ATTENTION!! MILFORD THEATRE GUILDE IS STILL ACCEPTING DIRECTOR SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2018 -2019 SEASON!
Please submit the show you would like to direct and its synopsis, if you prefer Fall 2018 and spring 2019, show estimated budget, roles needed and what your vision is for the show to Micheal Kiser at mrkiser79@gmail.com.
Any questions should be sent directly to Micheal as well.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS JANUARY 31, 2018
Filed under Casting Call
Jennifer Johansen & Ben Palacios. Photo by Heather N. Powell.
The Human Race continues its 31st Season with Laura Eason’s SEX WITH STRANGERS, February 1 – 18, 2018 at the Loft Theatre
“Who are you?” These are the first words spoken in Sex with Strangers, and pretty much summarize the play. In this digitally-dominated age, knowing a person’s true identity can be tricky. When I first saw this show in New York, I was intrigued by the cat-and-mouse, sexually charged relationship, and believed it would speak to our modern audience. Warning: it will get a bit steamy on stage, but what a way to warm up in the cold Miami Valley winter!” Kevin Moore, President & Artistic Director
(Dayton, OH) —This February, The Human Race Theatre Company (HRTC) is heating up the Loft Theatre with the hottest play in the country, Sex with Strangers. Failed novelist Olivia meets Ethan, a celebrated (and much younger) writer made famous by his sexcapade tell-all blog, at a snowbound bed and breakfast, and their mutual attraction quickly gets hot and heavy. As a weekend tryst develops into a long-term romance, their personal and professional lives collide. Ethan seeks legitimacy, dismissing his bad boy reputation as nothing more than an invented character. Olivia has her doubts, but craves the literary fame Ethan can offer her. Ambition, identity and trust are in play when online personals clash with real world expectations in this smart, steamy take on modern love.
WARNING: Sex with Strangers contains partial nudity, strong language and adult themes.
The roles of Olivia and Ethan are being portrayed by Jennifer Johansen and Ben Palacios. They were last seen in The Human Race production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike – performed at the Victoria Theatre. “Besides both being exceptional actors,” said Kevin Moore, “they already had experienced a degree of intimacy on stage, since their characters, the self-absorbed Masha and her hunky boy-toy Spike, were continually pawing at each other.”
Greg Hellems (HRTC’s The Glass Menagerie, Band Geeks!, and Best of Broadway), returns to The Race to direct Sex with Strangers.
Laura Eason (Playwright) is the author of 20 plays, original works and adaptations, a musical-book writer and screenwriter. Selected productions include Sex with Strangers (Second Stage, NYC; Signature Theatre, DC; Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago; Sydney Theatre, AU; published by Overlook Press), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Hartford Stage, CT; New Victory, NYC) and many more. As a screenwriter, Laura wrote on seasons two and three of the Emmy-winning Netflix show House of Cards.
The preview performance of Sex with Strangers is Thursday, February 1. Opening night is Friday, February 2.
CAST AND DESIGN TEAM
Our cast of two are veteran Human Race Theatre actors.
Jennifer Johansen (HRTC’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, A Christmas Carol and God of Carnage.) is “Olivia.” This will be Jennifer’s fourth show with The Human Race Theatre. Ben Palacios (HRTC’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, National tour of Fifty Shades of Grey parody, Spank!, starring as America’s favorite BDSM billionaire. TV credits include Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party and Tosh.0.) is “Ethan.” This is Ben’s second production at The Human Race Theatre.
Eric Moore (scenic designer), Head Carpenter, designs his fourth show at The Human Race. Costume designer Stormie Mac is delighted to be joining HRTC for the first time. Resident Artists John Rensel (lighting designer) and Jay Brunner (sound designer) round out the design team. Lexi Muller is the production stage manager.
Biographies on the cast and creative team can be found on The Human Race Theatre Company’s website.
The Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Sex with Strangers is sponsored by Barbara N. O’Hara, Dr. Robert L. Brandt, Jr., MD, Rob and Lessa Comparin, and John and Tamara Clough.
Performance and special event information
Tickets for the preview performance of Sex with Strangers on February 1 start at $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $17.50 for students. For all performances February 2 – 18, single ticket prices start at $40 for adults, $37 for seniors and $20 for students. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. The Human Race is offering a pair of discount ticket opportunities during the run of the show. A limited number of $12 and $25 side-area seats are available in advance for all performances. The Sunday, February 4 7:00 p.m. performance is “Sawbuck Sunday,” when any available seat can be purchased in person for just $10 at the Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. Prior to the Friday, February 9 8:00 p.m. performance is “Ladies Night,” which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Additional information and details for “Ladies Night” can be found on our website and Facebook Events page. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.
All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center’s Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Show times for Sex with Strangers are 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Performances on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings begin at 7:00 p.m., and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday matinees.
Tickets and performance information for Sex with Strangers are available at http://www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.
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2017-2018 marks the 31st season for The Human Race Theatre Company, “Dayton’s Official Professional Theatre Company.” Founded in 1986, The Human Race moved into the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence in its current home, the 212-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces new works development and special event programming. Under the direction of President and Artistic Director Kevin Moore, the company also maintains education and outreach programs for children, teens and adults, as well as artist residencies in area schools and a summer youth program. Human Race organizational support is provided by the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Culture Works, the Shubert Foundation, the Erma R. Catterton Trust Fund, the Jesse & Caryl Philips Foundation, the Virginia W. Kettering Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council, which helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The 2017-2018 Sustainability Sponsors are the ELM Foundation, Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, and Morris Home. The 2017-2018 Loft season sponsor is the Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation of the Dayton Foundation, with additional support from Premier Health.
