Monthly Archives: November 2015

Auditions Announced for NIGHT WATCH at Dayton Theatre Guild

DTGNIGHT WATCH by Lucille Fletcher

Elaine Wheeler, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears, suffers from insomnia and appears to be close to becoming unhinged as one suspicious event after another takes place. From their Manhattan townhouse, her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment, Elaine screams as she sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called, but find nothing except an empty chair. Elaine’s terror grows as shortly thereafter she sees still another body — this time a woman’s — but by now the police are skeptical and pay no heed to her frantic pleas.

Production Dates: January 8 – 24, 2016
Directed by: Saul Caplan
Produced by: Debra Kent & Barbara Jorgensen
Audition Dates: Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
For further information, email: debra.kent@daytontheatreguild.org

Casting Requirements:
• Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
• A résumé and headshot are not required, but are encouraged.
• Please bring all conflicts between November 25, 2015 and January 24, 2016

The director is looking to cast the following roles:
• Elaine Wheeler (35-50 give or take): Wealthy, pampered, stylish, privileged but not snobbish. Also not a particularly strong person. She’s always been submissive to the men in her life.
• Blanche (same age or a few years younger than Elaine): Attractive and poised. Elaine’s best friend, travelling companion, and nurse.
• Dr. Tracey Lake (old enough to have become a respectable, reputable, published
doctor): A respectable, reputable, published doctor. Very professional.
• Helga (age is not very important): Live-in maid and blackmailer (aren’t they all?
I’ve seen “Downton Abby”). Good German accent required.
• John Wheeler (a few years older than Elaine): Elaine’s husband. Strong, dominant, self-assured. Used to being in charge.
• Curtis Appleby (older character-man): Next-door neighbor and busy-body. He’s a little bit…uh…fussy (how’s THAT for a euphemism?).
• Lt. Walker: Older cop
• Vanelli: Younger cop
• Sam Hoke (character man): Pushy New York deli owner. APPEARS IN ONE SCENE ONLY (at the end of act 1). Possibly may not be required to stay for curtain call.

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RIGHTING REDFORD On Nov. 10

CPI_Righting Redford logoRIGHTING REDFORD
Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative
Nov. 10
Aronoff Center [Downtown]

A sequel to the 2013 New Voices Staged Reading, Redford’s Rules.

Now, Doug, the “Romantic,” is trying to get his buddy Joe’s play, Redford’s Rules, staged by A.D.D., the Association of Detroit Drama. The quirky leader of A.D.D., Kamikaze, keeps telling Doug his play has been rejected and that it’s not dramatic enough. Doug continues to try to improve the play with the lovely Erica tutoring him. Erica, however, is more interested in genuine love than the make-believe stuff of the play. Follow Doug’s zany story as he competes with plays like Death Camp 9, Grandpa’s Diapers, and others.

Tue, Nov. 10 at 7:30pm

Official page |

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ANDY’S HOUSE OF [BLANK] Review

Links to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the any page. Blog postings, links and  more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

Paul Strickland. Photo by Daniel R. Winters Photography.

Paul Strickland. Photo by Daniel R. Winters Photography.

ANDY’S HOUSE OF [BLANK] presented by Know Theatre of Cincinnati through Nov. 14. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

“Weird is extraordinary.” –Andy

Paul Strickland and Trey Tatum take their very enjoyable, diamond in the rough musical from SERIALS! 2: THUNDERDOME and polish it to a brilliant shine into this full-length, fully-staged production.

First and foremost, the show is funny. Throw-your-head-back and laugh-out-loud funny. Those familiar with Strickland’s fringe entries know he is quite the homespun-wisdom wordsmith. Partnering with musician and drinking-buddy Trey Tatum, the two have a created a quirky, genuine and touching musical with a sci-fi conceit.

Trey Tatum. Photo by Daniel R. Winters Photography.

Trey Tatum. Photo by Daniel R. Winters Photography.

Tatum and Strickland serve as narrators and portray teen-aged versions of themselves in the play. They also provide the musical accompaniment for the show, playing piano and guitar, respectively. The two have an easy chemistry and great rapport with each other and the audience.

Rounding out the cast are Erika Kate MacDonald & Christopher Michael Richardson, returning to the roles they originated.

MacDonald gives Sadie an emotionally-guarded quality that I feel works well for the character. I wouldn’t mind seeing Richardson a bit “bigger” on stage.

Richardson is fun as Andy, the “werido” owner of his ever-changing roadside attraction. He has a rich, powerful voice that easily fills the space. There were a couple of times I thought he might bust loose with his belt. He didn’t at the performance I attended, but I say if the spirit of the show moves you, go for it.

Christopher Michael Richardson as Andy & Erika Kate MacDonald as Sadie. Photo by Daniel R. Winters Photography.

Christopher Michael Richardson as Andy & Erika Kate MacDonald as Sadie. Photo by Daniel R. Winters Photography.

