The Toledo Blade has published an article about the forthcoming production of King Oedipus which will open at the University of Toledo’s Center Theatre on February 17 (this Friday). The link to the article is below:
http://www.toledoblade.com/Music-Theater-Dance/2012/02/16/UT-puts-a-contemporary-spin-on-King-Oedipus.html
“King Oedipus” performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Wednesday at the University of Toledo Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre, 2801 W. Bancroft St. Additional performances are at 2 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 26 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-25. Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for faculty, staff, alumni, and seniors, and $7 for students. Information: 419- 530-2375 or utoledo.edu/BoxOffice.
To purchase tickets online see:
http://www.utoledo.edu/cvpa/theatrefilm/box_office.html
For directions to the UT Center Theatre see:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Towerview+Drive+%26+West+Campus+Drive,+Toledo,+OH+43606&sll=41.663102,-83.609771&sspn=0.012103,0.01972&ie=UTF8&ll=41.657908,-83.616557&spn=0.012104,0.01972&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1
Village Players in Toledo, Ohio has posted the following audition call:
“We are hosting secondary auditions and call backs on Sat. Jan 14th starting at noon for Moliere’s School for Husbands, a cast of nine.
Here is classical theater at it’s funniest, wisest, and most engaging ever. In the battle of the sexes, who trains who? Brothers, Sganarelle and Ariste are guardians to two sisters, Isabelle and Léonor. The brothers have two very different theories of how to …school their wards. The stern and repressive upbringing that Sganarelle imposes on his charge is in direct contrast to the loving treatment his brother, Ariste gives to his own young ward. Molière deliciously shows us that Sganarelle’s folly is no match for a woman’s resourcefulness. We hope to have a great turnout. ”
For location and other information, see http://www.thevillageplayers.org/
The Toledo Repertoire Theatre’s current production of John van Druten’s 1950s romantic comedy, Bell, Book, and Candle, which was directed by Jennifer Rockwood, will appeal to a wide range of audience members, and this production is particularly well suited to anyone looking for a romantic activity to include as part of a date or anniversary celebration.
Bell, Book, and Candle is a product of the 1950s, and it is one of those plays in which the New York City characters live inexplicably lavish lives in a very expensive city. I take that back: in this play the extravagance and luxury in which many of the characters live – including the lead character Gillian (Kate Abu-Absi) – is explained by their ability to control some aspects of reality (including their financial condition and material quality of life) through witchcraft. To summarize, the play tells the story of a relationship between Gillian and Shep (Matthew Gretzinger) that begins through a love spell placed on Shep by Gillian an which meets troubled times when Shep discovers he has been enchanted. It’s a catchy story that is easy for the audience to sink it’s teeth into, and the script is loaded with quick laugh moments.
Overall, the cast worked quite well as an ensemble. Abu-Absi should be noted for conveying a true transformation of her character, as she moved from cynical witch to sincere, loving human being. Both Abu-Absi and Gretzinger moved refreshingly away from the light tone that is often taken in 1950s comedies of this sort, by producing characters who are haunted by some rather realistic emotional turmoil. By playing against the script in this way, Gretzinger produced a deeper level of emotional truth and character than one might expect from a light, romantic comedy. (In case you have any questions, this is a positive statement.)
Unlike Abu-Absi and Gretzinger, the other actors in the play agreed with the tone of the script did. Although it must be admitted that this made it seem at times as if the other characters lived in a different dramatic world – a more surface and less sincere one – this was not inappropriate. For all of the other characters in the play – Nicky (John DuVall), Queenie (Jennifer Lake), and Sidney Redlitch (John Paul Welch) – did in fact seem to run in circles of people who suppressed their true selves and lived to manipulate the world on the basis of their own selfish interests. This distinction between the lead characters and the supporting cast did a great deal to emphasize the human aspects of the romantic relationship that drives the plot of Bell, Book, and Candle.
One final note: the set that Ryan Bernard Tymensky designed for the play was wonderful. I found it mesmerizing with its puzzle-like wall of suspended shelves that were loaded with interesting objects and special lighting. The maroon-tone of the apartment was strangely appealing to the eye. Tymensky made great use of the available space on the stage, and his upward-moving shelf design authentically reflected the creative use of space that New Yorkers employ to deal with their tight surroundings.
Bell, Book, and Candle is sure to delight fans of light romantic comedy and witchery.
The show runs four more times: 17, 18, 19, 20, 2011.
For times, tickets, and address information go to: http://www.toledorep.org/shows/current.htm
Toledo, Ohio’s Village Players are currently showing the play Deadly Murder, written by David Foley and directed by Larry Farley. It opened on 11/4 and will run through 11/19. For ticket information call: (419) 472-6817. A synopsis follows below.
Deadly Murder tells the story of Camille Dargus, who has fought her way up from humble beginnings to a glittering Manhattan lifestyle. She has beauty, brains, wealth, and a successful career as a jewelry designer for the leading lights of New York society. One night at a society gala she meets Billy, a handsome young waiter, and brings him back to her Soho apartment. But there’s more to Billy than meets the eye. Full of twists and turns, bluffs and double bluffs, this brilliantly intricate thriller will be one step ahead of you all the way!
For more information about The Village Players and Deadly Murder see: http://thevillageplayers.org/Deadly%20Murder.htm
Juan C. Rodriquez (Oberon - above); Starr Chellsea Cutino (Hermia), and Brian J. Prudue (Lysander) in Cornel Gabara's production of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. (Produced by the University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film.)
