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The Human Race Theatre Company Announces the Cast and Creative Team for World Premiere of FAMILY TIES

One of the most beloved television families of the 1980s returns as Alex and the Keatons take to the stage in Daniel Goldstein’s new comedy, June 1 – 25, 2017 at the Loft Theatre.

Jim Stanek

Jim Stanek.

(Dayton, OH) — The Human Race Theatre Company (HRTC) announces the cast and creative team for its 30th anniversary season closer, the world premiere comedy Family Ties, written by Daniel Goldstein (The Song of Songs, Unknown Soldier and Row), based on the classic television series, directed by HRTC President & Artistic Director Kevin Moore and produced by special arrangement by Araca Media & Entertainment. The preview performance of Family Ties is Thursday, June 1. Opening night is Friday, June 2, and the production runs through June 25 at HRTC’s home at downtown Dayton’s Loft Theatre.

HRTC_Plumb-Eve

Eve Plumb.

The six-member cast features Jim Stanek (Fun Home, Lestat, The Rivals on Broadway) as “Alex,” Eve Plumb (TV’s The Brady Bunch, Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway and Fudge, Unbroken Circle Off-Broadway) as “Elyse” and Lawrence Redmond (Intelligence at Arena Stage, A Prayer for Owen Meany at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Elmer Gantry at Signature Theatre) as “Steven.” Thea Brooks (Dirty Dancing 1st national tour, I Love Lucy, Live on Stage national tour) plays “Mallory,” Sara Mackie (Hands on a Hardbody and Other Desert Cities at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Green Gables for HRTC) is the youngest daughter, “Jennifer.” Maggie Lou Rader (Heavier Than… at Know Theatre Cincinnati, Emma and Little Women at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company) rounds out the ensemble as Alex’s love interest, “Ellen.”

The creative team includes Tamara L. Honesty (Other Desert Cities, Becky’s New Car and Lombardi at HRTC), scenic design; Janet G. Powell (Sweeney Todd, The Full Monty and the world premiere of Family Shots at HRTC), costume design; Human Race Resident Artist John Rensel (The Glass Menagerie, Crowns and Next to Normal for HRTC), lighting design; Human Race Resident Artist Jay Brunner (the world premiere of 26 Pebbles, The Glass Menagerie and Hail Mary! at HRTC) sound design; and Lexi Muller, production stage manager.

Family Ties reunites audiences with one of the most beloved television families of the 1980s. Twenty years have passed and Alex P. Keaton, now running for Congress, returns to his parents’ Columbus home with his sisters, Mallory and Jennifer, who are parents of their own. Gathered together once again, they relive some of the most important moments from their childhood—the growing pains, heartbreaks and reconciliations—with fondness and appreciation for simpler times that defined a generation.

The Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Family Ties is under license by CBS Consumer Products and sponsored by the Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts, Marion’s Piazza, Beth and Alan Schaeffer and The George B. Quatman Foundation – Fifth Third Bank, Trustee.

PERFORMANCE AND SPECIAL EVENT INFORMATION
Tickets for the preview performance of Family Ties on June 1 start at $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $17.50 for students. For all performances June 2 – 25, 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, June 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. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.

All performances are at The Human Race’s home in the Metropolitan Art Center’s Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Show times for Family Ties 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 Family Ties are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

# # #

Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, The Human Race Theatre Company was founded in 1986 and moved into the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at 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, an In-School Tour, and a summer youth program. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, 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 2016-2017 Sustainability Sponsors are the ELM Foundation, Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, and Morris Home Furnishings. The 2016-2017 Loft season sponsor is the Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation of the Dayton Foundation, with additional support from Premier Health.

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2017-2018 Season Auditions at Human Race Theatre Company

hrtc_red-logoGeneral Auditions – Adults (Ages 18+)
Dayton, Ohio auditions for Plays and Musicals will be held Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30.

