Brookville keeps Christmas spirit alive with funny ‘In-Laws’
Brookville Community Theatre opens 2019 with Steve Franco’s 2013 comedy “InLaws, Outlaws and Other People (That Should Be Shot)” Feb. 21-March 3.
Directed by Debbi Robbins, “In-Laws” concerns the Douglas family, gathered together for dinner on Christmas Eve. Situations swell when highstrung Tony and his dopey sidekick Vinny are in need of a hideout after robbing a liquor store.
“Playing an inept criminal has been a blast and a challenge,” said James Nelson, who portrays Tony and directed Brookville’s production of “Mary Poppins” last summer. “Every character is funny and lovable in their own eccentric way.”
The cast also includes Larry Lindstrom as Dad, Tori Coss as Beth, Jennifer Vance as Janet, Jenna Vance as Bunny, Tim Fitzharris as Bud, Emma DeCan as Tracy, Kathy DeVorak as Mrs. Draper, Susan Robert as Aunt Rose, Don Cordes as Uncle Leo, Kendal Garrett as Vinny, Josh Wissinger as Paul, Emily Monnig as Emily, Sheryl Koontz as Mrs. Wakowski, and John Wysong as Officer Hensley.
“Brookville Community Theatre is keeping Christmas alive until March,” Robbins said. “With all the negativity in the world today, we want to invite you to our theater for some heartwarming, hilarious fun.”
Performances are Feb. 21, 22, 23, 28, March 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 24 and March 3 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $17. Visit brookvillecommunitytheatre.com or call the Brookville Flower shop at (937) 833-3531. BCT is located at 770 Arlington Road in Brookville.
WSU presents ‘If/Then’ premiere
Wright State University offers the local premiere of composer Tom Kitt and lyricist/librettist Brian Yorkey’s 2014 pop musical “If/Then” Feb. 22-March 3 in the downstairs Herbst Theatre of the Creative Arts Center, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Dayton. This humorous and touching contemporary musical romance centers on Elizabeth, a Big Apple city planner at a crossroads. Kitt and Yorkey are best known for their 2009 Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Next to Normal.”
“What if you could retrace your steps (regarding) a life decision and make a new path?,” said director Jamie Cordes, whose previous WSU stagings include “The Wild Party” and “Sondheim on Sondheim.” “I think everyone has wondered what might have been or what could happen if a choice had been decided differently. Elizabeth’s life splits into two parallel paths that (transpire) simultaneously. Seize the day, let go of the past, and make a choice and don’t turn back are strong themes in this beautiful musical. In a time with so much negativity, Elizabeth’s journey and decision reminds us that everything will be OK. We made the choice that was right.”
The principal cast includes Rachel Mary Green as Elizabeth, Eric Thompson as Josh, Kat Rodriguez as Kate, Megan Arsenau as Anne, Sam Maxwell as Lucas, Hunter Minor as David, Dylan Tacker as Stephen, and Emily Eliasen as Elena. The ensemble includes D’Kaylah Whitley, Amanda Astorga, Anna Stanford, Emma Bratton, Jessica Greenwald, Andrea Gutierrez, Marcus Butts, Jake Siwek, Dean McKenzie, Aidan Lord, Jared Levy, and Jeremy Weinstein.
The artistic team includes music director Melissa Yanchek, choreographer Megan Arsenau, set designer Carleigh Siebert, lighting designer Gabe Reichert, costumer Victoria Gifford, and sound designer James Dunlap.
Performances are Feb. 22, 23, March 1 and 2 at 8 p.m.; March 2 and 3 at 2 p.m.; and Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $$25 for adults, $23 for seniors and $15 for students. Call (937) 775-2500 or visit wright.edu/ theatre-tickets.
Peter Filichia debuts latest play
Longtime Dayton Playhouse FutureFest adjudicator and widely revered theatre critic/ historian Peter Filichia’s latest play “God Shows Up” opened Feb. 10 at New York’s Playroom Theater. The comedy, which plays a limited run through Feb. 21, pokes fun at televangelists while questioning the role of religion in today’s society. Filichia’s most recent play, “Adam’s Gifts,” received a staged reading at the Dayton Playhouse in July 2017 under the direction of Tina McPhearson. The cast included Saul Caplan, Matthew Lindsay, Tori Kocher, Cassandra Engber, Jack Lockwood, and Kelli Locker.
Aviation Lecture Series Goes ‘Politically Incorrect’
The WACO Aviation Lecture Series continues Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. with Nick Engler’s discussion of “Politically Incorrect: The Real Story of How Dayton Lost the Wright Brothers Bicycle Shop.” Engler, an author, pilot and founder of the West Miltonbased Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company, will pinpoint the 1934 history surrounding Henry Ford’s involvement in moving the shop from 1127 W. Third St. to the Edison Institute (now Greenfield Village) in Dearborn, Mich. The lecture, scheduled to last one hour with questions afterward, is free and open to the public but donations are gladly accepted. The lecture will be held in the Willis Wing of the WACO Air Museum, 1865 South County Road 25A in Troy. For more information, call (937) 335-9226 or visit wacoairmuseum.org
Xenia Theatre auditions
Xenia Area Community Theatre will hold auditions for its repertory productions of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and Moliere’s “Tartuffe” Monday, Feb. 25 and Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Each play will be presented on alternate nights May 23-June 2. Actors will play one role in each play. Auditions will consist of cold readings from both scripts. Tony Copper will direct “Twelfth Night” and Connie Strait will direct “Tartuffe.” For character descriptions and more information, call (937) 373-0516 or visit xeniaact.org. XACT is located at 45 E. Second St. in Xenia.