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By Burt Saidel
Where are the Greeks of lore and literature today? No matter how many classics’ departments of colleges and high schools are decimated, the heritage of ancient Greece surrounds us.
We have lived for centuries in debt to the architecture of the ancient Greeks. It is a visible reminder of their heritage. The influence of Greek thought and literature has become less visible. Yet, it remains subliminally in the very fabric of Western thought.
No longer are the ringing thoughts of Homer, Euripides and Sophocles in our daily usage. but they remain deep in our bed-rock. When they reemerge clearly and understandably, fully fleshed, it is a revelation.
Sinclair College Theatre Department has become Dayton’s repository of the classics. At Sinclair, I have seen Shakespeare, Greek plays, Polish pantomime as well as excursions into such semi-classics such as The Overcoat. Always well done, they are bright lights in an already well-illuminated Dayton theater scene.
Presently, Sinclair Theatre has mounted Sophocles’ Antigone. Unfortunately, the run will be over by the time you receive this review.
Dr. Robert “Mac” MacClennan took a hiatus from his retirement to direct Antigone. His insights of Greek drama are so well evoked that the result is mesmerizing. This, and all of the great tragedies of the ancient world deal in depth with the human dilemma.
Pride is both rewarded, in the hero, and punished, often at the same time. The contest between the willfulness of each protagonist persists until both intransient sides are destroyed.
Antigone defies life to be good. She is the daughter of history’s most dysfunctional family, Oedipus and his mother/wife Jocasta. Antigone challenges her uncle Creon, now king of Thebes, and his edict that her brother Polynices must lie unburied and unmourned. This is an anathema to the polytheistic Greeks of that age. It is a political statement to Creon and nothing more.
No need to elaborate further. All die writhing in their own tragedy and hubris. It is how this dilemma is unfolded for an audience 2500 years later that is so significant.
It is done with consummate attention to the richness of language. The language is clear. Understanding of the nuances is not – there are no nuances. Every character is hammering his or her perception relentlessly into the maelstrom of other equally strident perceptions.
The acting is simply superb. These students are charged with a measure of the ardor and passion of their characters. As Antigone, Abigail Willis gave a performance worthy of any stage. Derek Dunavent made his Creon, impaled on the horns of the dilemma, sympathetic but too fervent to survive. As Teiresias, the man/woman of myth and all-powerful seer, alumna Melissa Kerr Erstgaard, with her tiny and beautiful 10 year old daughter Lyrit, rose to near Olympian levels.
Special commendation must be given to the nine choristers. Carefully choreographed, they were the narrators, reactors and survivors of the tragedy. The startling cameo of Tim Behnken, as the messenger who brings the news of the deaths of Creon, his son Haemon and Antigone to Creon’s wife Euridice, was remarkable. He was the only human voice among the strident oratory of the others, demagogues trapped in their own passions and shortsightedness.
Congratulations to Dr. “Mac” and his continued devotion to enriching lives. Thank you so much.
We have popcorn at the opera, HD simulcasts, that is. Now we have ice cream at the symphony.
The Dayton Philharmonic initiated their new series, Symphony Sundaes. The sponsor, Graeter’s ice cream donated scoops of their delicious confection to all after the concert.
Prior to that confection, over 1000 gathered at the Masonic Auditorium were treated to a musical confection. The Philharmonic under Maestro Neal Gittleman played three delightful numbers - Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni, Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto and everyone’s favorite Beethoven symphony, Number 7, the apotheosis of the dance.
The music was wonderful, the auditorium impressive in its special beauty. Trumpet Principal Charles Pagnard was simply marvelous with his crystalline rendition of the joyous music of “Papa” Haydn.
There are two more Symphony Sundaes this season, March 28th and May 2nd. These are real “don’t miss” for both music and delicious ice cream.
Do you want your daughter to become a Ph.D in international relations? I have a sure-fire way of insuring that lofty goal.
My example is young and vibrant Katie Mitakides. To Katie, Alice and I are “Grandpa Burt” and “Grandma Alice.” I began taking Katie to Dayton Opera rehearsals when she was six. She has an unbroken streak of learning about many countries through opera and has now become an expert in internationalism.
