The Human Race Theatre Company to Present Lewis Black's ONE SLIGHT HITCH, 4/7-24
By: Tyler Peterson Mar. 17, 2016
For years, Lewis Black has been a nationally recognized comedian and social critic thanks largely to his regular "Back in Black" segments on The Daily Show and multiple Comedy Central specials. But years before he was a successful stand up, Black aspired to be a playwright, first studying at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before earning an MFA degree at the Yale School of Drama. He served as the associate artistic director and playwright-in-residence of New York City's West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theatre Bar, where he developed hundreds of one-act plays in the 1980s. Black's stand-up comedy began as an opening act for the plays. His full-length plays include The Laundry Hour, The Czar of Rock and Roll, Nightfall and The Deal. His comedy CDs have earned him two Grammy Awards, and as an author, three of his books, Nothing's Sacred, Me of Little Faith, and I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas are New York Times best sellers. On film, Black has starred in such movies as Accepted, Unaccompanied Minors and Man of the Year, but is now probably best known as the voice of "Anger" in Disney/Pixar's hit animated film, Inside Out.
Black wrote One Slight Hitch in the early 1980s, inspired by his breakup with a girlfriend who married quickly after their separation. Confused and upset over her nuptials, he turned his pain into a comedy that had some initial success with readings at various regional theatres and festivals. It was even optioned for Broadway before interest in the script faded for the better part of 30 years. Now a published work, Black attributes the play's newfound success to his celebrity status as the "King of Rant," but cautions that it is very different than his stand-up persona. "If my name weren't on it," he says, "nobody would know that I wrote this play."
Director Margarett Perry returns to The Loft Theatre after having helmed The Human Race Theatre Company's March 2015 production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike in the Victoria Theatre. The Resident Director at Ithaca, New York's Kitchen Theatre, Perry has developed and directed new works Off-Broadway and in regional theatres across the country. Her other shows for The Human Race include Other Desert Cities, God of Carnage, Painting Churches, The Retreat from Moscow and the world premiere of Michael Slade's Under a Red Moon. One Slight Hitch, however, holds a special place in heart as it allows her the opportunity to finally direct a play by one of her oldest, dearest friends, Lewis Black, and to bring her long-time collaborator, Brian Dykstra, along for the ride. "Brian and I have known Lew for years," says Perry. "We met him when we were doing a play of Brian's at the West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theatre Bar and Lew opened for our show every night with a 20 minute set. I had just moved to New York City. Lew was just getting started as a comedian, but we knew he was something special. When we first found out that this comedian would be opening for our show, we thought, 'What?! How is that going to work?' Obviously, it rocked." Bound by a common sense of humor, the trio's friendship has never wavered. She fondly recalls seeing Black perform on numerous occasions throughout the years and of more relaxed times at the West Bank Cafe's weekend midnight comedy shows. "I have an enormous amount of respect for both Brian and Lew and so I'm really looking forward to working with both of them and sharing their talents with Dayton audiences," beams Perry. "I'm getting nostalgic, but it's just magical that all these years later we are working on Lew's play in Dayton at The Human Race." The director wants to let everyone in on one pleasant surprise, "You may not see it from his performances on The Daily Show, but Lew has a big heart. So naturally, One Slight Hitch is a funny, smart play with a big heart."
CAST AND DESIGN TEAM
Perry has assembled a seven-member cast, most of whom will be new to Loft Theatre audiences. New York City actor and playwright Brian Dykstra (Lucky Guy on Broadway, The Body Politic and Call Me Waldo Off-Broadway, All the Way at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis) is the harried father of the bride, "Doc." Rita Rehn (Nine on Broadway, Last Dance and Defiance Off-Broadway) plays his wife, "Delia." Alex Curtis (The Grapes of Wrath at Trinity Rep and Yellowjackets at Berkeley Rep) is "Ryan," the ex-boyfriend with the worst timing. New York-based actress Dana Berger (Elementary on CBS, Seminar at Kitchen Theatre Company) is the bride, "Courtney," and the oldest of three daughters. Cincinnati native Alex Sunderhaus (HRTC's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at the Victoria Theatre and August: Osage County, HRTC's collaboration with Wright State University) plays middle sister "Melanie." Centerville High School junior Cecily Dowd (Muse Machine's Mary Poppins) is teenage daughter "PB." Cincinnati Conservatory of Music alum Kyle Nunn (HRTC's Miracle on South Division Street) returns for his second comedy at The Loft as Courtney's fiance, "Harper," a role for which he was hand-selected by Lewis Black himself.
Dayton area artist Ray Zupp takes his first turn as scenic designer at The Human Race, having created sets for a number of regional performing arts organizations. One Slight Hitch marks frequent Human Race costume designer Janet G. Powell's twelfth production at The Loft. Resident Artist John Rensel is the lighting designer. Todd Mack Reischman (HRTC's Seussical, Big River), resident sound designer at Indiana Repertory Theatre, serves as the sound designer. Kay Carver is the production stage manager.
Biographies on the cast and creative team can be found on The Human Race Theatre Company's website.
The Human Race Theatre Company's production of One Slight Hitch is sponsored by India and John Clarke and the Theda and Tamblin Clark-Smith Family Foundation, Doug Annala and Sam Rinehart, Heidelberg Distributing Company, Burhill Leasing Corporation and Matthew J. Scarr, CPA LLC.
Performance and special event information
Tickets for the preview performance of One Slight Hitch on April 7 start at $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $17.50 for students. For all performances April 8 - 24, single ticket prices start at $40 for adults, $37 for seniors and $20 for students. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. The Human Race is offering a pair of discount ticket opportunities. Side-area seats are available at all performances for $25 each, on sale two weeks prior to performance. The Sunday, April 10 7:00 p.m. performance is "Sawbuck Sunday", when any available seat can be purchased in person for just $10 at The Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.
All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center's Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Show times for One Slight Hitch are 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Performances on Sunday and Tuesday evenings begin at 7:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday matinees.
Tickets and performance information on One Slight Hitch are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.
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