Dayton Live and the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) are excited to be back for in-person and virtual performances this year! After a long break there is no doubt we are ready to get back to watching some amazing opera, ballet, and Broadway shows. Numerous live stream performance options are available and in some instances live performances with safety protocols in place to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. Call 937-228-3630 for the latest updates or to make purchases, or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
*Check back in frequently as shows, dates, and times are often changing
Beethoven 8 And Florence Price: In-Theatre & Live Stream
Jan 23, 2021 | 6:00pm & 8:30pm | Schuster Center | $50 | Live Stream Option
The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO) is thrilled to be back on stage in the Schuster Center for their first Masterworks concert of the new year! The concert opens with Florence Price’s Violin Concerto No. 2. Then, continuing our two-year celebration of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, the DPO performs his Symphony No. 8, a short, spirited work composed between two much more famous symphonies, yet a definite force in its own right that celebrates the composer’s playful side. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Discovery Virtual Field Trip: Black Violin Streaming: Live Stream
Feb 4 - Mar 14, 2021 | Stream Anytime | Live Stream | FREE
Black Violin enters the student virtual space with an all new, high energy, performance that takes their unique blend of classical music, hip-hop, jazz and pop to new heights. Recorded at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, this engaging, high definition multi-camera video covers themes of perseverance, exploration and unity with songs like “Rise,” “Unbreakable,” “Believer,” “Dreamer” and “Impossible is Possible.”
Embedded in the performance are messages for students and educators about challenging stereotypes and status quo conventions, and that pathways to success require commitment, practice and unwavering dedication.
Scientific Exposure With Anand Varma & Prasenjeet Yadav -- Streaming
Feb 9, 2021 | Stream Anytime | Live Stream | $25
Natural history photographers working with National Geographic have often emerged from scientific backgrounds, enabling them to reveal wildlife and our natural world in surprising ways. Molecular biologist-turned-photographer PRASENJEET YADAV combines his experience in research with his photography skills to highlight natural history and science stories in Asia. And ANAND VARMA has developed innovative techniques to create stunning images of creatures whose details are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Join them for stories and conversation on the intriguing intersection of science and photography. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Dance and Romance: In-Theatre & Live Stream
Feb 12-14, 2021 | 7:30pm & 3:00pm | Victoria Theatre | $50 | Live Stream Option
The full Dayton Ballet company of dancers is thrilled to be back on stage at their home at the Victoria Theatre and what better weekend to celebrate than Valentine’s Day weekend! The dancers have prepared a series of duets that explore all the emotions of love, from ecstasy to anger to tenderness to adoration, and everything in between. Enjoy the artistry, athleticism, and sheer beauty of our 18 professional dancers. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Now & Then: In-Theatre
Feb 18 - Mar 7, 2021| 2:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm | The Loft Theatre | $17 - $48
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. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Don Giovanni: Essential Opera: In-Theatre & Live Stream
Feb 27, 2021 | 3:00pm, 8:00pm | Schuster Center | $50 | Live Stream Option
DON GIOVANNI: ESSENTIAL OPERA presents this essential work of the opera repertory in a way that responds to the needs of our current times and to our artists and audience. The performance will focus on the essence of the music and drama in an abridged, 90-minute production (with no intermission) that captures all of Mozart’s greatness in an exciting and 21st century way. This compact format will adhere to social distancing and other health parameters for a welcomed and safe experience for both our artists and audience. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Feats Of Filmmaking With Bryan Smith & Keith Ladzinski -- Streaming
Mar 16, 2021 | 7:00pm | $25
Meet two filmmakers renowned for capturing extreme feats of adventure in some of the world’s most remote and inhospitable environments. Based out of British Columbia, BRYAN SMITH brings stories of adventure to the screen from the South Pacific’s deepest canyons to the frozen waters of Niagara Falls. KEITH LADZINSKI takes on the seemingly impossible – including chasing tornadoes, hanging from massive natural arches, and swimming with alligators – to document the endeavors of the world’s most elite adventurers. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
The Best of John Williams: In-Theatre & Live Stream
Mar 20, 2021 | 6:00pm, 8:30pm | Schuster Center | $50 | Live Stream Option
Often called “America’s composer,” John Williams has been creating movie music since 1959. He has won 24 Grammy Awards and has been nominated 51 times for an Academy Award, winning the coveted statue five times over the years. His staggering number of Academy nods makes him the second-most nominated individual for the Oscar, next to none other than Mr. Walt Disney himself. In fact, Williams has composed the soundtrack for eight of the 20 highest grossing films at the U.S. box office. To say that John Williams has had a great influence on the very fabric of American culture over the last 60 years is an understatement! This March, the Williams musical magic continues as Neal Gittleman and the Dayton Philharmonic prepare a Pops performance that pays tribute to even more music from this Hollywood legend. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Angel Blue: Opera Star Recital: In-Theatre & Live Stream
Mar 28, 2021 | 3:00pm | Schuster Center | $50 | Live Stream Option
Dayton Opera is thrilled to celebrate its 60th Anniversary with an Opera Star Recital featuring the sensational soprano, ANGEL BLUE. This recital will also celebrate a special 25th anniversary of Artistic Director Thomas Bankston’s leadership of Dayton Opera.