In addition, she works hard for Dayton Opera and is co-chair of The Masterpiece Ball, The Opera Guild’s annual fete. As a mark of Katie’s success, the ball is now sold out. You can get your name on the waiting list for March 13th. Mention Grandpa Burt! |
By Gary Gregory
Wicked is probably the biggest show to hit Dayton since “Hair” in 1970 at Memorial Hall.
Local theatergoers waited patiently for more than a few years for this touring show to be booked in Dayton. Finally, the Victoria Theatre Association booked the show for the winter of 2010.
Happily, the long wait is worth every penny of the ticket price.
A mammoth production with a cast of more than a dozen featured performers and two dozen ensemble players who perform everything from guards to flying monkeys, Wicked is a huge musical on a large stage, with all the bells and whistles one can imagine, that captivates with its story of sisterhood, hope and love.
The two leading characters in this impressive road show are, of course, witches as different as night and day. The pretty, sweet Glinda -- dressed in white and entering the first scene in a bubble -- and Elphaba -- the drab, green gal with the crooked hat and well worn broom -- are the two players at the center of the action.
Rivals at times, friends at times, the two finally forge a friendship that is culminated with the poignant “For Good” number deep in the second act. It’s one of the highlights of this touring production of Wicked,” an unqualified Broadway hit since 2003 and a touring show for nearly five years.
Other key characters in the show are Morrible, the headmistress, Nessarose, the wheel-chaired sister of Elphaba, Flyero, the romantic lead who charms the two witches simultaneously, Dr. Dillamond, the instructor who happens to be a goat, and The Wizard himself.
With references to the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz sprinkled into the show, the overall singing is fine, the acting is solid, the tempo is right on target and the technical effects are outstanding.
The three-week run of the two-act musical continues through March 7 at the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. A few seats as well as lottery seats are available for the remaining performances.
For ticket information, call 228-3630.
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By Frank Stanko
Over his Spring Break, The Oakwood Register intern Frank Stanko prepared for The UD Monologues, premiering 8 p.m. Thursday, March 11 in Room 137 of the University of Dayton’s Music and Theatre building. He shares his experiences and thoughts as a cast member and writer...
With just under two weeks until opening night, I find myself so eager about The UD Monologues that I can barely speak. It wasn’t always like this. When I was cast in the show in December, I wondered if I’d have it in me to write about gender issues. Gender issues? What did I know of gender issues? After all, I’m just a guy.
That silly mentality was washed away from me as brainstorming gave way to writing, workshopping, and finally, rehearsals. This year, many monologues had gender neutral themes. Parenting, positive body image, sexual identity...these issues know no gender lines.
Neither did casting for the show. For the first time, The UD Monologues has a gender equal cast. Six men and six women combine for a dozen skilled actors stretching ourselves in new and exciting ways.
Such diversity is exactly in the spirit that The UD Monologues was founded on. The brainchild of students appalled about UD banning The Vagina Monologues from being performed, The UD Monologues has proven itself as more than just “a woman’s show.” It’s neither “feel-good” nor “preachy,” but rather, “feel everything.” I’m extremely proud to be a part of this years’ UD Monologues, and I know that audiences who see it will be informed, entertained, and moved.
The UD Monologues has 8 p.m. performances on Thursday, March 11 through Saturday, March 13, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. A talkback session follows after every performance. Admission is free, but reservations are suggested. For reservations, call 229-3685. |
 Vanguard Concerts presents Israeli pianist Ran Dank on Saturday, March 6, at 8 p.m., in The Dayton Art Institute’s NCR Renaissance Auditorium.
Dank has been playing piano since the age of seven. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University, where he studied with Emanuel Krasovsky. He is the recipient of grants from the American Israel Cultural Foundation. Dank has a master’s degree from the Juilliard School, where he worked with Emanuel Ax and Joseph Kalichstein. Dank also earned an Artist Diploma from the Juilliard School in 2009, working with Robert McDonald.
Tickets for the performance are priced at $20 for adults and $15 for students. They may be purchased at Hauer Music in downtown Dayton or the Wright State University Student Box Office, by phone at 937-436-0244 or 937-512-0144, online at www.daytonartinstitute.org, and at The Dayton Art Institute (night of concert only). and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The DAI also receives support from the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District.
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