  • Saturday, April 29 (11:00 am – 4:00 pm) – Musicals or Musicals and Plays (Accompanist provided)
  • Sunday, April 30 (11:00 am – 4:00 pm) – Plays only

Appointment calls are now being accepted. (Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm EST)
Phone: Colin Simpson, Company Manager at 937-461-3823 ext. 3116 No emails, please.

General auditions for children: Will be held at a later date to be determined. Please check back for further updates.

Auditions are open to Non-Equity and Equity actors (unless otherwise noted), with Non-Equity actors having the opportunity to join the Equity Membership Candidacy Program.

Adults will be auditioning for:

  • The American premiere of Legendale with music by Andrea Daly, book and lyrics by Jeff Bienstock, story by Bienstock and Daly
  • A Christmas Story by Philip Grecian, based upon the motion picture A Christmas Story, written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark, and In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd
  • Sex with Strangers by Laura Eason
  • Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon
  • The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield

See audition procedures and character breakdowns below.

Unable to attend our Dayton general auditions?
If you cannot attend our Dayton General Auditions and wish to be considered, submit your updated resume and headshot to colin@humanracetheatre.org with a letter explaining the show(s) and role(s) of interest to you (please be specific).

New York City- and Chicago-based actors
Auditions are by agent submission or invitation on a show-by-show basis. If you wish to be considered, please e-mail your headshot, resume and what show(s)/character(s) you are interested in (please be specific) to colin@humanracetheatre.org.

The Human Race Theatre Company is a professional theatre that works under a Small Professional Theatre Contract (SPT 6) and performs primarily in the Loft Theatre, a 212-seat thrust stage. Kevin Moore, President & Artistic Director. Tara Lail, Associate Artistic Director.

Rehearsals are primarily Monday – Friday evenings, and daytime on weekends.

Procedures for Auditions

Plays only: Come prepared with 2 one-minute contrasting monologues in the style of the show(s) or from the show(s) you are interested in OR 1 two-minute monologue tailored toward the specific show you are interested in.

Musicals only: Come prepared with 1 song of up to 32 bars of music in the style of the show(s) or from the show you are interested in. Be prepared with a 2nd song in the event the producer asks to see more. Bring your sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. No a cappella singing or recorded music.

Both: Come prepared with 1 one-minute monologue and 1 song (up to 32 bars) in the style of the show(s) or from the show you are interested in. Bring your sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. No a cappella singing or recorded music.

You will be auditioning for Kevin Moore and Tara Lail.

2017-2018 Season Dates

Legendale (musical)
1st rehearsal: August 7, 2017
Production: September 7 – October 1, 2017

The House
1st rehearsal: October 9, 2017
Production: November 2 – November 19, 2017

A Christmas Story
1st rehearsal: November 13, 2017
Production: December 12 – December 17, 2017
(performs at the 1,100-seat Victoria Theatre)

Sex with Strangers
1st rehearsal: January 8, 2018
Production: February 1 – February 18, 2018

Brighton Beach Memoirs
1st rehearsal: March 11, 2018
Production: April 5 – April 22, 2018

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]
1st rehearsal: May 7, 2018
Production: May 31 – June 23, 2018

Musical Theatre Workshops (musical)
Dates: To be announced

New Play Workshops
Dates: To be announced

Character Breakdowns

Legendale
ACTOR 1
ANDY KANIFF – Male, late 20s; tenor. A tech-savvy introvert. Witty but socially awkward. Legendale’s protagonist. Ab2-A4 (Note: Low Ab2 is conversational.)

ACTOR 2
ZELAYNA (THE COW-MAIDEN) – Female; alto with high belt. A smart, spunky avatar with limitless energy and unwavering confidence in her abilities. G3-Eb5

ACTOR 3
BETH – Female, early 20s; alto or soprano. A graphic artist-turned-temp worker in Andy’s office. Ab3-Db5
DOCTOR GAMER – An adult gamer featured in the opening number.

