MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOPS - NEWS

Here’s to a Successful Musical Theatre Workshop Festival Weekend!

By all reports, both the three musicals and the three parties exceeded expectations this weekend as The Human Race celebrated America’s art form – musical theatre. Hundreds of Human Race regulars, and a number of first-time attendees, gathered at The Loft Theatre and the Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center to witness the birth of three great shows.

Play It By Heart, by Brian Yorkey, David Spangler and Jerry Taylor, started off the weekend with exciting country music and an engaging story of a family in transition. With ten wonderful singer/actors – led by Leslie Jo Bissett-Hood as the country music star “Jeannine Jasper,” and a six-piece band led by Jay Brunner, the Loft Theatre rocked the audience into standing ovations. Many audience members stated, “I have never been a fan of country music, but I sure liked this show”.

Dust In The Sunlight: A Musical In Pieces was conceived, written and performed by our Lovewell teens. A very thoughtful piece, the show paralleled a modern family in economic crisis with the story of their ancestors during the Great Depression. Moving with ease back and forth through time, using music and dance to tell their story, the young performers brought the audience both to their feet and to tears – simultaneously.

Wrapping up the Festival was the musical about the amazing Rosemary Clooney, Tenderly, by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman. A tribute to both her honesty regarding her struggles and her ability to re-invent herself, the musical took us on the roller coaster ride that was her career, with all the music that made her one of the biggest stars of her generation. Cincinnati artist Beth Harris channeled Ms. Clooney, assisted by Scott Stoney, playing a dozen or more people in her life.

Thanks again to our Sponsors – the Miriam Rosenthal Memorial Trust Fund, the Dayton Racquet Club and The Producers’ Circle. Thanks to all who attended – and we hope to see you all next summer for another great weekend of new musicals.

CHRISTMAS IN MARCH AT THE HUMAN RACE

Cast & Creative Team for A Christmas Memory

Rehearsal of A Christmas Memory

For one week in March, it really felt like Christmas at The Human Race. That is because we were lucky enough to be working with composer Larry Grossman, lyricist Carol Hall, and book writer Duane Poole on their new musical, A Christmas Memory. Based on the delightful short story by Truman Capote, this beautiful “slice of Americana” musical is on the road of development – heading for its world premiere next December at Theatreworks in Palo Alto, CA.

“We supply the writers with a place to live, work and rehearse their show,” said Kevin Moore, Human Race Executive Director. “We give them actors so they can hear it, and a small, educated audience so they can get feedback. Then we get out of the way and let the magic happen.”

At the first gathering, the writers told the handful of actors that tonight would be the first time they’ve heard anyone sing or say their words – except for the writers. The actors included 11 year-old Jeremy Cleary as “Buddy” and 13 year-old Ilana Frankel as his neighbor, “Nelle.” The adult actors included Deb Colvin-Tener, Jamie Cordes, Reneé Franck-Reed and Kevin Moore.

By the end of the week – and only 15 hours of rehearsal with the actors - the writers had been able to hear their entire show, make changes, and hear it again with their producing team. We were also able to share portions of the show with our Board, Sponsors and Producers’ Circle members.

Larry, Carol & Duane are now in a great position to take their show to the next level. We wish them lots of success!!!

TRUMAN CAPOTE'S A CHRISTMAS MEMORY MUSICAL BEING DEVELOPED IN DAYTON

The Human Race Theatre Company continues its mission to develop new musicals this March when the writing team of Larry Grossman, Carol Hall and Duane Poole will be in residence working on their new musical A Christmas Memory – based on the short story by Truman Capote.

“I have been talking with fellow producer, Jayson Raitt for a while about this show,” said Kevin Moore, Human Race Executive Director. “It is one of my favorite stories, and when he told me he was developing a musical version, I said count us in.”

And what a team he has put together! Larry Grossman has numerous Broadway musicals to his credit: Minnie’s Boys, Goodtime Charley (7 Tony nominations), Snoopy!!! The Musical, A Doll’s Life and Grind (7 Tony nominations), which won him a Drama Desk Award for his music. Carol Hall is best known as the composer/lyricist for her Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning musical, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Duane Poole has written and produced over 50 television series and movies, including the 1997 TV movie of A Christmas Memory with Patty Duke and Piper Laurie.

With Duane in California and Larry & Carol in New York, putting them in one space together is a huge boost for their creativity. During their stay in Dayton, the writers will work with Human Race actors – who will allow the writers to hear the lines and songs for the first time.

“This is a great working exercise,” said Moore. “We will be contributing to the future of this show - which will have its world premiere next December at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto, CA.”

Supporters of The Human Race’s Musical in Development will get a chance to meet the artists and hear select moments of the show at a reception. This program is funded by the Miriam Rosenthal Memorial Trust Fund, the Ohio Arts Council Innovation Grant, the Monarch Genesis Fund of The Dayton Foundation, the National Fund for New Musicals, and The Producers’ Circle.

