"Broadway Holiday" lights up Victoria stage

Concert shows often use the tried-and-true formula. It goes like this: a popular singing star of group dressed in gaudy costumes performing on a large stage with scenic bells and whistles and a big band that periodically drowns out the lyrics
These shows usually start late, run too long, and if you're lucky and leave the parking lot within a reasonable time, you may arrive home around midnight.
Not so with "Broadway Holiday," the current touring show continuing through Dec. 20 at the Victoria Theatre.
The brisk two-act musical revue includes nearly 30 songs, mostly Broadway tunes featured on the White Way in the last 50 years. Holiday tunes, not nearly enough, are sprinkled in throughout the show. A better balance of Yuletide songs may have enhanced what is still a very good show.
Skillfully performed by a quintet of Broadway stars -- Carter Calvert, Rita Harvey, Marc Kudisch, Norm Lewis and Danny Zolli -- "Broadway Holiday" is a vocal treat, a soaring sound of lyrical delights. Not only are the solos, duets, trios and quartet numbers nicely sung, the cast performs their songs with full gusto of expression and movement.
In the spirit of the season, the quintet and the local chorus of singers perform "White Christmas" as the finale.
Smooth transitions maintain the momentum of the show. Upbeat numbers like "I Could Have Danced All Night" segue into operatic numbers like "Some Enchanted Evening."
Kudos to pianist and narrator Neil Berg, a musician who obviously loves his work and enjoys bantering with the crowd. A casual and humorous Berg and his talented drummer, bass player and keyboardist elevate the entire show.
Oakwood resident Ken Neufeld, the new president and CEO of the VTA, made his debut opening night speech to the near-capacity Victoria crowd.
Although the VTA has devoted much time and energy to the promotion of the upcoming production of "Wicked" at the Schuster Center. the VTA staff can take a bow. They have kept their focus on their ticket holders by scheduling a top-notch entertainment value to start the season.
For ticket information on the show sponsored by Miami Valley and Good Samaritan hospitals, call 228-3630.

"Broadway Holiday" slated at Victoria

Show tunes take center stage at the Victoria Theatre when "Broadway Holiday" opens a two-week run on Tuesday, Dec. 8.
This show is the kickoff of the Miami Valley and Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series. Five more future shows are also on the 2009-10 slate.
The upcoming two-act production featuring five Broadway stars is being presented by the Victoria Theatre Association and Leftfield Productions Inc.
Songs in the show include hit tunes from old chestnuts like "South Pacific" and "Guys and Dolls" to hit tunes from new shows like "Chicago" and "Jersey Boys."
And, of course, there will be a bevy of Yuletide songs as well in "Broadway Holiday."
The quintet of Broadway stars includes Norm Lewis, Marc Kudisch, Rita Harvey, Carter Calvert and Danny Zolli.
As a bonus, the show will include the singing talents of a half dozen local singers who auditioned for choral roles. More than 30 local people auditioned in November for the opportunity to sing with the Equity players in the show. The "locals" selected include Jackie Schneider, a University of Dayton student, Heather Liston of Cedarville, Caitlin Erker and Chadz Woods of Dayton, Allison Shipp and Andrea Thomas of Cincinnati and Tina Manses of Girard, Ohio.
The local talent will share the stage for a number of show tunes such as "White Christmas."
"Broadway Holiday" will be presented in a concert setting featuring state-of-the-art lighting and scenic design by John Rensel and Patrick Keough of Dayton.
The show is slated Dec. 8-20 at 8 p.m. throughout the run and 2 p.m. on both weekends. For more information, call 228-3630.
Incidentally, audiences are invited to attend a free Chase Background on Broadway pre-show talk on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Victoria Theatre Reception Room. Neil Berg, a composer and lyricist who created "Broadway Holiday," is slated to be the guest speaker.

