Monthly Archives: September 2024

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC Runs Sept. 21-22

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC
Presented by Dayton Opera and Wright State University School of Fine & Performing Arts
Sept. 21-22
Schuster Center Winsupply Theatre [Dayton]

Directed by John Deer
Conducted by Neal Gittleman

Cast: Robin Dunavant as Ensign Nellie Forbush, Morgan Smith as Emile de Becque, Kristen Choi as Bloody Mary, Jake Lockwood as Luther Billis, Ryan Bryce Johnson as Lt. Joseph Cable, Bruce Cromer as Capt. George Brackett, Josh Aaron McCabe as Comdr. William Harbison & Juno Brosas as Liat

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical, South Pacific, Dayton Opera and Wright State University present this award-winning classic. A favorite among opera and musical theatre fans alike, South Pacific features Dayton Opera artists alongside an ensemble from Wright State, with the Philharmonic performing its lush and beautiful score. Don’t miss beloved tunes such as “Bali Ha’i,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” and many more!

  • Sat, Sept. 21 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Sept. 22 at 2:30pm

Official page |

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Auditions Announced for SHOCK! – The Spine-Tingling Tale of Miss Spidra at CenterStage Players

CenterStage Players is excited to announce auditions for our next production: SHOCK! – The Spine-Tingling Tale of Miss Spidra.

Show Synopsis: Her fans never knew Joyce Billings. To them, she was Miss Spidra, campy host of ‘The Night Parlor’, Toledo’s midnight horror movie show. Starting as a struggling actress trying to make her mark, Joyce finds herself becoming an icon, a celebrity. But her efforts to keep her beloved show alive cost her mfansore than she could have guessed. Framed against a documentary about her life, Miss Spidra’s journey through the monster craze of the 60s asks what lines one will cross to succeed.

This production will be directed by Trisha Cooper and will begin rehearsals in October. The show will play January 10-18, 2025 at the Arts Center at Dunham (1945 Dunham Way – Cincinnati).

Auditions will be held on October 7 & 9 at the same location and will consist of cold readings from the script.

Please use the following link to secure your audition slot:
www.signuhttps://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA8AF29A1F85-51483491-shock#/pgenius.com/…/10C094DA8AF29A1F85…

Roles Available:

  • Joyce Billings (aka Miss Spidra) – Female (20s-30s) – A Horror Host
  • Ray Coslaw – Male (40s) – A television producer/director
  • Lucy Lupnicki – Female (20s) – Miss Spidra’s sidekick
  • Joyce 2 – Female (60s-80s) – Same person as Joyce Billings, just older. These two character will need to be believable as the same person.
  • Interviewer – Male or Female (any age)
  • John Oglesby – Male (30s+) – Elected Official (This role is only “on stage” via a video, so rehearsal time is limited and you do not need to be available for the show dates).

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WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME Runs Oct. 17-20

WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME
Magnolia Theatre Company
Oct. 17-20
PNC Annex [Dayton]

Directed by Michelle Hayford

Cast: Gina Handy as Heidi, Robb Willoughby as Legionnaire, Atlas Kessinger as Debater, Meg Adams as Debater, Nya Lewis as Debater, Shay Roth as Debater & Sierra Jobman as Debater

Fifteen-year-old Heidi Schreck worked her way to earning her college tuition by winning Constitutional debates across the United States. In this witty and hopeful new play, she brings forth her teenage self to trace the relationships of women between four generations. Nominated for two Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Schreck’s boundary-breaking show gives insight into how this document will impact our future generations of women.

  • Thu, Oct. 17 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, Oct. 18 at 8pm
  • Sat, Oct. 19 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 20 at 2pm

Official page |

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THUMP On Oct. 15

THUMP
Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative
Oct. 15
Aronoff Center Fifth Third Bank Theater [Downtown]

Written by Michael DeFrancesco

A director and two couples meet to discuss and agree on a scenario for a community theater contest. For one of the couples an event lays bare their fight of conscience.

About the Author:
Michael taught drama and English to high school students outside of Cincinnati. While teaching, he was awarded a Rockefeller grant to the University of Cincinnati’s Theater Arts program, where he earned an M.A. His Master’s thesis was a Readers Theater production of Black poetry with five black students in the high school where he was teaching. Because of getting a family quickly while in graduate school, he backed off of the Theater except to watch it.

