Theatre In The Miami Valley

By Brian P. Sharp

Bus Stop is at Dayton Playhouse

A lot can happen in a single night — especially at a street corner restaurant in a small Midwestern town where a busload of stranded passengers waits out a snowstorm.

Take yourself back to a diner about 30 miles west of Kansas City in early March 1955. A freak snowstorm has halted the progress of the bus, and eight interesting characters have a weather-enforced layover from approximately 1 to 5 a.m. Romantic or quasi-romantic relationships ensue.

The original Bus Stop opened on Broadway in 1955, and was nominated for four Tony Awards. Bus Stop was written by William Inge and is made available through Dramatists Play Service.  The Dayton Playhouse production stars Lorrie Sparrow as Grace, Margaret Foley as Elma, Craig Smith as Will, Rick Flynn as Dr. Gerald Lyman, Ellen Ballerene as Cherie, Scott Knisley as Bo, Mike Rouseculp as Virgil and Mark Hassel as Carl, all under the direction of Matthew Smith.

Performances will be Friday through Sunday, March 16-25.  All performances are at 8:00p.m. except Sundays, which are at 2:00p.m.  Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.daytonplayhouse.com, or through the box office, 937-424-8477, which is staffed Monday, Wednesday and Friday 2:00 -5:00p.m.  Messages may be left for the box office at any time.  The Dayton Playhouse is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, OH 45414.

Oliver! Takes the Stage in Springfield

The Springfield Civic Theatre in collaboration with Ohio Performing Arts Institute proudly presents Lionel Bart’s Oliver! Eight performances will be held between Friday, March 16 and Sunday, March 25 at the Clark State Performing Arts Center’s Turner Studio Theatre, 300 S. Fountain Blvd.

Oliver! marks the Springfield Civic Theatre’s third annual collaborative production, following successful performances of Seussical and Oklahoma. Bart’s play tells the story of Oliver Twist, a runaway orphan who joins a ragtag gang of pick-pocketing juveniles led by their elderly leader, Fagin.

General admission tickets are $17 with discounted rates for students and seniors at $15, and $14 for groups that purchase 12 tickets or more.  Tickets can be purchased at the Clark State Performing Arts Center Ticket Office at 300 S. Fountain Ave or by phone at 937-328-3874, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Tickets are also available for purchase online at www.pactkts.com.

Mayhem & Mystery Presents Newsworthy Nemesis at Spaghetti Warehouse

This just in . . . Good evening, and welcome to WMNM, the Nightly News Program with a twist.  Anchors George Suttman and Barb Waters present the news with heart, soul and a hint of flirtation.  But off-camera George and Barb despise one another.  Tonight’s Broadcast promises a big announcement to shock the entire viewing audience.  Has one of the anchors accepted another offer?  Or is the rumor true that all on-camera faces will be replaced by younger, fresher ones?  Stay tuned to our next segment for answers.  With a script by Jerry and Tamra Francis, the cast includes Jerry Francis as George Suttman, Susan Robert as Barb Waters, Tamra Francis as Gail Augury and Heather Atkinson as Blair Caterwaul.

Performance dates are: Mondays, March 19, & 26, and April 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30, plus Fridays, March 30, and April 27, 2012.  $25.95 per person for dinner and Mystery Show, tax and gratuity not included. Performance time: 7:00p.m. Contact The Spaghetti Warehouse, 36 W. Fifth St., Dayton, OH 45402, 937-461-3913 for reservations, and for more information visit www.mayhemmystery.com.

Going to St. Ives Opens at The Dayton Theatre Guild

Directed by Greg Smith and produced by Barbara Jorgensen, Going to St Ives tells the story of the dignified mother of a ruthless African dictator, who travels to England to seek treatment for her failing eyesight.  At first glance it looks like one woman helping another, but each woman brings to the other her true agenda, triggering a profound moral dilemma and a chain reaction of events with great personal and political aftershocks. The cast features Katrina Kittle of Dayton as Dr. Cora Cage and Catherine Collins of Dayton as May N’Kame.

Going to St. Ives runs Fridays through Sundays, beginning March 16th and closing April 1st.  Friday performances are at 8:00p.m. and the first Saturday is at 8:00p.m., with second and third Saturday performances at 5:00p.m.  Sunday matinees are at 3:00 p.m.  No one under the age of seven will be admitted.  Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students.  Reservations can be made via the website at www.daytontheatreguild.org, or by calling the Guild at (937) 278-5993.