ACTOR 4
PAUL JANSEN – Male, 40s; baritone. The creator of Legendale who is adored by fans worldwide. A bit of a showman. Ab2-G4
THE ALCHEMIST – A fearsome, mysterious avatar in Legendale.
MAILMAN GAMER – An adult gamer featured in the opening number.

ACTOR 5
STEVE – Male, 30s; tenor. Andy and Beth’s boss; an aging ex-jock. E3-F-sharp4 (A4 falsetto)
TARRAGON (THE WILD WARRIOR) – A mostly mute, muscle-bound avatar.
COP GAMER – An adult gamer featured in the opening number.
BLOGGER – A journalist for the gaming blog Cutting Edge.

ACTOR 6
NEWBIE – Male; tenor with high tessitura. An immature adolescent; one of the Message Board Gamers. Eb3-Bb4
ENGINEER – A lowly JansenGames employee.

ACTOR 7
FANBOY – Male; tenor. A teenaged skateboarder; one of the Message Board Gamers. E3-A4
PHOTOGRAPHER – A journalist for the gaming blog Cutting Edge.

ACTOR 8
SIR SARCASM – Male; tenor with low tessitura. A post-collegiate know-it-all; one of the Message Board Gamers. B2-G-sharp4
CEO – Chief Executive Officer of JansenGames

The House
Roles for this production have been cast.

A Christmas Story
Adult Roles
RALPH – Male. Age 30-50. Narrator, also plays a cowboy, deliveryman and Xmas tree lot owner and the grown up version of Ralphie; Jean Shepard’s voice, wry and satirical with affection for the time and the story he tells.

THE OLD MAN – Male. Age 30-50. Ralphie’s father, 1930s family man; his may be a small world, but it is his just the same; obsessed with contests and the Bumpus hounds next door. Actor also performs the voice of Santa.

MOTHER – Female. Age 30-45. Ralphie’s mother, is a patient parent with firm convictions – in particular, that her son should not own an air rifle. It takes a lot to ruffle her feathers, but the provocative leg lamp seems to do the trick.

MISS SHIELDS – Female. Age 30-50. A teacher who’s a real stickler when it comes to punctuation, actor also plays the Wicked Witch of the West.

Child Roles (to be cast at a late date to be announced)
RALPHIE – Male. Age 10-13. Preferably under 5’0” tall, a regular boy, appealing, but not necessarily a handsome boy, can have some extra weight on him, strong presence, honest actor, not “show-bizzy,” experienced on stage and a great strong speaking voice.

RANDY – Male. Age 9-11. Ralphie’s brother. Plays about seven or eight, must be smaller than Ralphie, cute and funny little boy, funny in the sense that he is awkward and off-beat, must be physically comfortable onstage and have a lot of strong concentration, but, like Ralphie, not “show-bizzy.”

SCUT FARKUS – Male. Age 12-14. The Bully. Taller than the other kids. Also plays “Black Bart.”

FLICK – Male. Age 10-13. Ralphie’s friend and class mate. Must be funny. Flick gets his tongue stuck to a lamp post. Also plays “Desperado One.”

SCHWARTZ – Male. Age 10-13. Ralphie’s friend and class mate. Also plays “Desperado Two.”

ESTHER JANE ALBERRY – Female. Age 10-13. A classmate, who seems to have a particular interest in Ralphie.

HELEN WEATHERS – Female. Age 10-13. A classmate, something of a child prodigy.

Sex with Strangers
Note: Varying degrees of nudity will be required for both actors.
ETHAN – Male. Age 20-29. An attractive, impetuously brash twenty-something blogger who literally and figuratively bursts into Olivia’s life one snowy evening. Comfortable in his skin; sexy, sexual and charmingly self-effacing just when you want to write him off as hopelessly arrogant; has found instant notoriety and success by blogging about his exploits having sex with strangers, but harbors deeper ambitions and values than perhaps meets the eye.