"Annie" comes to Schuster

Sure "Annie" has been produced nationwide about as often as "Our Town," the king of play productions for more than 70 years old.
Nevertheless, "Annie" is only 32 years old and is being produced more often than any other recent Broadway show. The two-act musical based on the popular "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip rocked Broadway in 1977 with Andrea McCardle in the title role. The original production captured seven Tony Awards, including best musical. It ran for 2,377 performances and has been on tour for nearly 27 years.
"Annie" is returning to Dayton for a limited run during Thanksgiving weekend at the Schuster Center. The show is being produced by Networks Presentations, LLC. For more information, visit annieontour.c0m.
The show includes the upbeat tunes "Tomorrow," "Easy Street" and "NYC." The orphan kids belt out "Hard Knock Life" in the orphanage run by the very mean Miss Hannigan.
Area residents can see a sneak preview of "Annie" when the small fry in the cast sing their featured tune at Dayton's Courthouse Square on Friday, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m. as part of the Grand Illumination ceremony.
"Annie" will be stage on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and also on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 2 p.m. Call 228-3630 for further information. As a bonus, ask about the "Annie Family Four Pack" opportunity.

LaComedia stages original Christmas show

"Christmas Spectacular," the current LaComedia Dinner Theatre production, is an original two-act musical focusing on the Yuletide spirit.
Written and directed by Eric Johnson and Kevin P. Hill, the colorful show offers a cast of more than 30 performers who act, sing and dance their merry way through a dozen secular songs in the first act and a dozen religious songs in the second act.
The tried-and-true formula follows an upbeat Santa Claus (LaComedia veteran Chris Beiser) in his bid to convince a few kids that he is the real Santa. It's a tough job, for sure, convincing them that he is the real deal.
Eventually, however, the youngster find themselves smack dab in Santa's Toy Shop in the North Pole. As a bonus, who should pop in but Mrs. Claus herself. After a few songs, the show progresses into the Nativity scene, centering on the birth of Jesus with carolers performing the appropriate tunes.
The singing is quite good and the dancing is very good. Without question, the highlights of the "Christmas Spectacular" include the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and the "Winter Wonderland Medley," both performed by the Holiday Belles, a precision group that puts some zest into the proceedings.
A minor quibble: the kids are too old. A younger bunch would have made the Santa relationship with the unbelievers a bit more poignant during the transformation into believers.
On the whole, this original LaComedia holiday show more than meets its goal of bringing Yuletide cheer to young and old alike.
"Christmas Spectacular" continues through Dec. 31 at the LaComedia Dinner Theatre in Springboro. For ticket information, call (800) 677-9505.

Victoria looks to public

The Victoria Theatre Association knows how to grab the public's attention.
As many folks already know, the recent kickoff for"Wicked! tickets turned out to be a terrific springboard for "the" show set to open a three-week run at the Schuster Center on Wednesday, Feb. 17. The ticket office was slated to open at 8 a.m. for theatergoers to get prime tickets for "Wicked!". By 7:30 a.m., more than 85 people were in line to purchase tickets. By 9 a.m. the line encompassed more than 220 people.
More than 75 percent of tickets have been sold, leaving a few hundred tickets for each night of the show still remaining. But act quickly if your want to see this marvelous musical. The 2003 Broadway smash is everything you have heard and then some. The touring shows have received raves from the critics. That's why the VTA expects a virtual sellout of the Dayton show by Christmas.
In other news. youngsters can win a walk-on role in "Annie," the touring show slated Nov. 28-29 at the Schuster Center. It involves a coloring contest for girls ages 7-14. The deadline for all entries is Sunday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m. The walk-on winner will be drawn at random on Nov. 16.
To enter, download the "Annie" coloring sheet at: http://victoriatheatre.com/annie-coloring-contest and send the drawing to Diane Schoeffer-Warren, PR Manager, Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton 45402.
Also, a "Sandy" the dog look-a-like contest will be held at The Green on Nov. 20, at 5 p.m. Meet at the breezeway between Birch Alley and Chestnut Street, near the parking garage.
In other Victoria news, the VTA is holding live auditions on Tuesday, Nov. 17, for singing roles in the VTA production of "Broadway Holiday, slated Dec. 8-20 at the Victoria Theatre. It's a chance for aspiring singers to perform on stage with the professionals. Those who audition should be an accompanist or pianist: a CD player and piano will be available.
For more information, call 228-7591, ext. 3078.