Reach DCP theatre critic Brian P. Sharp at Theatre@DaytonCityPaper.com

[Photo; Mike Rouseculp and Scott Knisley in Bus Stop]

Fleming’s: Breaking Boundaries

By Brian P. Sharp

As an epicurean critic, I normally swear off “chain” restaurants.  However, recently I have thought a lot about whether certain chain restaurants deliver a “dining experience,” a white tablecloth environment that delivers great food and quality service that sets them above the other “chains.” Can a “chain restaurant” — a restaurant run by a corporation and focused on food cost, profit and quantity — really deliver?  I decided to try Fleming’s, at The Greene.

While Fleming’s is situated at the entry to an open air shopping center, it is not the normal shopping center service or fare.  As you pull up to Fleming’s there is a sign that states “free valet parking.”  That is certainly not the expected greeting at a mall restaurant.  So … we took advantage of the service.  On a blustery cold night in February why not just jump out at the door and let the valet deal with parking.  We walked into the beautifully appointed lobby, with a cheerful hostess … or three … a coat check and a well-staffed and stocked bar.

Once seated at a comfortable booth, our server James greeted us and asked for our drink orders.  There was a small menu on the table that had some drink specials highlighted … we asked for a moment while we decided.  In looking at the special menu we noticed that there were drink and appetizer specials offered before 7p.m.  Since we were on time, we decided to try an appetizer and drinks from the special menu.  So, we informed James and promptly learned that these special menu items only applied to the bar area.  This seemed a bit confusing for a number of reasons … first, it was on the table in the dining room, which makes one ask why?  Second, we were seated about 15 feet from the bar, and I guess 15 feet makes a big difference.  These are the types of things that remind you that you are “at a chain.”  While we waited we were served what seemed like pretzel bread with two spreads — one a sundried tomato and herb spread and the other a garlic herbed cream cheese.

So, after that confusion with the special menu we wound up ordering the same appetizer anyway, for only $6 more than on the bar menu, and drinks as well. Bob and I chose sparkling peach martinis while Steve chose red wine from the long list of wine options.  The chosen appetizer was a mix of lightly fried calamari mixed with banana peppers and red bell peppers, served with a light mandarin sauce.  The drinks were delicious, and the appetizer perfect for sharing.

The appetizer and salad options are plentiful, and some salads can even be served entrée style.  I chose the wedge, because I still believe in iceberg lettuce.  I simply don’t care if it’s not full of nutrients — it tastes great, and topped with blue cheese, cherry tomatoes and red onion, it is better than ever.  I also wanted to have the French onion soup, but my eyes were simply bigger than my stomach.

One thing diners should know about this restaurant: all the sides are served a la carte, but are quite large servings and provide plenty to share.  James recommended a starch and a vegetable for our table.  Bob ordered a nightly special of bone in veal chop stuffed with crab. The veal chop was cooked to order with a filling of crab and grilled perfectly.  Steve ordered the bone in filet Oscar — a large filet topped with lumped crab and asparagus spears.  The bone in filet cooked to order was topped with two fresh asparagus spears, lumped crab and a light hollandaise sauce.  I chose filet served with sauce béarnaise.  Our sides were creamed spinach, Fleming’s potatoes and creamed corn.  The Fleming’s potatoes were a blend of potato, cheese, cream and jalapeno.  The creamed corn was sweet and creamy and topped with fried jalapeno slices.

One thing I noticed about this “chain” restaurant is that there are plenty of attentive servers and managers circulating throughout the dining room, ensuring service and quality.  The server offered the dessert menu after dinner.

While I could hardly imagine being able to eat one more thing … it seemed almost insulting not to consider something sweet.  We decided to share two desserts at the table: crème brûlée and carrot cake.  The crème brûlée was perfectly charred and crispy on top with a garnish of fresh berries, and the custard perfectly cool and full of vanilla bean flavor.  The carrot cake was served with no nuts or raisins but was full of pineapple and iced with cream cheese frosting, accompanied by a pool of caramel sauce.  Certainly desserts could be shared … but why?