OLIVIA – Female. Age 30-40. A bookish but not uptight schoolteacher/writer living in rural Michigan; attractive, confidant enough, but not a voracious socializer/dater. An old-school lover of books and serious literature, not up on the latest blogging trends, Olivia achieved limited literary success with one novel and despite having always dreamed of writing full time is finding herself reticent to pick the pen back up in a serious way.

Brighton Beach Memoirs
EUGENE MORRIS JEROME – Male. Age 15-17 (playing age). A normal 15-year-old boy who has recently discovered girls in a big way; he is obsessed with the female anatomy, which he’s never seen, and his other love of baseball; he wants to be a baseball player, but if that does not work out, he’ll settle for being a writer – he keeps a detailed journal of his family’s eccentricities. Eugene is concerned for his family, especially his overworked father, but complains about their demands on him; the play revolves around his memoirs, which are those of the young Neil Simon.

STANLEY JEROME – Male. Age 17-21 (playing age). The older brother of Eugene; due to financial reasons, must work a factory job, which he hates; he tries to temper Eugene’s passions while attempting to please his parents, but he struggles with feelings of being trapped.

JACK JEROME – Male. Age 45-55. Father of the Jerome family, who feels the pressure of supporting an extended family by working two jobs; in addition, all family members turn to him for advice and answers; he is patient, but very weary.

KATE JEROME – Female. Age 45-55. The very strong mother who attempts to hold the family together and solve the hurts and problems of all of them; she is opinionated and very verbal, but also very loving.

AUNT BLANCHE – Female. Age 40-50. Kate’s younger sister, recently widowed, very indecisive and dependent; she wants to have a life for herself and her daughters, but she does not know how or where to begin; she feels as though she has been buried with her husband.

NORA – Female. Age 16-20. Daughter of Blanche, cousin to the Jerome boys; she is a very beautiful and ambitious 16-year-old girl with dreams of Broadway; often resentful of her younger sister who is pampered due to heart flutters; in addition, she is angry at her father for dying and leaving her with a weak mother.

LAURIE – Female. Age 13-15. Blanche’s youngest daughter. Studious, yet quietly mischievous, who is all ears around adult situations. She appears innocent, but she really has a grasp on what the others around her are “up to.”

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]
ACTOR 1 – The troupe leader; high-energy, quick-thinking, previous Shakespeare and improv experience preferred but not mandatory; creative, spontaneous, can handle some classical text, up for very immature jokes, and can pull off high-energy physical comedy. Plays Romeo, Caesar, Richard II, King Lear, Richard III, Horatio, Polonius, Laertes, Sampson, Prince, Nurse, Friar Laurence, Rapist, Witch.

ACTOR 2 – This role has been cast.

ACTOR 3 – The comedic relief; high-energy, quick-thinking, previous Shakespeare and improv experience preferred but not mandatory; creative, spontaneous, can handle some classical text, are up for very immature jokes, and can pull off high-energy physical comedy. Plays Juliet, Lavinia, Ophelia, Cleopatra, Gertrude, Benvolio, Othello, Macduff, Soothsayer, Henry VI, Bernado, Ghost, Claudius.

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Relationships Young and Old Take Shape in Heartwarming ON GOLDEN POND

The Human Race revisits the past and forges new bonds across generations with Ernest Thompson’s classic, April 6 – 23, 2017 at the Loft Theatre

HRTC_On Golden Pond promo1

Dale Hodges as Ethel Thayer & Joneal Joplin as Norman Thayer.

(Dayton, OH) —This April, The Human Race Theatre Company (HRTC) makes a warm and welcome return to On Golden Pond. For forty-eight years, Norman Thayer and his energetic wife, Ethel, have been spending the summers at their lakeside home on Golden Pond, fishing and watching for loons. This year, their divorced daughter, Chelsea, her new fiancé and his teenage son make an unexpected visit. When Norman develops an unlikely friendship with the boy, it reinvigorates the grumpy retired professor and highlights the rocky relationship between this father and his now middle-aged daughter. As the summer days grow short, there is still time for their family to heal, and to rediscover the joys in everyday life. The preview performance of On Golden Pond is Thursday, April 6. Opening night is Friday, April 7.

