THE GEM CITY
10. “The Woman in Black” (Dayton Theatre Guild)
Credit: RICK FLYNN
Credit: RICK FLYNN
Stephen Mallatratt’s quietly captivating adaptation of Susan Hill’s novel triumphed in the moody hands of director/designer David Shough and exceptional actors Jim Walker, Matt Meier and Caitlin Larsen Deer. Every single aspect of this strikingly atmospheric production was in beautiful alignment including its spooky fog and sound effects heightening the eerie ghost story’s drama and mystery. And in doing so, the experience exemplified the Guild’s eclectic artistic pedigree.
9. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (Dayton Playhouse)
Credit: RAY GEIGER
Credit: RAY GEIGER
Go, go, go Joe! Themes of community, family and forgiveness overflowed in this exuberant showcase directed by Dawn Roth-Smith and led by principals Krystal Jasmin Combs and Aaron Joseph Brewer. An adorable Children’s Choir, Kiersten Farmer’s flavorful choreography, Theresa Ankenman’s colorful costumes, and Tristan Cupp’s eye-catching camel puppet greatly accented the lighthearted fun.
8. “Peerless” (Human Race Theatre Company)
Credit: HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY
Credit: HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY
Jiehae Park’s engrossingly dark and satiric adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” concerned ruthless twins battling the cutthroat world of college admissions. Under the direction of Marya Spring Cordes, unafraid to use the Loft Theatre space as an immersive playground, fabulous Human Race newcomers Dinithi Fernando and Palini Sunkara dominated with chatty, cruel glee, especially in an unnerving scene opposite a rival student terrifically portrayed by Matthew Shanahan. In many respects “Peerless,” the kind of contemporary, cutting edge work the Human Race should continue to embrace to attract newer, younger patrons, gave disturbing, mesmerizing Netflix vibes, which felt appropriate in the year of “Baby Reindeer.”
7. “West Side Story” (La Comedia Dinner Theatre)
Credit: JUSTIN WALTON
Credit: JUSTIN WALTON
La Comedia’s transition of ownership from Joe Adkins to Dave and Sherry Gabert was among the success stories within the Dayton arts community this year. Credit also goes to the Gaberts elevating Chris Beiser to resident director/choreographer status considering he’s helmed more than 60 shows for the organization. Beiser’s excellently sung and danced mounting of Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents’ classic musical soared with romance (Marco Giacona and Stephanie Garcia as Tony and Maria), sizzled with dance (Tina DeAlderete as Anita) and stung with hatred (Ed Iverson as Lt. Schrank) — just as its creators intended. May we continue to collectively strive to reach that utopia called Somewhere.
6. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Wright State University)
Credit: ERIN PENCE
Credit: ERIN PENCE
After 27 years of nurturing and shepherding young talent including future Broadway performers and a multiple Tony Award-winning producer, Joe Deer directed and choreographed his final show as a full-time Wright State faculty member. The goofy silliness and touching emotional depth exhibited in the lives of William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s kooky group of adolescent spellers, expertly double cast, didn’t miss a beat.
5. “Into the Woods” (TheatreLab Dayton)
Credit: MACKENSIE KING
Credit: MACKENSIE KING
Co-directors Philip Drennen and Kaleb Smith’s wonderfully clever take on Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s assemblage of fairy tales resonated with strong narrative impact (Luca Meyers energetically investing in the entirety of Act 1), poignant principals (Kyle Channell and Mackensie King rediscovering love while reconciling as The Baker and The Baker’s Wife) and musical thrills (Madeline Stern’s strikingly possessive rendition of “Stay With Me” as The Witch).
4. “A Doll’s House” and “A Doll’s House, Part 2″ (Wright State University)
Credit: WRIGHT STATE THEATRE
Credit: WRIGHT STATE THEATRE
Henrik Ibsen’s legendary saga of Norwegian housewife Nora Helmer, reimagined with contemporary bite 138 years later by Lucas Hnath, gave audiences plenty to ponder as directed with intimacy and intensity by Marya Spring Cordes (”A Doll’s House”) and Emily N. Wells (”A Doll’s House, Part 2″). Julia Daigh’s pre-liberated Nora and Alexis Wentworth’s empowered Nora were equally superb in appeal, wit and command.