Review of La Mancha

A solid and spirited production best describes "Man of La Mancha," the current Human Race Theatre production at the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton.
Buoyed by the performances of Kevin Moore as the ever optimistic Cervantes/Quixote, David C. Maxwell as his faithful sidekick, Sancho Panza, and Melissa D'Amico as the passionate Aldonza/Dulcinea, "Man of La Mancha" scores a near perfect bull's-eye in this two-act musical staging.
Moore, the executive director and resident artist with the Human Race since its start in 1986,
has taken a temporary leave from his office duties to step into what he had called his "dream role" since his days at Bowling Green State University. In what is most likely his difficult and demanding roles ever, Moore is more than up to the challenge, moving effortlessly from his role of Cervantes, the author, to that of Don Quixote, the eternal dreamer in his quest "to fight the unbeatable foe" and "right the unrightable wrong" in an effort "to reach the unreachable star."
Moore's full-bodied performance in the title role captures the essence of the show set in Spanish prison that was written by Dale Wasserman in 1968.
D'Amico matches Moore step for step in her ebullient performance as Aldonza/Dulicinea, a portrayal with remarkable depth of feeling from start to finish. Maxwell is so right as Moore's sidekick, offering a nice mixture of lightness and poignancy.
Excellent supporting performances by Jamie Cordes as the Duke/Dr. Carrasco, Mike Kennedy as the Captain of the Guard, Jake Lockwood as the Barber, Kristoffer Lowe as the Padre and David Tillistrand as the Governor/Innkeeper keep the production right on track.
The motley crew of prisoners also add to the action and the atmosphere of the prison surroundings.
Kudos also to director Scott Stoney as well as the entire production crew for their superior skill in creating the feel and smell of a dungeon, complete with a unique runway upstairs to the Inquisition site. Credit goes to David A. Centers and Scott Kimmins for the set and Scot Woolly for the musical direction of his quintet.
"Man of La Mancha" continues through Sunday, Nov. 15. Call 228-3630 for ticket information.

Man of La Mancha

"The Man of La Mancha," produced twice in the 1970s by John Kenley at Memorial Hall, is making a welcome return to Dayton for the next two weeks.
Opening with a preview on Thursday, Oct. 29, the Human Race Theatre Company is presenting the powerful two-act musical by Dale Wasserman at the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton. The show directed by Scott Stoney opens officially on Friday and continues through Sunday, Nov. 15.
Set in the 16th century in a prison in the city of Seville, Spain, the entire action takes place there and in various places in the imagination of Miguel de Cervantes, otherwise known as Don Quixote.
In a rare stage appearance, Kevin Moore -- the Human Race executive director -- portrays the title role, heading a cast of more than a dozen supporting actors. Other leading roles are played by Melissa D'Amico as Aldonza and David C. Maxwell as Sancho Panza, Quixote's sidekick.
With music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion, the sumptuous score includes "The Impossible Dream," "Dulcinea,", "It's All the Same," "The Dubbing" and "Aldonza."
Local musical director Scot Woolley is helming the Loft musical direction for "The Man of La Mancha."
Incidentally, playwright Dale Wasserman spent more than three years relentlessly pursuing the life of Miguel de Cervantes before taking pen in hand to write this classic musical. His goal was to pay tribute to Cervantes indomitable spirit.
The Broadway production nearly 40 years with Richard Kiley in the lead role literally galvanized audiences as well as the critics.
Tickets for the Human Race production range from $29 to $36. For ticket information, call 228-3630 or visit online at www.ticketcenterstage.com

