See kooky play ‘Urinetown’ on stage in Beavercreek

Vocalight, a new professional a cappella group comprised of former members of Centerville High School’s ICHSA 2016 champion Forte and one current member and alumni of Kettering Fairmont’s Eleventh Hour, will present a benefit concert Thursday, Aug. 31 at Centerville High School in advance of their appearance next month at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

On Aug. 5 in Chicago, Vocalight received first place at Varsity Vocals’ International Championship of A Cappella Open regional semifinals, allowing them to compete against the top a cappella groups in t he world at the ACA Open finals Sept. 23 at Carnegie Hall. The winning group will be awarded a $25,000 cash prize.

Recently, the troupe ventured on a week-long tour in Wisconsin, which culminated in opening for Grammy Award-winning artist Daya. They have also collaborated with Dayton native and American Idol competitor Alexis Gomez and will soon collaborate with YouTube dynamo Peter Hollens.

“Vocalight is up-andcoming and rea llystart ing to make a mark for themselves,” said group manager Ben Spalding, head Choral Director of Center- ville High School, who also serves as Forte’s music director/ar ranger.“Their camaraderie is great. They love music and got so much joy out of performing with Eleventh Hour and Forte that they want to do this for a living.”

“The next generation of a cap pella – young, pow- erful and mind-blowing,” exclaimed Deke Sharon, producer of NBC’s “The Sing Off ” and musical director for Universal Studio’s “Pitch Perfect” and “Pitch Perfect 2.” “It’s like seeing Pentato- nix before they were big!”

Group members con sist of soprano Holly Gyenes, mezzo Alessandra Simmons, alto Lilli Eggenschwiller, vocal percu s sion Justin Crichfield, and bass Joe Schlangen. Gyenes, a University

IFYOUGO

Vocalight Benefit Concert Performing Arts Center of Centerville High School, 500 E. Franklin St., Centerville Thursday; 7:30 p.m. $10; All proceeds go toward helping Vocalight get to NYC and compete at Carnegie Hall vocalight.com; youtube.com/vocalight5; facebook.com/vocalight5; @Vocalight5 (Twitter and Instagram); gofundme.com/help-get-vocalight-tocarnegie-hall of Dayton graduate, particularly received an award for outstanding vocal per- formance at the aforementioned regional semifinals.

“I think what makes our group gel so well is that we’re all good friends,” said Crichfield, a Center- ville graduate terrifically showcased with Simmons in “First Heartbreak” on Forte’s fantastic “Save My Soul” CD. “Because we are spending so much time together, we’ve become the best of friends. I personally feel like each member of Vocalight has my back and I’ve got theirs. It’s a trust thing.”

Thursday’s concert will feature an array of contemporary pop material ranging from covers of Andra Day’s “Rise Up” to Zedd and Alessia Cara’s “Stay.” The group eagerly anticipates perform- ing their competition set and hopes the community sup- ports the momentum sur- roundi ngacap pella.

“A cappella is growing and only getting bigger because it’s such a human art form,” Crichfield noted. “We as the performers feel so connected to the people we perform to. There are no instruments to hide behind. And the audience feels the same way. Singing was one of the first ways people connected with each other. A cappella is (so) intimate and that’s what makes it so special. We couldn’t be more excited about Carnegie Hall. This opportunityissoamazing and we are so grateful to Varsity Vocals for it. We’ve been practicing our set nonstop and hope to show the best versions of ourselves.”

Paying to pee is the humorous cornerstone of composer/ lyricist Mark Hollman and lyricist/librettist Greg Kotis’ 2001 Tony Award-winning tuneful sat ire “Ur inetown: The Musical,” opening Beavercreek Community Theatre’s 2017-18 season beginning Sept. 1.

Set in and around Amenity No. 9, the “poorest, filthiest urinal in town,” this witty and irreverent spoof of musical theater conventions and corporate corruption concerns a gloomy, Gotham-esque city suffering a 20-year drought which has made private toilets illegal. The treacherous Caldwell B. Cladwell, CEO of Urine Good Company, has set a price for the use of public toilets, but when he raises fees Bobby Strong rallies his fellow citizens to take action. A comical revolt ensues ultimately raising the stakes for heroic Bobby, particularly as his feelings for Cladwell’s lovely if simple daughter Hope grows deeper while being relentlessly pursued by Cladwell and kooky Offi- cers Lockstock and Barrel.

“The characters in this show are over-the-top in most cases but are still relatable,” said director Doug Lloyd who memorably staged the show for the Dayton Playhouse in 2010. “There are a lot of issues in the show such as control and also tur- moil among classes which is happening today. There are

IF YOU GO

“Urinetown: The Musical”

The Lofino Center, 3868 DaytonXenia Rd, Beavercreek

Sept. 1-10; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays

$15 for adults; $12 for students and seniors

Call 937-4294737, email boxoffice@ bctheatre.org or visit online at www. bctheatre.org. uproars and clashes going on right now. But deciding whether you’re going to eat or go to the bathroom is a unique question this musi- cal presents. This show just grabs me and I love the music as well.”

Hollman and Kotis’ dyn amic score is par ticu- larly inspired by Kurt Weill’s “Threepenny Opera,” but diversely broadened by such winning tunes as the bright and breezy “Mr. Cladwell,” the beautifully tender ballad “Follow Your Heart,” and the rousing gospel anthem “Run Freedom Run.”

“I think this show has one of the great Broadway scores,” echoed Chuck Larkowski who reprises his role as Cladwell from the 2010 production. “It is great both for its memorability and parodic references to Frank Sinatra in ‘Mr. Cladwell,’ ‘Ain’t Misbe- havin’ in ‘Snuff that Girl,’ ‘Fiddler on the Roof ’ in ‘What is Urinetown?,’ ‘Les Misérables’ in the Act 1 finale, and more. The book is also wonderful and the lines are so much fun to deliver. The li nesare overthe-top but always working for the plot and filled with little recurring jokes. This production will have a very different look from 2010 (which) encourages me to push Cladwell a little farther with my characterization.”

The principal cast includes George Merusi as Officer Lockstock, Aaron Brewer as Officer Barrel, Carol Hardem as Little Sally, Lynn Vanderpool as Penelope Pennywise, TJ Montgomery as Bobby Strong, Kylee Pauley as Hope Cladwell, and Richard Young as Old Man Strong. The artistic team includes choreographer Stacy Gear, set designer Chris Harmon, lighting designer John Falkenbach, and costumer Josh Hollister.

“This show isn’t afraid to make fun of itself which I enjoy,” Lloyd added. “There are several lines stating bad subject matter or a bad title will kill a show real quick. A lot of people will wonder what to think about ‘Urinetown’butIsayignorethe title and enjoy the show. ‘Urinetown’ has dark comedy but it’s still funny and light. We’re excited to begin our season with t hisshow.”