1. “Sister Act”
When: 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday Nov. 18 through 20
Where: Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Dayton
Details: Theatergoers rejoice! Wright State University’s outstanding and joyful production of “Sister Act” is another impressive testament to the pre-professional caliber of its musical theatre program. Directed and co-choreographed with humor and heart by Greg Hellems, the production features Alexis Ariana’s breakthrough portrayal of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva on the run after witnessing a mob killing in 1970s Philadelphia. Ariana’s sassy wit and full-throttle vocals keep spirits high. Lovely supporting performances are provided by Emma Metzger (rigid Mother Superior), Melissa Matarrese (sunny Sister Mary Patrick), Amy VanDyke (belting to the hilt in her rendition of “The Life I Never Led” as meek Sister Mary Robert) and comical Taylor Greny (rap-savvy Sister Mary Lazarus). The fantastic, vocally superb Nuns Chorus, co-choreographed by Victoria Henwood, also provides an exhilarating “Raise Your Voice” (bolstered by Hellems gradually building momentum with expert timing and emotion) that rivals the original London and Broadway productions. (Russell Florence Jr.)
Cost: $15-$25
More info: 937-775-2500 or visit liberal-arts.wright.edu
2. Ringing in the Holidays
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday Nov. 19
Where: Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton
Details: Dayton History’s annual gala, Ringing in the Holidays, runs from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday featuring live music, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, desserts, specialty cocktails, a silent auction, Dayton’s Most Delicious Dessert contest and more.
Cost: $85 members, $95 non-members Saturday
More info: 937-293-2841 or www.daytonhistory.org
3. Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 and 19
Where: Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton
Details: Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra presents guest violinist Vadim Gluzman and guest conductor Antoine Clark. This Masterworks Series program features Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique,” and “Violin Concerto No. 1″ by Dmitri Shostakovich.
Cost: $5 to $68
More info: 937-228-3630 or www.daytonlive.org
Credit: RICK FLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY
Credit: RICK FLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY
4. “Broadway Bound”
When: 8 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday Nov. 18 through 20
Where: Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton
Details: Set in 1940s Brooklyn, Neil Simon’s heartwarming and heartbreaking 1987 Pulitzer Prize-nominated dramedy terrifically explores the delights and wounds within a tight-knit family. Marjorie Strader tenderly directs a first-rate cast led by dynamic duo Dustin Schwab (narrator Eugene) and Michael Ferrarelli (driven and determined Stan) as brothers/aspiring comedy writers hoping to make it big in show business. Cast includes Wendi Michael (beautifully understated as matriarch Kate), Saul Caplan (completely grounded as Ben, Eugene and Stan’s grandfather), K.L. Storer (calm, cool and collected as troublesome patriarch Jack), and Cassandra Engber (expertly raising emotions opposite Caplan as Kate’s sister Blanche). Ranger Puterbaugh’s set design and Carol Finley’s period costumes are notable. (Russell Florence Jr.)
Cost: $14-$21
More info: 937-278-5993 or www.daytontheatreguild.org
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
5. Classic Albums Live
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18
Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton
Details: Classic Albums Live, which has been specializing in note-for-note, cut-for-cut recreations of classic albums since 2003, returns to the area. For this concert, what founder Craig Martin calls his modern orchestra, will present the Eagles’ “Hotel California.” The West Coast band’s fifth album has sold more than 30-million copies since its release in December 1976 and remains beloved by music fans.
Cost: $25 to $40
More info: 937-228-3630 or www.daytonlive.org
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
6. “Deadline”
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday Nov. 18 through 20
Where: Loft Theatre of the Human Race Theatre Company, 126 N. Main St., Dayton
Details: The Human Race Theatre Company presents a world premiere mystery by Marcia Kash and Douglas E. Hughes about two playwrights who become a part of the play they’re writing. Interestingly, much of Act 1 feels oddly stagnated but by the time the action takes a humorous reverse shortly before intermission, the comedy and performances truly kick into gear. Under the direction of Jason Podplesky, the entertaining cast, led by Josh Aaron McCabe (comical Don/Silas) and Annie Pesch (in a welcomed return to the Loft Theatre as Mara/Meredith), includes Andrew Ian Adams (Dean/Trevor), Christine Brunner (Devorah/Violet), Adelyn Rae Helms (Tabitha) and Barry Mulholland (Bartholomew). Ray Zupp’s set design, transitioning from an office to a ship, is also a plus. (Russell Florence Jr.)