For information, contact Kevin Moore at 937-461-3823 ext. 3115, or email Kevin@humanracetheatre.org.

Tony Award Winner Developing Musical at The Human Race

Brian Yorkey, recent Tony Award-winning lyricist/ bookwriter for the Broadway musical Next To Normal, will be working on his “next” musical, Play It By Heart, along with his co-writers David Spangler (composer of Nefertiti and Artistic Director of The Lovewell Institute) and Jerry Taylor (Nashville songwriter/producer). Their Residency in Dayton is all part of The Human Race’s Musicals in Development program, which has received major funding from the Miriam Rosenthal Memorial Trust Fund.

“This musical was previously developed at the Village Theatre in Washington and has had a production in Nashville,” said Human Race Executive Director Kevin Moore. “The team all moved on to other projects. This will be their first chance to get back together to work on the show, with hopes for a production in the near future.”

Play It By Heart is the story of a country music top female star battling her family and a changing industry. “It’s the quintessential story of a family in country music,” stated co-writer Jerry Taylor.

MUSICAL THEATRE WEEKEND, July 17 - 19, 2009

Photos from THE TRIMBLE WARS reading
Aaron Vega and Daina Michelle Griffith		Scott Stoney and Patricia Linhart		Jamie Cordes and Aaron Vega
	cast of THE TRIMBLE WARS reading		cast of THE TRIMBLE WARS reading
		Photos by Scott J. Kimmins

Photos from right next to me reading
		Melissa Dye (Stacia Fernandez in background)
Jim Poulos (Stacia Fernandez in background)		cast of right next to me reading		Jamie Cordes and Stacia Fernandez (Melissa Dye in background)
		Photos by Scott J. Kimmins

Casting Update for THE TRIMBLE WARS
by Sean Michael Flowers and Patrick Vaughn

The cast will include Scott Stoney, Aaron Vega, Patricia Linhart, Jamie Cordes, Sara Mackie, Daina Michelle Griffith, Jj Tiemeyer, Will Hutcheson, Kristen Hurley, Renee Franck-Reed, Alexandra Finke, and James Roselli. The workshop will be directed by Kevin Moore.

Don't Miss It!

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TICKETS – TIMES – AND CASTING NEWS FOR MUSICAL THEATRE WEEKEND

Tickets for The Human Race’s second annual “Musical Theatre Weekend” will go on sale Monday, June 15. Reservations can be made by calling The Human Race office, 937-461-3823, between 10am – 4pm Mondays through Fridays. Tickets for all three musicals – THE TRIMBLE WARS, rightnextto me, and the original Teen Lovewell show. All general admission tickets are $15. The schedule for the weekend is as follows:

The cast for rightnextto me has been confirmed, and will include Jim Poulos (CONVENIENCE at Human Race, RENT on Broadway), Stacia Fernandez (THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – Broadway and Tours), Melissa Dye (Broadway’s INTO THE WOODS and GREASE revivals, and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA), and Dayton’s Jamie Cordes. (WAIT UNTIL DARK, THE MERRY WIDOW).

Next up – casting for THE TRIMBLE WARS. Stay tuned!!!

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MTW: MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP AND MUSICAL THEATRE WEEKEND

The Human Race is planning its second annual “Musical Theatre Weekend” in Dayton on July 17 - 19, 2009.  This Festival will showcase three new musicals – one written and performed by area teens, while professionals from New York and the Dayton region will perform the other two musical workshops. 

Kevin Moore, Human Race Executive Director, selected these workshops from a list of numerous submissions.  “Each of these writing teams has a history with The Human Race,” said Moore, “and we are thrilled to be able to continue our relationship of developing their new shows.”

THE TRIMBLE WARS by Sean Michael Flowers and Patrick Vaughn:

After 5 decades in the 1:00 timeslot, soap opera "The Trimble Wars" could be coming to an end and the line is drawn between those who want to save and destroy the series. "The Trimble Wars" is a clever backstage musical about love, daytime drama, and the line between fact and fiction."

Sean and Patrick spent a 10-day residency with The Human Race in October, 2008 working on Act 1 of their new musical.  Previously, The Human Race premiered their first musical together, PROMETHEUS DREAMS – and Sean is a Human Race Resident Artist.

We are also pleased that our workshop of THE TRIMBLE WARS will receive one of the first grants awarded by the new National Fund for New Musicals – a competitive process under the auspices of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.

rightnextto me by Gregg Coffin:  

This will be our sixth project with Gregg (CONVENIENCE, FIVE COURSE LOVE, DRAWER BOY, PROOF, A CHRISTMAS CAROL) His new show has had two previous workshops – Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City and The B Street Theatre in Sacramento) and is now in the midst of major re-writes.  This workshop will be guest directed by Melissa Rain Anderson – who appeared at The Race in CONVENIENCE.

rightnextto me concerns itself with the distance between people and the space love leaves behind when it goes. It's a series of monologues, vignettes and scenes that connect themselves around the idea of disconnection. In turns tragic, comic and romantic these eight characters explore the feelings that linger, the loss of connection and the rebirth of hope.