Acclaimed for the beauty of her voice and her stunning stage presence, ANGEL BLUE is quickly rising to the top of her profession. She travels the world in high demand, and Dayton has the great fortune of hearing her in the sonic splendor of our own Schuster Center this March. Her recital will showcase wide-ranging repertoire from composers of opera and song literature, as well as African-American spirituals. This Opera Star Recital promises to be a very special occasion at the Schuster Center to celebrate Dayton Opera! Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Mysterious Seas With Diva Amon & David Gruber -- Streaming
Mar 30, 2021 | 7:00pm | $25
Get a glimpse into the ocean’s greatest depths – and the fascinating creatures that live there – with two leading marine biologists. DAVID GRUBER searches the oceans for bioluminescent and biofluorescent marine species and designs delicate and noninvasive tools for studying and interacting with deep-sea life. DIVA AMON participates in expeditions around the world to study the unusual animals living in a variety of deep-sea habitats – and how humans impact them. Through stories and conversation, they’ll shine a light on this dark, cold, and mysterious world. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today! Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Johnny Mathis- The Voice of Romance Tour
Apr 1, 2021 | 7:30pm | Schuster Center | $42 - $122
Celebrating his 64th year in the music industry, legendary singer JOHNNY MATHIS is Columbia Records’ longest-signed artist. A sublime vocalist whose approach to pop music eclipses passing fads and trends, Mathis has performed songs in an incredible variety of styles and categories — from music composed for stage and film to golden era jazz standards, contemporary pop hits, and holiday music, all of which has assured his reputation as one of the most enduring vocalists in music history. On April 1, 2021, Mathis comes to Dayton at the Schuster Center to perform some of his greatest hits and personal favorites. Come hear why Johnny will always be the Voice Of Romance! Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
STOMP
Apr 9 - Apr 11, 2021 | 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 6:30pm, 8:00pm | Victoria Theatre | $29 - $59
STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews, and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured and the addition of two new full-scale routines, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans. As USA Today says, “STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” STOMP. See what all the noise is about. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Incident At Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Apr 15 - May 2, 2021 | 2:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm | The Loft Theatre | $17 - $53
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 keeps 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. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Dayton Funk: A Tribute To Dayton’s Funk Legacy -- In-Theatre & Live Stream
Apr 17, 2021 | 6:00pm, 8:30pm | Schuster Center | $50 | Live Stream Option
With The Dayton Funk All-Stars and special guests! The Dayton Philharmonic travels back in time to Dayton during the ’70s and ’80s when our city emerged as the “World Capital of Funk.” The R&B charts of these two decades topped out with more hits from Dayton artists than from almost any other American city. Celebrate this era of Dayton with us as symphony fuses with jazz, blues, and rock, as we team up with The Funk Center and the University of Dayton’s Funk Symposium to celebrate the history, legacy, and future of Dayton’s unique brand of American popular music. Join us live in the Schuster Center or live-stream the performance from the comfort of home as we celebrate the era of Funk in the Gem City. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Cinderella --- In-Theatre & Live Stream
Apr 23 - Apr 25, 2021 | 3:00pm, 7:30pm | Victoria Theatre | $50 | Live Stream Option
Dayton Ballet dons its glass slipper and takes another giant step forward in reviving live dance with one of the most popular and most widely performed classical ballets of all time – CINDERELLA! Prokofiev’s beautiful music has inspired the most acclaimed of choreographers to bring the fairytale character to life on stage, perhaps as Prokofiev himself envisioned her. Artistic Director Karen Russo Burke originally choreographed this production in 2013, with all the intrigue, love and humor one would expect from one of the world’s most iconic rags-to-riches love stories. Dayton Ballet brings to the stage a condensed presentation of this story ballet – just 70 minutes long with no intermission – with such artistry, exquisite dancing, and a healthy dose of humor, that another word might just come to mind when we say “Cinderella”—magic. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
La Traviata: Essential Opera --- In-Theatre & Live Stream
Apr 24, 2021 | 3:00pm, 8:00pm | Schuster Center | $50 | Live Stream Option