Wicked event at bookstore

The ongoing fascination with the "Wizard of Oz" gets a new wrinkle with a creative event on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Barnes & Noble, the bookstore located near the Dayton Mall. The classic 1939 film, of course, has served as the offshoot of the Broadway smash "Wicked," which is the cornerstone production of the Victoria Theatre Association 2009-2010 season. The two-act musical focusing on the good and bad witches in the "Wizard of Oz" is slated in early 2010 for a three-week run at the Schuster Center.
So the Oct. 24 event, slated from 12-2 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, is a bit of this and a bit of that as it celebrates the 70-year anniversary of the MGM film's release. Theatergoers can sign up in advance for "Wicked" tickets, compete in a costume contest and gather for some story telling and music.
Organizers are asking the public to dress as your favorite "Wicked" or "Wizard of Oz" character for your arrival at the bookstore on Oct. 24. In addition to the costume contest, a"Wicked" trivia contest will give folks a chance to compete and win prizes. Plenty of characters to imitate in costume including Dorothy, The Lion, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, Professor Marvel, the Wizard himself, or Glinda, the good witch, or Alphabae, the bad witch. How about a munchkin?
Makes no difference what character you pick for the costume contest. Just dressing up and showing up at the event, whether you join the contest of just watch from the sidelines, is what it's all about.
As a sidebar, the VTA has made the commitment to donate 10 percent of all purchases made on Oct. 24 will benefit the VTA scholarship program for school children's Physicians for Kids Discovery Series slated at the Victoria Theatre.
Sounds like a lot of fun for young and old alike on Oct. 24 at Barnes & Noble. And a productive way of spreading the word about a film classic transformed into a stage classic.
For more information, call the VTA at 228-7591, ext. 3078 or email at info@victoriatheatre.com.

DAI offers "Hello World"

Once again, the Dayton Art Institute is hosting an exhibition of extraordinary beauty and diversity.
Running through Jan. 3, 2010, it's titled "Hello Word! Rarely Seen Art from Our Collection," which displays many of the DAI's "hidden treasures" from the its vaults as well as works from other sources.
DAI director Janice Driesbach describes the eclectic exhibition as one that is a compendium of "great paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, textiles and photography that have not recently been on view."
Moreover, the exhibition encompasses different cultures over a span of 2,000 years. It features works by Pablo Picasso, Ansel Adams, John James Audubon, Paul Cezanne, Jackson Pollock as well as Dayton artist Bing Davis.
Underscoring his decision to focus on themes in the "Hello World" exhibition, DAI curator Will South has mixed cultures and time periods in galleries of faces, figures, landscapes and flight.
"The exhibition offers visitors the chance of seeing ourselves and the commonalities we have," said South, who has a laser-sharp eye for the composition of the works of art.
For example, the faces are mostly close-up pieces of art that are more penetrating in their straight arrangement on the wall. Ditto with the sculptures and landscapes. The universal theme continues with its brilliant show of flight.
In addition, the DAI's offering of "Hello World" includes a film of interviews with DAI members and visitors as a montage of images and voices in tribute to the DAI. The montage of images and voices is an effective ways of incorporating a fresh viewpoint from the public.
Another bonus -- and its an historic one -- is the 7-minute short film titled "Dali and Disney: The Art and Animation of Destino," a experimental collaboration filmed in 1946 in the hopes of pro ducing a feature film, which never happened. Dali, a Spanish surrealistic artist, produced painting, pen-and-ink drawings and storyboards for the project.
But what remains, although brief, is a truly extraordinary slice of film making that is not to be missed. The film is offered to the public free of charge.
Tickets for the "Hello World" exhibition presented during regular museum hours are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students and $1 for youth ages 7-18. Museum members and children 6 and under are admitted free.
For more information, call 223-5277.

Victoria Theatre singing auditions

Want to sing with Broadway stars at the Victoria Theatre?
It's a possibility for the many local singers in the Dayton area. The Victoria Theatre Association show titled "Broadway Holiday" slated Dec. 8-20 at the Victoria is looking for some local singing support.
Those aspiring singers at least 13 years of age may submit a two-minute singing video posted online via YouTube, MySpace or Facebook. You have time to practice, for sure, as the audition deadline id Friday, Nov. 6.
"Broadway Holiday" is a two-act show offering a compendium of Broadway standards from such shows as "South Pacific," "Guys and Dolls" and "Jersey Boys." Yuletide favorites such as "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are also in the show.
This Victoria audition process is an excellent opportunity for local singers to step up and give a strong audition. For audition guidelines and rules, visit www.VictoriaTheatre.com/Broadway/Holiday/Auditions and download the Broadway Holiday audition form.
Two overall winners and up to 10 runners-up will be announced Monday, Nov. 9 on the FOX45 in the Morning TV show. For more information, call 228-3630.