Cost: $53
More info: 937-228-3630 or www.daytonlive.org
Credit: JIM NOELKER
Credit: JIM NOELKER
7. Woodland Lights
When: 6 to 9 p.m. weekends Friday, Nov. 18 through Sunday, Nov. 27, Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 1 through 11 and nightly Thursday, through Friday, Dec. 15 through 23
Where: Countryside Park, 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Washington Township
Details: The 30th annual Woodland Lights kicks off a new season with 10 acres of sparkling lights, a half-mile paved path with lights and displays, train rides, visits with Santa Claus and other activities. The attraction is open through Friday, Dec. 23.
Cost: $9 admission, free ages 2 and younger; $20 for season pass
More info: 937-433-0130 or www.washingtontwp.org
8. Dayton Music Club
When: 4 p.m Sunday, Nov. 20
Where: Fairmont Presbyterian Church, 3705 Far Hills Ave., Kettering
Details: For its November Musicale, Dayton Music Club presents “Parade of American Music.” The afternoon recital features pieces by American composers performed by organist Judy Bede, pianist Deborah Courtney, soprano Magdalena Kirsch with pianist Rosanne Brown and a trio of clarinet, trombone and cello featuring Brent Eresmann, Richard Begel and Franklin Cox.
Cost: Free
More info: daytonmusicclub.org
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
9. Ekoostik Hookah
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18
Where: The Brightside, 905 E. Third St., Dayton
Details: Last year was the 30th anniversary of Ohio’s pioneering jam band, Ekoostik Hookah. There were some membership changes over the years but the vision of fostering community through improvisational music never faltered. The long-running group, which recently hosted the fall installment of its twice-yearly Hookahville festival, performs with local opener Subterranean.
Cost: $15 in advance
More info: 937-410-0450 or www.thebrightsidedayton.com
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
10. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday Nov. 18 through 20
Where: Springboro Community Theatre, 115 Wright Station Way, Springboro
Details: William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s funny, tuneful and touching 2005 musical concerns an eclectic group of six colorful adolescents vying for a spelling championship. Breezily directed by Tim Rezash, the uniformly firm cast consists of Jacob Sawtelle (Chip Tolentino/Jesus), Liz Lindon (Logainne Schwarzandgrubenniere), Aaron Brewer (Leaf Coneybear), Jose Gutierrez del Arroyo (William Barfee), Caitie Gutierrez del Arroyo (Marcy Park), Lilly Robillard (Olive Ostrovsky), Lindsey Cardoza (Rona Lisa Peretti/Olive Mom), Brad Bishop (Douglas Panch/Olive Dad), and Ben Essex (Mitch Mahoney). Andrew Hackworth’s excellent piano accompaniment is also notable. (Russell Florence Jr.)
Cost: $18-$20
More info: 937-203-0927 or borotheatre.org
11. DC Curry
When: 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 and 19
Where: Funny Bone Comedy Club, 88 Plum St., Suite 200, The Greene, Beavercreek
Details: Actor-comedian Don “DC” Curry is one of those guys you’ve seen around. He has credits in television programs and films dating back to the late 1980s. When he’s not on the road doing stand-up comedy, he’s best known for appearing in the films “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next.”
Cost: $27
More info: 937-429-5233 or dayton.funnybone.com
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
12. Planetary jams
When: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18
Where Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, 2600 DeWeese Pkwy., Dayton
Details: CC3 is celebrating the release of its new album, “Session One,” with a unique laser light show release party. The psychedelic trio, Chris Comer (keyboards), Michael Ronstadt (cello) and Bart Foster (drums), will perform inside the museum’s Caryl D. Philips Space Theater, presenting what the players are billing as “New directions in outer space music.”
Cost: $10 per person per show
More info: 937-275-5811 or boonshoft.org
13. Dayton Record Fair
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19
Where: American Czechoslovakian Club, 922 Valley St., Dayton
Details: Presented by Dayton’s Skeleton Dust Records and Cincinnati’s Northside Record Fair, this event offers thousands of records. Expect tables full of jazz, punk, blues, classic rock, garage rock, hip hop, experimental, classical, country, folk and more.
Cost: $5 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.); $10 (10 a.m. early bird entry)
More info: Facebook
Contact this contributing writer at 937-287-6139 or e-mail at donthrasher100@gmail.com.
