Epiphany Drama Ministry presents ‘Why We Tell the Story’
Epiphany Lutheran Church’s 60th anniversary has resulted in a change of pace for its summer arts programming. Instead of producing a full-scale Golden Age or contemporary musical, the Epiphany Players Drama Ministry supplies an original revue of Broadway songs and stories aptly titled “Why We Tell the Story.”
Conceived and created by Megan Wean Sears (daughter of longtime Drama Ministry Coordinator Kay Frances Wean) and David Brush, the title stems from the joyful finale of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s 1990 musical “Once On This Island,” marvelously presented by Epiphany in 2014. Ahrens’ lyrics detail the various reasons why life encourages us to tell others about specific journeys of hope, faith, love, and pain. Featuring a large, multi-generational cast of nearly 70 performers, the production, directed and choreographed by Sears with music direction by Brush, incorporates songs from such musicals as “Cats,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and “West Side Story.”
“The song ‘Why We Tell the Story’ has many sections so we selected songs that would fit well into those (categories),” said Sears, a Wright State University graduate and drama coordinator at Archbishop Alter High School who co-staged a beautiful production of “The Secret Garden” with Brush for Epiphany last summer. “This show goes through different stories of people’s battles of love, loss and more. Although the format for our summer musical is very different this year, this show is not double cast and we’re only running for one weekend, it has been a rewarding experience. Doing something different really sparked new interest which is awesome.”
“I think this particular presentation will resonate with audiences because our production team has committed themselves to designing a show which showcases a wide variety of Broadway songs that tell stories that stick with people,” added Meghan Rupper, who appeared as Mama Euralie in Epiphany’s “Once On This Island,” offered a remarkable portrayal of Medium Alison in Wright State’s local premiere of “Fun Home” in 2018, and will sing “The Wizard and I” from “Wicked” in this production. “As an actor, storytelling is something I’m really passionate about, allowing audiences to escape from day-to-day issues for a moment or find themselves represented in a particular character or message. I think this show offers many opportunities for us to do that for our audience.”
“Why We Tell the Story” concludes today at 2:30 p.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 6430 Far Hill Ave., Centerville. Advance ticket sales are $15 for adults, $10 for students (any age) and seniors (60 and older), $5 for children 5 and under, and $20 for front row. Tickets sold at the door are $17 for adults, $12 for students (any age) and seniors (60 and older), $7 for children 5 and under, and $22 for front row. For tickets or more information, call (937) 433-1449 ext. 105 or e-mail drama@epiphanydayton.org.
Dare to Defy offers ‘Matilda,’ ‘Sweeney Todd’
Dare to Defy Productions’ Dare to Inspire Youth Summer Series, an outlet for theatrical and pro-social education for students, continues with Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelley’s 2011 musical “Matilda” July 26-28 and Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s 1979 musical “Sweeney Todd” Aug. 2-4.
Directed by Michael Wadham, “Matilda,” based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel of the same name about a young girl with psychokinetic powers who overcomes adversity, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at Oakwood High School, 1200 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood. Tickets are $10-$35.
“We are incredibly excited to be the company putting on the regional premiere,” said Stephanie Ruby, a member of the Dare to Defy marketing committee. “This musical has a well-loved storyline and the music is incredible. My favorite part of the show is the set, which is being made entirely from books right down to a real see-saw that children will play on and even a toilet. Trust me, (audiences) have never seen anything like this!”
Directed by Natalie Houliston, “Sweeney Todd,” a dark tale of murder and vengeance in Victorian London, will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Brightside Music and Event Venue, 905 E. Third St., Dayton. Tickets are $18-$30.
“The cast has been working incredibly hard to bring this story to life,” Ruby said. “Plus, it’s being performed at the Brightside, which really is just the perfect atmosphere for such a show. Our kids are incredibly excited to share their hard work with the Miami Valley.”
For tickets or more information, visit dare2defy.org.
FutureFest finalist ‘Puppeteer’ moves forward
Los Angeles-based playwright Desireé York’s fascinating drama “The Puppeteer,” a 2017 Dayton Playhouse FutureFest finalist described as a “lyrical trip through time exploring identity,” will receive its world premiere Jan. 9-Mar. 15, 2020 at Detroit Repertory Theatre.
Vividly spanning five generations from the Harlem Renaissance to the present day, “The Puppeteer” chronicles the African-American experience through the eyes of Constance, a 1920s jazz singer. Ultimately, the play examines how the women in her lineage “struggle to overcome the roles assigned to them by society in order to find their way home.”
In the Playhouse’s production, Carolyn L. Seymour memorably, mesmerizingly portrayed Constance, delivering one of the breakthrough performances of Dayton’s 20172018 theater season.
Contact this contributing writer at rflorence2@gmail.com.