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Leigh Allan, Marketing Director
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HUMAN RACE BRINGS
THE VERTICAL HOUR TO THE LOFT
To Be Involved in World Affairs,
Or Not to Be - that is the question

DAYTON, OH - January 19 - In pitting personal philosophies against global politics, David Hare’s drama The Vertical Hour brings out all kinds of conflicts – man versus woman, youth versus age, British versus American, cynicism versus activism – with a hint of domestic triangle on the side.

Human Race Theatre Artistic Director Marsha Hanna wanted to bring The Vertical Hour to The Loft stage after she saw it on Broadway. “The dialogue is dynamic…it shows how political viewpoints are compromised by family relationships,” says Hanna, who is directing the production that will run January 28 to February 14.

The core of the play is a face-off between Nadia, an American war-correspondent-turned-professor, and Oliver, the British doctor father of her boyfriend, Philip. The face-off directly involves the Iraq war, but grows into a much wider conflict over international involvements.

The New York production was known for its star power, with stage veteran Bill Nighy drawing raves as Oliver and Julianne Moore making her Broadway debut as Nadia. The Human Race production will also be showcasing highly-skilled performers.

Human Race Resident Artist Bruce Cromer of Yellow Springs, who has transfixed audiences in our region for many years, most recently in The Loft in Brother Wolf, plays Oliver. “Bruce is able to create an environment that makes (the other actor’s) response the only logical one...that’s an Oliver trait.”

Playing the volatile Nadia is New York-based Kathy McCafferty. “Kathy has a high energy level,” says Hanna, “Great spark and drive that quickly puts her at the edge, but with a soft feminine side.”

Playing Philip, Nadia’s boyfriend and Oliver’s son, is Wright State grad and native Daytonian Todd Lawson. Lawson’s used to that sort of position vis-à-vis Cromer, not only because Cromer was his teacher and mentor at WSU, but because in recent years Lawson has played Young Scrooge to Cromer’s Scrooge in Playhouse in the Park’s A Christmas Carol.

Completing the cast as Nadia’s students are two actual college seniors – Jasmine Batchelor of WSU and Trevor Day of the UC College Conservatory of Music.

The Vertical Hour set is designed by Mark Halpin, with costumes by Laine June Marr and Lighting by HRTC Resident Artist John Rensel.

The Vertical Hour will have a preview night January 28, with official opening night January 29 and performances through February 14. Tickets are available by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or toll-free (888) 228-3630 or via www.humanracetheatre.org.

The production is the fourth in The Human Race’s 2009-2010 Eichelberger Loft Season, Production sponsors are Rob & Leesa Comparin; First Church, A United Methodist Community; Maryann and Jack Bernstein; Martha Moody Jacobs and Martin Jacobs; and Jon & Diana Sebaly.