Ohio Artists Gathering festival is opening to the public in Columbus
Gahanna native and Tony nominee Mike Faist (“Dear Evan Hansen”) in collaboration with Columbus’ progressive professional theater troupe Short North Stage presents the Ohio Artists Gathering theater festival Aug. 28-31 at Short North Stage, 1187 N. High St.
Conceived to connect New York actors, directors and playwrights with the Columbus theater community, the festival will present two original works by new playwrights.
York Walker’s “Summer Of ‘63” concerns unexpected love and friendship tested in a Georgia community as civil rights leaders plan the historic March on Washington. Directed by Human Race Theatre Company resident artist Alan Bomar Jones, the play features Asher Goodman and John Stewart of New York City, Lateefah Holder and Tobie Windham of Los Angeles, and Kendra Lucas, Shanelle Marie and Taylor Moss of Columbus. There will be a free open rehearsal and artist chat Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. The staged reading will be held Friday, Aug. 31, at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10. Walker, originally from Chicago, received his MFA in acting from the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco.
Asa Somers’ one-person play “Cubicle Farm” spotlights a mysterious IT tech who attempts to remove a new and highly malevolent Shrödinger from an infected server. Faist, 26, will star. There will be a free open rehearsal and artist chat Thursday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. The staged reading will be held Friday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10. Somers, a Yale University graduate, appeared in the Broadway casts of “Taboo,” “Next to Normal” and “Dear Evan Hansen.”
A discounted finale pass is available for $15 if you’re interested in seeing both readings. The cost includes an opportunity to meet the artists during a between-show reception in Ethel’s Lounge.
In addition, Faist will moderate a free special forum Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. with arts leaders of Central Ohio about the status of Columbus theater and the potential for professional theater and new works. For tickets or more information, visit ohioartistsgathering.com.
‘Dreamgirls’ opens Beavercreek season
Composer Henry Kreiger and lyricist/librettist Tom Eyen’s soulful and tuneful 1981 musical “Dreamgirls,” a fascinating, touching and inspiring story of friendship, romance, betrayal, and the highs and lows of show business, opens Beavercreek Community Theatre’s 2018-2019 season Aug. 31-Sept. 9.
Centered on the 1960s rise of an African-American girl group modeled after The Supremes, the nearly sung-through show contains an array of superb numbers such as “Steppin’ to the Bad Side,” “I Am Changing,” “One Night Only,” the elegant title tune, and the iconic anthem “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”
“‘Dreamgirls’ is a reminder to never give up on your dreams and that anything is possible with a little sweat, hard work and determination,” said director Kip Moore. “This is a story of three girlfriends from Chicago who form a singing trio and take steps toward musical stardom. They are a reminder that we really should never stop dreaming.”
Growing up in Middletown, Moore fondly recalls listening to such great R&B groups as The Shirelles, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and the aforementioned Supremes. However, the recent death of Aretha Franklin struck an emotional chord, allowing him to frame the show in a tighter, personal context.
“I realized how important music had influenced my life, especially the civil rights anthem ‘Respect,’” he said. “This is why ‘Dreamgirls’ is so important to me. Not only am I able to go back in time, but I’m able to recreate the sounds, locations such as the Apollo Theatre, and the performers of the time.”
The principal cast includes Carmen Day as Effie Melody White, Jocelyn Trimmer as Denna Jones, Trinity H. Anthony as Lorrell Robinson, Malcolm Walker as Curtis Taylor Jr., Stevin Crane as James Thunder Early, Nasir Retenson as C.C. White, November Jones as Marty, and Nichole Smith as Michelle Morris.
Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays at the Lofino Center, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. To reserve tickets, call (937) 429-4737 or e-mail boxoffice@bctheatre.org or visit bctheatre.org.
Wright State theater alumni updates
■ Cameron Holsinger and King David Jones are associated with the blockbuster “Hamilton: An American Musical.” Holsinger, a 2004 graduate who grew up in Mount Gilead, is currently the first assistant stage manager for the Broadway production. Jones, a Georgia native who left WSU after his sophomore year, is a swing who understudies several roles including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Marquis De Lafayette in the touring production which recently played its Ohio premiere at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square.
■ Grammy nominee Nicole Scherzinger will return to Wright State on Monday, Aug. 27, to receive a 2017 Alumna of the Year Award from the Wright State Alumni Association. Scherzinger, who was unable to attend the ceremony last fall, was a student from 1996 to 1999, memorably appearing in such shows as “Chicago” and “Show Boat.” She notably received a 2015 Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her portrayal of Grizabella in the London production of “Cats.” Look for my coverage of her visit in next week’s Dayton Daily News.
Contact this contributing writer at rflorence2@gmail.com.