Tag Archives: Human Race Theatre Company

Love, Time and Starting Over at the Heart of NOW AND THEN at Human Race

HRTC_Now and Then logoThe Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton’s premier professional theatre company, is excited to begin its 34th season with the romantic comedy/drama Now and Then by Sean Grennan.  It will be available exclusively on the streaming platform Broadway On Demand starting April 28, 2021 – the 35th birthday of The Human Race.

“Our timing of this first production marks both our commitment to keeping our artists safe while also celebrating our 35 years as Dayton’s professional theatre company,” states Human Race Artistic Director and Founding Member, Kevin Moore.  “Unlike previous ‘pandemic projects,’ this production is fully staged on location and filmed, another first for us.  This allows us to share our work with our audience while keeping everyone safe until we can return to in-person performances at the Loft Theatre.”

The play takes us to a neighborhood bar in 1981 where Jamie is closing up when a last-minute customer enters and offers Jamie and his girlfriend Abby $2,000 to sit and have a drink with him.  Who wouldn’t take it?  But the unusual conversation, and the appearance of a second customer, makes the unbelievable begin to look like it just might be true.

Director Marya Spring Cordes has assembled an amazing quartet of actors.  Playing the couple Jamie and Abby are real-life married couple, Justin McCombs and Maggie Lou Rader.  And as the unexpected customers are Human Race Resident Actor and Founding Member Scott Stoney, and local actress Libby Holley Scancarello.

The fifth character in the play is the bar, and we are grateful to Mudlick Tap House for providing the location for our production.  Our Director of Photography, Editor and head of film production is Shaunn Baker of WorldStage Media.  Our Production Stage Manager is Jacquelyn Duncan.  Costume by Janet G. Powell;  Scenic Elements and Props by Alexander Capeneka; Lighting by John Rensel;  Sound by Jay Brunner.

Now and Then will be available on the Broadway on Demand platform from April 28 – May 9, 2021.  Current subscribers will receive an email with their personal link to watch the show.  Single tickets will be available April 1 (no fooling) at Broadway on Demand by using this link:  https://livestream.broadwayondemand.com/human-race/

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Human Race Theatre Honors 8th Anniversary of Sandy Hook Tragedy

HRTC_26 Pebbles Cast 2017

The 2017 Cast of 26 PEBBLES. Photo credit: Scott J. Kimmins.

The Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton’s premier professional theatre, is pleased to announce an “Encore Performance” of its 2017 world premiere production of 26 PEBBLES by Eric Ulloa – in recognition of the 8th anniversary of the tragic school shooting at Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut.  The production, a fundraiser for Sandy Hook Promise, will appear on the streaming platform Broadway On Demand from December 16 – 21, 2020.

“In the long list of mass shootings in our country, “ states Human Race Artistic Director Kevin Moore, “this one stands out so strongly because the victims were so young. Playwright and Broadway performer Eric Ulloa went to the community, interviewed the people of Newtown, and created this powerful play that looks at how the community came together to heal and find their way out of tragedy…to hope.”

This week of performances will serve as a fundraiser for Sandy Hook Promise – the organization founded by families of the victims to create a culture that prevents violence, ends school shootings and other harmful acts against children.  “However, a secondary benefit exists,” said Moore.  “This compelling and hopeful story of a community working together to ascend from tragedy is a lesson that many communities could very much use right now.”

The original production was directed by Igor Goldin, and the cast included Christine Brunner, Gina Handy, Scott Hunt, Jennifer Joplin, Caitlin McWethy and Jason Podplesky.  Production Stage Manager was Lexi Muller.  Scenic Design by Scott J. Kimmins; Costume Design by Jessica Pitcairn; Lighting Design by John Rensel; and Composer/Sound Design by Jay Brunner.

Tickets will be available at Broadway On Demand starting December 9th.  A single viewing is $10, with an option to add additional donations.  All sales & donations will benefit Sandy Hook Promise.  For more information and links to buying tickets, visit www.humanracetheatre.org

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Virtual Romantic Comedy, GARDEN POLITICS, Provides The Perfect Escape

HRTC_Garden Politics logoThe Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton’s premier professional theatre company, is excited to announce a virtual reading of a play by Michael Slade, Garden Politics, will be made available on the streaming platform Broadway On Demand from November 13 – 18, 2020.

“This marks our second virtual playreading since our COVID shut down in March,” states Human Race Artistic Director and Founding Member, Kevin Moore.  “Rehearsing and performing via Zoom is a very different experience for our actors. It’s a combination of voice-over, oral interpretation, and acting for the camera. It’s theatrical, but not exactly theatre. Yet, it is still storytelling – and that fulfills our mission. For 34 years we have shared stories that enlighten us, move us, and yes, startle us into new thoughts.”

This project also marks the company’s sixth project with playwright Michael Slade since 2008, including three world premieres (Change, Under A Red Moon and Family Shots)  Slade is a three-time Emmy Award winner for Writing and Co-Creating the hit series After Forever, streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Described as a romantic comedy about people of “a certain age” who find love while battling City Hall, Garden Politics is directed by Human Race Resident Artist and Founding Member, Scott Stoney.  The cast includes Resident Artist Patricia Linhart, and Dayton actors Saul Caplan and Libby Holley Scancarello.  Video Editing is provided by Shaunn Baker of WorldStage Media.

Tickets are available at Broadway on Demand by using this link:  https://www.broadwayondemand.com/series/jesbUDfoukL0-garden-politics–the-human-race-theatre-company

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The Human Race Theatre Company Announces Changes to 34th Season Schedule

A letter from Kappy Kilburn and Kevin Moore

HRTC_new logoThe Human Race Theatre Company would like to thank our artists, audiences and community for their support and commitment to our work during this troublesome time. We could not continue to do what we do without that support.

