Special kids get chance to play
Benefit held for crash victim
WSU vs. Milwaukee
Sister groups join forces for 'Brother Wolf'
Sunday, January 25, 2009
DAYTON — What's older than Old English?
Storytelling, music and dance, to name an easy three.
All have been incorporated into "Brother Wolf," a new revamping of themes from the Old English heroic epic poem "Beowulf."
The ambitious, but natural collaboration between The Human Race Theatre Company and the traditional music and dance troupe Rhythm in Shoes will open Friday, Jan. 30, at The Loft.
The show by Preston Lane and bluegrass songwriter Laurelyn Dossett has been produced only once before, in 2005 by the Triad Stage in Greensboro, N.C.
In the quite different Dayton production, actors, dancers and musicians all will be part of an ensemble telling an ancient story rooted in myth that's been transferred to the Appalachian region in the 19th century.
Human Race artistic director Marsha Hanna said the staging has utilized directed improvisational techniques "to encourage ensemble building, communication between the performers and crystal-clear character relationships."
She's on a team of directors that includes three others who will be part of the 14-member cast as well: Shoes co-directors Sharon Leahy and Rick Good, and Human Race actor-director Scott Stoney.
"This is a production that was created by members of the company on stage, not by the directors," Hanna said.
"The audience will have no trouble following. Storytelling is a very old style of performing. The bonus is that the music is incredibly good," Hanna said.
"Brother Wolf" includes some named characters — dancer Joshua Fossitt of Rhythm in Shoes as Brother Wolf, Human Race actors Bruce Cromer and Morgan Grahame as the evil Grin Dell and his Maw.
The ensemble includes actors, dancers and musicians Aaron Vega, Kelly Mengelkoch, Kevin Anderson, Ben Cooper, Tina de Alderete, Jessica Jacobs, Carl Jones and Janet Schroeder.
How to go
What: "Brother Wolf"
Where: The Loft, 126 N. Main St., Dayton
When: Jan. 30 through Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Feb. 1 and 3.
Tickets: $37-$40.
Call: (937) 228-3630 or (888) 228-3630, or visit www.human
racetheatre.org.
Discount Previews: There will be a "pay what you can" preview performance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, (admission is non-perishable food items, or cash donations to local charities) and a final preview at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30. Tickets are $33.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2377 or tmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