lacomedia show

"Joseph" shines brightly at LaComedia

The third time is the charm for LaComedia Dinner Theatre in Springboro.
Returning once again for its third engagement in its 34-year LaComedia history, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" is a colorful, zestful and lighthearted musical version of the Biblical retelling of Joseph, the youngest son of Jacob who is sold into slavery by his band of brothers.
Under the sure handed direction of Chris Beiser, the two-act production weaves energetic dance numbers and more than a dozen tunes into the Joseph's journey. In his LaComedia debut, Ryan LaTour is a confident singer and fine actor in the lead role. Newcomer Emily Mattheson -- also in her LaComedia debut -- is solid as the narrator and excellent as a singer.
Sure enough, the creative show works in some robust surprises, none more appealing then Brian Peterson with his "King of Rock" performance as the Pharaoh. Peterson, with the appropriate black wig and sideburns, wins over the audience with his over-the-top portrayal of Elvis Presley, complete with tunes like "Song of the King."
Other noteworthy tunes include "One More Angel in Heaven," "Stone the Crows" and "Any Dream Will Do."
One quibble focuses on the show's optimistic conclusion. No problem at all with the ending song, just the curtain call, which is a bit confusing in its current form. The audience is uncertain when to clap for the performers, most of whom are dressed differently than in the show.
Overall, how er, "Joseph" does it is suppose to do. It succeeds as an upbeat tale of good and evil, with the good guys on top in the end.
The LaComedia production of "Joseph" continues through Nov. 1 For ticket information, call (800) 677-9505.

victoria's "An American in Paris"

Winner of the best picture Oscar in 1951, "An American in Paris" is the glorious M-G-M musical starring Gene Kelly as the artist and the lovely Leslie Caron as the French girl. They fall in love and the ending is pure Hollywood, as the rich, older women in the film -- Nina Foch -- can only stand by, watch and fume.
The two dancing lovers have infectious grins and the Gershwin music keeps everything good-spirited. The songs include "I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You" and "It's Wonderful." Georges Guetary, the entertainer who replaced Maurice Chevalier in the role of Caron's other suitor, sings a spiffy arrangement of "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise."
As a sidebar, the quirky Oscar Levant thumps away happily on the piano. Kelly is the choreographer for the film -- note the ending ballet scene -- and Vincente Minnelli directed.
For the third time in 12 years, "An American in Paris" is being presented July 30 and Aug. 1-2 at the Victoria Theatre as part of the Michelob Ultra Cool Film Series. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m., except the Sunday show at 3 p.m. A 30-minute organ show precedes the actual movie. Tickets at the door are $4.75.
The following week on Aug. 7-9 the movie mood gets nostalgic and somber as the Victoria presents the 1962 film classic "To Kill a Mockingbird." Gregory Peck won the best actor Oscar for his heartfelt performance as Atticus Finch, the Alabama lawyer who defends a black man accused on rape.
Robert Mulligan directed this film based on the award-winning book by Harper Lee. The three kids are terrific. Mary Badham is Scout, Philip Alford is Jem and John Megna is Dill, the visitor from Mississippi. Look for Robert Duvall in his film debut as the mysterious Boo Radley.
This is the kind of film one can see over and over. The poignant ending gets to me every time I see it, which now numbers somewhere around 20.