Since March, when the pandemic forced us to close our season, we have worked with state and local officials, union representatives and other producers around the country to strategize reopening our theatre. We have listened to our audiences’ concerns about group gatherings and desires for a safe and celebratory return to LIVE theatre on our stage. After much thoughtful contemplation, we have decided to move forward with a new time frame for our full “Dayton Premieres” season.

In order to provide the safest experience for our audience and our artists, we are moving the entire season into the 2021 calendar year and will reopen The Loft in February, 2021. Below is the new schedule. Additional information on each production can be found at www.humanracetheatre.org.

34th Loft Theatre Season – Dayton Premieres
Revised Schedule

NOW AND THEN by Sean Grennan
February 18 -March 7, 2021

INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP by Katie Forgette
April 15 – May 2, 2021

MY 80-YEAR-OLD BOYFRIEND: A New True Musical
Book & Lyrics by Christian Duhamel Music & Lyrics by Edward Bell
Originally Conceived & Performed by Charissa Bertels
June 10 – 27, 2021

EVERYTHING THAT’S BEAUTIFUL by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder
July 22 – August 8, 2021

AIRNESS by Chelsea Marcantel
October 21 – November 7, 2021

HUMAN RACE EXTRAS:

WHO’S HOLIDAY by Matthew Lombardo
December 10 -27, 2020*
At this time, if circumstances allow, we hope to kick-off our season with this wildly outrageous holiday feast. If we are unable to do it during this holiday season, we will present it in 2021.

THE ART OF US: A DAYTON MOSAIC
September 18, 19, 2021

For those who have already renewed their subscription – Thank You! Season packages will be mailed in the fall. Tickets will be adjusted based on preferred date and time in the run. HRTC is also refining our “Reopening Safety Protocol” so that everyone can return to the theatre with confidence. This plan will be announced to our audience before our season begins so that you will know what to prepare for and expect.

In the meantime, we are working on more virtual events for this fall that will both amuse and provide thoughtful escape. Stay tuned to www.humanracetheatre.org for updates.

For now, we encourage everyone to stay safe – wear masks in public – keep safe distances – and wash your hands regularly. These actions will allow us to gather together that much sooner. Of course, as the world changes we will remain flexible and will adapt. We look forward to bringing you these amazing stories and many more in the future. See you soon!

Kappy Kilburn
Executive Director

Kevin Moore
Artistic Director & Founding Member

HRTC_34th Season

Ways to join HRTC:

Subscriptions
More than just super savings, subscribers always get the best available seats!

Flex Pass
Get a set of 2020-2021 season ticket vouchers that can be redeemed for any seat
to any public performance of any Loft Theatre production in any combination. It’s
the ultimate in flexibility!

Monthly Membership
HRTC Members pay $14.99 a month and have access to up to four $10 tickets per
production in their membership year. New and exciting perks available throughout
the season!

Go to www.humanracetheatre.org
or Call Dayton Live at (937) 228-3630
to Order Subscriptions Today!

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Human Race Playreading Goes Virtual with Local Playwright and Benefits The Foodbank

HRTC_LOOK INTO MY EYES Cast

Top row: Lauren Kampman, Saul Caplan (Director) & Libby Holley Scancarello. Middle row: Caitlin Larsen, Barbara Dirr & Jeff Sams. Mottom row: Scott Stoney, Jeremy Todd Farley, & Robb Willoughby (Playwright).

While the COVID-19 pandemic may have closed down live performances, The Human Race has not let it stop them from presenting their Playreading Series – this time as a virtual reading of a new play by Yellow Springs playwright Robb Willoughby called Look Into My Eyes. This streaming reading will benefit The Foodbank, a vital organization solving hunger in the Miami Valley – especially now!

“We have been rehearsing on Zoom for our typical 11 hours,” reported Human Race Artistic Director Kevin Moore.  “A director, a playwright and seven actors working very hard to communicate this funny and sweet story in the “Brady Bunch” little boxes format.  It’s not easy.  We miss the live interaction and the reaction of an audience which always fuels a performance.  But we all felt it was necessary to keep the creative work flowing, even during these challenging times.  And since we had to cancel several of our Pay What You Can performances which have supported The Foodbank for decades,” continued Moore, “it seemed right to support them while they strive to meet the additional demand this pandemic has caused.”

The play centers around two unique siblings.  Billie can read people’s futures – has been doing it for years.  Her brother, Lonnie, can hear people’s thoughts – and it is driving him crazy.  But when a dangerous, dark cloud of a person comes in for a tarot reading, the sister/brother team must join forces to warn the innocent and expose the guilty.  The plot thickens, zany characters run amuck, and mystery abounds.  Will they save the day in time?  Find out for yourself.

Directed by Saul Caplan, the cast includes Human Race Resident Artists Caitlin Larsen and Scott Stoney, Barbara Dirr, Libby Holley Scancarello, Jeff Sams, Lauren Kampman and Jeremy Todd Farley.

The performance will be streamed starting at 8:00 PM on Saturday, May 16, and ending on Wednesday, May 20th at 8:00 PM, so you can view at your leisure. Tickets are available at DaytonLive by calling 937-228-3630, or visit The Human Race website at www.humanracetheatre.org  Tickets start at $10, with all proceeds going to The Foodbank.

This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Pat and David Diven, Scott Stoney and Kevin Moore, and the Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts.

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