Archive for March, 2009

March 26th, 2009 | No Comments »

Dayton’s own Zoot Theatre Company makes its ImPACt debut this weekend, with Zoot Tales: A Canterbury Journey, March 27 & 28 in the Mathile Theatre at the Schuster Center.

Zoot Theatre Company (led by The Human Race Theatre Company’s Tristan Cupp) mixes an exciting use of live actors and imaginative puppetry into a innovative theatrical experience. This weekend’s production is perfect for families and re-imagines several of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales into living theatrical stories.

Zoot Tales: A Canterbury Journey is a modern look at 14th century Chaucer work told by the Zoot Story Finders. Masks and Puppets designed and constructed by Zoot members will bring a touch of magic as two imprisoned knights vie for the hand of the king’s daughter, a rooster ponders the meanings of his dreams, a devious Pardoner speaks on sin and an arrogant knight searches for the answer to the queen’s demand.

Click Here to Buy Tickets Online

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March 21st, 2009 | No Comments »

Our JPMorgan Broadway University program has expanded to offer its first summer camp experience, GOING BLONDE, in conjunction with the Chase Broadway Series presentation of Legally Blonde The Musical at the Schuster Center. The camp will run June 16-18, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day.

The summer camp will feature a series of workshops over the course of three days that focuses on the “triple threat” of musical theatre performance:  acting, singing and dancing.  These workshops will be led by cast members from Legally Blonde The Musical, as well as Victoria Theatre Association staff.

The camp is open to area high school students only and the cost is $85.  Camp fees include daily master classes and rehearsal sessions with Legally Blonde cast members and Victoria Theatre Association staff, daily lunch provided by Citilites restaurant, resume coaching for performers, and a ticket to the Thursday, June 18, performance of Legally Blonde The Musical at the Schuster Center.

Go to www.victoriatheatre.com/goingblonde for more information and to download the application.  Once completed, the application and fees should be mailed to:

Victoria Theatre Association
Attn: David Brush
GOING BLONDE Summer Camp
138 N. Main Street
Dayton, OH 45402

Space is limited to 60 students, on a first-come, first-served basis. Once participants are selected, they will be required to audition for performance group placement during the camp.

Legally Blonde The Musical is on stage at the Schuster Center, June 16 – 21. Legally Blonde follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn’t take “no” for an answer.  When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.  Click Here for more information.

The JPMorgan Broadway University program offers area theatre students the chance to participate in master classes with the stars of our stage. It is a unique opportunity for them to strut their stuff and get feedback from professionals working in the field.

Bookmark and Share Posted in Chase Broadway Series, Education & Outreach, Schuster Center

March 20th, 2009 | No Comments »

The Young at Heart Family Series is back for another year of fantastical entertainment – and at the same family friendly prices as last season!

We’ve just announced the 2009-2010 lineup, which includes fun for children of all ages: Alice in Wonderland, Spencer’s Theatre of Illusion, Doktor Kaboom!, Seussical and Darwin. The Young at Heart Family series is still the largest and oldest performing arts series for children in the region. Victoria Theatre Association works hard to make it “Quality Play Time” for families, with diverse entertainment and pre-show activities in the lobby of the Victoria Theatre.

For more about the series, log on to www.victoriatheatre.com/youngatheart.

Alice in Wonderland – October 24 & 25, 2009
Lewis Carroll’s classic comes to life for a new generation on the Victoria stage! Explore the dream world down the rabbit hole where madcap high jinks and outlandish adventures abound – complete with the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, the Cheshire Cat and more. This new musical theatre production is from Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre and features lavishly costumed characters and giant nine-foot-tall puppets, whirling, dancing and singing on their journey through Wonderland.

The Spencers Theatre of Illusion – December 5 & 6, 2009
You won’t believe your eyes when master illusionists Kevin and Cindy Spencer take the stage! Theatre of Illusion is much more than a magic show – it’s a powerful theatrical experience that you and your family will never forget. Discover the wonders of the impossible and celebrate the wonder and magic of the holiday season with this spectacular show from one of the most sought-after illusion teams in the business.

Doktor Kaboom! – January 23 & 24, 2010
Imagine if Mister Wizard and The Nutty Professor had a Rock & Roll German love child. Picture that child decades later. Now put him on stage – and duck!! Meet Doktor Kaboom. Audiences will be enthralled with this interactive one-man science/variety show starring actor/comedian David Epley as the eccentric inventor/scientist. Doktor Kaboom is touring the world with his fully equipped mobile laboratory, a wicked cool haircut, and a passion for science – and entertainment – that knows no bounds.