He became more interested in writing than acting, and engaged in that off and on over a number of years. In the past dozen years he has written several plays: four full lengths, two as one acts and four as ten-minute plays.

He is a member of the Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative and has had several staged readings at CPI: The Circle, The Car Ride, The Hound, and for October 2024, Thump.

Tue, Oct. 15 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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Kate Hamill’s MS. HOLMES & MS. WATSON – APT. 2B Kicks Off Autumn at the Human Race Theatre Company

Step aside, Robert Downey, Jr.! Move over, Benedict Cumberbatch!  Make way for Kate Hamill’s feminist shakeup of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s notable sleuths.

This spin through the orbit of the world’s most famous detective introduces us to female roommates Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson. They’ve emerged from the pandemic fog as a deeply codependent and quasi-dysfunctional duo – solving mysteries, eating snacks and shaking off their pasts. But when they come face to face with a villain who seems to have all the answers? Hamill’s playful and theatrical style will deliver an unforgettable adventure chock full of heroism, friendship and, of course, the art of deduction.

“Bring your bestie, grab a snack and drink in the lobby, and settle in for an entertaining night,” notes Emily N. Wells, Artistic Director. “The twists and turns of this irreverent game keep you guessing to the very end.”

Guest Director Heather Wilson-Bowlby guides the powerhouse cast, featuring Shonita Joshi as Ms. Sherlock Holmes (Shipwrecked: An Entertainment!), Maggie Lou Rader as Ms. Joan Watson (Grounded, The Revolutionists), Kelly Mengelkoch as Mrs. Hudson and others (This is Tom Jones!, Deadline), and Matthew Sierra as Inspector Lestrade and others in his Human Race debut.

Joining Wilson-Bowlby on the production team are: Jeff Heater, Scenic Design; Diane D. Fairchild, Lighting Design; Janet G. Powell, Costume Design; emily c. porter, Sound Design; Lucia Thill, Associate Sound Design; Sarah Gomes, Props; Mark Tynan, Production Stage Manager; Danitza Piper, Assistant Stage Manager; Gina Cerimele-Mechley, Fight Director.

Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B  will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, October 9 – 20, 2024.  Tickets are on sale through the Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org   For press ticket requests, please contact Tiffany Countryman, Engagement and Learning Coordinator at tiffany@humanracetheatre.org

The Human Race Theatre Company continues its commitment to high quality theatre with access points for all with two special ticket initiatives: two sections of $20 seats available at any time through the box office, and ten $10 rush seats available 90 minutes before any performance.

Special Nights at The Loft: 

  • Pay What You CAN                  Tuesday, Oct 8, 7:30 pm – admission by non-perishable food donation for The Foodbank OR a cash donation to benefit The League of Women Voters
  • Inside Track                             Thursday, October 10, 7:30pm – Pre-show Discussion at 6:45pm
  • Post Show Discussion              Sunday, October 13, 2pm – Special Guest & Cast
  • Industry Night/ Sawbuck         Sunday, October 13, 7:30 pm – $10 tickets available at 6:00 pm
  • While We’re On The Subject Sunday, October 20, 2 pm – Post-Show Discussion with the Cast
  • Parent’s Day Out                     Sunday, October 20, 2 pm – Kids Separate Activities (5-12yo)

The Human Race expresses gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible:  Loft Season Sponsor: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation. Sustainability sponsors:  Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, The Toulmin Fund at The Dayton Foundation, and Morris Furniture Company.  Additional Season support:  Emma R. Catterton Trust, Funds at The Dayton Foundation, Virginia F. Kettering Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Sam Levin Foundation.  Production Support: Beth and Alan Schaeffer; Blood Sponsor: An Anonymous Blood Donor.  Organizational support:  Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council. Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical. Pay What You Can Sponsor: Enterprise Holdings Foundation. Parent’s Day Out: Rabbit Hole Books/Dayton Book Fair.  Capital Support: The Scheiwetz Foundation, The Dayton Foundation, The Toulmin Fund at the The Dayton Foundation.

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