Victoria hosts James Stewart

James Stewart, one of Hollywood's leading actors for more than four decades, is the featured star in the James Stewart Weekend at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton.
The Michelob Ultra Cool Film Series presents "Vertigo" on Friday, July 24, "The Philadelphia Story" on Saturday, July 25, and "Harvey" on Sunday, July 26.
"Vertigo," a 1957 suspense classic, is slated Friday at 7:30 p.m. It focuses on Stewart as a San Francisco police detective who is assigned to trail the mysterious blonde played by Kim Novak. The Technicolor film uses many San Francisco locations as the film builds to its dramatic conclusion that wraps up the mystery. Barbara Bel Geddes plays Midge, Stewart's girlfriend, and Tom Helmore plays the husband of Novak. This film is rated by many critics as one of the top three Hitchcock films.
"The Philadelphia Story," a 1940 screwball comedy, is slated Saturday at 7:30 p.m. It features Stewart in his Academy Award winning performance as the man romancing Katharine Hepburn. Cary Grant is Hepburn's ex-husband. It's all played out in a Philadelphia estate.
The series wraps up on Sunday at 3 p.m. with a showing of "Harvey," the gentle comedy about a man whose best friend is a 6-foot-3 invisible rabbit named Harvey. It' a humorous look at a man named Elwood P. Dowd, who sees his rabbit even though no one else can. It's a change of pace for Stewart in this 1950 film.
Free popcorn and a soft drinks are available in the lobby before the show. A 30-minute organ concert precedes the film.
Tickets at the door are $4.75. Call 228-3630 for more information about the Victoria passbook that contains 10 tickets at a discount price.

Annie at LaComedia

"Annie" at LaComedia

"Annie" created a sensational Broadway hit in 1978. The popular comic strip was made into a two-act musical that is still just as popular today, with the right cast.
LaComedia Dinner Theatre offers, for the greater part, a most pleasing cast in its current version of the show about the 1933 orphan waif who charms a New York billionaire businessman and is adopted by him.
The role of Annie is shared by Madison Kilgore, 10, and Cara Severson, 11, a talented tandem that play the role on alternate performances. The role of Daddy Warbucks is nicely played by Eric Johnson, who is also directing his 19th LaComedia production. He cuts a commanding figure in his first LaComedia stage appearance.
The orphan kids at Miss Hannigan's rundown facility are all cute and plucky and Janet Brucken, a LaComedia veteran, is just fine as the put-upon Miss Hannigan. Special kudos to Charlie Goetz, another LaComedia veteran with more than 50 stage credits, who gives a charming portrayal as FDR.
Mike Dale as Rooster and Megan Wean take us for fun romp down "Easy Street" with a high-kicking Brucken adding to the fun song. Ashley Mills plays Grace, the assistant to Daddy Warbucks, Ernie Rowland is Drake, the head of the house staff, and Chris Beiser is Bert Healy, the radio voice.
Aside from a few quirks in scene changes, "Annie" is a brisk and energetic production that is a real crowd pleaser. As you may have guessed, it's a family show quite suitable for the younger set.
For ticket information, call LaComedia at 1-800-677-9505.

White Christmas

"White Christmas" is nearly here right in the middle of sumer.
The popular 1954 film features the famous Irving Berlin musical score and four Hollywood favoritesat the top of their games. The two-hour movie filmed in VistaVision stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as two Army buddies who team up with Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen as a performing quartet in a rundown ski lodge in order to help their beloved Army general.
Short on plot but long on great songs, the film is scheduled July 10-12 at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton. In addition to the title tune, one of the most famous songs in the movie is "Count Your Blessings."
"White Christmas" is presented as the second of 11 films in the Michelob Ultra Cool Summer Film Series at the Victoria. The series runs each weekend throughout the summer, which concludes Aug. 28-30 with three versions of "The Phantom of the Opera."
An organ concert is held one-half hour before showtime. The film begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets at the door are $4.75/ A 10-ticket passbook for $24 can be used in any combination.

Victoria Summer Film Series

Summertime means swimming, picnics and baseball.
But is also means the return of the Victoria Summer Film Series, a periodic slate of films that began in the 1980s.
Known as the Michelob Ultra Cool Film Series, more than a dozen classic films are scheduled on weekends from July 3 through Aug. 30.
Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell co-star in the first film of the series is titled "The Seven Year Itch." This 1955 film directed by Billy Wilder focuses on the middle-age man left alone for a few weeks while his wife is vacationing in the country. He starts fantasizing about the sexpot who moves next door.
This film, which contains a very amusing 10-minute opening sequence about man's quest for women, entered the ranks of pop culture when Marilyn Monroe, wearing a billowy skirt, stepped on a subway grate and her skirt lifted. This image of a lifted skirt is the subject of a sculpture in downtown Dayton.
The 105-minute film is an amusing theatrical joke with dream sequences about a would-be affair that is never consummated. Sonny Tufts, Evelyn Keyes, Robert Strauss and a very young Carolyn Jones complete the cast.
"The Seven Year Itch" is slated July 3-5 at the Victoria Theatre. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets at the door are $4.75 or $24 for a 10-ticket passbook. Call 228-3630 for more information on the summer series.