Director Bridget Leak keeps the show moving at a nice pace and makes good use of the small play area. Understanding her cast’s limitations, there is no choreography. The musical numbers are performed concert style and Trey’s solo work is limited. 🙂

For the Serials performances, the props were constructed out of cardboard. Scenic designer and charge Sarah Beth Hall has taken that concept to the nth degree, cluttering Andy’s shop with an amazing array of two- and three-dimensional objects.

For this production, technical director Nick Koehike has rebuilt the Underground stage, giving future performances a more versatile play space and smartly improving the sight lines at the same time. I also enjoyed how he incorporated cardboard into the set pieces.

Erika Kate MacDonald as Sadie, Christopher Michael Richardson as Andy & Paul Strickland. Photo by Daniel R. Winters Photography.

Erika Kate MacDonald as Sadie, Christopher Michael Richardson as Andy & Paul Strickland. Photo by Daniel R. Winters Photography.

The well-done lighting and sound design by Andrew Hungerford and Doug Borntrager added depth to the production.

Another great element for the show was Know partnering with local artists to creatively provide missives for the “Unmailed Love Letters” section of Andy’s shop. You can check them out near the windows before and after the show, and at intermission.

To recap: A throw-your-head-back, laugh-out-loud funny, quirky, genuine and touching little musical. Even if you caught ANDY’s original incarnation, the fully-realized production is definitely worth re-visiting.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

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A FAIRY TALE CHRISTMAS CAROL The Musical Runs Dec. 4-20

THT_A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol logoA FAIRY TALE CHRISTMAS CAROL The Musical
Town Hall Theatre
Dec. 4-20
Centerville

Official cast list |

A holiday classic gets a fairy tale twist in this new holiday musical featuring the Big Bad Wolf as Ebenezer Scrooge, Cinderella’s Prince Charming as his struggling down-on-his luck bookkeeper and  The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come as played by The Queen of Hearts! Things are turned upside down in this fun-filled parable turned fairy tale! Ages 4 and up.

  • Fri, Dec. 4 at 7pm
  • Sat-Sun, Dec. 5-6 at 3pm
  • Fri, Dec. 11 at 7pm
  • Sat. Dec. 12 at 11am & 3pm
  • Sun, Dec. 13 at 3pm
  • Fri-Dec, 18 at 7pm
  • Sat-Sun, Dec. 19-20 at 3pm

Official page |

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WONDERLAND Runs Dec. 4-13

XACT_Wonderland logoWONDERLAND
Xenia Area Community Theatre
Dec. 4-13
Xenia

Directed by Jennifer Sparks

Cast: Madison Lutz as Alice, Jim Buckner as Troubador, Pam Callahan as Mother’s voice, Chadwick Padgett as Red King, Doug Mckinley as White King, Cayce Jones as Red Queen, Hunter Sparks as White Queen, Jillian Mccarthy as Red Pawn Madie Phillips as White Pawn,  Sarah Scarborough as Daisy, Alyssa Worley as Tiger-Lilly, Alivia Banks as Rose, Ahna Brown as Proper Authority #1, Isabelle Williams as Proper Authority #2, Madison Burton as Proper Authority #3, Kiszney Lauwers as Announcer, Macy Sonnycalb as Ump, Sylvia Bohn as Catcher, Kimi Conyers as Vendor, Madison Smith as Hatta, Isabel Tettau as Tweedle Dum,Christina Bass as Tweedle Dee, Lizzie Smith as Train Conductor, Elizabeth Craig as Ticket Seller, Declan Cook as Humpty Dumpty, Ella Vaught as Unicorn, Camryn Vaught as Lion, Tyler McCarthy as White Knight, Nathan McCarthy as Red Knight & Emmy Harper as Emcee
The Dixie Chickens: Emmy Harper, Ella Vaught, Camryn Vaught, Ahna Brown & Jillian Mccarthy
The Responsibilities: Alyssa Worley, Christina Bass, Isabelle Tettau, Lizzie Smith, Maddie Smith, Lilly Teegarden, Gabbi Wilson, Christian Greene, Macy Sonnycalb, Sylvia Bohn & Madie Phillips
The Male Chorus: Chadwick Padgett, Christian Greene, Tyler McCarthy & Nathan McCarthy

An unabashedly silly adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass.  With hip-hopping music, it is an upbeat, coming-of-age story that audiences of all ages will adore!  You’ll recognize some of your favorite familiar characters of Alice’s Wonderland along with meeting dozens of new ones:  a baseball team, a gospel group called The Responsibilities, a train conductor, star-struck tourists, plastic light-saber wielding knights and much more.

  • Fri, Dec. 4 at 6:30pm (Gala)
  • Sat, Dec. 5 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Dec. 11-12 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Dec. 13 at 3pm

Official page |

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