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.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
"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.
"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.
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