Dayton Philharmonic evokes ‘Myth and Majesty’

By Burt Saidel

 
The Dayton Philharmonic’s marketing department devises clever titles for each of the Classical Concerts. For November, they chose “Myth and Majesty” to describe the music of Jean Sibelius, Serge Prokofiev and Pytor Tchaikovsky.  

The selections, such magnificent music, defy any circumscribing description. Perhaps the bright young persons in the marketing department should merely title each concert “More Great Music.”  

Assistant Conductor Patrick Reynolds took the podium while Maestro Neal Gittleman was on a whirlwind tour of Japan.  Maestro Neal was conducting concerts in two cities and returning, sushi laden, to lead The Messiah on December 16th.

For this pair of concerts, Reynolds chose from among the standard repertory and took the challenge with freshness and vigor.  Under his baton, the orchestra caught fire. Each of the selections built another layer of excitement until the culmination - the great, familiar and beloved Fifth symphony of Tchaikovsky.  The audience was completely energized.

The concert opened with Sibelius’ Pohjola’s Daughter.  This is a familiar concert piece, but the myth behind it is totally obscure.  Maestro Patrick, in a short fun-filled stage talk, outlined the libidinous antics of these Finnish Gods.  

In spite of knowing who was chasing whom, the music became the true focus. Capturing Sibelius’ special sound, the lower strings shone brilliantly.  Principal Christine Colette played a beautiful cello solo.  The double basses, led by Deborah Taylor, had leading moments.

The next work was Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé Suite.  Full of fun, describing an outlandish story of Czarist Russian intrigue and confusion, the music is a delightful comedy.  There are so many tuneful effects featuring all of the orchestra’s sections.  The saxophone of James Bunte had a special evening.  Its prominence in the Prokofiev was a certain sound usually omitted from earlier classical works.  Principal trumpet Charles Pagnard was very busy leaving the stage to play the poignant off-stage sections.  The percussion section could only be described as “hectic.” Jumping from instrument to instrument, the percussionists supplied the bulk of the distinctive humor.

Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony was, at one time, everyone’s favorite.  It is full of irrepressible melodies, two of which became popular love songs in the 50s.  In truth, I was not eagerly anticipating the familiarity of the Fifth.  There are so many melodic lines making some versions of the symphony like a Sound of Music sing-along.  From the first moments, the orchestra and Maestro Pat breathed special life and significance into each of these marvelous tunes and effects.  

The enthralling sound of Anthony Costa’s bass clarinet and the rich lower strings pronounced the compelling “Fate” theme to open the symphony. As the orchestra developed this powerful statement, the brasses, clear and pure, joined the sweeping strings.  The woodwinds began to play and the mood lightened.  In the acoustic richness of the Schuster, the incredible clarity of the music removed any cliché from the experience.

The second movement is the most melodic.  The orchestra truly sang unforgettable tunes.  The responsibility for the initial sustained air fell to Principal French horn Richard Chenoweth who played it to the walls.  As the orchestra parts wove their melodic carpet, the audience remained captivated.  

The third movement energetic waltz and the final majestic last movement completed an unforgettable visit to great music played as it should be played.

My congratulations go to every member of the orchestra and to Maestro Reynolds.

Human Race’s A Christmas Tuna

The Human Race opened its production of A Christmas Tuna with hilarious results. The play, one of the “Tuna Trilogy” is completely nutty and any plot description would be irrelevant.  

Two actors play 22 characters. Each character can only be described as a new level of zaniness. The actors, both gifted veterans of many stand-out performances are Tim Lile and Jake Lockwood.

The play, with all its belly-laughs, is at the Loft until December 23rd. Give yourself a Christmas present – call 937 461-3823 for a riotous time.

DTC’s Holiday on Ice

Dayton Theatre Guild mounted a special show, Holiday on Ice.  Ice skating never entered the picture.  It was satiric comedy from start to finish.

The author is humorist and radio personality David Sedaris.  His off-beat and self-deprecating humor was perfect to poke the taloned hand of satire at that most joyous holiday, Christmas.

Two one act, one person plays dismantled any sentimentality you ever had about the Yuletide revels.  The first, Season’s Greetings, was a perfect vehicle for the amazing talents of actress, national author, teacher and Oakwood resident Katrina Kittle.