The Human Race previously produced On Golden Pond in 1999 for the Victoria Theatre Association in their historic 1,100 namesake theatre. That production was so well received, HRTC President & Artistic Director Kevin Moore felt a return—this time at the company’s home in the intimate Loft Theatre—was a must when selecting shows for the 2016-2017 season. Director and Resident Artist Richard E. Hess agrees. “On Golden Pond is a nostalgic gem,” he explains, “a heart-warming masterpiece full of loving laughter and hopeful tears.” Hess finds the play to be a much-needed respite from the heightened sense of anxiety and hostility present in society today. “It allows me to wrestle with what it means to be good and decent, with family, with friends, and with those we love.” Those are considerations he hopes audiences will take with them. Playwright Thompson’s scenic setting provides the finishing touch for such reflection. “Maine is a state of mind, a place to slow down, to unwind, to reconnect with the essentials,” says Hess. “Time slows, allowing differences to recede as essentials are revealed. It’s lovely On Golden Pond.”

CAST AND DESIGN TEAM

The cast of six includes Human Race veterans as well as faces who are new to local audiences.

Joneal Joplin (HRTC’s Proof and All My Sons, A Christmas Carol at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Man of La Mancha at Insight Theatre Company) is the cantankerous “Norman Thayer.” Dale Hodges (HRTC’s Romeo and Juliet, Steel Magnolias and After Play, A Christmas Carol at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park) plays his lively, devoted wife, “Ethel.” Resident Artist Jennifer Joplin (26 Pebbles, The Glass Menagerie, Other Desert Cities, God of Carnage at The Human Race) makes her fourth onstage appearance with her real-life father, Joneal, as the Thayers’ estranged daughter, “Chelsea.” Cincinnati native Ken Early (Around the World in 80 Days at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, To Kill a Mockingbird at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company) makes his Human Race debut as Chelsea’s fiancé, “Bill Ray.” Stivers School for the Arts student Kaleb Barlow takes on his first professional appearance as Bill’s teenage son, “Billy Ray.” On Golden Pond marks a long-awaited return to The Human Race for Charlie Clark (The Human Race’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Sisters Rosensweig and Patient A) as Chelsea’s old flame, “Charlie Martin.”

This is the second time Richard E. Hess has directed the Joplins, once again as father and daughter. He describes the experience fondly. “You know how you feel when someone gives you a very, very special present, a once in a lifetime present, a present so rare that you can’t believe you have it? And you think ‘that’s it, I’m set forever.’ That’s how I felt when I directed Jen and Joneal in The Human Race’s Proof in 2003. And now, 14 years later, to be given such a gift a second time? It’s inconceivably delicious.”

On Golden Pond is the seventeenth Human Race production for scenic designer and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music professor Mark Halpin. With over 40 years of professional experience, costume designer Kathie Brookfield returns for her second Human Race production with director Hess. 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 On Golden Pond is sponsored by the DP&L Foundation, Emerson Climate Technologies, Two Friends, The Richard A. and Mary T. Whitney Fund for the Arts, Susan S. Kettering and Patti Giering.

PERFORMANCE AND SPECIAL EVENT INFORMATION

Tickets for the preview performance of On Golden Pond on April 6 start at $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $17.50 for students. For all performances April 7 – 23, 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, April 9 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. 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 On Golden Pond 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 On Golden Pond are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

# # #

Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, The Human Race Theatre Company was founded in 1986 and moved into the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at 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, an In-School Tour, and a summer youth program. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, 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 2016-2017 Sustainability Sponsors are the ELM Foundation, Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, and Morris Home Furnishings. The 2016-2017 Loft season sponsor is the Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation of the Dayton Foundation, with additional support from Premier Health.

