Tag Archives: Human Race Theatre Company

Up next at The Human Race Theatre Company: Barbecue, by Robert O’Hara, pairs America’s fascination for self-destruction with an unexpected twist in this hilarious and devastating comedy. Performances run from April 13 – 30, 2023 at the Loft Theatre.

The four O’Mallery siblings have planned a barbecue picnic for their youngest sister, Barbara, but they secretly plan to stage an intervention to confront her outrageous behavior and reckless drug and alcohol use. We soon learn that each sibling needs their own intervention; Lillie Anne calls James “white trash” – blackout. When the lights return, so do the four siblings: same park, same situation, same personalities, different actors! From that moment on, the two parallel families alternate, and the day becomes raucous and unpredictable.

“Robert O’Hara has an extraordinary way of leaving you with changed perceptions while your sides split with laughter,” comments Emily N. Wells, Human Race Theatre Company artistic director.  “His understanding of our flawed humanity provides a way to see and respect one another as complex, individual beings.” This marks the first time that one of O’Hara’s works has been produced in the area, despite growing up in nearby Cincinnati.  Also a skilled director, O’Hara was nominated for a Tony Award for his 2021 Broadway production of Jeremy O’Harris’ Slave Play.

Houston director Eboni Bell Darcy makes her directing debut with The Human Race. The 10-person cast comprised of returning and first-time artists includes A.J. Baldwin and Mierka Girten (Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help) as Marie, Burgess Byrd (Gloria: A Life) and Darlene Spencer (Around the World in 80 Days) as Lillie Anne, Rico Parker and Josh Aaron McCabe (Deadline) as James T, Marva M.B. Williams-Parker (Gem of the Ocean) and Lisa Stephen Friday as Adlean, and Oluchi Nwokocha and Erin Eva Butcher as Barbara.

Joining Darcy on the Barbecue production team are: Tammy Honesty, Scenic Design;  John Rensel, Lighting Design; L’Amour Ameer, Costume Design; Antonio Lopez, Sound Design; Sarah Gomes, Props; Mark Tynan, Production Stage Manager; Rachel Heine, Assistant Stage Manager; ErinMarie Suscheck, Production Assistant. For press ticket requests, please contact Tara Lail, Creative Producer, at tara@humanracetheatre.org

Barbecue will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, April 13 – 30, 2023.  Tickets are on sale through Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org   More details about the show can be found on our website. The Human Race Theatre Company continues its commitment to high quality theatre with access points for all with two ticket initiatives sponsored by Morris Furniture Company: 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 – Wed. April 12, 8 pm – admission by non-perishable food donation for The Foodbank OR a cash donation to benefit onefifteen
• Inside Track – Thursday, April 13, 8pm – Pre-show Discussion at 7:15pm
• Sawbuck ($10) Sunday – Sunday, April 16, 7 pm – $10 tickets available 5:30pm at the door
• While We’re On The Subject – Sunday, April 23, 2pm – Post-Show Discussion with guest speakers

The Human Race expresses gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible: The Loft Season Sponsors: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation; Production sponsor: Barbara N. O’Hara; Sustainability sponsors:  Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, ELM Foundation, and Morris Furniture Company;  Additional Season support:  Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts, Erma R. Catterton Trust, The Shubert Foundation;  Organizational support:  Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Dayton Region Arts Renewal Grant. Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical. Pay What You Can Sponsor: Enterprise Holdings Foundation.

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She’s back!  Cindy Lou Who returns to Dayton for The Human Race Theatre Company’s WHO’S HOLIDAY! in an irreverent, hilarious good time, not suitable for the whole family

Playwright Matthew Lombardo serves up an antidote to the holiday blues with a wildly funny and heartfelt adults-only comedy about grown-up Cindy Lou Who.  She trips along memory lane as she prepares for a holiday party in her trailer just outside of Whoville. Cindy Lou reminisces about that fateful Christmas eve when she first met the Grinch and the twisted turn of events her life has since taken. If you enjoyed Tuna Christmas or The Santaland Diaries in previous seasons, or even if you came to see Cindy Lou last year, join us again in filling the Loft Theatre with laughter December 8 – 23, 2022.

Special “Parent’s Night Out” performances are scheduled at 5pm on December 10, 17 and 22-23, where kids 5-12 can enjoy a holiday-themed theatre workshop in the 2nd floor rehearsal room from 4:30 – 6pm while parents enjoy the show upstairs. The show’s short 60-minute run-time allows families to be home in time for dinner and bedtime!

“As a parent, I know the struggle is real to find childcare, especially the closer it gets to the holidays,” states HRTC Artistic Director Emily N. Wells. “The Human Race proudly partners with Dayton Live to offer these workshops to keep the kids learning and having a lot of fun, while parents and caregivers can kick back and enjoy a raucous time at the theatre.”

As the season of charitable giving continues, The Human Race expands its commitment to The Foodbank, with a barrel for non-perishable food items in the lobby. There is also a “Giving Tree” in partnership with Blue Star Families Dayton, adding a little extra cheer for active and reserve military families in the area.

Returning to the role of Cindy is hilarious Cincinnati native and Wright State graduate, Alex Sunderhaus. WHO’S HOLIDAY! is directed by Human Race Theatre Company Resident Artist and Wright State Artistic Director, Joe Deer. The production team returns for Cindy Lou’s festive holiday party, with Stage Manager Rachel Heine; Costume Designer Zoe Still; Scenic Designer Scott J. Kimmins; Lighting Designer John Rensel; Sound Designer Alexander Koker; Prop Master Sarah Gomes.

WHO’S HOLIDAY! will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, December 8-23, 2022. Tickets are on sale through Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org

Special Nights at the theatre:  

• SAWBUCK SUNDAY: Sunday, December 11th at 7:00pm.  All tickets at the door are $10.
• PARENT’S NIGHT OUT: December 10, 17, 22, and 23rd at 5:00pm.  Reserve your child’s spot
  when making your ticket reservations online.

The Human Race Theatre Company acknowledges its gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible:  22/23 Loft Season sponsored by The Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation; Sustainability Sponsors: Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, Morris Furniture Company;  Organizational Support: Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council; Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical; Additional Support comes from The Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, Erma R. Catterton Trust.