Kittle (katrinakittle.com) is a remarkable beauty who has the ability to become the persona of her character.  We have seen her in many plays and her work is always a tour de force.
Her character was a cross between “Little Mary Sunshine” and a besieged soap opera victim of multi-layered tragedies. I can’t begin to describe how she beguiled the audience and, I sorry to say, the play will be closed as you read this.  My only advice, look for anything she does and buy a ticket.

The second play, Santa Land, was another comedic romp. Actor Mark Diffenderfer is a master of humor.  He played an out-of-work actor, nearly broke in New York, who takes a job as an elf in a department store Santa Land.  

Description after description of the events of elfdom were hysterical.  It will be quite some time before I can re-enter the ho-ho ho spirit of Christmas.  I certainly cannot even think of facing a department store elf or Santa.

Nutcracker plays at Schuster

Presented by Kettering Health Network and Vectren, Dayton Ballet’s timeless holiday classic The Nutcracker returns to the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center for ten performances, December 14 – 23, 2007.  

Inspired by Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music and choreography by Karen Russo and Dermot Burke, The Nutcracker has become an irreplaceable tradition for families across the Miami Valley.  The holidays would not be the same without the beloved classic full of magic and fantasy—truly an adventure for the young at heart.  

Celebrating its 5th anniversary, The Nutcracker features the late local philanthropist, Virginia Kettering (Jinny) as a young girl dreaming about her Uncle Drosselmeyer’s handsome gift, a nutcracker.  Jinny is joined onstage by an amazing group of characters – tiny white mice, adorable marching soldiers, a Chinese quartet, shepherds and their comical lambs, the Snow King and Queen and of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy.  

Members of the Dayton Ballet II Senior and Junior companies, as well as over 80 children from all over the Miami Valley, will take part in this year’s performances.

To purchase The Nutcracker tickets by phone, call Ticket Center Stage at
937-228-3630 or toll free in Ohio at 888-228-3630.  Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday 10: 00am - 6:00pm, Saturday noon - 4:00pm, and two hours prior to each performance.

Tickets may be purchased online at any time by going to www.ticketcenterstage.com. Ticket prices are $27, $35, and $40 for children and adults are $27, $37, $53, and $59.

DVAC leads family workshop on kinetic sculpture Dec. 15

Michelle Blades will lead a Family Workshop on kinetic sculptures on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is only $15 for each adult/child pair. Space is limited; call the office at 224-3822 to make a reservation.

If you are not sure what we mean by kinetic sculpture, come in and see the Americana Redux, where you may turn cranks, pull wires and open doors to bring her miniature worlds to life.

Click for more info...

DTG holding auditions for Mamet play Dec. 17-18

The Dayton Theatre Guild will hold open auditions for the area premiere of David Mamet’s “Boston Marriage” Dec. 17 and 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rosewood Arts Centre, 2655 Olson Drive, in Kettering.  Saul Caplan directs, Kerry Corthell produces and Shannon Fent serves as stage manager.

Production dates for the show are April 18 through May 4, 2008. Director Caplan is casting the show early so the actors can have plenty of time with their scripts prior to the start of actual rehearsals. “The characters in this show are exquisitely and delicately drawn, and will present many exciting challenges for the actresses playing them,” explains Caplan.

In “Boston Marriage,” Mamet takes the convention of a Victorian comedy ala Oscar Wilde and turns it on its head with his always original take on plot and dialogue. The resulting scene of three Victorian ladies speaking their minds with often contemporary frankness is devastatingly funny and often thought–provoking.

For the audition, please bring a resume and headshot, if available, as well as a list of all schedule conflicts for March and April, 2008.  There will be cold readings from the script; however, anyone wishing to bring a monologue is welcome to do so.  

All three roles are available. The director is looking for one female in her early 20’s, and two females between the ages of 35 and 50. Detailed descriptions of the characters, as well as any additional information about the show, can be found on the website at www.daytontheatreguild.org.  Further inquiries or questions may be addressed to the director at:  dtg_boston_marriage@yahoo.com. If you are unable to attend the open auditions on Dec. 17 or 18, but would like to audition at another available time, please contact the director at this address, as well.

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December 11, 2007
Volume 16, No. 50

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