Depression-era “Brighton Beach Memoirs” prevails with warmth and wit Brothers (L-R) Stanley (Richard Buchanan) and Eugene (Eric Deiboldt) By Jacqui Theobald Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical memoir is reflective of the human condition, touching both senior playgoers and those new to the theatre. In this highly energetic production directed by Marya Spring Cordes, Eugene is 15 years […]
Classic coming-of-age comedy at Loft Theatre Eugene gets scolded by his mother Kate (Lisa Ann Goldsmith). By Jacqui Theobald We have all survived adolescence; perhaps without the humor famed playwright Neil Simon brings to Brighton Beach Memoirs. Conflict and confusion couched in humor reflect his own life experience. Director Marya Spring Cordes said, “It is […]
Challenges abound in The Other Place at Dayton Theatre Guild The cast of The Other Place (L-R) Mark Sharp, Kayla Graham, Amy Askins, and Jamie McQuinn By Jacqui Theobald Complexity can come in short pieces, such as Sharr White’s The Other Place, now at The Dayton Theatre Guild. It only takes 80 minutes to create […]
Human Race Theatre presents steamy “Sex with Strangers” By Jacqui Theobald It takes about twelve minutes for the first sexual involvement between the two writers to begin; it takes two acts to understand how insecurities, trust, and support are equally dynamic and exciting. The 2009 play “Sex with Strangers” by Laura Eason features a near […]
Dayton Theatre Guild presents “Stella and Lou” Dayton Theatre Guild’s Adam Clevenger playing Donny, Geoff Burkman playing Lou, and Amy Taint playing Stella in “Stella and Lou” By Jaqui Theobald January is the perfect time to enjoy the story of a relationship between two mature adults. There’s a funeral for nostalgia, a younger man’s upcoming […]
New productions and more on stage Photo: Josh Richardt and Judy Shaw in “Shakespeare” in South Park; photos: courtesy South Park By Jacqui Theobald A new season, filled with eager anticipation and enthusiasm by community theatres, actors, and audiences. Hold on to your calendars. Two delightful offerings run simultaneously for three dates, creating opportunities to attend […]
The Dayton Theatre Guild’s newest production Left to right: Mike Beerbower, Jeff Sams, and Dave Williamson; photos: All My Sons By Jacqui Theobald “It’s a powerhouse,” an audience member said. “It’s SO touching,” said another. They were in the sold-out opening night audience that had just seen All My Sons, the Arthur Miller classic. Superbly […]
Dayton honors its own, looks ahead Judges from FutureFest, the three-day, new play weekend; photo: Art Fabian By: Jacqui Theobald DayTony Gala at Sinclair, July 29 When theatre people get together what do they talk about? Theatre, of course. Outstanding productions, what’s funny or poignant or outrageous. Maybe even a cynical or sarcastic quip—they’re clever […]
The future of theatre arrives at Dayton Playhouse with FutureFest Photo: The judging session of the play ‘Memories’ for FutureFest, this year July 20-23 at Dayton Playhouse; photo: Art Fabian By Jacqui Theobald Seeing a whole weekend of six new plays can get to be a near obsession, but fans of FutureFest are eager to be […]
July theatre companies rev down, up for new season Photo: (l-r) Kayla Graham as Cassius, Jared Mola as Brutus, and Miriam Eckenrode-Saari as Cato for YS Theater’s ‘Julius Caesar’ By Jacqui Theobald Without the constant pressure of audition/rehearsal/performance schedules in a regular season, area theatres still manage to find plenty to do in the summer. […]
Human Race Theatre reboots ‘Family Ties’ Photo: (l-r, front) Jim Stanek as Alex, Lawrence Redmond as Steve, and Eve Plumb as Elyse in ‘Family Ties’ at Human Race Theatre through June 25; photo: Scott J. Kimmins By Jacqui Theobald What do you suppose has been happening in the Keaton family for the last 20 years? The […]
This summer’s theatre warms up with auditions, productions Photo: J. Gary Thompson (left) and Annie Pesch in Young at Heart Players’ ‘First Kisses,’ at Dayton Playhouse June 2–4 and 9–11 By Jacqui Theobald Audition for FutureFest at the Playhouse, May 29 and 30 Now in its 27th year, FutureFest has set the auditions for six […]
Dayton Theatre Guild shows the light, dark ‘Wonder of the World’ By Jacqui Theobald Photo: (l-r) Richard Young, Marcella Balin, Ian Manuel, Kari Carter, Scott Madden, Debra Strauss, and Kerry Simpson perform ‘Wonder of the World’ through May 28 at Dayton Theatre Guild From guffaws to giggles, the audience was audibly enjoying the wacky humor […]
Ragtime plays back the turn of the 20th century at Dayton Playhouse By Jacqui Theobald Photo: The Harlem Group in Ragtime, running May 12-21 at Dayton Playhouse; photos: Art Fabian Big, bold, brisk, and brave. The Dayton Playhouse continues its pattern of undertaking giant musicals, seldom done by community theatres—and doing them well. Audience comment […]
The choices are yours, tough with this spring’s theatre By Jacqui Theobald Photo: Alan Bomar Jones as Thurgood Marshall in the Human Race Theatre’s production of ‘Thurgood,’ running April 27 – May 14 It starts with one-man show, ‘Thurgood,’ April 27–May 14 It’s history, as pertinent now as when it was the news of the […]
The Human Race Theatre muses on age, family in ‘On Golden Pond’ By Jacqui Theobold Photo: (l-r) Charlie Clark, Jennifer Joplin, and Dale Hodges in the Human Race Theatre’s ‘On Golden Pond,’ running through April 23photos: Scott J. Kimmins You can almost hear the gentle lap of the pond that seems somehow to exist exactly […]
Celtic Woman at Clark State gala The four women of Celtic Woman (L-R) Tara McNeill, Mairead Carlin, Éabha McMahon, and […]
Dare to deny the passage of time at the Mathile Theatre (L-R) Jonathan (Bobby Mitchum) seeks help through his first […]
Getting your “pot card” In addition to federal and state law, local ordinances may limit growers, dispensaries, and individuals. By […]
Ambiguity and contradictions still plague marijuana laws Despite the new law going into effect, much remains to be done for […]
Evil Eye Gypsy brings psychedelic rock to South Park Tavern Evil Eye Gypsy (L-R) Cat Shift, Sherree Emmons, Aaron Snyder, […]
