La Bohème

One of Giacomo Puccini's famous operas, "La Bohème," is on stage at Clowes Memorial Hall. The opera, set in Paris around 1830, follows a poor group of friends who are all true starving artists, musicians and poets.

The show is sung in Italian, but the English translation is projected on a screen above the stage. It's split up into four acts, with two 15 minute intermissions and a brief break between the first and second act.

The sets are masterpieces. Incredible scenes are laid out for each act, seducing the audience into the illusion of the Parisian world.

The performers' sumptuous voices resonate with each delicious sentence they sing. There's something beautiful about the rolling Italian syllables. They can turn the most mundane chatter into a work of art. Each character's voice has a unique lyrical cadence and they all melt together to create a glorious sound.

I wasn't expecting the show to be so hilarious. The friends have an easy camaraderie and their banter is cheeky. Fans of the Broadway musical "RENT" will recognize the characters and story, because it is a modern day retelling of "La Bohème."

Despite their poverty, the characters find happiness in their love for each other. In the words that the main character, Rodolfo, sings to his new love, Mimi, "In my dreams I build castles in the air; in my soul I'm a millionaire," you can feel his elation even though he is freezing.

The heart of the opera lies in the crippling fear of losing the one you love the most. Love is a risk, but you can never experience its joy without being willing to lose it.

The final two performances are at 8 p.m. tonight (Friday, Nov. 20) and 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 22, so hurry to get tickets. The Indianapolis Opera is presenting the limited engagement show as part of its three show season. Next up is "The Mikado" in March 2010.

Photo Courtesy of the Indianapolis Opera

Never the Sinner

The true story of Leopold and Loeb is one that has fascinated people for decades. Two wealthy young men decided to commit the perfect murder in 1924. The cocky college students take down a young boy and assume they've proved their genius with his demise. Quickly their plans begin to unravel as the evidence mounts against them and they find themselves on trial for their lives.

"Never the Sinner" is a play based on the murderous tale and it was recently on stage at The Theater Within, located in Fountain Square.

The stage is small and unassuming, mere feet from the audience. The set is simple, the cast is limited and yet the director, Rod Isaac, manages to pull off just the right ominous tone. His use of eerie imagery projected on a blank screen to transition between scenes was chilling.

Zach Stonerock is excellent as the fidgety and condescending Leopold. He is both incredibly intelligent and socially stunted. He finds the attention he longs for in his relationship with Loeb. Nate Walden is Loeb, as different from Leopold as fire from ice. He is a charming, self-assured playboy who acts out of boredom and a desire for fame. Only his piercing eyes give a glimpse of the fury that resides just below the confident surface.

The show provides a fascinating look at the psychology that drives a man to murder and the consequences those actions lead to. The opposing legal counsels in the case add another facet with the question of the morality of defending admitted killers. The simple question of why anyone would do this haunts audience members long after the show ends.

Though this show has closed its run, The Theater Within has released its season for next year (see below). Visit their website for more information, http://www.thechurchwithin.org/theaterwithin/theaterwithin.html.

Photo Courtesy of The Theater Within.

"The Twilight of the Golds"
by Jonathan Tolins

Performances: March 12-27, 2010
If your parents knew everything about you before you were born, would you be here? That is the question posed in this entertaining drama. All is well when Suzanne Gold and her close New York family discover that she is pregnant, until a prenatal test reveals that the baby will most likely be homosexual. The news forces the entire Gold family to confront issues of bigotry, evolution and the limits of love.

"Proof"
by David Auburn

Performances: June 11-26, 2010
Catherine has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the notebooks that her father left behind. Over the weekend that follows Catherine faces the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father’s madness—or genius—will she inherit?

"Death and the Maiden"
by Ariel Dorfman

Performances: Nov. 5-20, 2010
Set in an unnamed country that is emerging from a totalitarian dictatorship, the play explores the after effects of repression on hearts and souls. Paulina Escobar’s husband Gerardo is to head an investigation into past human rights abuses. Dr. Miranda stops at Escobars’ to congratulate Gerardo. Paulina overhears them and is convinced that Miranda supervised her prison torture sessions. She ties him to a chair and conducts her own interrogation, gun in hand. Escobar doesn’t know whether to believe his distraught wife or his persuasive new friend.

The Giver

"The Giver" is one of the first dystopian books I ever read. I was in junior high at the time and I remember being completely awed by this strange society, where everything seemed perfect at first, but the dark secrets of the community were quickly revealed. The book fascinated me and challenged my thinking, which is why I was filled with both excitement and apprehension when I found out "The Giver" was part of the Indiana Repertory Theatre's season this year. Anytime a book resonates with you it can be difficult to see that story brought to life on stage or film. There's always the fear that it won't be recreated quite like you imagined it and it will somehow mar the integrity of the story.