Filed under Press Releases
Photo by Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates.
New play written by Deborah Zoe Laufer runs Feb. 9-March 11
CINCINNATI—Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park announces the world premiere of BE HERE NOW by Deborah Zoe Laufer, a play commissioned by the Playhouse about two lost souls who come together under unusual circumstances in their search for happiness. BE HERE NOW debuts in the Shelterhouse Theatre on Feb. 9, 2018 and will run until March 11, with support from The Rosenthal Foundation, Season Sponsor of New Work.
Regarding her new production, Laufer says, “In most of my plays, people are searching for something by looking outside of themselves, their families, loved ones and friends. Ultimately, the characters find what they’re looking for in each other and the simple acts of being together… with the people who really matter to them.”
The play centers on woefully underemployed Bari, who is a humorous misanthrope, and brilliant and loveable Mike, who manages his own demons and makes art out of garbage.
Bari lives in a small town and aspires to complete her Ph.D. dissertation on nihilism (the belief that nothing matters). Her cheerful workmates try to perk her up but she rejects their offer. Bari decides to take on a new path when she meets Mike, an unexpected suitor. BE HERE NOW asks what we are willing to do for love and happiness and to create meaning in our lives.
Playhouse artistic director Blake Robinson says of Laufer, “I think Deb has an ear for how people really speak. Hers is a fresh and insightful voice.”
In 2013, the world premiere of Deborah’s play LEVELING UP was produced by the Playhouse. When asked how BE HERE NOW is similar or different to her previous plays, she says, “I think BE HERE NOW is very much my play. Hopefully, it is also funny and sad. Hopefully, it asks more questions than it answers. Hopefully, they will be surprised. Hopefully, they’ll see the world around them just a tiny bit differently. Hopefully, they’ll walk away with something to chew on and maybe argue on the way home. I like it when people argue.”
SPECIAL EVENT
Fundamentals of Playwriting with Deborah Zoe Laufer
Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. – noon at the Playhouse
BE HERE NOW playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer introduces the world of writing for the stage. Learn how to build the foundation of a story by creating complex characters, writing memorable dialogue and crafting a compelling plot. Adults and teens ages 16 and up with all skill levels are welcome! Cost is $50 per person, and does not include a ticket to the show.
TICKETS
Prices for BE HERE NOW start at $35 depending on seat selection and performance day and are subject to change. Tickets for teens and students are $30. Student tickets are just $15 on the day of the show. Plus, Sunday is College Night, with tickets to all 7 p.m. performances just $10. In addition to calling the Box Office, tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Playhouse website at www.cincyplay.com.
ACCESS
The Playhouse is fully accessible. Large print programs and hearing enhancement receivers are available upon request.
BOX OFFICE
513-421-3888 or 800-582-3208 toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana; or 513-345-2248 – TDD access (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).
SPONSORS
Production Sponsor is the Bartlett & Co. The Shelterhouse Theatre Season is presented by Heidelberg Distributing Company. The Season Sponsor of New Work is The Rosenthal Foundation. Shelterhouse Theatre Season Design Sponsor is the Allan Berliant and Jennie Rosenthal Berliant Family Fund. Additional Support is provided by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust. Media sponsor is 91.7 WVXU. BE HERE NOW was commissioned through the Playhouse’s Jerome Fey Endowment.
The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Filed under Press Releases
Mariemont Players and director Dan Maloney are pleased to announce the cast of our May production, THE OUTGOING TIDE by Bruce Graham:
Synopsis
In a summer cottage on Chesapeake Bay, Gunner has hatched an unorthodox plan to secure his family’s future but meets with resistance from his wife and son. As winter approaches, the three must quickly find common ground and come to an understanding – before the tide goes out.
THE OUTGOING TIDE runs May 11th-27th. To order tickets, call Betsy at 513-684-1236 OR order online at www.mariemontplayers.com. All seats are reserved and $20 each.
Filed under Cast list
ANGELS IN AMERICA PART ONE: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES
Northern Kentucky University
Feb. 15-25
[Highland Heights]
Cast: Ella Rivera as Rabbi Chemelwitz/Henry/Hannah Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg, Kearston Hawkins-Johnson as Emily/Ella Chapter/Woman in the Bronx/The Angel, Isaiah Reaves as Mr. Lies/Belize, Sam Johnson as Joe Pitt/Prior #1/Eskimo, Alex Slade as Roy Cohn/Prior #2, Jacob Miller as Prior Walter/Man in the Park, Matthew Nassida as Louis Ironson & Grace Wesson as Harper Pitt/Martin Heller
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the Drama Desk and Tony Awards for Best Play, ANGELS IN AMERICA follows eight New Yorkers who form unlikely bonds as a mysterious disease begins ravaging their city. Tony Kushner’s blockbuster explores gay culture, race, inequality, and the future of America through the lens of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. Twenty-five years after the play’s Broadway premiere, it remains one of the greatest plays of the last century and continues to reverberate with audiences today. As characters grapple with life and death, love and sex, heaven and hell, they wrestle to navigate the complexities of hope in a world of uncertainties. Audience Advisory: Contains strong language, graphic sexual content and other material only appropriate for mature audiences.
Filed under On Stage
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 