Monthly Archives: January 2020

January 29, 2020 · 3:01 pm

HAND TO GOD Quick Review

HAND TO GOD presented by Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre through Feb. 9. I attended the opening Sunday performance. 

WFIT_Hand to God promo2

Alex Slade as Jason & Hope Pauly as Jessica. Photo by Tammy Cassesa.

On one hand, HAND TO GOD is an existential discussion on the use of the devil as an excuse for bad behavior. On the other hand, literally, it is the story of a possessed puppet with a raunchy mouth, violent tendencies and an overactive sex drive. If you find anything offensive in the previous two sentences, it is probably a good bet that this show is not for you.

The solid five-person ensemble is led by Alexander Slade as Jason (and by extension, also the puppet Tyrone). Slade impresses as he deftly switches between the distinctive voices of the two characters. Paired with his manipulation of Tyrone, he completely sells the shows central conceit.

WFIT_Hand to God promo

Alex Slade as Jason. Photo by Tammy Cassesa.

Director Dylan Shelton has a sharp eye for casting and handles the outrageous comedy of the piece well. The set works well enough in defining the various settings, but with a dozen scenes the numerous blackouts interrupted the flow of the show.

The regional premiere of a five-year old play that was nominated for multiple Tony-Awards is the kind of programming I’d enjoy seeing the Incline embrace more often.

Overall a strong production of this biting, raunchy, laugh-out-loud comedy.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Click here for more information on the production.

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January 29, 2020 · 10:44 am

Auditions Announced for MISCAST CABARET at Dayton Playhouse

DPH_logoDayton Playhouse Associate Board is thrilled to announce the auditions for their very first MISCAST CABARET, a FUNraiser to benefit the Dayton Playhouse. Is there a role you’d love to perform, but for which you are not naturally suited? This is YOUR chance to shine!

SAVE THE DATE for AUDITIONS: Saturday, February 29 from 12-3 pm.

Please prepare 32 bars of the song you’d like to perform in the Cabaret best showing off your talent and arrangement of the piece. An accompanist will be provided. Have clear markings in your sheet music but also be prepared to sing the entire song if asked.

In the event that there are multiple people with the same song choice, please be prepared with a secondary choice. There will not be repeat songs in the performance.

Production date for MISCAST CABARET is Saturday, March 21st, 2020; 8pm at the Dayton Playhouse

There will be 2 set rehearsals you must attend. Sunday, March 15th and Friday, March 20th. Times are TBA. Extra rehearsals may be scheduled at the discretion of the directors.

If chosen to perform in the Cabaret, the cost to perform is $20 and will include 2 drink tickets. This is due at the first rehearsal.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to either of the directors: Alicia Waton and Janet Wasson via email at Alicia.walton101@gmail.com or Wassonjm@gmail.com.

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January 29, 2020 · 10:06 am

ALMOST, MAINE Runs Feb. 28-March 8

SCT_Almost Maine logoALMOST, MAINE
Springboro Community Theatre
Feb. 28-March 8
Springboro Performing Arts Center

Cast: Derek Stidham as Pete/Jimmy/Dave, Dan Eaglin as Steve/Man, Mark Reuter as East/Randy/Lendall/Phil, Matthew Barnard as Chad, Carly Wheeler as Ginnette/Sandrine/Hope, Christina Harris as Glory/Marvalyn, Katie McCoy as Gayle/Marci & Allie Staples as Waitress/Rhonda

A woman carries her heart, broken into nineteen pieces, in a small paper bag. A man shrinks to half his former size, after losing hope in love. A couple keep the love they have given each other in large red bags, or compress the mass into the size of a diamond. These playful and surreal experiences are commonplace in the world of John Cariani’s ALMOST, MAINE, where on one deeply cold and magical Midwinter Night, the citizens of Almost — not organized enough for a town, too populated for a wilderness — experience the life-altering power of the human heart. Relationships end, begin, or change beyond recognition, as strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers. Propelled by the mystical energy of the aurora borealis and populated with characters who are humorous, plain-spoken, thoughtful, and sincere, ALMOST, MAINE is a series of loosely connected tales about love, each with a compelling couple at its center, each with its own touch of sorcery.

  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 28-29 at 8pm
  • Sun, March 1 at 2pm
  • Fri-Sat, March 6-7 at 8pm
  • Sun, March 8 at 2pm

Official page |

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January 29, 2020 · 9:56 am

SHOOTER! Runs Feb. 28-March 1

XU_Shooter logoSHOOTER!
Xavier University Theatre
Feb. 28-March 1
Gallagher Student Center Studio Theatre [Evanston]

Directed by Aaron Rossini

Cast: Ellie Conniff as Leia, Holland Taylor as Leah, Cat Sholtis as Cookie, Victoria Forbes as Mara, Kelsey Schwarber as Addy, Ellie Deutsch as Amber, Kertu Bell as Tania, Dylan O’Leary as Kristian, Thomas Wehby as Hank, Grant Zentmeyer as Noah, Roman Harris-Richardson as Eric, Paker Culp as Dylan & Steven Lindner as Dean

Professor Leia is befuddled by the task of ushering undergrads into the dramatic principles of playwriting and life lessons simultaneously. When a student brings in a violent play, she suspects him of being a possible school shooter. As Leia’s home life becomes more dangerous, she doubles down on her fear of and aggression toward the potential shooter.

  • Thu-Fri, Feb. 27 & 28 at 7:30pm
  • Sat-Sun, Feb. 29 at 2pm & 7:30pm

Official page |

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January 29, 2020 · 9:39 am

Heat-up February with Anderson Theatre’s THE CRUCIBLE

AT_The Crucible logoMaster playwright Arthur Miller leads us through a web of deceit and betrayal in this partially fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the winter of 1692. The story focuses upon John Proctor, his wife, Elizabeth, and Abigail Williams, the young servant-girl who maliciously embroils an entire town in a crucible of lies, accusations, and terror.

Winner of the 1953 Tony Award for Best Play, THE CRUCIBLE offers an unflinching view of what can happen when justice and truth fall victim to the worst impulses of humanity, and how a society struggles to retain its morality in the face of manipulation, fear, and blind self-interest.

This show will be best appreciated by children in grades 5 and up. Performances are February 14 and 15 at 7:00 pm and February 16 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or ordered by visiting www.AndersonTheatre.com.

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