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ON GOLDEN POND Runs April 6-23

HRTC_On Golden Pond logoON GOLDEN POND
Human Race Theatre Company
April 6-23
Dayton

Directed by Richard E. Hess

Cast: Kaleb Barlow as Billy Ray, Charlie Clark as Charlie Martin, Ken Early as Bill Ray, Dale Hodges as Ethel Thayer, Jennifer Joplin as Chelsea Thayer Wayne & Joneal Joplin as Norman Thayer

For forty-eight years, Norman Thayer and his energetic wife, Ethel, have been spending the summers at their lakeside home on Golden Pond, fishing and watching for loons. This year, their divorced daughter, Chelsea, her new fiancé and his teenage son make an unexpected visit. When Norman develops an unlikely friendship with the boy, it reinvigorates the grumpy retired professor and highlights the rocky relationship between this father and his now middle-aged daughter. As the summer days grow short, there is still time for their family to heal, and to rediscover the joys in everyday life.

  • In preview Thu, April 6 at 8pm
  • Fri-Sat, April 7-8 at 8pm
  • Sun, April 9 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Tue-Wed, April 11-12 at 7pm
  • Thu-Sat, April 13-15 at 8pm
  • Sun, April 16 at 2pm
  • Tue-Wed, April 18-19 at 7pm
  • Thu-Sat, April 20-22 at 8pm
  • Sun, April 23 at 2pm

Official page |

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The Human Race Theatre Company Announces Its 2017-2018 Eichelberger Loft Season

“Dayton’s Official Theatre Company” presents a season of laughs with new and modern classic comedies for its 31st Season

hrtc_red-logo(Dayton, OH) — The Human Race Theatre Company is proud to introduce the lineup for its 2017-2018 Eichelberger Loft Season – a five-show collection of works that are sure to entertain as the organization begins its third decade of producing high-caliber professional theatre for Miami Valley audiences. The season, featuring one new musical and four plays, begins September 7, 2017.

The 2017–2018 Eichelberger Loft Season opens with the American premiere of a hilarious and inspiring new musical about the power of fantasy – Andrea Daly and Jeff Bienstock’s Legendale(September 7 – October 1, 2017); followed by the Midwest premiere of Brian Parks’ comedy of home buying gone horribly wrong, The House (November 2 – 19, 2017); Laura Eason’s popular story of dating in the modern world, Sex with Strangers (February 1 – 18, 2018); Neil Simon’s heartwarming story of family, Brighton Beach Memoirs (April 5 – 22, 2018); and closes with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] (May 31 – June 24, 2018), an irreverent roller-coaster ride through the Bard’s canon by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield and featuring a three-person ensemble lead by Human Race Resident Artist Bruce Cromer.

“It’s rare that we produce a season with an underlying theme,” says Human Race President and Artistic Director Kevin Moore, “but with the recent stressful and uncertain times of late, we saw this as a golden opportunity to do our best to lighten the mood.” While the selection of shows does not shy away from the company’s mission of sharing stories that tell the human condition, Moore took great consideration to choose scripts that had great comedic elements to them. “Some of the humor is very clever, some of it is dry. There’s also a great deal of over-the-top, roll-on-the-floor outrageous physical comedy. But best of all, these are—at their heart—just incredible stories with fascinating characters. We have the elements of fantasy, modern day farce, intimacy, nostalgia and audience participation. What’s not to love?”

The five plays perform in the Loft Theatre, The Human Race’s intimate 212-seat downtown performance space, located in the Metropolitan Arts Center at 126 North Main Street. Throughout the productions’ scheduled three- and four-week runs are a number of associated special events: a Thursday night preview performance, preceded by the “Inside Track” discussion with the director; Friday Opening Night with a free post-show party with the cast; Lite Fare at the Loft, a Tuesday night pre-show dining in the Loft Lobby, with food items provided by Citilites Restaurant; a “While We’re on the Subject” talkback following a Sunday matinee; and a Saturday night signed and audio-described performance opportunity.