The IRT's version of "The Giver" did nothing but enhance my original feelings. It's an amazing production, condensed to an 80 minute show with no intermission. The set, costumes and acting all played their unique parts in capturing the menace of the sterile society that values "sameness" above all else. The story is told from the point of view of Jonas, a 12-year-old who has been selected to receive all of the memories of generations past from the "Giver."

The set and costumes are all created in shades of gray, because color has been eliminated from the community. In an effort to get rid of the bad elements that exists in any society, much of the good has been removed as well. If there are no lows, there will be no highs; no hate, but also no love. This is the conundrum the futuristic world faces. The clever use of color was expertly done; subtle touches of it slowly increase as Jonas' awareness increases.

The book has many logistical issues that the IRT surmounted with ease. They had to find a way to show memories of sledding, snow, sunshine, sailing, hunger, etc. They're creative solutions and the talented seven-person cast did an fantastic job, especially considering half the cast was 13-years-old or younger.

One of the highlights of any IRT show is the post-show discussion the cast occasionally holds. If one is offered at any show you attend I would highly recommend sticking around for it. Robert K. Johansen, who played Jonas' father, hosted one during my visit and hearing the thoughts and questions of both the cast and fellow audience members was a wonderful addition to experience.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Saturday, Nov. 21 on IRT's Upperstage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252.

Tickets: To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com Prices begin at $29 with discounts available for students.

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois Street and southbound Capitol Avenue.

Photo Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre

The Heavens Are Hung In Black

I wasn't sure what to expect with the Indiana Repertory Theatre's season opening show, "The Heavens are Hung in Black." The play focuses on Abraham Lincoln's presidential term and in less gifted hands it could have become a dry historical drama. Instead it's a portrait of a tortured man. A man wracked with grief, who is forced to make some of the toughest political decisions of all time, all while desperately trying to hang on to his sanity.

The play was originally commissioned by the Ford's Theatre, where Lincoln was assassinated, in Washington D.C. This being the bicentennial year of Lincoln's birth, there's no better time to bring it to an Indiana stage. It's relevance is obvious on that front, but its deeper significance becomes evident as the show progresses. America has a black president for the first time and Lincoln was the the man behind the Emancipation Proclamation which gave slave their freedom so many years ago.

The show is written by IRT's playwright-in-residence James Still. His deft skill at dialogue manages to infuse a sweet humor into the most dire of settings. Though it's clear Lincoln never forgets the nation's troubles, or his own, he still embraces every opportunity to share a laugh.

The extraordinary supporting cast elevates the entire show. Mary Todd Lincoln: the neglected wife, spiraling into madness; John Hay: the devoted aide; Stephen Douglas: the firecracker who opposes Lincoln's every decision; Edwin Booth: an actor full of pomp and Walt Whitman: the poet commenting on it all from a distance. Each of these characters and many others were played by wonderful actors who brought a rich depth to each scene.

The set has an open, airy feeling. It's designed to operate primarily as Lincoln's office, but a battle field with soldiers tents fill the background, giving the audience a constant reminder of the war being fought. The costumes were also impressive, giving the show an authentic feel and making it easier to get caught up in the building tension Lincoln faces.

The scene that opens the second act made the whole show for me. Lincoln has wandered into a theater to escape the rain and stumbles upon a practicing theater troupe. They invite him on stage and as they trade lines of Shakespeare, Lincoln adds a few of his own. Even though he is outside of the White House and away from his insufferable stream of staff members, you can immediately tell how heavy the war weighs on him. It's clear that the crushing pressure is something he never truly escapes, even in his sleep.

It's a tale of a turbulent time in our nation's history when one man struggled to lead, while everything around him, including his personal life, crumbled. Lincoln was one of the most fascinating people to lead this country and this play gives audiences an entrancing glimpse into his world.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Saturday, Oct. 25 on IRT's Mainstage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252.

Tickets: To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com Prices begin at $29 with discounts available for students.

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois Street and southbound Capitol Avenue.

Photo Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre

Evita

The Indianapolis Civic Theatre kicked off its 2009/2010 season with a big Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but not with a Midwest regular like "Phantom of the Opera" or "Cats." Instead the ICT chose "Evita," the story of a real woman from Argentina who became an icon to her country during her short life.

Evita, whose real name was Eva Perón, lived a rags-to-riches, fairy tale life. Though her country was racked with rebellion and discontent, she managed to climb the society ladder from her start in a poor family to becoming the country's first lady. She married Argentina's president, Juan Perón, and won over the people's hearts with her political activism.

The choreography and costumes were two stand out elements in this show. Each scene was filled with constant movement, making the most mundane scene fascinating with delicate dances between the characters. The costumes captured the 1930s glamour and poverty. There were glorious hats, gloves and gowns next to labor workers' kerchiefs and peasant skirts.