LA TRAVIATA: ESSENTIAL OPERA presents a second essential work of the opera repertory as we continue in a format that responds to the needs of our current times and to our artists and audience. The performance will also focus on the essence of the music and drama in an abridged, 90-minute production (with no intermission) that captures all of Verdi’s greatness in an exciting and 21st century way. We will continue to adhere to social distancing and other health parameters for a welcomed and safe experience for both our artists and audience. In this tragic tale of love, like Alfredo, you will be swept away by Violetta’s celebrated charm, even if you know in advance that she is “la traviata” – the woman who strayed. Though their love is doomed from the start, it’s no less passionate. You’ll be riveted by the compelling story of thwarted love set to Verdi’s rich and evocative music. Bring a handkerchief for the end, when those who love her most gather around Violetta’s bedside in a final, heartbreaking ending. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Beethoven 1 And The Firebird -- In-Theatre & Live Stream
Beethoven 1 And The Firebird | May 1, 2021 | 6:00pm, 8:30pm | Schuster Center | $50 | Live Stream Option
Composed on the threshold of a new century, Beethoven’s First Symphony broke free from the influence of Haydn and Mozart and was certainly viewed as iconoclastic by the Viennese audience of 1800. The DPO concludes a two-year celebration of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth with this visit to Symphony No. 1. Composed for the renowned Ballets Russes, Stravinsky’s sumptuous Suite from The Firebird is filled with the stuff of legends: a prince, captive princesses, the Firebird’s magic feather, and the evil ogre Kastchei. Vibrant colors and rich harmonies glitter and pulse with fantastic effects, ending with a shimmering climax proclaiming a happy ever-after. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Disney’s The Lion King In-Theatre
May 6 - May 23, 2021 | Schuster Center | $36 - $164
Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s THE LION KING, making its triumphant return to the Schuster Center! More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, THE LION KING brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award®-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
One Vision: The Music of Queen --- In-Theatre & Live Stream
June 5, 2021 | Schuster Center | $50 | Live Stream Option
As one of the best-selling bands in history, Queen has been considered a rock ’n’ roll icon since the 1970s. With over four decades of music and 18 number-one albums to their credit, they are recognized as one of the most influential British rock bands of all time. Dayton favorites Jeans ’n Classics joins the Dayton Philharmonic to pay homage to Freddie Mercury and Queen for a Rockin’ Orchestra concert to bring the DPAA Reimagined Season to its we-will-rock-you end. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Dr. Evan Hansen --- In-Theatre
Jun 8 - Jun 13, 2021 | Schuster Center | $29-$109
A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. DEAR EVAN HANSEN features a book by Tony Award® winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal). Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend
Jun 10 - Jun 27, 2021 | The Loft Theatre | $17 - $53
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.” Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Cats
Jul 6 - Jul 11, 2021 | Schuster Center | $26 - $89
Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater — “Memory.” Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. The original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom, School of Rock, Sunset Boulevard), original scenic and costume design by John Napier (Les Misérables), all-new lighting design by Natasha Katz (Aladdin), all-new sound design by Mick Potter, new choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne (Phantom) and direction by Trevor Nunn (Les Misérables) make this production a new CATS for a new generation! Experience CATS for the first time as it begins a new life for a new generation… or let it thrill you all over again! Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Anastasia
Jul 20 - Jul 25, 2021 | Schuster Center | $26 - $89
Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical ANASTASIA is on a journey to Dayton at last! From the Tony Award®-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Everything That's Beautiful
Jul 29 - Aug 15, 2021 | $17 - $48
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. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Airness
Oct 21 - Nov 7, 2021 | The Loft Theatre | $17 - $48
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. This is a comedy about competition, completion, and finding the airness inside yourself. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
Grimmz Fairy Tales
Nov 6, 2021 | Victoria Theatre | $17 | Sensory Friendly Option
A hip-hop revelation for the younger generation! Meet two modern-day hip-hop street performers, Jake and Will, who bring the stories of the Brothers Grimm to life with a contemporary urban spin, as they and a few of their friends turn records and dance circles around some of the most beloved and well-known fairy tales collected by the famous German brothers of old. Featured tales include “Cinderella,” “Hansel and Gretel,” “The Frog Prince,” “Rapunzel,” “Snow White & the Seven Shawties,” “The Brave Little Tailor,” “The Six Swans,” and “The Elves and the Shoemaker.” These tales include R&B, pop, reggae, and rap, with a little Run-D.M.C.-inspired rock and roll. Call 937-228-3630 or email tickets@daytonlive.org to purchase tickets today!
