The Human Race, Dayton’s premier professional theatre company, is excited to announce the 2020-2021 Season at the Loft Theatre. This, their 34th season of producing in the Miami Valley, emphasizes The Human Race’s mission – to explore the human experience and promote enlightenment, inclusion and understanding through quality entertainment – with their Dayton Premieres.
“Every show this season is a first in Dayton,” states Human Race Artistic Director and Founding Member, Kevin Moore. “This includes a collaborative world premiere, as well as multiple regional and local premieres that will stimulate the conscience of our community and the talents of our artists.”
”We are very excited about our 34th season because it exemplifies the work we are known for” said Executive Director, Kappy Kilburn. “It’s all new, smart, funny, touching, insightful, important and thought provoking.”
The 34th season kicks off early this year, in August, with the mysterious comic-drama, Now And Then by Sean Grennan. Then in October, they’ll rock the Loft Theatre with Airness, a new play by Chelsea Marcantel that follows whacky participants in the Air Guitar World Championship. The winter brings us the thoughtful and timely drama of a family dealing with a transgender child, Everything That’s Beautiful by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder. Spring blooms with laughter as the O’Shea family must confront the Incident At Our Lady Of Perpetual Help by Katie Forgette. And closing the season in June is a new musical, co-written by a WSU grad and Human Race alum, Christian Duhamel, and composer Edward Bell – the title says it all – My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend.
Plus, there are two Human Race “Extras” this season. The first is the eight-organization collaborative performance, The Art Of Us: A Dayton Mosaic on September 12 and 13 at the Schuster Center – which will include the commissioned World Premiere performance of “Miriam.” And in December, the Dr. Seuss lampoon Who’s Holiday will play December 10-27 in the Loft Theatre for a hysterical look at what became of “Cindy Lou Who.”
Subscription renewal packets will be available starting February 27th at all performances of Gloria: A Life. Subscribers will have until May 3rd (EXTENDED to MAY 31 due to pandemic closures) to renew their subscriptions. Subscribers will also be able to add the “Extras” at a special rate, but these are limited time offers. The Art Of Us: A Dayton Mosaic discount is availble through May 30, 2020; Who’s Holiday discount is available through August 17, 2020.
New subscribers can join anytime and enjoy all the benefits as well as the early discount ticket prices to the two “Extras.” Contact Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630 or www.daytonlive.org.
Join Dayton’s professional theatre for a season of Dayton Premieres.
The Human Race Theatre Company
2020-2021 Loft Theatre Season – Dayton Premieres
NOW AND THEN by Sean Grennan Aug 27 – Sept 14, 2020
Sometimes what happens after last-call just might change your life forever. One night in 1981, just as Jamie is closing the bar where he works, a desperate last-minute customer offers him and his girlfriend Abby two thousand dollars to sit and have a drink with him. Who wouldn’t take it? As the trio swaps stories and Jamie considers the decisions he faces about his musical career and his future with Abby, the young couple begins to realize that this older man is unusually invested in their choices…and the reason he gives them is completely unbelievable. But when a very displeased second stranger arrives, the unbelievable begins to look like it just might be true. Now and Then is a heartfelt romantic comedy about the costs of the choices we make, and the people who make them with us.
AIRNESS by Chelsea Marcantel Oct 22 – Nov 8, 2020
When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next champion, she discovers that there’s more to this art form than playing pretend; it’s about finding yourself in your favorite songs, and performing with raw joy. Will Nina be able to let go and set herself free onstage? Following her mission to shred or be shredded, Airness is an exuberant reminder that everything we need to rock is already inside us. A comedy about competition, completion, and finding the airness inside yourself.
EVERYTHING THAT’S BEAUTIFUL by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder
Feb 18 – Mar 7, 2021
When Luke and Jess decide to allow their 8-year-old Morgan, who was assigned male at birth, to identify as female, they relocate in order to give the family a clean start. Luke takes a job at the local waterpark, where he meets Gaby, the girl in the mermaid tank. With money tight, Jess starts working at a local coffee shop where she meets Will. These new relationships provide an escape from an already complicated family life. But when an accident threatens to expose the truth about Morgan, tensions run high. Luke finally admits the real reason they moved, a confession that could potentially destroy their family. Faced with losing his child and his family, Luke must decide what’s worth fighting for.
INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP by Katie Forgette Apr 15 – May 2, 2021
A money-strapped family tries to cope in 1973. 19-year-old Linda O’Shea is our narrator and she is attempting to re-enact the most turbulent day of her life, but her family keep interrupting to tell their side of the story. The 70s were a time of old school living; no social media, and public ridicule in a close-knit community was the ultimate nightmare. When her parents ask her to explain to her younger sister about the birds and the bees, somehow the blunt explanation is overheard by the parish priest and he is not amused. When he confronts her parents about the “corruption of their eldest daughter’s very soul,” all “holy Hell” and hysteria breaks loose in this nostalgic comedy.
MY 80-YEAR-OLD BOYFRIEND: A New True Musical Jun 10 – 27, 2021
Book & Lyrics by Christian Duhamel Music & Lyrics by Edward Bell
Originally Conceived & Performed by Charissa Bertels
In this delightful new musical, Charissa, a quirky, twenty-something actress, meets Milton, a quick-witted, eighty-something millionaire who loves Schubert, Shakespeare, and Dallas BBQ. From a chance encounter to the unlikeliest of friendships, Charissa discovers there’s much she can learn from her surprising new companion. Based on the true story of performer Charissa Bertels, My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend reveals the thrill of chasing a dream, the power of living in the now, and all that can happen when we let ourselves say “yes.”
HUMAN RACE EXTRA!
WHO’S HOLIDAY by Matthew Lombardo Dec 10 -27, 2020
Our special holiday show is a wildly funny and heartfelt adults-only comedy that tells the story of Cindy Lou Who as she recalls that Christmas Eve she first met the Grinch and the twisted turn of events her life has now taken.
You saw her last when she was just two
Celebrate the holidays with Cindy Lou Who
Pull up a seat and fill up your cup
‘Cause your favorite little Who is all grown up
A special price of $30 for any seating is available to Human Race subscribers through August 17, 2020.
(Rated R for adult language and sexual innuendo)
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
+Resident Artist of The Human Race Theatre Company.