LEGENDALE, SEX WITH STRANGERS and More Set for The Human Race's 2017-18 Loft Season

By: Jan. 30, 2017
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The Human Race Theatre Company has introduced the lineup for its 2017-2018 Eichelberger Loft Season - a five-show collection of works that are sure to entertain as the organization begins its third decade of producing high-caliber professional theatre for Miami Valley audiences. The season, featuring one new musical and four plays, begins September 7, 2017.

The 2017-2018 Eichelberger Loft Season opens with the American premiere of a hilarious and inspiring new musical about the power of fantasy - Andrea Daly and Jeff Bienstock's Legendale (September 7 - October 1, 2017); followed by the Midwest premiere of Brian Parks' comedy of home buying gone horribly wrong, The House (November 2 - 19, 2017); Laura Eason's popular story of dating in the modern world, Sex with Strangers (February 1 - 18, 2018); Neil Simon's heartwarming story of family, Brighton Beach Memoirs (April 5 - 22, 2018); and closes with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] (May 31 - June 24, 2018), an irreverent roller-coaster ride through the Bard's canon by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield and featuring a three-person ensemble lead by Human Race Resident Artist Bruce Cromer.

"It's rare that we produce a season with an underlying theme," says Human Race President and Artistic Director Kevin Moore, "but with the recent stressful and uncertain times of late, we saw this as a golden opportunity to do our best to lighten the mood." While the selection of shows does not shy away from the company's mission of sharing stories that tell the human condition, Moore took great consideration to choose scripts that had great comedic elements to them. "Some of the humor is very clever, some of it is dry. There's also a great deal of over-the-top, roll-on-the-floor outrageous physical comedy. But best of all, these are-at their heart-just incredible stories with fascinating characters. We have the elements of fantasy, modern day farce, intimacy, nostalgia and audience participation. What's not to love?"

The five plays perform in the Loft Theatre, The Human Race's intimate 212-seat downtown performance space, located in the Metropolitan Arts Center at 126 North Main Street. Throughout the productions' scheduled three- and four-week runs are a number of associated special events: a Thursday night preview performance, preceded by the "Inside Track" discussion with the director; Friday Opening Night with a free post-show party with the cast; Lite Fare at the Loft, a Tuesday night pre-show dining in the Loft Lobby, with food items provided by Citilites Restaurant; a "While We're on the Subject" talkback following a Sunday matinee; and a Saturday night signed and audio-described performance opportunity.

Watch a video about the season below!

THE 2017-2018 EICHELBERGER LOFT SEASON LINEUP:

Legendale

music by Andrea Daly

book and lyrics by Jeff Bienstock

story by Bienstock and Daly

American Premiere

September 7 - October 1, 2017

Andy's favorite way to escape his miserable job and humdrum life is the online game "Legendale." He dreams of victory in its new tournament and winning the $100,000 prize, but is stuck competing as a lowly milkmaid. When things in the online world suddenly take a strange turn, Andy and his avatar must both discover their inner warrior. A blend of romance, adventure and virtual reality with a pop-infused score, it's an inspiring tale like no other that's sure to delight.

The House

by Brian Parks

Midwest Premiere

November 2 - 19, 2017

After twenty years in their dream house, Martyn and Shanny Redmond are downsizing and just sold the home directly to the perfect thirtysomething couple, Fischer and Lindsay Libett. Or so they thought. Sure that the Libetts will keep the place exactly as they're leaving it, the Redmonds invite them for drinks, casual conversation and to hand over the keys. But when Fischer and Lindsay reveal they are planning major renovations, Martyn and Shanny have second thoughts and a pleasant get together becomes an outrageously hilarious battle of wills with over-the-top results.

Sex with Strangers

by Laura Eason

February 1 - 18, 2018

Failed novelist Olivia meets Ethan, a celebrated (and much younger) writer made famous by his sexcapade tell-all blog, at a snowbound bed and breakfast, and their mutual attraction quickly gets hot and heavy. As a weekend tryst develops into a long-term romance, their personal and professional lives collide. Ethan seeks legitimacy, dismissing his bad boy reputation as nothing more than an invented character. Olivia has her doubts, but craves for the literary fame Ethan can offer her. Ambition, identity and trust are in play when online personas clash with real world expectations in this smart, steamy take on modern love.

Brighton Beach Memoirs

by Neil Simon

April 5 - 22, 2018

He has holes in his shoes and liver on the dinner table, but all teenage Eugene Jerome can think of is girls, baseball and writing-in that order. There's hardly a moment's peace in a house filled with his domineering mother, over-worked father, and worldly older brother, not to mention his widowed aunt and her two maturing daughters. Simon's semi-autobiographical comedy about growing up in a crowded, lower middle class home in 1937 Brooklyn is a touching coming-of-age classic that proves no matter how crazy life gets, family can make it crazier.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]

by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield

May 31 - June 24, 2018

Get ready for a show like no other. It's an irreverent, roller-coaster ride with the Bard that will leave you breathless with laughter as three incredibly talented actors take on all 37 of his plays in just 97 minutes...with a good amount of creative editing. Part improv-run-amok, part audience participation, all delightfully absurd, this merry mashup for the whole family leaves no funny bone untickled and features a comic troupe lead by one of Ohio's finest Shakespearean actors, Human Race Resident Artist Bruce Cromer.

Subscriptions are available in 3-, 4- and 5-show packages, as well as in Flex Pass plans. Package prices range from $99 - $206, and discounted subscriptions are available for students. Current 2016-2017 season subscribers can guarantee their seats by renewing before April 24, and reservations for new subscriptions can be made now to be seated starting May 8. Both renewing and new subscribers may place their orders with Ticket Center Stage by calling (937) 228-3630 or by visiting the Schuster Center Box Office. Productions, performance dates and ticket prices are subject to change. Single tickets to Legendale go on sale May 30, with tickets to future productions on sale later in the season.

More ticketing and performance information on The Human Race Theatre Company's 2017-2018 and 2016-2017 Loft seasons are available online at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, The Human Race Theatre Company was founded in 1986 and moved into the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at the 212-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces new works development and special event programming. Under the direction of President and Artistic Director Kevin Moore, the company also maintains education and outreach programs for children, teens and adults, as well as artist residencies in area schools, an In-School Tour, and a summer youth program. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, the Shubert Foundation, the Erma R. Catterton Trust Fund, the Jesse & Caryl Philips Foundation, the Virginia W. Kettering Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council, which helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The 2016-2017 Sustainability Sponsors are the ELM Foundation, Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, and Morris Home. The 2016-2017 Loft season sponsor is the Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation of the Dayton Foundation, with additional support from Premier Health.

 

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