the evening prior.

OnStageDayton recently caught up with Rudetsky in advance of his Springfield appearance.

onStageDayton: Have you been amazed by any particular Broadway show recently?

Seth Rudetsky: I am/was obsessed with “In the Heights.” I (saw) it 11 times. Lin-Manuel Miranda brought ‘hip-hop’ to Broadway, which I am certainly not a fan of, but the show – it’s amazing! It’s literally like one of the old fashioned Golden Age musicals, but with a more modern score. It’s so tuneful and full of joy! Can’t wait to see the film version!

OSD: Is there a particular musical you would like to see revived on Broadway?

SR: I think ‘Shenandoah’ would be a great vehicle for Hugh Jackman. Probably my favorite musical of all that has nothad a good revival is ‘The Most Happy Fella,’ which is a brilliant show by Frank Loesser.

OSD: If you could go back in time as musical director of one show what would it be?

SR: Probably ‘Funny Girl’ just to have chance to work with Barbra Streisand and see how she worked. She changed the melody a lot. On the ‘Funny Girl’ cast recording, the melodies are not sung as written. It would be fascinating to know why she decided to change the melody. I once spoke with Marvin Hamlisch, the original rehearsal accompanist for ‘Funny Girl,’ who said (composer) Jule Styne just let Barbra do what she wanted to because she made it better.

OSD: Is there anyone in the New York theater community you particularly feel might be the most underrated?

SR: Kristine Zbnorik, who is playing Roz in the national tour of ‘9 to 5.’ She’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever worked with. And obviously Betty Buckley, who won a Tony Award, but hasn’t been on Broadway since ‘Triumph of Love’ in 1997. Betty is not underrated, but I’d say she’s underused. Where is her Broadway musical? I love Betty and it’s frustrating to me that these big Broadway stars have to wait years and years between Broadway shows. Look at Patti LuPone – she waited 20 years between musicals (in terms of) ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘Sweeney Todd.’ What is going on?

OSD: You recently performed in a New Jersey production of ‘[title of show]’ with Muse Machine alum Tyler Maynard of New Carlisle. How was that experience?

SR: Tyler got me the job. He really pushed for me and that’s why I did it. It was an abstract-driven show, which really didn’t matter to me, but when I realized he was going to be playing opposite me I had to do it. It was a great experience. Tyler’s parents are coming to see my show in Springfield as well.

“What I love about the show is that no matter the audience there is always non-stop laughter.”

OSD: You have worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, have been nominated for some of the most coveted awards in showbiz, have your own radio show, written a book, and continue to perform in various venues across the country. Is there anything in particular you hope to accomplish in the future?

SR: I’d love to host the Tony Awards – that indeed would be thrilling. Plus, being nominated for one! I’d also like to star in a play I write myself – like Lin-Manuel Miranda! But I don’t write music so it would have to be an actual play or a musical with a score by someone else. I also have a young adult book coming out on the Random House label. I would like to turn it into a book series and perhaps write a film version!

OSD: What do you hope audiences take away from the experience of seeing “Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Show”?

SR: What I love about the show is that no matter the audience there is always non-stop laughter. I’ve literally done my deconstructions in Amish Country and Waco, Texas, so believe me I’ve had all kinds of audiences. Thankfully, it always works. But what I truly enjoy is the fact that people can laugh, but they walk away loving Broadway even more than they have before, even if they never have. And they usually come up to me and say ‘Now I have to go out and buy the CD of ‘Hair’ or ‘The Pajama Game’’ or whatever song I’ve played that they are now obsessed with.

Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Show will be held Saturday, January 22 at 8 p.m. in the Turner Studio Theatre of the Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield. Tickets are $35. Seating is limited. For tickets or more information, call (937) 328-3874 or visit online at www.springfieldartscouncil.org. For additional information about Seth, visit online at www.sethrudetsky.com