Cornel Gabara’s vision for Midsummer Night’s Dream is a refreshing and highly entertaining interpretation of the famous play that, as last night’s production at the Valentine Theatre proved, is compelling and hilarious to audience members of all ages. Gabara, the cast, the and design team seem to have captured something of the timeless humor that makes this one of the most often produced of the Bard’s plays.
Everything from the modernist and simplistic set - with its abstractly-phallic memorial and gargantuan, Luna-invoking moon – to the sharp, human, and well-polished performances of the University of Toledo student actors emphasizes one of the central questions of this play: With all of the madness that accompanies the process of falling in love, how do people ever make a wise decision regarding who to take on as a life partner?
I must note that the final performance of the mechanicals was one of the funniest and most convincing I have ever seen – the audiences was rolling with laughter and applauding with glee at their exquisitely-executed antics. The comical rage and tension between Hermia and Helena was embodied with the utmost comical truth.
The truth within this comic production was also enhanced through the emphasis of ludicrous aspects of daily life. For instance, the four young lovers send their messages to one another via texting on blackberries, rather than the traditional letters or offstage discussions.
This is an excellent version of Midsummer Night’s Dream. If you want to be transported to a new and wondrous realm of fairyland, see the show before it closes on November 6.
Remaining performances Saturday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m and Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.
Tickets for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Valentine Theatre are $20 for premium seats, $15 for floor seats and $10 for balcony/loge.
Season tickets, season flex passes and group ticket discounts are available online at utoledo.edu/boxoffice, by phone at 419.530.2375 and at the Center for Performing Arts Box Office.
To read the UT News coverage of the production, which includes comments from the director, see: http://utnews.utoledo.edu/index.php/11_02_2011/a-midsummer-night-dream-to-open-at-valentine-theatre
Edmund B. Lingan is a director of theatre, a theatre and performance art historian, and an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of Toledo’s Department of Theatre and Film. He received his PhD. in theatre from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in 2006 and moved to Toledo, OH in 2007.
The Toledo Repertoire Theatre will present Bell, Book, and Candle under the direction of Jennifer Rockwood. Bell, Book, and Candle is a romantic comedy that tells the story of Gillian, a beautiful witch living in 1950s New York City, who is smitten with her handsome upstairs neighbor, Shep.
The play opens Thursday, 11/4 and it runs thereafter on November 5, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, and 20.
Toledo Repertoire Theatre – Address:16 10th St.,Toledo, OH 43604 – Phone: (419) 243-9277
For more information see: http://www.toledorep.org/shows/1112/bellbookcandle.htm
The University of Toledo’s Department of Theatre and Film will continue its role as a contributor of experimental and daring approaches to the classics with its upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Director Cornel Gabara’s bold, imaginative, colorful, and unique approach to the classic text is sure to spark lively discussion among audience members.
This a great opportunity to see Shakespeare in Toledo from the angle of an excellent director who has worked and trained with some of the world’s most renowned experimental dirctors.
The opening night performance will be Friday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. There also will be a performance Saturday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday, Nov. 6, performance will be at 2 p.m.
In addition, the University will present two daytime matinees prior to opening night for schools and groups at special discounted rates. They will be held Thursday and Friday, Nov. 3 and 4, at 9:30 a.m. Groups must reserve seats in advance.
Tickets for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Valentine Theatre are $20 for premium seats, $15 for floor seats and $10 for balcony/loge.
Season tickets, season flex passes and group ticket discounts are available online at utoledo.edu/boxoffice, by phone at 419.530.2375 and at the Center for Performing Arts Box Office.
To read the UT News coverage of the production, which includes comments from the director, see: http://utnews.utoledo.edu/index.php/11_02_2011/a-midsummer-night-dream-to-open-at-valentine-theatre
Artist Ricardo Quiñónez Alemán will open his installation art exhibition “Dia de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) on Saturday November 5th 2011. From 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The installation will take place at La Galeria de las Americas (1222-1224 Broadway St., south end, Toledo, OH 43609).
The exhibit will run from November 5 until November 30, 2011.
PERFORMERS WANTED
Actors (preferably with dance skills), musicians and dancers wanted for a performance celebrating the Winter Solstice at the Toledo
Museum of Art. The date will be December 16, evening or December 17 or 18 in the afternoon. Come work with a great group of people!
Contact Jill at: jberkana@bex.net
Detroit’s Performance Laboratory, which is curated by Emilia Javanica and Carrie Elizabeth Morris, has announced the theme and date for the next performance, which will take place on December 16. The details provided on their Facebook site is as follows:
“Sober – adj, 1. temperate, esp. in the use of liquor; 2. not drunk; 3. serious, reasonable, sedate, etc; 4. not flashy, plain, as color, clothes, etc.”
The Performance Laboratory’s next show will be on December 16th, The SOBER Show. Propose a performance idea by emailing performancelab@thecaid.org.
The Performance Laboratory is housed at the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (5141 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit, MI). This is an ideal situation for performance artists, media artists, and multimedia artists who have work in development in South Michigan and North Ohio.
Oh, they need audiences too.
Be warned – this is not for the kids – or overly sensitive adults. The Performance Laboratory lives on the edge.
For more information see:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Performance-Laboratory/139602749441643
Anyone interested in performing should contact the Performance Laboratory at:
performancelab@thecaid.org
For more information about the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit, see:
http://www.thecaid.org/
Edmund B. Lingan is a director of theatre, a theatre and performance art historian, and an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of Toledo’s Department of Theatre and Film. He got his PhD. in theatre from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in 2006 and moved to Toledo, OH in 2007.