Dayton Art Institute's 90 years

It's always been a pleasure to make periodic visits to the Dayton Art Institute. Over the past 50 years, I have visited the DAI about two dozen times. Each time I have seen something new about the historic place.
As far as actual exhibitions and tours go, however, I have experienced perhaps a half dozen, which include the Egyptian and Princess Di exhibition. Each and every visit has informed, stimulated and inspired.
And so it is with the DAI 90th Anniversary exhibition which is highlighted by 90 treasures from its permanent collection. This fascinating and illuminating anniversary special, if you will, opens Saturday, June 27, and continues through Dec. 31.
Located throughout the DAI galleries, the 90 treasures were selected from 1,000 works at the DAI. Four curators, including DAI curator Will South, Dominique H. Vaseur of the Columbus Museum of Art, Lisa Morrisete of Wright State University, and Alejandra Gimenex-Berger of Wittenberg, observed and evaluated the DAI permanent collection before narrowing it down to 90 pieces of art.
"Visitors who see these 90 treasures can rediscover the beauty of this historic and eclectic art," South said during a recent media tour.
South, who began his curator position at the DAI less than a year ago, firmly believes that great works of art give us insight into human nature and often trigger emotions, some that run deep.
As as example, he talked about "High Noon," a 1950 drawing by Edward Hopper, an emotional piece of work that is simple in its structure but one that evokes many emotions, depending upon who is observing this fascinating piece.
The 90 Treasures exhibition is being offered free of charge during regular business hours. As a bonus, visitors are encouraged to turn their cell phones on at the museum. Via cell phones, visitors can learn much more about the 90 treasures from the experts who selected the works.
Moreover, a number of special 90th Anniversary events -- including Tour and Tea programs on July 15 and Aug. 14 -- are planned over the next three months. A "What Makes a Treasure?" program is slated Sunday, Aug. 30, at 2 p.m. at the DAI.
All in all, it's an impressive show. The community should answer opportunity's first knock at this artistic event at the DAI, which is located at 456 Belmonte Park North, less than a stonethrow's from the Great Miami River and the Dayton skyline.

Review of "Legally Blonde The Musical"

The current touring show at the Schuster Center is as American as apple pie, Grandma and Chevrolet. It's the over-the-top production titled "Legally Blonde The Musical."
The Schuster show could be labeled "perky," the a capital P. Remember Dinah Shore, the vivacious blonde host of her one-hour NBC variety show in the 1960s. She ended every show with a broad smile, a resonant "Good Night" and a resounding kiss that she waved to the TV audience.
Well, in some ways, "Legally Blonde The Musical" has the same karma as the best of Dinah Shore, the charming blonde with the upbeat personality.
Elle Woods, the blonde in question in the show based on the 2001 hit film starring Reese Witherspoon, effervesces in every way but cartwheels as characterized by understudy Lauren Ashley Zakrin.
Those familiar with the film version know that Elle Woods, a bouncy UCLA blonde viewed by many as a ditz with a great personality, is dumped by her handsome boyfriend Warner, an ambitious student with designs on a top-of-the-line law career. His destination is the Harvard Law School.
Elle Woods, naturally, bones up on her studies and eventually gains admission to the Harvard Law School in order to win back the love of her life. It doesn't work. She barely manages to get passing grades and Warner finds another girlfriend.
In the end, however, strange things happen as Elle Woods blossoms into an A student who helps her client gain freedom from an almost certain murder conviction. Its all pretty convenient in story terms but the singing and dancing help carry the day.
By the end, everyone is happy, in their own special way.
Remember the film? Well, the cast of "Legally Blonde The Musical" could have jumped right off the screen. Zakrin, a bit adenoidal at times, effuses charisma at the drop of a hat and displays a find singing voice, especially in the "So Much Better" number at the end of Act I. Ken Land, who delivers a solid performance as Professor Callahan, could pass for Victor Garber's characterized0n in the film, especially if you close your eyes a moment and listen closely to his melodious voice.
Natalie Joy Johnson, the "Bend and Snap" hair dresser Paulette, offers a convincing portrayal as the introverted portly gal who finds true love with the UPS guy, nicely played by Ven Daniel. Jeff McLean plays Warner and Megan Lewis plays Vivien, the new girlfriend. D. B. Bonds, who recalls Luke Wilson's role in the film, is just as nice and trusting in his stage portrayal.
The ebullient Delta Nu Sorority girls and their male counterparts offer several lively dance numbers. The entire show is an entertainment package, a red-white-and blue piece of fluff for sure, but one that wins over the audience with its sheer zestiness and good charm.
Incidentally, the role of the woman professor played in the film by Holland Taylor, has been cut from the stage show. The stage show, unlike the film, adds a nice bit in the murder trial by adding a shower scene.
A footnote: Bruiser, a star in the movie, is seen all too briefly in the stage production. Likewise, Rufus the Bulldog has a brief cameo.
"Legally Blonde The Musical" concludes the 2008-09 Chase J. P. Morgan Broadway Series with its run at the Schuster. The production continues through Sunday, with two performances on Saturday and Sunday. For ticket information, call 228-3630.