3. “South Pacific” (Dayton Performing Arts Alliance and Wright State University)
Credit: SCOTT ROBBINS
Credit: SCOTT ROBBINS
The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance and Wright State University’s collaborative 75th anniversary production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical received a fantastically streamlined, radiantly performed treatment under the stage direction of Joe Deer and artistic direction of Kathleen Clawson. Principals Robin Dunavant (Nellie Forbush), Morgan Smith (Emile de Becque), Kristen Choi (Bloody Mary), Jake Lockwood (Luther Billis) and Ryan Bryce Johnson (Lt. Joseph Cable) mastered their roles and musical numbers, particularly Johnson’s riveting rendition of “You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught,” a remarkable declaration that still stings with relevance. Also, if you’re listening DPAA and WSU, Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies” will be celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2026.
2. “Disney’s The Lion King” (Dayton Live)
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Director/designer Julie Taymor’s visually stunning Tony Award-winning spectacle hasn’t lost one ounce of steam or splendor since taking Broadway by storm 27 years ago. The outstanding national tour struck a chord in opulence and magnetism, particularly in the portrayals of Peter Hargrave’s dastardly Scar, Thembelihle Cele’s comical Rafiki and Nick Cordileone’s razor sharp Timon.
1. “Hamilton” (Dayton Live)
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Really great musicals have the power to not only entertain but inspire. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s dazzlingly diverse, Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning hip-hop masterpiece, exquisitely staged by Thomas Kail and phenomenally choreographed by Cincinnati’s Andy Blankenbuehler, will always remind us of where America has been and the more perfect union America can still become. During the climax of election season, this simply fantastic national tour, featuring A.D. Weaver’s outside the box physical embodiment of George Washington, packed an absolute punch. I’ll also never forget overhearing a patron tell someone during intermission, “I can see why you’d want to see it over and over and over.” I couldn’t agree more.
Contenders: “9 to 5,” Muse Machine; “Anne of Green Gables,” Dayton Christian High School; “The Apple Tree,” Wright State; “Baritone Hue,” Dayton Live; “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” Archbishop Alter High School; “Campaigns, Inc.,” Dayton Theatre Guild; “Carrie,” Wright State; “The Cher Show,” Dayton Live,”; “Godspell,” University of Dayton; “Hadestown,” Dayton Live; “Into the Woods,” Epiphany Lutheran Church; “The Kite Runner,” Dayton Live and Human Race Theatre Company; “Les Misérables: School Edition,” Carlisle High School; “Mamma Mia!,” Centerville High School; “One Man, Two Guvnors,” Beavercreek Community Theatre; “Ride the Cyclone,” Sinclair Community College; “Sense and Sensibility,” Cedarville University; “Superior Donuts,” Dayton Theatre Guild; “The Spongebob Musical,” Clark State College,” “Tina — The Tina Turner Musical,” Dayton Live; “[title of show],” TheatreLab Dayton; “True West,” Dayton Theatre Guild; “What the Constitution Means to Me,” Magnolia Theatre Company; “The Wizard of Oz,” La Comedia Dinner Theatre.
BEYOND THE GEM CITY
10. “Illinoise” (Broadway)
9. “Once Upon a Mattress” (Broadway)
8. “Stereophonic” (Broadway)
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
7. “Hell’s Kitchen” (Broadway)
Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
6. “The Outsiders” (Broadway)
Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
5. “Purpose” (Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago)
4. “The Notebook” (Broadway)
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
3. “Gypsy” (Broadway)
2. “Oh, Mary!” (Broadway)
1. “Sunset Blvd.” (Broadway)
Credit: FACEBOOK PHOTO
Credit: FACEBOOK PHOTO
Contenders: “An Enemy of the People,” Broadway; “The Big Gay Jamboree,” Off-Broadway; “Cabaret,” Broadway; “Hair,” Short North Stage, Columbus; “The Hills of California,” Broadway; “How I Learned What I Learned,” Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; “Little Bear Ridge Road,” Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago; “Mother Play,” Broadway; “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” Otterbein University; “Nine,” The Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.; “Our Town,” Broadway,” “Romeo and Juliet,” Broadway; “Suffs,” Broadway.
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This column is by Dayton Daily News Lifestyles Reporter Russell Florence Jr. Sign up for his weekly “Gem City Living” email newsletter at daytondailynews.com. Click “my account.”
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