Seussical – February 27 & 28, 2010
“I can see that you’ve got quite a mind for you age! Why, one Think and you dragged me right onto the stage! Now I’m here there is no telling what may ensue with a cat such as me and a Thinker like you!”  So says the mischievous Cat in the Hat at the beginning of this fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Adapted especially for family audiences from the original Broadway musical, this delightful show brings to life your favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and all the Who’s of Whoville!

CORBIAN Visual Arts and Dance: Darwin – April 10 & 11, 2010
Meet Darwin. He is no ordinary pet; he’s a dinosaur. In this unique and spectacular production, glow in the dark crayon-like creatures light up the stage with a moving tale of a dinosaur discovering the true meaning of love.  Set to music, this feast for the eyes begins with a magical Scientist who puts Darwin together piece by piece. A beautiful bond develops between creator and beast; however, soon it’s time for the innocent Darwin to explore his world, where he encounters many different types of living creatures and learns many important life lessons.

Season tickets for the Young at Heart Family Series are priced at a family friendly $75 for adults and $65 for children (ages 12 and under). Season tickets are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage, and may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, noon – 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance.

For more information about the entire 2009-2010 season, visit www.victoriatheatre.com.

Bookmark and Share Posted in Victoria Theatre, Young at Heart Family Series

March 17th, 2009 | No Comments »

The Universal 1 Variety Series is back for another season of eclectic, off-beat, uniquely entertaining shows at the Victoria Theatre. Victoria Theatre Association has just announced the 2009-2010 lineup, which includes: Etta May and The Southern Fried Chicks, Buckets and Tap Shoes and Mike Dugan’s Men Fake Foreplay.

Tickets to all three shows can be purchased for as little as $70. Series ticket holders also have the opportunity to buy tickets to other Victoria Theatre Association presentations before they go on sale to the public, including the Dayton premiere of WICKED.

The Universal 1 Variety Series is made possible in part through the continued support of series sponsor Universal 1 Credit Union. Universal 1 Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Dayton and prides itself on being a community-minded organization.

For more about the Universal 1 Variety Series, go to www.victoriatheatre.com/variety.

Click here to check out video of all three shows!

Etta May and The Southern Fried Chicks – October 10, 2009
Life and love in the U.S.A. has never been funnier than when the original “desperate housewives” take the stage and tell all!  Meet three very different Southern women – each a top comic headliner with hilarious stories to tell. The infamous Etta May leads the pack, where the “New South,” the “Old South,” and the “Deep South” come together for an evening of clean, clever storytelling for every generation. A top-rated special on CMT, Southern Fried Chicks are like the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, but with better hair and bigger attitudes!

Buckets and Tap Shoes – January 29, 2010
This unique and utterly brilliant company of musicians, percussionists and rhythm tap dancers will astound audiences by creating intense driving rhythms with five-gallon buckets, metal cans, barrels, and other found objects – not to mention tap shoes. Led by two brothers, these guys bring the creativity and spontaneity of street performing to the stage with amazing and exhilarating results. If you like STOMP, you’re going to love Buckets and Tap Shoes.

Mike Dugan’s Men Fake Foreplay – April 17, 2010
It was never about finding the right woman – it’s about being the right man! This hilariously funny, yet pointed, commentary on men’s shortcomings is written and performed by Emmy-winning comedian Mike Dugan. Mike’s a regular guy and he’s been through it all when it comes to relationships. He keeps audiences laughing from beginning to end of his 90-minute show, with occasional time outs for some of his more serious observations on male/female relationships.

Season tickets for the Universal 1 Variety Series are on sale now and start at $70. Season tickets may be purchased through Ticket Center Stage, at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Tickets for individual performances will go on sale to the general public in September.

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March 6th, 2009 | No Comments »

Prepare to laugh along with Jean Saucier and Patrick Côté, the stars of Circo Comedia, as they perform acrobatic tricks, daredevil stunts, magic and juggling, this weekend at the Victoria Theatre as part of the Young at Heart Family Series.

Jean Saucier, following in the traditions of the Quebec Circus, is a master equilibrist, juggler, trick cyclist, acrobat and magician who performs his amazing stunts from dizzying heights.  Jean is thrilled to introduce North American audiences to his extremely gifted and talented new partner, Patrick Côté. Patrick, a burlesque clown, expert roller skater and drummer, innocently tries his best to be the (imperfect) assistant to Jean, which creates many laughs.

Jean and Patrick are taking the acrobatics, clowning and theatrics of Circo Comedia, which audiences worldwide have grown to know and love, to new “heights.” The Circo Comedia team will make the whole family laugh – the show is deliriously funny and filled with unforgettable moments!

CLICK HERE for a video preview of what Circo Comedia is all about!

Circo Comedia is on stage at the Victoria Theatre Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Performance times are 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day. Come out early and enjoy special pre-show lobby activities, beginning one hour prior to each performance.

Bookmark and Share Posted in Victoria Theatre, Young at Heart Family Series