Wyclef Jean’s DPO concert a night to remember
“Ready or Not” and “Killing Me Softly.”
Jean was splendidly assisted by knockout background vocalist Moira Mackesey Green (particularly fueling emotions within “Carry On” and conjuring Minnie Riperton in “911”), tech/D J Albert Vaccarino, drummer Howard Smith, keyboardist Branden Washington, and bassist Patrick Andriantsialonina.
Dayton poet Sierra Leone notably opened the evening with her insightful, spiritual “Vision Perfected,” passionately summoning the concert’s cross-genre elements to join in one accord including the “gentle woodwind wisdom.”
One of the most curious, highly anticipated concerts of the season, the first of its kind for the DPO, ended with everyone up on their feet grooving to the jubilant spirit of carnival. Many organizations talk about diversity-building or broad-based programming, but to see it in action is the real deal. Bravo!
Thomas Bankston sets retirement from Dayton Opera
The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance has announced that Thomas Bankston, artistic director of Dayton Opera, will retire in June 2021 at the conclusion of the Dayton Opera’s 60th anniversary season.
“The coming together of three especially celebratory events in the 2020-2021 season — Dayton Opera’s 60th anniversary, my 25th season, and the closing of that season with a world premiere opera production, ‘Finding Wright’ — seemed like a fitting time at which to bring to a close my 41-year career in the professional opera business,” Bankston said in written statement.
“Dayton Opera has been a huge part of my life and will always hold a special place in my heart. Especially all the wonderful friendships and associations I have made with artists, staff and volunteers that will make my retirement a truly bittersweet one.”
“Since arriving in Dayton from Cincinnati, Tom has proven to be an impresario extraordinaire,” said DPAA Board Chairman John Beran. “His ability to identify talent, develop productions and work collaboratively with our other artistic directors has provided Dayton with performances unmatched for a regional company.”
“One of the great pleasures of my time with the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance has been the opportunity to work with Tom Bankston,” said DPAA President and CEO Paul Helfrich.
“Tom’s knowledge of opera is encyclopedic, and his instincts for casting and judging voices are phenomenal. I’ve learned a great deal from him, and will always be proud to say I was part of Dayton Opera. Indeed, Tom has built Dayton Opera into something in which the entire community may take great pride, as the company strives for excellence in everything that it does. And that’s all because of the standard Tom has set.”
In retirement, Bankston, a native of Birmingham, Ala., plans to remain in the Dayton area and pursue community volunteerism as well as travel with his wife of 46 years, Frances Golson Bankston.
Among the highlights of Bankston’s tenure:
■ First Dayton Opera production – “La Bohème,” October 1996.
■ “The Elixir of Love” – January/February 1998, Dayton Opera premiere.
■ “Faust” – February/March 1998, first production conducted by Neal Gittleman.
■ “Cosi fan tutte” – January 1999, Dayton Opera premiere.
■ “Aida” – March 2003, first production in the Schuster Center.
■ First “Star Gala” – May 2003. Introduction of recitals by renowned opera artists including Denyce Graves (2003), Deborah Voigt (2004), Ruth Ann Swenson (2007), Angela Brown (2008), and Ryan Speedo Green (2019).
■ “Madame Butterfly” – October 2006. Innovative production designed by renowned artist Jun Kaneko.
■ “Porgy and Bess” – October 2010. Opening of Dayton Opera’s 50th Anniversary Season.
■ “Fidelio” – January 2011, Dayton Opera premiere.
■ “Dead Man Walking” – February/March 2015. Dayton Opera premiere with Sister Helen Prejean in attendance; University of Dayton collaboration.
Xenia Theater announces auditions
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Kent State University shootings, Xenia Area Community Theater will perform the local premiere of David Hassler’s drama “May 4th Voices” May 1-3.
The play is an oral history recounting the events leading to the campus violence of May 4, 1970, when Ohio National Guardsmen fired into a crowd of student anti-war demonstrators, killing four of them. The information has been collected from members of the Kent State community, the university, the National Guard, and members of Ohio Law Enforcement. It is also a one-act play with nine scenes, several of which include a narrator. Under the direction of Craig Smith, the play will be performed as a staged reading presentation with blocking and movement.
Anyone planning to audition should bring a rehearsed but not memorized passage, a speech not a narrative or description. The show contains adult language and themes. Roles will be doubled and tripled as required. Age-specific concerns will not be a factor but gender-specific may be when it is required by the script. The auditions will be held Monday, Feb. 23 and Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at XACT, 45 E. Second St., Xenia. For more information, call (937) 372-0516 or visit xeniaact.org.