FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, interviews, or press passes, please contact:
Leigh Allen, Marketing Director
leigh@humanracetheatre.org
(937) 461-3823, ext. 3112
OVER THE TAVERN and THROUGH THE LOFT,
WE’LL HAVE A FIRST-RATE PLAY…
and LOTS OF LAUGHS, TOO
DAYTON, OH - August 20 - The play that set Tom Dudzick on the path to being proclaimed the “Catholic Neil Simon” will open the 2008-2009 Eichelberger Loft Season of The Human Race September 4 - 21, bringing with it rollicking laughs, heartfelt moments, a nun who’s quick with a ruler and quicker with care, and a spaghetti dinner that somehow never arrives.
The Human Race Theatre Company presents Over the Tavern, where the Pazinski family represents Dudzick’s own - mom and dad and four adolescents struggling with faith, growing up, and trying to get along in Buffalo in 1959. From Dudzick’s alter (and altar) ego, 12-year old Rudy, to septuagenarian Sister Clarissa, every character rings true – and funny. No wonder the Chicago tribune called Over the Tavern “A hilarious and touching depiction of 1959 Americana. Absolutely enchanting…a little bit of heaven!”
The Human Race production is directed by Pamela Hill of Columbus, whose most recent Dayton presentation was A Tuna Christmas last year. The cast is a mixture of adult guest artists and local teenagers.
The terrifying Sister Clarissa is played by Joan Shepard, who’s at ease working with child actors because she was one – a 7-year old extra in Laurence Olivier’s Broadway production of Romeo and Juliet. Her long and busy career has ranged from Broadway to the Disney movie College Road Trip, and Over the Tavern is her sixth time portraying a nun.
Mom Ellen is played by Chicago based Margaret Knapp, who has a long list of both acting and directing credits, ranging from Twelfth Night to Rhinoceros. Dad Chet is New Yorker Jeff Williams, whose career has included Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang on Broadway, The Sopranos on TV, and the movie musical of The Producers.
15-year old Alexander McCracken, a homeschooler from Lebanon, plays the irascible Rudy; Valley View 8th grader Drew Attaway plays 13-year old Georgie; Oakwood High junior Caroline Clarke is 16-year old Annie; and Northmont sophomore Trevor Coran is 15-year old Eddie.
Behind the scenes, Terry Stump designed the set, Laine June Marr the costumes, Human Race Resident Artist John Rensel the lighting, and Charlie Parker the sound. Human Race Artistic Director Marsha Hanna is the producer.
Sponsors for The Loft Season are The Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation, with additional support from NCR, Morris Home Furnishings, Premier Health Partners, the Sam Levin Foundation and Jim and Enid Goubeaux. Show sponsors for Over the Tavern are Marion’s Piazza, Mrs. Wallace E. Johnson, Houser Asphalt and Concrete, and a group of area pubs and taverns.
Over the Tavern will have a preview night September 4 and official opening night September 5, with a run through September 21. Tickets and more information are available at humanracetheatre.org, or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or (888) 228-3630.
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Founded in 1986, The Human Race Theatre Company moved to the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at the 219-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces for the Victoria Theatre’s Broadway Series, the Musical Theatre Workshop series, and special event programming. The Human Race, under the direction of Artistic Director Marsha Hanna and Executive Director Kevin Moore, also maintains education and outreach programs for children, teens and adults, as well as artist residencies in area schools, The Muse Machine In-School Tour, Youth Summer Stock, and The Human Race Conservatory. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Shubert Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.