Season Lineup video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phHB4-4-c44

THE 2017-2018 EICHELBERGER LOFT SEASON LINEUP

LEGENDALE
Music by Andrea Daly
Book and lyrics by Jeff Bienstock
Story by Bienstock and Daly
American Premiere
September 7 – October 1, 2017

Andy’s favorite way to escape his miserable job and humdrum life is the online game “Legendale.” He dreams of victory in its new tournament and winning the $100,000 prize, but is stuck competing as a lowly milkmaid. When things in the online world suddenly take a strange turn, Andy and his avatar must both discover their inner warrior. A blend of romance, adventure and virtual reality with a pop-infused score, it’s an inspiring tale like no other that’s sure to delight.

THE HOUSE
by Brian Parks
Midwest Premiere
November 2 – 19, 2017

After twenty years in their dream house, Martyn and Shanny Redmond are downsizing and just sold the home directly to the perfect thirtysomething couple, Fischer and Lindsay Libett. Or so they thought. Sure that the Libetts will keep the place exactly as they’re leaving it, the Redmonds invite them for drinks, casual conversation and to hand over the keys. But when Fischer and Lindsay reveal they are planning major renovations, Martyn and Shanny have second thoughts and a pleasant get together becomes an outrageously hilarious battle of wills with over-the-top results.

“If the laugh meter had been on, the opening night audience would have broken it, as the onstage antics prompted grins and guffaws and outright howling.” – Ithaca Journal

SEX WITH STRANGERS
by Laura Eason
February 1 – 18, 2018

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 for the literary fame Ethan can offer her. Ambition, identity and trust are in play when online personas clash with real world expectations in this smart, steamy take on modern love.

“A sexy romantic comedy strictly for grown-ups…a bodice ripper with a brain.” – The Washington Post

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS
by Neil Simon
April 5 – 22, 2018

He has holes in his shoes and liver on the dinner table, but all teenage Eugene Jerome can think of is girls, baseball and writing—in that order. There’s hardly a moment’s peace in a house filled with his domineering mother, over-worked father, and worldly older brother, not to mention his widowed aunt and her two maturing daughters. Simon’s semi-autobiographical comedy about growing up in a crowded, lower middle class home in 1937 Brooklyn is a touching coming-of-age classic that proves no matter how crazy life gets, family can make it crazier.

“Hilarious comedy…His finest play…A delightful and enriching experience.” – CBS TV

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED]
by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield
May 31 – June 24, 2018

Get ready for a show like no other. It’s an irreverent, roller-coaster ride with the Bard that will leave you breathless with laughter as three incredibly talented actors take on all 37 of his plays in just 97 minutes…with a good amount of creative editing. Part improv-run-amok, part audience participation, all delightfully absurd, this merry mashup for the whole family leaves no funny bone untickled and features a comic troupe lead by one of Ohio’s finest Shakespearean actors, Human Race Resident Artist Bruce Cromer.

“If you like Shakespeare, you’ll like this show. If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this show!” – The Today Show

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND TICKETS
Subscriptions are available in 3-, 4- and 5-show packages, as well as in Flex Pass plans. Package prices range from $99 – $206, and discounted subscriptions are available for students. Current 2016-2017 season subscribers can guarantee their seats by renewing before April 24, and reservations for new subscriptions can be made now to be seated starting May 8. Both renewing and new subscribers may place their orders with Ticket Center Stage by calling (937) 228-3630 or by visiting the Schuster Center Box Office. Productions, performance dates and ticket prices are subject to change. Single tickets to LEGENDALE go on sale May 30, with tickets to future productions on sale later in the season.

More ticketing and performance information on The Human Race Theatre Company’s 2017-2018 and 2016-2017 Loft seasons are available online at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

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Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, The Human Race Theatre Company was founded in 1986 and moved into the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at 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, an In-School Tour, and a summer youth program. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, 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 2016-2017 Sustainability Sponsors are the ELM Foundation, Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, and Morris Home. The 2016-2017 Loft season sponsor is the Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation of the Dayton Foundation, with additional support from Premier Health.

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