When: Through Jan. 14; 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton
Details: An impressively elevated maturity heightens the Muse Machine’s thoroughly entertaining, incredibly joyful and totally relevant production of “9 to 5: The Musical,” based on the classic 1980 film of the same name. Director Joe Deer, choreographer Lula Elzy, music director Jeffrey Powell, and producer Douglas Merk oversee approximately 110 students from across the Miami Valley, including cast, musicians and production assistants, in this breezy presentation accented by Dolly Parton’s tuneful songs.
Credit: FACEBOOK PHOTO
Credit: FACEBOOK PHOTO
Maggie Weckesser (Violet Newstead), Lucy Dennis (Doralee Rhodes) and Addison Haines (Judy Bernly) winningly shine as three office workers circa 1979 whose bonds of sisterhood are strengthened by a mutual disgust of their terribly sexist boss Franklin Hart, Jr. (Jack Wyant). Musical highlights: Weckesser’s razzle dazzle rendition of “One of the Boys” (among Elzy’s finest routines in her 23 seasons with Muse) featuring strong, physical support from the male company; Dennis’ chipper, personable interpretation of “Backwoods Barbie” simultaneously capturing Doralee’s confidence and Parton’s essence; and Haines’ defiant realization of Judy’s transformative journey in “Get Out and Stay Out.” This delightful trio is also matched to the hilt by wonderful Wyant, whose charmingly funny instincts help dial back Franklin’s off-putting behavior for this Muse-friendly version (he delivers “Here For You” with a playful Elvis vibe).
Notable featured performers include: Ella Sherck as lovestruck secretary Roz (her humorously passionate, gospel-flavored rendition of ”Heart to Hart” is a highlight); Via Mongelli as office drunk Margaret; endearing Griffin Greear as kindhearted accountant Joe (“Let Love Grow,” his Act 2 duet with Weckesser, rises with beautiful tenderness); Casen Kidd as Dick, Judy’s ex-husband; Parker Williams as Josh, Violet’s son; Gavin Poronsky as Dwayne, Doralee’s husband; authoritative, humorous Connor Czapor as board chairman Tinsworthy; and the adorable Young Company showcased at the top of Act 2 in an active sequence of personality and movement set to the title tune. In addition, excellent period attire is courtesy of costume designer Shannon Smith-Regnier with costume coordination by Traeln Hoover and Erin Rismiller.
Cost: $29-$69
More info: 937-228-3630 or visit daytonlive.org
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
2. Kensho Watanabe with DPO
When: Jan. 12-13; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton
Details: Dayton Performing Arts Alliance welcomes Kensho Watanabe to town this weekend to serve as special guest conductor with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Watanabe, who is also trained violinist, was assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 2016 to 2019. The program, Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony, is a tribute to the sesquicentennial of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. The concert also features the complimentary pieces “Lohengrin” by Richard Wagner and Claude Debussy’s “Ibéria.” (Don Thrasher)
Cost: $5-$82.50
More info: 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org
3. Young’s Jersey Dairy Birthday Celebration
When: Jan. 12-15; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, and 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday
Where: Young’s Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs
Details: The dairy’s 155th birthday offers specials on cheeses, food and Udders and Putters.
Cost: Free. $1.55 for miniature golf.
More info: 937-325-0629 or www.youngsdairy.com
4. Photography Boot Camp
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13
Where: Cox Arboretum MetroPark, 6733 Springboro Pike, Miamisburg
Details: Bring a camera and learn how to use it and how to adjust settings for different shooting situations.
Cost: $40
More info: www.metroparks.org
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
5. Heartsiq
When: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12
Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton
Details: Gays in Space is the theme of this month’s Heartsiq hosted by Ky Heart and Kacie Clover. The lineup for this installment includes performances by local freak folkies Gran Gran, supporting its debut EP from 2023, and solo artist Debbie DeCasio, who first started performing on the local underground scene in the 1980s. Heavenbound, Etch N Sktch and Jynnlynn are also on the bill. (Don Thrasher)
Cost: $7 in advance, $10 day of show
More info: 937-424-3870 or www.yellowcabtavern.com
6. “Fallen Leaves”
When: Jan. 12-17: 12:50 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:10 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. Fri-Sat; 12:50 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sun; and 3:00 p.m., 5:10 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. Mon-Wed
Where: The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton
Details: Nominated for two Golden Globes, this film tells the story of two people “whose paths have accidentally crossed, and who, despite adversity and misunderstandings, try to build some kind of relationship on the harsher side of state welfare.”
Cost: $6.50-$10.50
More info: 937-222-7469 or neonmovies.com
7. “The Princess Bride” Movie Party
When: 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14
Where: The Brightside, 905 E. Third St., Dayton
Details: Enjoy a screening of the classic movie along with themed food, drinks and attire.
Cost: $35
More info: www.thebrightsidedayton.com
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
8. Americana showcase
When: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12
Where: Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton
Details: Two local Americana acts California Howdy and Sam King & the Suspects share the stage. California Howdy has been trafficking in a cosmic brand of American roots music since forming in Dayton in 2017. Sam King, who started as an introspective singer-songwriter, has turned into a powerful front person with her band the Suspects. (Don Thrasher)
Cost: $10
More info: 937-938-6405 or blindbobs.com
9. MANIA - The ABBA Tribute
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12
Where: Dayton Masonic Center, 525 W. Riverview Ave., Dayton
Details: Formed in 1999, MANIA - The ABBA Tribute has sold out theaters and concert halls across the globe, bringing the music of the beloved ABBA to more than 3 million people.
Cost: $47-$211
More info: daytonmasoniccenter.org
10. “Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: The Birth of Modern Paris”
When: Through Jan. 14. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North
Details: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a French painter and pioneer of modern poster design and lithograph art. Known internationally as a leading Post-Impressionist, he made art that explores the cabarets, racetracks, music halls, circuses, cafés and brothels of Paris during the late 19th century. Filled with empathy and humor, his images offer a captivating, nearly journalistic view of Paris in la belle époque (the beautiful era).
Cost: $5-$15. Free for children ages 6 and younger.
More info: www.daytonartinstitute.org
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