So, is this a chain restaurant or a dining experience?  It’s both!  Certainly Fleming’s is part of a corporate chain, a sister to Bonefish and Outback, focused on food cost, profitability, etc., but that is where it stops.  When you are at Fleming’s you pay a much higher price … but you also receive a much higher level of quality food and service.

So the next time you think about dinner at Olive Garden, BRIO, PF Chang’s or even Cracker Barrel … think again … try a different kind of chain.  Enjoy a dining experience!  Eat at Fleming’s.

Who wants to join me at the bar for the special menu pricing?

Reach DCP food critic Brian P. Sharp at Theatre@DaytonCityPaper.com.

And Other Theater Events

By Brian P. Sharp

The Singing Nuns

The Dayton Playhouse is rounding out the season with three great shows.  The first is Nunsense, the hilarious musical comedy that opens Friday, February 3 at the Dayton Playhouse and runs through February 19.  The play is published by Samuel French with book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin.

Local artist Greg Smith will direct Nunsense, Nancy Perrin is musical director and Kristin Sutter will choreograph the show.

Nunsense is a hilarious talent show staged by five survivors of the Little Sisters of Hoboken Nunnery, the rest of the sisterhood having succumbed to botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia, Child of God. The remaining sisters parade their talents at a variety show staged to raise funds so that the last four of the dearly departed can be buried. Nunsense offers a cornucopia of hilarity for the whole family, proving conclusively that nun rhymes with fun! This warm and funny musical is a great way to take your mind off the cold winter weather.

The cast is made up of Tina McPhearson as Mother Superior, Ellen Finch as Sister Mary Hubert, Sherri Sutter as Sister Mary Amnesia, Amy Askins as Sister Robert Ann and Kelli Locker as Sister Mary Leo.

Performances will be Friday through Sunday, February 3-19.  All performances are at 8:00 p.m. except Sundays, which are at 2:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and $10 for students.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.daytoncityplayhouse.com or through the box office (937-424-8477) which is staffed Monday, Wednesday and Friday 2:00-5:00 p.m.  Messages may be left for the box office at any time.  The Dayton Playhouse is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, OH 45414.This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A special Dayton Playhouse Benefit Night will take place from 5:00–9:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, at bd’s Mongolian Grill, 4488 Glengarry Dr., Beavercreek (directly across from the movie theatre at The Greene).  A percentage of all checks that are accompanied by a Dayton Playhouse flyer will go to the theatre’s fundraising efforts.  Flyers will be distributed at Nunsense performances, on Facebook and at the theater.  Call 937-424-8477 for more information.

The additional two shows are the drama Bus Stop and the musical Sound of Music, which close out the Mainstage season.

You don’t want to miss these three great shows!

Wittenberg plays at The Guild

In the 1500s on the campus of Wittenberg University in Germany there is a battle raging.  This comic fantasy has Prince Hamlet at the famous German university with Dr. Faustus and Martin Luther battling over faith and reason. The battle culminates in the nailing of the theses on the church door in this witty thinkalong, which is less like university finals and more like spring break. Sometimes the truth is funny …  and the consequences even funnier.  Under the direction of Saul Caplan, this intellectual thriller is sure to be a hit!  The cast includes a very talented group of players — Charles Larkowski, David Shough, Lynn Kesson and Jared Mola.  Production Manager is Deirdre Root.

Don’t miss it!

Wittenberg by David Davalos is running from February 10-26, 2012 at The Dayton Theatre Guild located at 430 Wayne Avenue in downtown Dayton.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.daytontheaterguild.com or by calling 937-278-5993.

Other Events

Encore Theater Company presents Spring Awakening — Only one weekend left!

The winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical — by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater — Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion you will never forget. The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that has exhilarated audiences across the nation like no other musical in years. Join this group of late 19th century German students on their passage as they navigate teenage self-discovery and coming of age anxiety in a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion in the daring, remarkable Spring Awakening.

Directed by JJ Parkey, the show runs through February 4,2012 in downtown Dayton.  Tickets can be purchased by visiting their website at www.encoretheatercompany.com and clicking on the Spring Awakening ad.

Jersey Boys continues at The Schuster

You have one last weekend to catch the Tony Award winning musical Jersey Boys.  The story of Franki Valli and the Four Seasons continues through February 5, 2012.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or by calling 937-228-3630.