Philip Christiansen's played President Juan Perón, a role that seemed simple at first, but his quiet portrayal brought a calming balance to Evita's overwhelming presence. Christiansen made Perón love for his wife evident in his attentive concern for her health and happiness and continual defense of her within the ranks of his military.

Mikayla Anne Reed stars as the legendary Evita. The talented actress embraces each stage of Evita's transformation with a grace and intensity that leaves audience members both enthralled with the performance and curious to learn more about the enigmatic woman. During her time of infamy she was called both a saint and a whore. She was lauded as a savior and condemned as a manipulator. Reed doesn't shy away from any of these labels. Instead she shows what Evita truly was, a multi-faceted woman driven by a fierce ambition and love for her country.

The result is a refreshing show that gives a glimpse into Evita's short life and her lasting impact on the world.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: Performances begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The show continues until March 29. The Indianapolis Civic Theatre is located at 3200 Cold Spring Road on the Marian College campus.

Tickets: Ticket prices start at $25 and can be purchased by calling (317) 923-4597 or visiting www.civictheatre.com.

The Indianapolis Civic Theatre has also just announced its 2010 season, which includes five new shows. The season includes the following shows,
"The Elephant Man" "The Wizard of Oz" "Bus Stop" "Carousel" "A Flea in Her Ear"

Two additional shows, "Camelot" and My Fair Lady," are sponsored by Duke Energy and will be performed for only a single weekend each.

For more information of to purchase tickets, visit www.civictheatre.org.

Photos courtesy of Aladin Images, Inc.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" is one of the rare musicals that was made into a movie long before it ever reached the stage. It was released in theaters in 1954 and become a stage musical in 1985. It is on stage now at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre for the first time in almost a decade.

Seven brothers live alone up in the mountains. Their house is full of men and in desperate need of a female hand. The eldest brother, Adam, goes into town and returns with a wife, Milly. Soon all of the brothers want their own wives. Inspired by an old Roman tale, the brothers decide to steal their wives from the local town.

The show's lead couple, Tony Lawson, who plays Adam, and his wife Milly, played by Krista Severeid, are a couple in real life and will marry two weeks after the show closes. Their chemistry is clear on stage and whether fighting or courting, they are delightful to watch together.

The camaraderie between the seven brothers works well. Fun dance sequences and a constant stream of laugh-inducing interactions keep the show moving along, making it a fun night out for the whole family.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Oct. 4. Doors open for evening performances at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The buffet is served from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.
For Wednesday matinees doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the buffet is served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The show begins at 1 p.m.
For Sunday matinees doors open at 12 p.m. and the buffet is served from 12:15 to 1 p.m. The show begins at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets: To purchase tickets call (317) 872-9664 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Prices range from $34 to $57 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre has also just announced its 2010 season, which includes five new shows. The season includes the following shows,
"The Foreigner"
"Footloose"
"Hello, Dolly!"
"Always…Patsy Cline"
"High School Musical"
"Church Basement Ladies"
"Camelot"
"White Christmas"
"A Beef & Boards Christmas 2010"

For more information visit www.beefandboards.com.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

Much Ado About Nothing

There are few things as magical as watching Shakespeare's work being performed outdoors. Even the Globe Theatre in London was designed to recreate the original roofless Globe, combining the Bard's beautiful words and starry nights.

The Heartland Actors' Repertory Theatre presented a weekend of Shakespeare on July 31st and August 1st. The show, "Much Ado About Nothing" was performed on a simple, yet beautiful set in White River State Park. With the river created the perfect backdrop and the performers shared barbs and banter as the sun set.

When performed without a sense of humor Shakespeare can feel stale and archaic, especially a comedy like "Much Ado About Nothing." HART's performers took the classic material and brought it alive, embracing the author's wicked wit. The cast included seasoned actors like Charles Goad and Mark Goetzinger, talented HART regulars Ben Tebbe, Michael Shelton and Diane Timmerman, a few newcomers and many others. They quickly captured the audiences' attention.

Despite slight bouts of rain the majority of the crowd stayed put, braving the storms under parkas and umbrellas. The lighting, set and costumes all added wonderfully to the experience. The sounds system was the only element that needed improvement.

HART first offered this FREE, yes completely free, event last year for a single night. This year they expanded the event to two nights. Individuals were encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, food and drink to the show and enjoy preshow entertainment and beautiful intermission music in addition to the play. There were also food and drink vendors, restrooms and fold out chairs available for those who didn't come quite as prepared.

Make sure you keep an eye out for next year's performance. It is truly a sublime summer treat. Sometimes supporting live theater requires only your attendance. In return you get a chance to experience Shakespeare as it was originally intended, live and under the stars.


Heartland Actors' Repertory Theatre, a fully professional company. Past productions include readings of “Happy Birthday, Wanda June” and “An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe” and "Midwestern Hemisphere. For more information about HART and its upcoming events visit www.heartlandactors.org.

Photo Courtesy of HART