"Legally Blonde" brings its music to the Schuster

"Legally Blonde" was a hit film in 2001 starring Reese Witherspoon as the perky Elle Woods. It garnered more than $120 million at the box office, a figure solid enough for the movie producers to make a sequel two years later.
It was so popular, especially with younger audiences, that is was just a matter of time before it made its way to Broadway.
Then, in 2007, the two-act stage production "Legally Blonde The Musical" made its Broadway debut and earned several Tony nominations. The ebullient show about a cute college girl who loves her pet Chihuahua and winds up at the Harvard Law School in order to win her ex-boyfriend back is described as "irresistible" by more than a few critics.
Moreover, the touring show won prizes for best new musical, best production design and best choreography.
The National Touring show, which began its one-year run in the fall of 2008, is booked for eight performances at the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. Opening night is Tuesday, June 16, and closing night is Sunday, June 21.
Lauren Ashley Zakrin, 20, has been an understudy for the role of Elle Woods since the tour began. She has performed the role a few dozen times when Becky Gulsvig, the regular Elle Woods, broke her toe and needed some time off.
Zakrin, who was a freshman at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, won the coveted understudy spot after several auditions in Chicago in the spring of 2008. Gulsvig was tapped for the leading role, but Zakrin was off and running as a member of the national tour.
During the Dayton engagement at the Schuster, Zakrin -- who usually performs in the show's ensemble as a Delta Nu sorority member or as a college student in the halls of Harvard -- is playing the lead role of Elle Woods.
"The stage show has virtually every scene in the film," Zakrin said during a telephone interview from Washington, D. C., where "Legally Blonde The Musical" was being staged at the Kennedy Center.
Two of the most well-known scenes are the bend-and-snap routine at the beauty shop and Elle Woods getting her friend's dog back from the nasty ex-husband of the portly beauty shop operator.
"It's a lot of fun for one thing and Elle Woods learns a lot about growing up, from a teen to more of a women," Zakrin said.
Like she said, Elle Woods enrolls at Harvard to impress her old boyfriend enough to renew their romance. But she sees through him and his rich, cavalier ways, and moves on to better things, including romantically and professionally.
"Legally Blonde The Musical" will be presented by the Victoria Theatre Association's JP Morgan Chase Broadway Series on June 16-21 at the Schuster Center. Ticket prices range from $30 to $80 and may be purchased by calling (937) 228-3630. Discounts are available for senior citizens, students and groups.

First Vantage

I'm excited to offer my insights as a purveyor of the arts. Please check out my blog to read previews and reviews of theater production staged in the Dayton, OH area. Check back soon for great reading, such as an upcoming preview of "Legally Blonde" at the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. Happy reading!