DayTony/Hall of Fame gala salutes a successful 2017-18 season
The 15th annual DayTony Awards and the 17th annual Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame induction were held Saturday, July 28, at Sinclair Community College.
The gala recognized the 2017-18 theater season achievements of actors, directors and designers as voted on by participating theaters.
The seven organizations that received medallions of excellence and/or merit were: Beavercreek Community Theatre (BCT), Dare 2 Defy Productions (D2D), Dayton Theatre Guild (DTG), Lebanon Theatre Company (LTC), Playhouse South (PS), Troy Civic Theatre (TCT), and Xenia Area Community Theatre (XACT).
Seven shows shared top honors as Outstanding Overall Production: “A Streetcar Named Desire” (BCT), “All My Sons” (DTG), “The Christians” (DTG), “Escanaba in Da Moonlight” (TCT), “Seussical” (D2D), “The Wedding Singer” (D2D), and “Young Frankenstein” (BCT).
In addition, designer John Falkenbach, actor/educator Michael Kenwood Lippert, and producer Douglas Merk were inducted into the Hall of Fame, which was created in 2001 to honor local theater artists and arts patrons whose lifelong participation, innovation and creativity have influenced the Dayton arts culture.
Falkenbach has been a part of the Miami Valley arts scene for over 40 years.
Currently serving as BCT treasurer, he is also a current state board member and past president of the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA), the Ohio Representative to the American Association of Community Theatres, and has twice received OCTA’s Presidential Award.
Lippert, founding resident artist of the Human Race Theatre Company, memorably appeared in such Human Race productions as “Red,” “The Drawer Boy,” “Race,” “The Elephant Man,” and “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” He is also director and residency artist for the Muse Machine Preschool and Elementary Program.
Merk, longtime producer of the Muse Machine’s annual winter musical and periodic summer concerts, has mentored thousands of students over his 22 years with the arts education organization.
“It was a lovely evening,” said Debra Strauss, DayTony president.
“It was particularly well balanced with all the theaters receiving recognition.
The Hall of Fame inductees had some moving speeches.”
For a complete list of winners, visit daytonys.org.
Anyone planning to audition should prepare an aria or art song in English. Please avoid musical theater selections.
Undercroft Players presents ‘Little Old Ladies’
The Undercroft Players wraps its fifth season with Sandra Fenichel Asher’s tender comedy “Little Old Ladies in Tennis Shoes” beginning Thursday, Aug. 9, in the basement of First Lutheran Church, 138 W. First St., in downtown Dayton.
This suburban tale about friendship and family concerns Kate Corrigan, who seemingly has everything together until her life is changed by her new neighbor and her grandson. They overwhelm Kate’s world with a roller coaster friendship and the problems of the elderly women on the block.
However, in many respects, the story serves as a reminder that there are still good people who can transform our lives in unexpected ways.
“It’s important to step out of your comfort zone and allow yourself to let your past go so it doesn’t rule or limit your future,” said director/ founder Teresa Connair.
“Females in particular are geared to learn a certain role in their lives and within their family and sometimes it’s easy to feel you’re just stuck there.”
“This play, which reminds us that family doesn’t always mean blood, is about learning how to break out of that pattern and allowing yourself to live your authentic, true life.”
In addition to Connair, the cast includes Linda Dew, Jacki Fulwood, Jennie Hawley, Terry Morris, Mandy Shannon, Melissa Sokol, Chase Still and Steve Strawser.
The artistic team includes stage manager Sarah Saunders, the aforementioned Morris as lighting and sound designer, and costumer Karen Sipos.
“I really hope this play helps people find themselves, whether it’s taking a trip or trying a new hobby or making new friends,” Connair added.
“I hope they find something in their life that reinvigorates them and gets them to the point of really living their life.”
Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth (17 and younger). Cash only at the door.
For more information, visit undercroftplayers.weebly. com.
‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ auditions
St. George’s Episcopal Church, 5520 Far Hills Ave., will hold auditions for its Christmas production of Gian-Carlo Menotti’s opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors” on Saturday, Aug. 11, beginning at 9 a.m. at the church.
Based on Italian folk tales of the Nativity and Epiphany, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” is a retelling of the story of the Magi from the point of view of a young disabled boy named Amahl, who lives near Bethlehem with his widowed mother.
Anyone planning to audition should prepare an aria or art song in English. Please avoid musical theater selections.
An accompanist will be provided.
No recorded accompaniment or a cappella songs.
Auditions will be held for six lead roles: Amahl (treble), The Mother (mezzosoprano/soprano), King Caspar (tenor), King Melchior (baritone), King Balthazar (bass), and The Page (Bass). For more information or to schedule an audition time, call musical director Jeffrey Powell at (937) 474-5891 or e-mail him at powell.jeffrey@ gmail.com. Staged by Paula Powell, the performance will be held Sunday, Dec. 23, at the church.
‘Schoolhouse Rock Live!’ in Springboro
George Keating, Kyle Hall and Scott Ferguson’s adaptation of the popular 1970s Saturday morning educational cartoon series continues through Sunday, Aug. 12, at Springboro’s North Park Amphitheatre, 195 Tamarack Trail. Songs include “Just a Bill,” “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly” and “Conjunction Junction.” Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Free admission for all ages. Patrons must provide their own seating.
For more information, contact publicist Jordan Eechaute-Lopez by e-mail at playhousesouthpublicity@ gmail.com or call (712) 8981889.
Contact this contributing writer at rflorence2@gmail.com.