The Human Race is still seeing Red

Red continues through February 5, 2012 at The Loft Theatre.  Come see Michael Kenwood Lippert give one of his strongest performances to date as he presents the story of artist Mark Rothko in Red.   Also in the production is Oakwood native Will Allen who delivers an equally amazing performance as Rothko’s assistant Ken.

See Red at the Loft Theatre 126 N. Main Street in downtown Dayton.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage or by calling 937-228-3630.

Reach DCP theatre critic Brian P. Sharp at Theatre@DaytonCityPaper.com.

The Show Within The Show

By Brian P. Sharp

So, who are these three women — these three women behind the men we know as the Jersey Boys?  We’ve heard it before … it’s the woman behind the man.  Well in this case, it’s three women behind the men, and those three women play over 50 roles in the production of Jersey Boys now on stage at The Schuster Center through February 5, 2012.

I had the opportunity to meet these three amazing young women backstage … in a “quick change” room that measures approximately 8 x 8.  Just imagine … three women, six dressers and three hair stylists working feverishly to get these actresses in and out of costumes and changing hair styles, sometimes all at the same time — in split seconds — in only a 64 square foot space!  Most women and some men (if they admit it) need more room than that on a daily basis.  But … the show must go on … and while there is an amazing show on stage, there’s a whole different show backstage getting these women in and out of character. It’s a show within the show!

These women are truly busy — Ruby Lewis plays over 19 roles including Francine, Frankie Valli’s daughter.  Kaleigh Cronin plays over 18 roles including Lorraine, Frankie Valli’s girlfriend, and Natalie Gallo plays over 11 roles including Mary Delgado, Frankie Valli’s wife.

I asked these amazing ladies, if they had a dream role, what would it be?  Cronin said that, while she just graduated in May from Carnegie Mellon University and was able to land this amazing role — where she gets to play multiple characters within the same show — her dream role would be Sally Bowles in Cabaret.  Gallo says that she has always been a huge fan of Barbra Streisand and her dream role would be to play Fannie Brice in Funny Girl.  Lewis believes that her dream role would be Evita.  Truth be told … I can easily imagine each of these women in these exact dream roles.

Gallo also says that there is no rulebook for success in the theatre — follow your heart, do your research and don’t give up.  She loves to get to know her audience.  She said that it’s touching to see the audience sing along and really enjoy the show.  Gallo takes a bit longer than the other girls in the wig room — she says she just can’t do her own pin curls, and so at 30 minutes to curtain she’s in the wig room getting her hair done, microphone in place and ready for another night of amazing musical theatre.

Cronin mentioned that recently someone asked her: “What do you do if what you want to do doesn’t work out” — meaning acting, of course.  She says it’s important to always have a backup plan, and to stay consistent and confident.  She says that the hardest part in this show is the timing, getting the costumes and hair in place and making sure the shoes are buckled and ready to go.  Timing is the biggest challenge.

Lewis said that it’s important to find your niche in this business, to do the things you do really well and be the best that you can be. Lewis said the hardest part of this show for her is the emotionally tender moments, making sure “she” is there, and she mentioned also that the audience really helps with those moments.

The costumes hanging in the 8 x 8 quick change room and other spots backstage are amazing.  The snowflake dresses are beaded by hand and are rumored to have cost in excess of $20,000.  In fact, one of the wardrobe crew was hired specifically because she’s an expert in beading and is able to replace any beads that might come off during a performance.  The changing area is equipped with everything they need: wardrobe, shoes, belts in place, lint rollers, shoe horns, accessories and jewelry, all arranged scene by scene.  It’s like a piece of fine art, in process.

So, you see … if the songs of the Four Seasons aren’t enough for you … or the rags to riches stories of these four guys from New Jersey (and the highs and lows of their lives), then you must come to see Jersey Boys just in order to see the Jersey girls!  Because when it comes time for the curtain call and three amazing young women come onto the stage and you sit there wondering … where are the other actors?  You are looking at them — all 50 plus — right there in those three very talented young women!  If that doesn’t bring you to a standing ovation, the music and acting certainly will!

Don’t miss this amazing event going on right here in Dayton.  Jersey Boys runs now through February 5, 2012 at The Schuster Center.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or by calling 937-228-3630.

Reach DCP theatre critic Brian P. Sharp at Theatre@DaytonCityPaper.com.