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.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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.
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.
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