THE TRIMBLE WARS and rightnextto me will both be presented as staged readings in the Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center, 116 N. Jefferson Street.  

The third musical project during our “Musical Theatre Weekend” will be our second annual Human Race/Lovewell Experience.  By using the multi-faceted techniques of the renowned Lovewell Institute, in just three weeks area teens will conceive, write and perform an original musical – all their own words, all their own songs. The performances will take place in The Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main Street.  The team of leaders will consist of two visiting Lovewell Artists (Carrie Gilchrist and Michael Finke) and two of our own Artists who have been trained in the Lovewell technique. (Marilyn Klaben and Scott Stoney)

The entire musical weekend is sponsored by the Miriam Rosenthal Memorial Trust Fund, with additional support from The Producers’ Circle and the National Fund for New Musicals.

Performance times and ticket sales to all three projects will be announced later.  Stay tuned - and mark your calendars!

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NEW GRANT COULD MAKE DAYTON A MAJOR MUSICAL THEATRE CENTER

A Dayton cultural fund has just awarded a grant that will enable The Human Race Theatre Company to become even more of a national factor in musical theatre development. The combination of funding and expertise could push Dayton to the forefront of creativity in the art form that is America’s contribution to world stages.

For the past eight years, The Human Race – Dayton’s professional theatre company – has been cultivating new musicals through its Musical Theatre Workshop program. It has developed relationships with both established (Stephen Schwartz, Tom Jones) and emerging writers. (Joseph Thalken, Gregg Coffin, Rob Hartmann) Premieres, workshops and residencies have all been presented – showcasing regional and national artists. But the 2009-10 season will bring all of these projects together under one arm of The Human Race – MUSICALS IN DEVELOPMENT – thanks to a generous grant from the Miriam Rosenthal Memorial Trust Fund.

“Dayton has long been a center for innovation,” said Human Race Executive Director Kevin Moore. “The airplane, the cash register, the electric starter engine, the ice tray – just a few of the many innovations created in Dayton. We plan to use the creative energy in the Miami Valley to make this a center for the creation of new musicals.”

The Miriam Rosenthal Memorial Trust Fund has long supported artistic projects that expand the reach of the organization and the art form itself. Richard C. McCauley, Chairman of the Fund, stated “we are excited about the opportunity you see to identify The Human Race as a hub for new musical development and for local talent to be involved and exposed to professionals in this field.”

The grant, almost $94,000, will help to fund activities from July 2009 through July 2010. This will include two summer musical festivals as well as our Summer Lovewell program, two residencies and two major musical productions at The Loft Theatre.

“We are extremely grateful to the Rosenthal Fund for their incredible investment in this new vision for the company,” continues Moore. “We know this is just the beginning if we are to continue this kind of development, and we hope that more funders will follow suit.”

The Human Race is a member organization of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and Kevin Moore serves on the Board of NAMT as well as co-chairing the Festival of New Musicals for the past two years. Musical works such as WAS, WILD BLUE, HAROLD & MAUDE, CONVENIENCE, GREEN GABLES, MOBY DICK, THE AMBITION BIRD, VOICE OF THE CITY, 24 HOURS, NEFERTITI and TINYARD HILL have premiered or had development work at The Human Race.

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DAYTON, OH – NOV 1 – Dayton’s Human Race Theatre completed a 10-day residency with musical theatre writers Sean Michael Flowers (Human Race Resident Artist) and Patrick Vaughn by presenting a portion of their new musical THE TRIMBLE WARS to their Producers’ Circle and guest of the writers. About 25 people gathered to hear songs and scenes from this original work-in-progress about a long-running soap opera.

On hand to perform were actors from The Human Race, Kathy Clark, Jamie Cordes, Melissa D’Amico, Aaron Vega and Human Race Resident Artist Scott Stoney. Sean and Patrick dialogued with the guests afterwards. They made great progress during their stay in Dayton, and now head back to their separate “coasts” to finish the show. We are all hoping for a full workshop of the entire show this summer.

This project was made possible through the generous support of our Producers’ Circle – funding the development of new musicals.

Pictured: Top: JJ Tiemeyer, Scott Stoney Bottom: Christine Dwyer, Katie Pees. From the staged reading of TINYARD HILL by Mark Allen and Tommy Newman Photo by Scott J.Kimmins	Pictured front, l to r: Aaron Vega, Jamie Cordes, Jake Lockwood, Katie Pees, Marya Spring, JJ Tiemeyer, Scott Stoney. At the piano, composer Joseph Thalken, and Michael Rader. From the staged reading of “THE BLACK CROOK” PROJECT by Michael Slade, Joseph Thalken and Mark Campbell. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins