Stage Write

Radio Golf

2012-01-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

Radio Golf is the tenth and final play in August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle. The Indiana Repertory Theatre has produced plays from this series in the past (The Piano Lesson and Gem of the Ocean), each of which has had its own unique feel. Each of the 10 different plays are set in one decade of the 20th Century and look at issues the African American community have had to deal with during that time. This newest production, set in 1997, is on stage now.

An ambitious man, Harmond Wilks, returns to the rundown neighborhood he grew up in to spearhead his campaign for Mayor and a redevelopment project in the area. One house is set to be torn down to make way for a Whole Foods. The man who grew up in the home claims he still owns it. The house happens to be the setting of Gem of the Ocean, the first play in the cycle, which makes it a nice bookend for the series.

At the IRT there's always something to love, but a few of the elements in this production fall short. At two hours and 45 minutes, many scenes feel bloated and could have been cut. The plot is ambitious, but loses its focuses in the second act when it tries to address too many issues at once.

What makes the play interesting though are the characters and the talented performers who bring them to life. Old Joe, played by Abdul Salaam El Razzac, is the highlight of the show. He lights up the stage with his lanky frame and conveys deep messages with a single glance. He dispenses wisdom with his odd stories and is both bitter and playful in equal measures. His performances alone would make the show worth seeing, but the rest of the cast does a great job as well.

A huge kudos goes to Vicki Smith for creating an unbelievably realistic set. The neglected office building looks like it has been in that spot for decades. You can see telephone wires and old homes in the distance behind it. The aged pipes and peeling paint all add to the exceptional design.

One additional note, the IRT offers options for visually and audio-impaired audience members. Be sure to check and find out what performances feature sign language or other options to fit your needs.

Don't Miss the Show

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. "Radio Golf" runs until Sunday, Jan. 29 on IRT's Main Stage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com

Photos Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre

Broadway Predictions: Spring 2012

2012-01-21T07:13:00.000-08:00

This Broadway season is packed with promising new shows. Check out this article for more details and to see a few of my predictions.

Photos of Once and Newsies from Broadway.com

Dixie Swim Club

2012-01-18T05:07:00.000-08:00

The Dixie Swim Club introduces audiences to five friends and former swim team members who meet in a North Carolina cottage each year to reconnect. No husbands, no kids, no work; everything else is fair game.

Part Steel Magnolias and part Same Time, Next Year, this estrogen-fueled story of friendship provides a sweet opener for the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s new season. The cast features a mix of B&B regulars and newcomers. Angela Plank plays the organized Sheree. The actress has made her mark at the Phoenix Theatre over the past few years, but this is her first show at Beef & Boards. She does an excellent job playing the group’s mother hen.

Sarah Hund is a delight, as always, as the accident-prone Vernadette. I think she could truly make any character loveable. Rita Thomas takes on my favorite character, Dinah, a workaholic with a wicked sense of humor who knows her way around a martini shaker. As the other women find the groove Thomas nails her character from the start.

Jeri Neal (Laurie Walton) plays a sweet-natured nun and Jill Kelly takes on the self-centered Lexie. The two opposites remind us that sometimes it may seem like we have nothing in common with our friends, but often it’s our differences that make our friendship strong.

The show is split up into different time periods in the women’s lives. Each time we see them a few more years have passed and each new era brings with it a handful of new problems. Whether its divorces or new beaus, troubled kids or trouble at work, the women support and encourage each other through the new challenge.

The show is a celebration of friendship, especially those that last a lifetime.

Don't Miss the Show   Performances:

The show runs until Feb. 12. 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 $37 to $60 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts; call the box office for more details.   

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

Million Dollar Quartet

2011-12-14T12:56:00.001-08:00

On December 4, 1956 four singers got together and made recording history. That night is the subject of the Broadway Across America musical Million Dollar Quartet, on stage now at the Murat Theatre. Set in the Sun Records recording studio in Memphis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis blend their distinct styles to create something unique. The result is a concert of famous oldies, including everything from gospel to rock and roll.

The cast is incredibly talented. Not only do the four members of the quartet nail the individual singing aspect of the performers they are portraying, they also play their instruments (guitars and piano) amazingly well. They shine on both the rowdy hits, like Party, and the quiet hymns, like Peace in the Valley. Along with rocking performances, the show provides a history lesson. I’d never heard of Carl Perkins and had no idea he wrote and performed Blue Suede Shoes, topping the pop/country/blues charts long before Elvis covered it.

Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records, is the thread that strings the show together. His ability to see the potential in each individual is what helped them on their way to stardom. There are a lot of egos packed into the small studio and Phillips works hard to manage the temperamental talent. His sincerity and hopefulness provide the heart of the show.

When Johnny Cash appears the show takes off. The Man in Black is played by Derek Keeling and even in the midst of so much talent, he manages to take it up a notch. He nails Cash’s trademark bass-baritone and his songs reverberate throughout the hall. Another treat is Cody Slaughter as Elvis. They called him Elvis the Pelvis for a reason. The King’s stage presence, or in this case Slaughter’s, make him a thrill for the audience.

Jerry Lee Lewis (Martin Kaye) has a wild, unrestrained energy. As the youngest in the group he is bursting at the seams with ambition. Lee Ferris plays Carl Perkins, the most frustrated in the group, but with good reason. In Tuesday’s performance, the role of the bassist Jay Perkins was played by the understudy David Sonneborn, who did a wonderful job. There's not a single weak link in the production.

These men ushered in a whole new era of music, proving once and for all that rock and roll was not fad. You can no longer see the originals perform live, but this is the next best thing and it’s not to be missed.

Don't Miss the Show

The show runs until Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Murat Theatre so hurry to get tickets to the show. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Photos Courtesy of Broadway Across America

Beef and Boards Christmas 2011

2011-11-29T15:03:00.000-08:00

Beef & Boards has toned down the razzle dazzle in this year’s Christmas show. The quieter production is hugely improved by sweet Christmas carols and a heavy reliance on the talented Holidaires instead of flying reindeer or goofy elves. The quartet is made up of three Smoke on the Mountain veterans and Jillian Wallach, a new addition to B&B.

Jayson Elliott, Sarah Hund and John Vessels have proved their talent in a dozen shows over the past couple years and this performance is no exception. The production is at its best when it allows its performers to relax into roles they excel at. Vessels has a wonderful voice and a unique ability to pull off the silliest bits. He never fails to delight audiences.

Elliott and Hund, in addition to being able to sing, can each play multiple instruments. Their talent is showcased wonderfully as they playfully duel on banjoes, fiddles, guitars and harmonicas. Each of the singers held their own, but newcomer Wallach shone the brightest. She took the reins of O Holy Night, the first female to do so in recent years. Her powerful performance in that song, along with others through out the night, raised the bar for the vocals.

Terry Woods and the BBC orchestra perform live on the stage providing an added level of talent to the variety-style show. B&B always includes a tribute to our men and women in service, which should never be forgotten. They also make a point of highlighting the true meaning of Christmas. Look past the tap dancing Santas and cute kids and you’ll find a quiet manger scene. So whether you’re a regular every year or looking for a new option for the family, Beef & Boards will help you get into the Christmas spirit.

Don't Miss the Show   

Performances: The show runs until Dec. 23. 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 $36 to $59 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts; call the box office for more details. 

Don’t forget to check out the other shows around town. The Indiana Repertory Theatre has A Christmas Carol, the Indianapolis Civic Theatre has Willy Wonka and the Phoenix Theatre has Our Goose is Cooked.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

Mystery Cafe of Indianapolis: All Star Homer-cide

2011-11-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

Raise your hand if you knew the nation’s longest running Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre was located in Indianapolis. I had no idea. The dinner theater performs everywhere from restaurants to audience members’ homes to company functions, but they can be seen regularly at the Milano Inn in Indianapolis.

The current production, All Star Homer-cide, tells the story of an All Star baseball game and the unexpected murder that throws the night into chaos. The show has four acts; each one is separated by a course of food, soup, salad and Italian entrée and dessert. The show changes each month, but the audience participation and dinner remain the same.

Jennifer Estes and Phillip Armstrong star as a variety of characters. The enthusiastic performers throw themselves into the show, taking on multiple roles, crazy costumes and more. Their cheesy jokes and playful banter keep the audience involved.

This would be the perfect night out for that friend or family member who loves to be a ham. Audience members can volunteer to be involved in the show, 15 to 20 are chosen to play a part. When their role comes they read their lines as dramatically as they want and at the end of the night an award is given to the biggest ham.

Don't Miss the Show  

The Mystery Café Indianapolis performs Friday and Saturday nights in the Milano Inn, located at 231 South College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202. "All Star Homer-cide" runs until Saturday, Nov. 19 and up next is “Ho-Ho-Homicide.” Times for performances can be found at their website here.

Graphic Courtesy of The Mystery Café

Amadeus

2011-11-04T11:56:00.001-07:00

The Indianapolis Civic Theatre has officially moved into its new home in the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The theatre, previously located on Marian College’s campus, is now I n a beautiful new venue, complete with a free parking garage whose elevator drops you right in the lobby. The theatre itself has spacious seating and high ceilings.

The 2011/2012 season includes Amadeus, on stage now. The play won a Tony Award and was then adapted into a movie which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The story, a mix of fact and fiction, examines the themes of genius and mediocrity. Two composers in 18th century Austria vie for the emperors’ approval and public’s eye. The first is an upright Italian man named Antonio Salieri. The second is a child prodigy, now at the height of his creativity, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Mozart is as childish and crass as he is brilliant. His immaturity and cockiness grate on the nerves of many in the Austrian court, but no one more than fellow composer Salieri. Despite violating every principle Salieri lives by, he knows that Mozart is still able to create music more beautiful than he will ever make. As much as he hates Mozart, he can’t help but admire and envy his work.

The show rests firmly on the shoulders on John Michael Goodson’s portrayal of Salieri. His wonderful performance oscillates from carefully control condescension to passionate outbursts of disgust and despair in rambling Italian. Add in a simple set, sumptuous period costumes and insane giggle from Mozart and it’s a amazing dramatic addition to your entertainment calendar.

Don't Miss the Show  Performances:

The show closes Nov. 12. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The Tarkington is located at 3 Center Green, Carmel, IN 46032 at the Center for the Performing Arts.  Tickets: Ticket prices start at $26 and can be purchased by calling (317) 923-4597 or visiting www.civictheatre.org

Photos courtesy of the Indianapolis Civic Theatre

Julius Caesar

2011-10-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

Et tu, Brute? The question that has echoed through the centuries since it was first uttered on a stage in Elizabethan England is as timely now as it ever was. The Indiana Repertory Theatre has continued its wonderful tradition of presenting shortened versions of some of Shakespeare’s finest works with its latest production of Julius Caesar. It’s a show that fits easily into the unease of the current
political climate.

The cast is rich with talent. The IRT has an arsenal of excellent actors and I’m sure that choosing a Caesar was a difficult task. Though the title character’s stage time is short, he must make the audience understand the jealousy that is brewing within the hearts of the men who were once his allies. For me, David Alan Anderson was the perfect choice. He has a relaxed jovial attitude, but with a single look he can command a room. This balance demonstrates how the public could love him and the politicians could fear him at the same time.

Another casting coup is Rob Johansen as Cassius. He seethes with bitter discontent, spreading his contagious attitude among the senators of Rome. He is both persuasive and devious in the crucial role.

In business suits and jeans, the cast reflects the modern feel of the set, but the language is thankful untouched. The intermission-free 90 minute performance is more than manageable for both students and adults.

Don't Miss the Show

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. "Julius Caesar" runs until Saturday, Nov. 5 on IRT's Main Stage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or
order online at www.irtlive.com

Photos Courtesy of Julie Curry

It's a Wonderful Life

2011-10-21T04:59:00.000-07:00

It’s a Wonderful Life may not have been a box office smash when it was first released, but in the decades that followed, the film became an American classic. Families watch it together at Christmas, people can quote lines from it, there are even flower shops named Zuzu’s Petals in almost every state.

The reason the movie has become such a holiday staple is because the story is one that’s easy to connect with. Everyone has felt discouraged at some point and it’s easy to believe your life doesn’t matter. That struggle resonates with people and keeps them coming back, year after year. It’s hard to capture the onscreen magic created by the earnest Jimmy Stewart and his town of misfits, but the cast of Beef & Boards' current production brings the story to life.

Sean Patrick Hopkins plays George Bailey with all the sincerity and selflessness needed to make the audience root for him. Stockberger makes a great Uncle Billy and Eddie Curry is in his element as the simple angel Clarence.

The play differs from the movie in a few ways, adding musical numbers and cutting a couple scenes. I particularly missed seeing George’s reaction when he sees his home for the first time, but many audience favorites remain and are sure to bring a few tears to your eyes. To catch the Christmas spirit a little early this year, don't miss It's a Wonderful Life at Beef & Boards.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Nov. 20. Doors open for evening performances at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The buffet is served at 6:30 and the show begins at 8 p.m. One Sundays the buffet is served at 5:30 and the show begins at 7 p.m.

For Weekday 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. For Sunday evenings doors open at 5 p.m. and the buffet is served at 5:30 and the show begins at 7 p.m.

Tickets: To purchase tickets call (317) 872-9664 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Prices range from $33 to $55 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards

Spring Awakening

2011-10-05T01:22:00.000-07:00

The cast of Spring Awakening performed to an incredibly packed house a few days ago. The crowd sat in eager anticipation for the Tony-award winning show’s Indiana premier. Spring Awakening is based on a play written in 1892, which was turned into a Broadway musical in 2006 and gave a few of the Glee stars their big breaks.

Set in 1890s Germany, the plot deals with some delicate subject matter; adolescent sexual awakening, suicide, abortion, rape, incest and more. It’s no frothy Oklahoma. That being said, though it’s clearly not appropriate for kids, its melancholy ballads tell a powerful story that gives adults something to think about after the curtain call.

The production’s two leads, David Terry, who plays Melchior and Wendla, played by Carly Kincannon, are excellent. Young and earnest, their sweet romance is the beating heart of the story. Both actors have the pipes to carry the songs as well. They are particularly good in "Mama Who Bore Me" and "Left Behind."

The Phoenix’ round, open set gives the cast members plenty of room for their many entrances and exits. Bryan Fonseca’s direction is leads the talented cast and live music performed on the stage accentuate powerful songs like, “The Dark I Know Well” and “The Song of Purple Summer."

The Phoenix theatre never shies away from anything taboo and it’s that fearless attitude which often shines a light of subjects that are shrouded in shame. The play was written at a time when teenagers were told nothing about sex, but that ignorance doesn’t equal abstinence. As their bodies change and they grow up their hormones go wild and their innocent minds are left feeling confused and sometimes scared.

Don't Miss the Show   
For more information about the Phoenix Theatre, visit www.phoenixtheatre.org. The theater is located at 749 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis, just off Massachusetts Ave.   
Performances: The show runs until Oct. 23 and offers four performances a week. Thursdays begin at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturdays begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.   
Tickets: To purchase tickets, call (317) 635-PLAY (7529). Prices range from $15 to $20.

Photos Courtesy of Zach Rosing

Going Solo: I Love to Eat and Lost

2011-10-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

The Indiana Repertory Theatre's Going Solo Festival is back for the third year. The festival features three separate one-man shows and gives audiences a chance to compare an contrast some fascinating plays. Each one is 90 minutes with no intermission and highlights one of the IRT's regular performers.

The festival includes a world premier by playwright-in-residence James Still. The show, "I Love to Eat: Cooking with James Beard," introduces us to the host of America's first cooking show. The exuberant chef is played by Robert Neal. His passion for life is contagious and in only a few moments the audience is swept away as he bounces from one side of the stage to the other, guffawing as he goes. Each moment is filled with emotion; the brief flashes of anger or sadness are just as intense as the joy.

Beard is shown as a man who embraced every aspect of life, food music, friendship, language, etc. The portly cook is incredibly alive, bubbling over with his enthusiasm for fresh ingredients and foreign cities. This is the most jubilant performance I've ever seen Neal give and he nails the larger-than-life man.

James Still manages to not only entertain the audience with his quick dialogue, but to capture their hearts as well. After spending only 90 minutes with Beard's effusive personality you can't help but want to learn more about the man behind the food. One-man shows are difficult beasts because they must pair a wonderful play with a talented performer who is well-cast. This show is a great example of what happens when those factors perfectly align.

"Lost: A Memoir" has a darker atmosphere. Cathy, a mother, wife and life-long traveler, searches for her younger brother who is lost at sea. Her journey is one of frustration and grief. She's struggling to find balance in her own life and this latest disaster has set things spiraling out of control. A loss with no closure makes it difficult to move on and let go of the past.

Constance Macy juggles a dozen accents as she portrays not only Cathy, but everyone else she meets on her journeys. With no other actors to bounce dialogue off of, Macy carries the show on her elegant shoulders.

Macy's performance is a beautiful one, but the show itself is harder to connect to. It starts slowly and never quite hits an even stride. It's a touching story, but one that leaves you feeling like Cathy is the one who is truly lost.

The third show, "Nobody Don't Like Yogi," stars Mark Goetzinger. I was unable to make it to a performance, but knowing Goetzinger's work at the IRT, I'm sure audiences won't be disappointed.

Don't Miss the Show

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. The Going Solo festival runs until Sunday, Oct. 23 on IRT's Main Stage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com

Photos Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Lost images by Zach Rosing and I Love to Eat images by Julie Curry.

American Players Theatre 2011

2011-09-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

(The Tempest)

The American Player Theatre, a place of extraordinary talent, is nestled in the Wisconsin hills. As always, this year's season contains some wonderful plays. The APT has an indoor and outdoor theatre, both of which provide intimate venues for performances.

The outdoor theatre is particularly unique. The versatile stage moulds easily to each production. It sprouts curved planks, rising towards the sky like wooden waves or sails for The Tempest. Then bronze doors and benches transform it into an Italian town for Taming of the Shrew and crab grass and barn rafters appear for Of Mice and Men.

One of the APT’s many strengths is its tradition of using a talented core of actors in multiple shows each season. It truly highlights the performers abilities when you can see them in such different roles in the same weekend. One great example of this was Susan Shunk's role as the timid Laura in The Glass Menagerie and then her turn as the strong-willed Miranda in The Tempest. Tracy Michelle Arnold also pulled double duty as the difficult Katherine in Taming of the Shrew and the devoted Spirit in The Tempest.

The Tempest

By definition, a tempest is a violent disturbance caused by wind and this particular show takes audiences by storm. Shipwrecks, fairies, a sweet romance, a magician, Italian nobility, sibling rivalries, wild natives, this show has it all. A magician, Prospero, and his daughter Miranda are stranded on an island for years. Another shipwreck brings them back in contact with the people from their past.

The Tempest contains some of Shakespeare most fascinating characters. From the animalistic Caliban to the wild spirits that do Prospero’s biding, the island is filled with wonders. The main spirit, Ariel, flits about the stage with wren-like movements, never pausing for more than a minute. Miranda, who has lived a sheltered life knowing only two men, has her eyes opened to a whole new world during the course of the play.

Though it's technically a comedy, this particular work by the Bard takes a serious look at learning how to forgive. In the end it is really about Prospero’s journey to choose between forgiveness and revenge. But along the way Shakespeare provides some hilarious shenanigans, creating one of the most beautiful and balanced of all of his plays.

(The Tempest)

Taming of the Shrew

This production is set in the 19th century. The story is well-known, two sisters; the elder a defiant shrew, while the younger is charming and demure. The father won't allow the young sister, Bianca, to marry until someone weds the elder, Katherine. Bianca is all flowery sweetness, while Katherine scowls at everyone she meets.

Add to this a few suitors desperate for Bianca's hand, including Lucentio, who forces his servant, Tranio, to pretend to be him so he can get closer to his love. Tranio's performance is excellent. He has the audience in stitches with a single expressions.

Petruchio takes on the task of "taming the shrew" and in him Katherine meets her match. Their verbal sparring is electric. He can with stand up to her tart rebukes and offers loving smiles when she presents her sour puss. He literary tries to kill her with kindness, or at least break her stubborn streak with it. They quickly learn that though men and women try to find balance in their relationships, they can’t truly attain it until there is mutual respect.

(The Glass Menagerie)

The Glass Menagerie

Laura, a fragile, mousy introvert whose social life is stunted, lives at home with her over-bearing mother. Her brother, Tom provides for them by working in a warehouse, though he dreams of a more artistic life. He’s desperately unhappy, but isn’t sure how to escape.

Sarah Day’s fierce portrayal of their mother, Amanda, is enthralling. She maintains a delicate balance of nostalgic southern charm and vindictive disappointment. She ignores anything unpleasant in their lives and deludes herself into believing that things are perfect. When that veneer cracks, the audience has a chance to see the real Amanda; a frayed bundle of nerves soaked in bitterness who exhausts everyone around her. The absence of their father, who left years before, hangs heavy over the family.

When Tom’s friend Jim stops by for dinner, everything is brought to a head. Emotions that broiled just below the surface bubble over. Jim’s jovial attitude shines a glaring spotlight on the Wakefield’s stale existence.

The jarring music and dramatic lighting embrace Tennessee William’s original vision for the play. His prose are poetic and he can capture the most complicated moods with a simple line. He created two very different women, both of whom are trapped by their memories and past hopes. They’re unable to move forward and their stasis traps Tom along with them.

(Of Mice and Men)

Of Mice and Men

 Steinbeck's story is both powerful and heartbreaking and this production captures that same spirit. Even though you may know what's coming, you can't help but be swept away in the drama. Two migrant workers live life on the road, traveling from farm to farm looking for work in the 1930s. George is a small, shrewd man, always looking out for them. The other, Lennie, is a gentle giant. He has the strength of a bull and the mind of a child.

James DeVita is excellent, as always. He captures George’s frustration, while never letting go of this humanity and hope. Brian Mani embraces Lennie’s childlike enthusiasm and innocence. The repetitive nature of their conversations made any unexpected moments in the play even more unsettling.

The show captures the universal theme of loneliness. No matter who you are, you need someone to talk to and you need something to hope for. George and Lennie’s unique brotherly bond gives them something to hold onto, but they seem doomed to failure from the start.

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APT has such an incredibly talented crew of people that work together so well. Everyone from the actors, directors, set and costume designers, lighting and sound people, etc. make sure each element is handled with the utmost care. They strive for excellence with every show and their efforts are reflected in each new season of plays. This gem of a theatre provides more than just a performance, it gives audiences an experience that shouldn’t be missed. If you've never visited this Midwestern treasure, plan a trip there soon!

More Information:

The American Players Theatre is located in Spring Green, WI only 6.5 hours from Indianapolis and makes a perfect weekend getaway.

The theater's outdoor seats are comfortable, but definitely bring a jacket, rain parka or blanket depending on the weather. The show will go on even if it's chilly or drizzling. There are easily accessible restrooms and concessions at both the Up-the-Hill Theatre and the Touchstone Theatre.

There are plenty of camping/B&B/cabin/hotel options nearby, depending on your preference. You can find additional information about where to lodge, restaurants and other attractions on APT's website.

For more information about APT and Spring Green, WI visit its website.

Photos Courtesy of the American Players Theatre.

Dracula

2011-09-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

The Indiana Repertory Theatre opened its 40^th season with a fang… actually a few of them. The original vampire story is on stage now and gigantic pair of ominous wings set the stage for the perfect Halloween treat.

It would have been easy to make Dracula a caricature, with an overt-the-top accent and cheesy lines. Instead, Wade McCollum’s portrayal gives you chills. This isn't a child's version of Dracula, it’s the character as Bram Stoker originally imagined it; powerful, seductive and terrifying.

At first the show is playful as good friends Mina and Lucy discuss their suitors, but it takes a darker turn as we follow Mina’s fiancé John Harker into Transylvania. There he encounters the Count, who lives alone and friendless in his dark castle.

Playwright Steven Dietz’s adaptation has perfect pacing. He shuffles the order of events from the original text, which reveals the monster at just the right moments. Other scenes overlap to keep the action moving. He also uses Dracula sparingly throughout the show, making his presence all the more frightening when he appears.

The cast, many new to the IRT stage, did a wonderful job. One that particularly stood out is that of the lunatic Renfield, played by Dieterich Gray. His performance is delightfully disturbing.

The set and costume designs provide audiences with lovely period pieces and cleverly designed props which allow for some unexpected scares. Lighting designer Christine Binder had her work cut out for her with flashes of lightning and eerie night scenes, but she’s more than up for the challenge.

For anyone who likes a good scare, it’s not going to get any better than this. Start your fall of right and check out Dracula. Up next at the IRT is the Going Solo festival. For the third year in a row, the theatre is offering three separate one-man shows, each unique and wonderful in its own way.

Don't Miss the Show

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. "Dracula" runs until Saturday, Oct. 1 on IRT's Main Stage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com

Photos Courtesy of Julie Curry

Singin' in the Rain

2011-09-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

As the season changes from summer to fall there’s only one place you can be sure to find rain right now. Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s current show, Singin’ in the Rain, has brought the storms to the stage. A crowd favorite, this classic musical contains well-known songs like “Make ‘Em Laugh,” “Lucky Star” and the title song.

One of my personal favorites, “Moses,” is a playful tap number which highlights the performers’ skills. Doug King, Timothy Ford and Kenny Shepard nail it, having fun, but never failing to stay in synch and hit their marks.

Sarah Hund has proven her comedic chops in a dozen roles at B&B, but her turn as Lina Lamont provides a whole new height. She masters the horrible grating voice and adds her own flare to the role.

King should also be applauded for his understated role as Cosmo Brown. Always the sidekick, Cosmo provides zingers under his breath, taps his heart out and knows how to take an expert fall with the best of them. King was the perfect choice for the role.

The silent films, shown on drop down screens, add another hilarious element to the show. They celebrate the over-acting necessary in that format, long before the “talkies” were around. There’s also a great unexpected cameo from Eddie Curry.

Finally, there’s that famous scene in the rain. Ford throws himself into the number with no holds barred. He splashes across the stage, despite its slippery state, to thunderous applause. Just see if you can watch that scene without a smile on your face.

Tickets for this show are sure to go fast, so get yours quickly.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Oct. 9. 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 $36 to $59 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts, call the box office for more details.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

2011-07-31T14:04:00.001-07:00

This past weekend the Lawrenceburg Shakespeare Company North (LSCN) hosted a free event downtown. The production, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), is a fun romp through all 37 of the Bard’s plays. It celebrates Shakespeare’s talent, while at the same time poking fun at the common themes in his work and the occasional ripped off plot. It takes the highlights from his shows and mashes them together into one whirlwind stream of action.

The 90 minute performance, sponsored by Yelp, was held on the upper mezzanine level of the City Market. With a few rows of chairs and an enthusiastic cast of three, the show took off at a breakneck pace. They flew through scenes from Romeo and Juliet and before you knew it they were on to Othello. Bit and pieces of the original language is kept in tack with hilarious narration and pantomimes added along the way.

The simple set consisted of a large screen which allowed the actors to flit behind it to change wigs and grab props. The unique locale set the scene for an entertaining evening and some last minute effort from the behind-the-scenes crew ensured the cast was miked for the open space. There were even crepes provided by the local eatery, 3 Days in Paris, and Tomlinson Tap Room was open for business.

With lightning speed the actors ran the gamut of pop culture references from Jersey Shores to Glenn Beck. Using new mediums, i.e. cooking shows and impromptu raps, the classic tragedies became comedies. Who knew that Macbeth would be even better with a few added insults, like a well-timed “Haggis Face!”

The ever-changing costumes and playful cast kept the audience on their toes. Elise Lockwood played the occasional straight “man” to Henry Johnston and Stephen Dobbs slapstick duo, providing a good balance to the fun. The second act has a slightly slower pace as the trio made their way through the final play. The audience had a chance to join in on the fun as a few participants were pulled up on stage.

For anyone who has ever written Shakespeare off as a boring stiff, this show will absolutely breathe new life into his work for you. Entertaining, quick-witted and at the same time, a great reminder of the Bard’s brilliance, the show was wonderfully fun. Up next for the group is a September production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. The show will be performed in the Carmel Arts Center Amphitheater. Visit their website for more information .

*Photos courtesy of the Lawrenceburg Shakespeare Company North

Church Basement Ladies 2

2011-07-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

The Lutheran ladies are back with more songs and exclamations of "Uffda!" After last year's show "Church Basement Ladies" proved such a popular musical, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre decided to offer audiences a second helping. The same cast has returned to bring their characters back to life.

Part SNL Church Basement Lady and part sweet Midwestern hometown tale, the plot follows four very different women through a few life changes in 1969 and 1970. One of the show's greatest strengths is the diverse group brought together on the stage. One woman is old, another young, a couple have been married for years, another is a newly wed, another widowed. In addition to the females, there is the pastor, who still trying to find his footing in the church as America moves into a new decade. Each character brings a unique perspective to the table.

The cast seem like it's having fun, which is crucial for the success of a show like this. The playful atmosphere they create is contagious. Though some of the jokes and bits aren't as fresh as they were the first time around, there's still enough new material to entertain, especially with numbers like "Get Back in the Game."

Church Basement Ladies 2 is the perfect, clean show for church groups and families alike. It touches on serious issues as well as the amusing, sprinkling in life lessons along with the laughs. Up next at B&B is the always entertaining show, Singin' in the Rain. Tickets are sure to go fast, so don't wait to get yours.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Aug. 28. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts, call the box office for more details.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

London Globe's Shakespeare: Coming to Indy

2011-06-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

In 2010, four of the plays performed at the Globe theatre in London were filmed for the big screen. Now they’re being shown across the nation. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing two plays live at the Globe in London and both were amazing. I can’t wait to see these.

Shakespeare’s Globe London Cinema Series consists of four in-theater events:

-Monday, June 27th – The Merry Wives of Windsor
-Monday, August 1st – Henry IV Part 1
-Thursday, August 18th – Henry IV Part 2
-Thursday, September 15th – Henry VIII

The following Indiana theaters are participating in this event;

Galaxy 14 - INDIANAPOLIS IN 46256
Eastside 9 - LAFAYETTE IN 47905
Hamilton 16 with IMAX - NOBLESVILLE IN 46060
Metropolis 18 - PLAINFIELD IN 46168
Portage 16 with IMAX - PORTAGE IN 46368
Valparaiso Commons - VALPARAISO IN 46383

Photos from here.

Cinderella

2011-05-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

Less than a month after the world tuned in to watch the British royal wedding, dubbed a "Cinderella story," Beef & Boards’ audiences can see the original Cinderella musical for themselves. This past weekend the theatre was filled with tiny princesses wearing crooked tiaras and bouncing in their seats with anticipation. Knowing their about to see a "real" princess is too exciting for words.

The set is designed with a rotating centerpiece that becomes first a courtyard, then castle and finally a simple country home. Glowing turrets complete the fairy tale atmosphere and set the magical mood.

The most interesting difference between this version of Cinderella and others is the casting of the step-sisters. Instead of women, two men are undertaking the roles. B&B’s regulars, Jeff Stockberger and Doug King, have been transformed into the hideous and hilarious step-sisters. At 6’ 5” (plus a huge wig) Stockberger towers over his fellow actors, while lots of extra padding transforms King into a busty broad. Lindsay Sutton, who plays a very bubbly Cinderella, is dwarfed in comparison. As Shakespeare knew so well, men playing women is endlessly entertaining.

The rest of the cast just adds to the fun. Laura Lockwood's Queen provides a wonderful voice of reason, while Lynne Perkins eggs on her devious daughters as the evil step-mother. Prince Charming, played by Aaron Young, had a wonderful voice, which was showcased during songs like "Ten Minutes Ago." I hope B&B takes advantage of it in future shows.

If you have a daughter, niece or granddaughter, they're sure to love the show. It's fun, sweet and the magical transformation with the horse and pumpkin carriage is enough to make any little girl squeal with delight.

Don't Miss the Show  

Performances: The show runs until July 1. 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 $36 to $59 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts; call the box office for more details.  

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theater

Chicago

2011-05-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

The Actors Theatre of Indiana has finally found a permanent home. Their latest production, Chicago, is on stage now at the Studio Theatre in the Carmel Center for the Performing Arts. The intimate setting is just right for the talented group and fans of their work will now know exactly where to find them.

Chicago starts, and ends, with a bang. The sexy show is set in the 1920s when booze and jazz were “corrupting” the youth in the big cities. Roxie Hart, a young married woman, kills her lover and finds herself first in jail and then in the newspapers as she plots to get herself a verdict of not guilty and a big vaudeville show. Velma Kelly is another singing murderess with high hopes and rough ways. The two women look out for # 1, as does their lawyer, Billy Flynn.

One of the best aspects of the show is the wonderful live band which provides the well-known jazz songs throughout the show. The choreography (by Michael Worcel) is also topnotch. There's not a dull moment as the tireless dancers tap and shimmy their way across the stage.

The supporting roles provided some of the best casting and performances of the show. A few of my favorites from around the Indy theater scene, like John Vessels (as Mary Sunshine) and Paul Hansen (as Amos Hart), nail their characters. I now can't imagine anyone else singing the sad, moody "Mister Cellophane" other than Hansen. Dwandra Nickole plays the Matron and her sassy version of “When You’re Good To Mama” spiced things up, while Bradley Reynolds makes the perfect shallow lawyer, pulling off the puppetry in “We Both Reached for the Gun” like a pro.

There were quite a few Beef & boards regulars in the cast, like Kenny Shepard and Sally Scharbrough. The show was the perfect opportunity for them to cut loose and showcase their sense of humor in addition to their dancing skills. They seemed to be having fun with the roles, especially during the Cell Block Tango (Scharbrough) and as ‘the jury’ (Shepard) in the court room.

There were some audio issues and a few actors’ mikes kept cutting out, but that’s the joy of getting used to a new location. You have to work out all the kinks as you go. Also, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to find the theatre if you aren't familiar with the Carmel area. Many audience members were talking about getting lost because of erroneous online directions.

Don't Miss the Show  The Actors Theatre of Indiana is now located in the Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts, 355 City Center Dr. Carmel, IN 46032. "Chicago" runs until Sunday, May 22. Times for performances can be found and ordered here or by calling the box office at (317) 843-3800. 

Photos Courtesy of the Actors Theatre of Indiana

The 39 Steps

2011-04-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

The 39 Steps is about a man accused of a crime he didn’t commit. The Hitchcock movie of the same name has a dark tone, but anyone expecting a moody mystery is in for a shock. The Indiana Repertory Theatre’s production of The 39 Steps is more Monty Python than suspenseful drama and delightfully so.

The whirlwind play features only four actors, but between them they take on the roles of a man on the run, police officers, a newsboy, underwear salesmen, a Scottish farmer and his wife, spies, a milkman, a performer, a dead body or two, and more! The show makes liberal use of simple props, which adds to the constant stream of laughter.

Getting the audience to enjoy slapstick comedy and cheeky jokes for two hours can be a difficult task, but the IRT maintains the hilarious high throughout the show.

Tom Aulino and the always excellent Rob Johansen deserve massive kudos for their nonstop performances. Both men pull on costume after costume, donning wigs and various hats, to portray the majority of the shows revolving door of characters. They manage to do it with the necessary seriousness to keep a straight face, all the while winking at the absurdity of their task.

The show’s other two actors, Matthew Brumlow and Sarah Nealis, do as great job as well. Brumlow has a particularly interesting task of playing the straight man while everyone else is running around swapping skirts for slacks. Despite the danger, or perhaps because of it, his character is clearly thrilled to be caught up in the madness.

The 39 Steps is the perfect way to close a strong season; with a theatre ringing with audience laughter and eagerly anticipating the 2011/2012 season.

Don't Miss the Show

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. "The 39 Steps" runs until Sunday, May 4 on IRT's Main Stage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com IRT will open its next season with Dracula in September.

Photos Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre

Rock of Ages

2011-04-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

The 1980s never claimed to be subtle and Rock of Ages is no exception. The show embraces every ‘80s cliché with relish, which is part of the fun. There’s lots of leather and lace, big hair and bad mullets, but there’s a lot of laughter too. Broadway Across America’s production of the show is currently on stage at Clowes Memorial Hall. The story focuses on a young woman who moves to L.A. to become and actress during that infamous decade. The story really isn’t the point though; it’s simply a vehicle for providing a concert of hits from the ‘80s.

This is NOT a family show. I stress this mainly because I saw multiple families leave before the intermission. This is clear from the opening seconds when you see a neon Live Nudes sign on stage and an announcer tells everyone not to text during the show because it makes them look like a d*bag. The production is also loud, like any good rock show should be. It’s a lot of fun for adults, but it’s not appropriate for kids.

The ‘80s really did put the rash in trashy and constant references to STDs and a steady stream of strippers doesn’t do much to deviate from that image. That being said, the show pokes fun at itself, which is its saving grace. It never takes itself too seriously and because of this the audience feels free to laugh along.

Constantine Maroulis, the American Idol contestant, reprises his Tony-nominated role for this tour. He plays Drew, an aspiring rocker who works in a night club in L.A. and falls for the aspiring actress. The cast is great and Dennis, the club’s owner, (played by Nick Cordero) is particularly fun. His towering height and gravely voice make him stand out. Travis Walker as the wanna-be German confectionery Franz is also hilarious. It’s the over-the-top characters who shine in this musical, because everything in the ‘80s was over-the-top.

If you loved the ’80s or just loved the music of that era, don’t miss your chance to rock out during this show.

Don't Miss the Show  

The show runs until Sunday, April 17 at Clowes Memorial Hall so hurry to get tickets to the show. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Photos Courtesy of Broadway Across America

Annie Get Your Gun

2011-04-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

If you hear gunshots coming from Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, don’t be alarmed. The theatre is currently hosting a production of the classic musical Annie Get Your Gun.

Tiana Checchia plays the scruffy, backwoods tomboy Annie Oakley. She brings sweetness and spunk in equal measures to the role. She shoots game and looks out for her kid siblings while at the same time swooning over Frank Butler, a sharp shooter in a Wild West show.

There are some well-known, fun songs from Annie Get Your Gun that are still a delight, like “Anything You Can Do” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” Both songs showcase this particular cast’s talents sublimely. The competitive chemistry between Checchia and Curt Dale Clark, who plays Butler, sparks beautifully and Jeff Stockberger and J.R. Stuart make a great comedic duo.

Ellie Oates, an adorable 5-year-old, steals every scene she’s in as Annie’s younger brother Little Jake. Her older sister Molly, along with Brielle Boynton, both do a great job as the other two siblings.

Other numbers haven’t held up as well with the passing of time. “I’m An Indian Too” has wince-worthy lines, like “Just like Rising Moon, Falling Pants, Running Nose, I’m An Indian Too.” This is simply a sign of the culture when the show was created and doesn’t take anything away from the excellence of the show.

The set consists of an elaborate stage and light giving the whole theatre a Big Top feel. From the moment you see it you know you're in for quite a show.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until May 8. 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 $36 to $59 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts; call the box office for more details.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theater

The Gospel According to James

2011-03-28T14:18:00.001-07:00

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is currently hosting the world premier of The Gospel According the James. The powerful show tells the story of the horrific lynching that happened in Marion, Ind. in the 1930s. Two individuals who were involved in the event, Mary and James, reconnect after 50 years and find that their memories differ in some drastic ways. The line between fiction and truth blurs with time and perspective and that is never clearer than when you’re comparing your memories with another person.

Playwright Charles Smith’s dialogue sparks with life in every line. One of the best aspects of the show is the dual nature of each character. There is no clear hero and villain in the traditional sense. Instead each person feels real, with conflicting desires and selfish decisions which cause them to act the way they do.

The production, artfully directed by Chuck Smith, is perfectly cast. Each of the talented actors, many of whom hail from Chicago and are new to the IRT, bring life and empathy to their roles. Tony-nominee Andre De Shields’ performance as James, the only survivor of the lynching, is especially moving. James become the bearer of all memories and mementos of the event and finds his life shaped by the continual telling of the story.

The haunting set combines a mortuary in the 1980s and a forest in the 1930s. The simplicity and beauty of this design offers a smooth flow between the memories and their tellers. Instead of being distracted by rotating sets or backdrop changes, the show never falters, continually peeling away layers of veneer that cover the truth.

There is some adult language and obviously the themes are serious, but everything is relevant and necessary to the story being told. People often go to the theatre purely to be entertained and distracted from their everyday lives, but this is one show that shouldn’t be missed. I’d implore you to make time to see it, because it is an essential piece of Hoosier history. As the play reminds us, it doesn’t help anyone to ignore the past, instead, we need to learn from our ancestors mistakes and never let anything like this happen again.

For more information about the actual lynching visit here.

Don't Miss the Show

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. "The Gospel According to James" runs until Sunday, April 10 on IRT's Main Stage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com

Photos Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre

Grease

2011-03-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

Grease seems like it was made for the stage. The original movie had big dance numbers, bright costumes and melodramatic love stories and if that’s not Broadway fodder I don’t know what is. The show is on stage, presented by Broadway Across America, at Clowes Memorial Hall.

Danny, a bad boy from the T-Birds gang, falls for the innocent Sandy. The T-Birds female counterparts, the sassy Pink Ladies, have a hard time accepting Sandy because of her sweet nature. If you’ve seen the movie, you certainly know what to expect; horny teenagers trying to find the balance between love, sex and peer acceptance while singing great 1950s style songs.

Old favorites, like “Greased Lightning” and “We Go Together” transition perfectly from the silver screen. There are also a few new numbers added to the mix, all in that same ’50 Top 40 style. “Beauty School Drop Out” actually seems better suited for the stage production than the movie. In the movie it’s an odd deviation from the main story, while in this show, it’s a sweet and amusing number with good
vocals.

During the school dance taffeta flies through the air as the students swirl and hand jive in their bright formal wear. Other scenes have Rydell high students crooning at the drive-in or a slumber party. In Tuesday’s performance, Dominic Fortuna took on the role of Vince Fontaine and pulled double duty as an opening act. His friendly banter with the audience and energetic singing got everyone into the mood for the show.

Bottom line, if you grew up loving the movie, you’re sure to enjoy this. Though the characters may not have the same relatable charisma as the film, it’s an entertaining show that will remind you of the songs you used to sing-along to.

Don't Miss the Show

The show runs until Sunday, March 27 at Clowes Memorial Hall so hurry to get tickets to the show. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

As next month’s Rock of Ages brings Broadway Across America’s season to a close, audience members can look forward to next season’s options. BAA announced its 2011-2012 season which includes familiar favorites and a new title fresh from Broadway.

Disney’s Beauty And The Beast - October 11-16, 2011 - Clowes Memorial Hall

The romantic Broadway musical for all generations, Disney’s Beauty And The Beast, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Indianapolis! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song.

Million Dollar Quartet - December 13-18, 2011 - Murat Theatre at Old National Centre

Million Dollar Quartet is the smash hit Broadway musical, inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. On December 4, 1956, these four young musicians were gathered together by Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ’n’ Roll” at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be
one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. The production brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Hound Dog” and more.

Fiddler On The Roof - March 6-11, 2012 - Murat Theatre at Old National Center

The Tony Award® winning musical that has captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal, embarks on its North American Tour. Filled with a rousing, heartwarming score, which includes “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were A Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” the show is a timeless classic. No other musical has so magically woven music, dance, poignancy and laughter into such an electrifying and unforgettable experience. Relive a glorious tradition of the musical theatre with Fiddler On The Roof.

Les Miserables - April 10-15, 2012 - Clowes Memorial Hall

Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, Les Miserables, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes. Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Les Miserables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The musical includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” “Master Of The House” and many more.

Photos Courtesy of JOAN MARCUS, © 2010

Cabaret

2011-03-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

Cabaret has always been one of my favorite musicals. The first half of the show is racy and fun, but in act two the plot takes a darker turn. Woven into the mix of fishnet stockings and cheeky lyrics is a serious tale of prejudice and ignorance. Set in Berlin in the 1930s, the heart of the musical lies in the Nazi uprising and the danger that meant for Jews in the country.

Cliff, a poor American writer, travels to Berlin to write a novel. He finds a decadent world on the brink of disaster. After a trip to the infamous Kit Kat Klub, he meet a British singer, Sally Bowles, and his life becomes much more complicated. All Sally wants is to live life to the fullest and have fun, but her refusal to acknowledge the dire situation caused by the changing political climate in Germany leaves Cliff baffled.

After seeing multiple productions of this show over the years I’ve come to realize that its success always hangs on the performance of the emcee. The androgynous character, originated by Joel Grey on Broadway, is intrinsic to the story. He is both ringleader and outside observer, commenting on the situation without getting involved. To really do it right actors must completely embrace the role, throwing caution to the wind and becoming the mischievous imp with fevor. Jeremy Allen Brimm plays the Kit Kat Klub’s Emcee and he does it beautifully!

The romance between a self-sufficient landlady, Fraulein Schneider, played by Vickie Cornelius Phipps, and a Jewish fruit seller, Herr Schultz (Mark Fishback), add a lovely bittersweet quality to the show. Less dramatic than Sally and Cliff’s romance, the two find their unexpected middle-aged romance will inevitably change the lives they’ve settled into and their forced to decide if love is worth it. The music and lyrics are by John Kander and Fred Ebb respectively and cover a wide range of categories. There’s a national anthem, saucy club numbers and gentle love songs like “It Couldn’t Please Me More.” While this show isn’t a good fit for the whole family, it is a wonderful choice for adults.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show closes March 26. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The Booth Tarkington 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 http://www.civictheatre.org/

The Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre will begin its 2011/2012 season with a move to the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The season's shows include:

The Drowsy Chaperone
(Sept. 9-24)

The Drowsy Chaperone, an homage to the American Jazz Age musical and its restorative effects, begins when the narrator, a die-hard musical fan, seeks to cure his melancholy by listening to a recording of his favorite 1920s musical, which bursts to life in his living room. This whimsical and captivating romp won five Tony® Awards, including Best Book and Score.

Amadeus
(Oct. 28-Nov. 12)

Peter Shaffer’s award-winning Amadeus combines fiction and history to explore the dramatic rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, the late eighteenth century court composer for the Emperor of Austria, who escorts the audience through his recollection of the events leading to Mozart’s death. A Tony® Award winner for Best Play, the story is a dramatic and sometimes humorous look at the struggle between mediocrity and genius.

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka
(Dec. 16-Jan. 7)

Willy Wonka and his band of singing Oompa Loompas lead Charlie Bucket and his quirky cohorts on a tantalizing tour of the mysterious candy-maker’s fantastical factory. This holiday treat features many memorable songs including “The Candy Man,” “I Want It Now!” and “Pure Imagination.”

Lend Me A Tenor
(Feb. 10-25)

In Ken Ludwig’s zany comedy, the Cleveland Grand Opera Company has secured the world-famous tenor “Il Stupendo” Tito Morelli, in his greatest role, Otello, for their 1934 gala season-opener. Unfortunately, due to well-intended but misguided meddling, “Il Stupendo” is given an overdose of tranquilizers, rendering him unable to perform. This zany farce is full of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and fast-paced hilarity.

Guys and Dolls
(Apr. 27-May 12)

In a desperate attempt to garner support for his floating craps game, Nathan Detroit challenges Sky Masterson to lure a local Salvation Army girl, Sarah Brown, to Cuba for an award of one thousand dollars. Sky ends up falling in love with Sarah and tries to reform his risky ways, but must make one last wager to prove his love. Full of hilarious characters, thrilling dance numbers and timeless tunes including “Luck Be a Lady.”

Subscriptions for Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre’s 2011-12 season at the Center for the Performing Arts are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Civic’s Box Office at 317.923.4597 or visiting CivicTheatre.org.

Photo Courtesy of the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre.

Les Misérables

2011-03-14T13:38:00.001-07:00

(The cast of Les Mis performing One Day More)

Les Miserables has long been a favorite of theatre-goers and this 25th anniversary production is a beautiful reminder of why. There’s a reason that numbers like “I Dreamed A Dream” and “One Day More” have become beloved Broadway standards. The musical’s unique operatic feel speaks to audiences of all ages.

Jean Valjean, the show’s main character, provides a story of hope and redemption. After spending 19 years in jail for committing a crime of desperation, Valjean is released. He struggles to readjust to society and finds himself a recipient of prejudice everywhere he goes. One man gives him acceptance when he needs it the most and because of that single act Valjean’s life is changed forever.

(Valjean and Javert)

From a rollicking tavern to a barricade on the front lines of the revolution to a haunting trek through the sewers of Paris, the story weaves together the lives of Valjean, the unfortunate Fantine and the righteous police officer Javert. Each characters gives us a distinct look at the different paths people take in life.

Les Miserables presents a complicated tapestry of characters, each representing a different element in society. The selfish, conniving Thenardier’s are wonderfully villainous, while Cosette is the picture of innocence. There are those who fight for what’s right, those who bemoan their fate; others who needlessly persecute the less fortunate and still others who chose forgiveness when revenge would be easier. My favorite character has always been the tragic Eponine, a tough, self-sufficient girl who hides her love and allows her heart to break. Her song, “On My Own,” sung by Chasten Harmon, captures pain and devotion in equal measures.

(Javert)

The original music and lyrics, by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Herbert Kretzmer, give voice to Victor Hugo’s powerful tale. The elaborate new set design, created by Matt Kinley, was inspired by Hugo’s own paintings. These elements combine, along with performances by talented actors, to create a poignant musical worth seeing again and again.

Louisville is a short 2 hour drive down I-65, yet somehow it’s a city I rarely visit. I saw this particular show, presented by Broadway Across America’s (BAA), at The Kentucky Center in Louisville and was impressed by both the beautiful theatre and the city. Check out BAA's future shows there, including the upcoming Shrek the Musical on stage at the Kentucky Center from June 7 – 12.

Les Miserables will be in Indianapolis from April 10-15, 2012 as part of BAA’s new season. To see the rest of the new season, visit their website.

Photos Courtesy of Broadway Across America

Neat

2011-02-26T17:42:00.000-08:00

Milicent Wright stars in Neat, the sequel to last year’s Pretty Fire. The show, written by Charlayne Woodard, explores the playwright’s adolescence in the turbulent 1960s and ‘70s. The title character, Neat, is Woodard’s aunt who was left mentally stunted after an accident when she was an infant. Wright plays both women with delight. Her exuberance for the roles makes the characters come alive.

The play looks at the huge impact Neat had on Woodard’s life. With her childlike innocence, Neat inspires her to explore her heritage and appreciate the world around her. There are a wide variety of stories with the show; including everything from first crushes to racism, from teenager’s changing bodies to high school riots. Some are sweet, some funny and some heartbreaking, but all are told with a frank honesty.

Don't Miss the Show

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. "Neat” runs until Sunday, March 6 on IRT's Main Stage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com

Photos Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre

In Acting Shakespeare

2011-02-24T04:40:00.000-08:00

The Indiana Repertory Theatre has brought back the Going Solo Festival for a second year. The festival consists of three separate one-man shows, each about 2 hours, with an intermission, and focusing on wildly differing topics. The three shows are all offered simultaneously on the IRT’s upperstage, where the set is designed with a versatile sweeping wooden floor to accommodate the trio of plays.

In Acting Shakespeare, one of the shows, stars James DeVita, who wrote the show as a tribute to Sir Ian McKellen’s show, Acting Shakespeare. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the playwright performing Shakespeare’s work at his home theatre in Wisconsin and was thrilled to have the opportunity to see him perform his own work at the IRT.

Acting was a completely foreign concept to DeVita as he grew up in Long Island. He became a fisherman and fell into a career on the stage through a string of coincidences and lots of hard work. During a class trip to New York he saw McKellen perform his show and sat in awe of the veteran performer. As DeVita describes falling in love with the acting, we fall in love with it along side him.

DeVita has a casual, intimate candor which immediately puts the audience at ease. His self-deprecating humor pairs beautifully with booming monologues from Shakespeare’s work. He sprinkles lines from the Bard into the telling of his own personal history, making it both touching and funny. He makes speeches from Jaws and Henry V equally enthralling.

He’s able to slip in and out of a slew of plays, letting the characters flow through him as he switches back and forth between his own story and Shakespeare’s journey to success. Though there are blind spots in the Bard’s history, there are some concrete facts which
DeVita ponders.

Although this show is an absolute delight for lovers of the Bard, it’s really perfect for audience members of every age. Regardless of your personal dreams in life, we can all relate to the struggle to achieve your goal.

Don't Miss the Show

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. "In Acting Shakespeare" runs until Sunday, March 13 on IRT's Main Stage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com

For more information about the American Players Theatre's upcoming season, featuring James DeVita visit their website here.

Photos Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre

Goldie, Max and Milk

2011-02-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

Max is an unemployed, single woman living in Brooklyn, who has just given birth to a daughter. Shortly after moving from Oregon to Brooklyn so her long-time partner, Lisa, can take a new job, the couple decide to have a child together. While Max is pregnant, Lisa has an affair with her new boss and moves out. Abandoned, Max is left trying to find her footing as a new mother.

Goldie is an Orthodox Jew and a lactation consultant who helps Max learn how to nurse. She's uncomfortable with Max's lifestyle and tries to keep her distance from her client. Her daughter Shayna's own secrets come to light and force Goldie to question her beliefs.

The play attempts to tackle a wide variety of issues, including single parenting, drug dealing, same-sex relationships, fidelity, betrayal, religious prejudice, unconventional family dynamics, sibling relationships, motherhood, unemployment, breast feeding and more. That's a lot for a two-hour production. Parring down the issues and choosing a few to focus in on would have heightened the show's impact.

The ensemble cast, which includes Sara Riemen, Wendy Farber, Angela Plank, Kienan McCartney and Bridgette Richards, feel familiar, as if these people could be our friends, family members or co-workers. Each one struggles with their own flaws, mistakes and difficult choices. Riemen is particularly good as Max and it's a delight to watch her mama bear instincts grow as she bonds with her daughter.

Life isn't simple and perhaps this show is an accurate reflection of that. The many complications may seem like a bit much, but the same thing is true for the issues in our own lives. Nothing is ever simple.

Don't Miss the Show

For more information about the Phoenix Theatre, visit www.phoenixtheatre.org. The theater is located at 749 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis, just off Massachusetts Ave.

Performances: The show runs until Feb. 27 and offers four performances a week. Thursdays begin at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturdays begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets: To purchase tickets, call (317) 635-PLAY (7529). Prices range from $15 to $20.

Photos Courtesy of the Phoenix Theatre.

Hairspray

2011-02-07T12:50:00.001-08:00

An eternally optimistic teen with a passion for dance takes on inequality in 1960s Baltimore. The Tony Award-winning musical, Hairspray, deals with issues even bigger than the hairdos sported by the cast. Racism, segregation, obesity and prejudice are just a few of the big ones. The peppy show, with its unexpected serious side, teaches the crowd an important lesson in self-confidence.

The support cast is filled with gems. Marty McNamee as Corny Collins, Carly Vernon as Penny, Angela Birchett as Motormouth Mabelle, Jarvis B. Manning Jr. as Seaweed, Karen Pappas in all her roles. Each one adds spice to the show; Birchett with her powerful voice, Vernon’s naïve sincerity, Collins’ Seacrest-like chirper attitude, Manning’s dance moves, and Pappas’ combination of physical comedy and perfect delivery.

The absolute highlight of the show is Tracy's parents. Dan Dowling Jr. plays as Edna, a big, but shy woman and John Vessels is her devoted husband. Edna is a role traditionally played by a man (John Travolta in the most recent film version), and this production is no exception. Their duet, "You're Timeless to Me" is both sweet and hilarious.

Along with mountains of wigs, the show has some adult humor not suitable for kids. The message in the end though is one of accepting people as they are, despite the color of their skin or the size of the clothes. It’s a message that’s important no matter what decade we’re in and one that fun to learn while watching the characters dance through the show.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until March 27. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts; call the box office for more details. 

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theater

The Diary of Anne Frank

2011-01-24T19:07:00.001-08:00

Despite a massive leak back stage at the Indiana Repertory Theatre on Friday night, the show went on. The Diary of Anne Frank is the infamous true story of a teenage Jewish girl who is forced to go into hiding with her family in Amsterdam during World War II.

The stress builds as the eight people share a tiny living space and limited food supply for more than a year. In hiding they were oddly protected from the horrors that where unfolding in the city around them, but they had their own struggles. To live every moment of your life, especially during your adolescence, under the scrutiny of others, is its own special kind of hell. Under those circumstances, I think anyone would be pushed to the breaking point.

The cast includes many newcomers who, along with IRT regulars like Constance Macy, create a powerful picture of life in the secret annex. The play depends heavily on the chemistry of the cast, so any weak link would have hindered the production. Instead, each actor brings their best to the roles and together they create a tight-knit group bonded by their awful circumstances. From Craig Wroe’s kind-hearted and steadfast Mr. Frank to Paul Kiernan’s desperate Mr. van Daan, each player was in synch.

Rebecca Buller embodies the over-the-top emotions of a teenager as the flirtatious and dramatic Anne Frank. Her flamboyant ways seem trying at first, as I’m sure they did for the real people she lived with, but as the seriousness of the situation increases, her bravado provides a welcome respite from the tense atmosphere.

Rob Johansen is perfect as Mr. Dussel, the single dentist who joins the Franks and van Daans in hiding. He demonstrates the man’s restrained inner turmoil with deft expertise. With the simplest awkward joke or even the inability to say anything at all, Johansen makes the audience feel his pain.

The production’s score, provided by Andrew Hopson was almost a character in and of itself. Each striking piece set the mood and carried the show along beautifully. The period costumes and set both enhance the show as well. The stage becomes an old building, divided into small rooms portrays the strange mixed feelings of claustrophobia at times and coziness at others.

One of the most touching scenes in the show is the group’s simple dinner on the first night of Hanukkah. It was a wonderful reminder to find joy in the simplest things. But just when you forget, for a second, how dire their lives have become, something reminds you that war never takes a holiday.

Don't Miss the Show

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. "The Diary of Anne Frank" runs until Thursday, Feb. 24 on IRT's Main Stage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com

Photos Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre

9 to 5: The Musical

2011-01-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

Doralee, Violet, and Judy are three very different women. Their lives intersect while working in an office in the 1970s in the musical 9 to 5 on stage now at Broadway Across America. Many will remember the 1980 movie, on which the show is based. The trio has been exploited in various ways by their chauvinist boss, Mr. Hart, for too long. They decide to kidnap him and run the office themselves.

The show is undeniably dated, women no longer put up with what was considered "normal" in 1970s offices. At the same time, the more important theme, friendship, is still relevant. Diana DeGarmo is Doralee Rhodes (originally played by Dolly Parton), a busty, country blonde too often judged by her looks. DeGarmo is the spitting image and sound of Parton herself. Dee Hoty plays Violet with a flustered, but competent sincerity. She shines in fast-paced numbers like "Around Here."

Judy (Mamie Parrisas) is newly single and trying to find her footing and self-worth after being left by her husband. She transitions from timid to tough throughout the show. The beginning and end of the show are narrated, via video, by Dolly Parton herself and no one can quite compare to Parton's own presence.

The playful show is the equivalent to a popcorn flick, lots of laughs. Don't look for a life-altering moral, but it's certainly entertaining.

Don't Miss the Show

The show runs until Sunday, Jan. 16 at Clowes Memorial Hall so hurry to get tickets to the show. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Photos Courtesy of Broadway Across America

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

2011-01-04T02:37:00.000-08:00

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre opened its 2011 season with the Tony-award-winning musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The title is a mouthful and so are many of the words the actors must spell, but the mood is playful.

The story follows a handful of middle school students who have made it to the county spelling bee. All of the “students” are played by adults which adds an extra layer of absurd humor. The premise is reminiscent of the movie Best in Show, but instead of poking gentle fun at dog shows, spelling bees are the target. Like the film, Spelling Bee is incredibly funny, but contains some adult humor.

(Leaf Coneybear)

The six main spellers include the politically correct Logainne Schwarzandgrubenierre, timid Olive Ostrovsky, perfectionist Marcy Park, obnoxious William Barfee, boyscout Chip Tolentino and free-spirited Leaf Coneybear. Four volunteer audience members are also chosen at each show to become part of the competition.

Seth A. Tucker provided my favorite performance of the night as Leaf, a gentle hippie with a great imagination. He’s convinced he’s not very smart, but remains perfectly content to share the stage with his ambitious competitors. Tiana Checchia was also a sweet delight as Olive, a soft-spoken girl who considers the dictionary to be among her best friends. Her shy, earnest nature encourages the confident Barfee to question the importance of always coming out on top.

I was thrilled to see Paul Hansen as Vice Principal Panch. This is his first performance at Beef & Boards, but I loved seeing him in a few recent Indianapolis Civic Theatre productions, including “Bus Stop.” He delivered his lines with the perfect comedic timing, especially when providing the spellers with sentence examples for each of their words.

(Olive and her parents)

I enjoyed seeing a few B&B’s regulars, like Jayson Elliott, Sarah Hund, Dominic Sheahan-Stahl and Licia Watson in very different roles. Each one embraces their character, quirks and all, providing hilariously awkward moments for the audience’s delight (poor Chip!). The show’s success lies in the strength and chemistry of its many characters. Even the role of “comfort counselor” becomes noteworthy in the hands of the gruff, but loveable DaRon Lamar Williams. The audience finds itself laughing with, not at, these preteens in the midst of all the horrors and insecurities of puberty. We are rooting for them and it’s easy to forget they’re not really kids.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Jan. 30. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts; call the box office for more details.  

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

Wicked

2010-12-19T05:11:00.000-08:00

There was trouble in Oz long before Dorothy and Toto showed up. “Wicked,” on stage now at the Murat Theatre, tells the story of how Glinda and Elphaba, aka the wicked witch of the west, first meet. Though complete opposites, the two characters form an unlikely bond. The musical, based on the novel of the same name, weaves elements of the famous children’s book into a new, darker tale, which reveals that things are not always as simple as they seem.

You’d be hard-pressed to find more beautiful and elaborate sets anywhere in Indianapolis. From simple cornfields to the sparkling Emerald City, no detail is neglected and it’s easy to forget that this is a mobile production. The fantastical costumes provide an eyeful in every scene as well.

During the performance I attended Vicki Noon starred as Elphaba and Glinda was played by the understudy, Rachel Potter. Potter hit her stride in the number “Popular,” using both physical comedy and hilarious energy to embody the perky character. Noon nailed all of her big numbers, like “Defying Gravity” and “No Good Deed,” hitting both the notes and the emotional intensity necessary. Both Glinda and Elphaba are forced to grow up quickly in the show and the pair did a wonderful job demonstrating that painful transition into maturity.

This is the third time I’ve seen the show and I’ve loved it more with each viewing. I can’t think of anyone who I wouldn’t recommend it to and I’ve yet to find someone who’s been disappointed by it. It’s a powerful story of friendship and prejudice, but it balances those heavy themes with a large dose of humor. It’s a musical with a message and it reminds us that evil isn’t always the obvious target. Sometimes it’s the quiet voice suggesting the easy way out and it takes a true hero to resist that temptation.

Don't Miss the Show

The show will be in town for two more weeks. Don’t miss your chance to experience “Wicked” for yourself. Tickets are going fast for the popular show, so don't miss your chance to see it. The show runs until Saturday, Jan. 1 at the Murat Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, the Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com. Ticket prices start at $50.

Broadway Across America is holding a lottery for every single "Wicked" performance. Individuals are welcome to put their names in a lottery drum two and a half hours before each show. Exactly two hours before the show begins officials will draw a maximum of 20 names. Those individuals are permitted to buy up to two tickets for $25 each(cash only). The lottery will be held in the Murat Theatre lobby before each show and you must be present to win.

Photos Courtesy of Broadway Across America

A Christmas Carol

2010-12-13T16:57:00.001-08:00

Despite the heavy snowfall and treacherous roads, the Indiana Repertory Theatre welcomed a full house with sweet caroling this past weekend. Nothing could keep the crowds away from the IRT’s A Christmas Carol.

Even though the story is the same, the production is full of new elements. There is a new director, Richard J. Roberts, a new Scrooge, IRT favorite Ryan Artzberger, a new Marley, Robert Neal and a new Bob Cratchit, Jerry Richardson. Other roles featured seasoned performers who audiences have grown to love over the years.

Artzberger, who replaced the established Charles Goad as Scrooge, had some big shoes to fill. He’s a bit young to play the aged miser, but his joyful enthusiasm at the end of the show is wonderfully believable. I look forward to watching him settle into the role in future years.

As always the set, props, costumes and music are excellent. A Christmas Carol long ago found its groove and yet it manages to remain fresh each year. The supporting cast fleshes out the story beautifully. Each actor takes on a slew of characters and their performances are perfectly in synch. There is no weak link or tired part, the flow is crisp and the message strong, making each performance a delight.

The show is 90 minutes, with no intermission, perfect for both kids and adults to enjoy. The theatre’s Oh What Fun series adds a few additional delights to the performances, like live reindeer or the chance to roast marshmallows before the show. Visit the IRT’s website for a complete list of available events.

On a side note, the IRT always has a long spiel of sponsors to thank at the beginning of each performance and as you anticipate the play it’s easy to forget how amazing that really is. It’s so encouraging to be reminded of how businesses like OneAmerica, St. Vincent and others have supported the IRT for years, despite recessions and economic hardships. I’m proud to live in a city that values the arts so highly.

Don't Miss the Show

The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. "A Christmas Carol" runs until Sunday, Dec. 26 on IRT's Main Stage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com

Photos Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre

The Santaland Diaries

2010-12-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

I first read David Sedaris’ The Santaland Diaries a few years back. I remember laughing until my stomach hurt, but seeing a live version of his hilarious tale is somehow even funnier. The production, currently on stage at the IndyFringe Theatre, explores Sedaris’ personal experiences working as an elf at Macy’s. This Christmas show is definitely for adults only, which of course means you know it’s going to be funny.

Scot Greenwell plays Crumpet the elf with equal parts impish glee and cynical sass. He makes acidic jokes about controlling parents, delusional Santas and his fellow elves all while learning something about the true meaning of Christmas.

Decked out in candy cane tights and a jingle bell hat, Crumpet attempts to hang on to his sanity (and dignity) in the middle of Macy’s hectic Santaland. The intentionally atrocious costume is just one small aspect of the department store’s over-the-top Christmas extravaganza. Oversized candy and fake snow crowd together to help create this wonderfully cheesy version of the North Pole.

This was my first experience seeing a show in the Indy Fringe Theatre. The small building provides a perfect setting for intimate productions. The high ceilings and open rafters keep it from feeling claustrophobic and the small stage is just right for this one-man show.

If you love Sedaris’ irreverent essays or have ever wished for a bit more rum in your eggnog or for fewer showings of weepy Lifetime Christmas movies, this is definitely the Christmas show for you. Take your mom to a traditional holiday show and then treat yourself to this sarcastic gem.

Don't Miss the Show

Indy Fringe Theatre through Sunday, December 12, 2010, with evening performances tonight, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and afternoon matinees on Saturday and Sunday. For more information call (317) 721-9458 or visit the IndyFringe website here. The theatre is located just off Mass Ave at 719 E St Clair Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Photos Courtesy of Melinda Seader

Beef & Boards Christmas

2010-11-30T17:37:00.000-08:00

A Beef & Boards Christmas is back for its 18th year in a row. The variety show includes dozens of Christmas songs, gorgeous costumes and even a flying reindeer. Though this production has been around for almost two decades, this year director Doug Stark has revamped the stale elements and introduced some new ones.

For the first time, Eddie Curry acts as the show’s emcee, announcing performers and telling bad jokes. His easy banter provides the perfect does of sass to balance out the holiday saccharine. He holds the show together and keeps things moving along nicely.

The lead quartet features Christine Mild, who made a splash in this year’s “Always… Patsy Cline.” She’s a great fit for the show and adding her beautiful voice to the mix works well. John Vessels, who has quickly become one of my favorite performers at Beef & Boards, is another new addition. He’s shown that he is wonderful in comedic roles, like “Smoke on the Mountain,” but this role proves he has the voice to back up the humor. It’s rare to find such a charismatic and versatile performer and I hope Vessels makes B&B his new home for awhile.

Another change this year, Terry Woods and the BBC Orchestra took center stage, set up band stand style, during the show. The talented musicians performed classics like “Carol of the Bells” beautifully, even while fielding friendly barbs from Curry.

If I could change one aspect, I would remove the two kids from the show. Though the sisters are perky and talented, it’s hard to make their numbers feel like more than an elementary school Christmas show.

A few segments remained the same and continued to work wonderfully. Christopher Dickerson’s deep baritone voice provided a rendition of O Holy Night for the second year in a row. They retained a tribute to those in the military service who won’t be home for Christmas. And most importantly they included a nativity scene, reminding us all of the real reason for the holiday.

Kudos to Stark and the entire cast and crew for breathing life into the production. I hope future years will feature more of the same. This was truly the best Christmas show I’ve seen at Beef & Boards.

Don't Miss the Show   

Performances: The show runs until Nov. 21. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts; call the box office for more details. 

2011 Season

Beef & Boards 2011 Season includes some new shows and old favorites. Season tickets are on sale now. They may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (317) 872-9664 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays). Tickets for main stage shows range from $36 to $59, and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet, full fruit & salad bar and unlimited coffee, tea and lemonade.

- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Dec. 29 - Jan. 30)
- Hairspray (Feb. 3 – March 27)
- Annie Get Your Gun (March 31 - May 8)
- Cinderella (May 12 – July 1)
- Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping (July 7 – Aug. 28)
- Singin’ In The Rain (Sept. 1 – Oct. 9)
- A Wonderful Life (Oct. 13 – Nov. 20)
- A Beef & Boards Christmas 2011 (Nov. 25 – Dec. 23)

 Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

My Name is Asher Lev

2010-11-15T15:08:00.000-08:00

The Phoenix Theatre’s Frank & Katrina Basile stage is current home to “My Name is Asher Lev.” The play, based on the Chaim Potok’s novel of the same name, explores the meaning of religion and art in a Hasidic Brooklyn community in the ‘50s.

Asher Lev is raised by his troubled mother, who was scarred by the unexpected death of her sibling, and his temperamental father. At a young age Asher shows a natural proclivity for painting and wants to become an artist. His parents are at a loss for how to respond to their son’s gift. His father is particularly baffled by his son’s desire to draw the world around him and is ashamed that he can’t let go of his “hobby.”

John Michael Goodson plays Asher from age 6 to adulthood with a giddy childishness at moments and an emotionally raw vulnerability at others. He’s tortured and confused by his compulsion to draw. First he questions the world with a child’s innocence, later he remains baffled by the same questions that haunted his youth.

Bill Simmons plays all of the men in the show (except Asher), including Asher’s father and his mentor, Jacob Kahn. He swings between anger and parental pride in an instant and brings a wonderful passion to the scenes between Kahn and Asher. Kahn is a fellow artist who teaches Asher how to embrace his emotions while creating artwork.

One of my favorite aspects of the show is the fact that it could have used nudity or language to increase the shock factor, but instead it relies on the power of Asher’s struggle. Because of this, the issues of the show are able to shine without being overshadowed by unnecessary elements. Even the controversial paintings Lev creates are shown only as empty frames. This forces the audience to see the painting only in their imaginations, which makes the impact much more powerful.

It’s a wonderful show that addresses a dozen important issues; religion, art, responsibility to your community vs. responsibility to create as an artist and so much more. You’ll be mulling over the characters’ decisions long after the final bow.

Don't Miss the Show

For more information about the Phoenix Theatre, visit www.phoenixtheatre.org. The theater is located at 749 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis, just off Massachusetts Ave.

Performances: The show runs until Nov. 21 and offers four performances a week. Thursdays begin at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturdays begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets: To purchase tickets, call (317) 635-PLAY (7529). Prices range from $15 to $20.

Photos Courtesy of the Phoenix Theatre

Mary's Wedding

2010-11-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

Mary’s Wedding, on stage now at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, is a quiet play about falling in love, the horrors of war and the place where those two elements sometimes meet. Set in the Canadian frontier at the start of WWI we meet Mary on the eve of her wedding as she dreams of her first love, Charlie. The two cross paths by chance when a thunderstorm forces them to seek shelter in a nearby barn. Soon their sweet courtship is interrupted by the harsh realities of trench warfare.

As always, director James Still brought his own unique charm to the show. He decided to add a live cellist on stage throughout the performance. The talented musician is tucked away in an alcove ten-feet above the stage, but his presence is known every time he gently slides his bow across his strings. The sweet notes heighten each moment of exhilaration or pain and they add a palpable elegance to the production.

Wearing a simple white shift Gwendolyn Whiteside plays Mary with unbridled enthusiasm. In some scene she also plays Charlie’s hardboiled sergeant. Zach Kenney as Charlie is all wide-eyed earnestness in suspenders. His gentleness makes you fall in love with him alongside Mary as he tries to remember the lines from Tennyson’s “Charge of the Light Brigade” in the midst of the storm. Each character reveals a vulnerable tenderness at just the right moments and their chemistry is what makes the story so beautiful.

The set portrays Mary’s dream world and so it fittingly has an ethereal atmosphere. The floor and back wall are a sublime shade of blue and a long translucent swatch drapes one side of the stage. Yellowed pages litter the set, each covered in tight scrawls and representing the many letters between the two pining lovers.

By setting the show firmly within Mary’s dream we can see bits and pieces of what happen when they are both together and alone. There’s no clear timeline that must be followed and normal staging obstacles, like riding a horse, can be dealt with in a whimsical way. In a dream world a chair or a fence can become a galloping steed and an umbrella stands in for a rifle.

This show is a gem. It balances the IRT’s signature drama with excellent characters. There will be dozens of holidays on stages throughout the city soon, but before the fake snow covers every stage, make time to see Mary’s Wedding.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Saturday, Dec. 4 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 $34 with discounts available for students and seniors.

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 Belle of Amherst

2010-11-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

Creating a play about the life of a recluse is no doubt a difficult undertaking, but “The Belle of Amherst,” on stage now at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre, manages it beautifully. Using facts about the life of poet Emily Dickinson’s, along with her letters and poems, playwright William Luce created the one-woman show celebrating Dickinson’s life.

The two-act production is set in Emily’s bedroom and living room and the stage in richly decorated as a 19^th century New England home. Luce seamlessly wove many of the author’s own words into a candid conversation with the audience. This format allows people to connect with the poet on a personal level, while at the same time having a chance to appreciate her lyrical prose. Her poems are sprinkled throughout the show. At times she reads them aloud, at others she is simple making observations of the world in the only way she knows how.

Carrie Schlatter plays the poet with a childlike wonder of the world. She brings and impish glee to the role, infusing the monologues with humor and playfulness. The tour-de-force performance includes a constant stream of chatter about issues both big and small and Schlatter never loses the flow for a moment. She gossips about her family and in the next breath she’s mourning the death of a child. She portrays both the frustration and joy that Dickinson’s simple life offered.

Dickinson wrote about nature, death, immortality and more while seldom leaving her childhood home. Although she knew only the world directly surrounded her, she saw clear truths in the simplest of human interactions. She embraced a quiet life and often used her poems to ask questions about death and religion while she coped with the loss of a loved one.

It’s a wonderful biographical play which anyone can enjoy, but it’s a special treat for literary buffs like me. It also ranks as one of the best shows I’ve ever seen at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre and shouldn’t be missed.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show closes Sunday, Nov. 14. 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 May 23. 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. For more information of to purchase tickets, visit their website.

Photo Courtesy of the Indianapolis Civic Theatre.

Dreamgirls

2010-11-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

It goes without saying that anyone who manages to snag a lead in the national tour of “Dreamgirls” obviously has the pipes to fill the role. The musical, currently on stage at the Murat Theatre, is a celebration of soul and ‘60s R&B as it chronicles the rise of the Dreamettes, a trio of female singers.

Each member of the cast brings a unique flavor to the production. Curtis is the picture of blind ambition. The pompadoured Jimmy blows the audience away with his over-the-top charisma. Deena transforms from an innocent girl to a strong woman. Supporting players, like C.C. White and Lorrell, provide just the right balance of enthusiasm and earnestness. They leave the main stage open for the big personalities, but provide a much-needed grounding element.

Effie, played by Indianapolis native Moya Angela, is a boiling pot of sass and attitude. Even when she is silent she smolders with an anger that radiates throughout the theater. She is shameless in her opinions, often to her detriment, but that same uncompromising strength helps her succeed in the end.

Every moment in the show is expertly choreographed, but at times it distracts from the performers’ sublime voices. The bright lights of the set and sequined costumes are a lot to take in, and some of the show’s best songs are simple ones like “Listen” that showcase their voices sans jazz hands. That stripped down number allows the two divas to shine as they belt out the lessons they’ve learned through years of heartache.

There’s a lot of drama packed into the two-act show. The fights, jealousy and competition make for some heavy material. Just when things become a bit bleak, Jimmy breathes life into the show and shakes things up.

One of the best scenes in the show involves Jimmy attempting to make his act a bit more palatable for a straight-laced white crowd. The more he tries to reign himself in, the worse he gets and his antics have the audience rolling with laughter. Moments like that elevate the show from a dreary cautionary tale, to a hypnotic saga.

Don't Miss the Show

The show runs until Sunday, Nov. 7 at the Murat Theatre so hurry to get tickets. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.
Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Photos Courtesy of Broadway Across America

White Christmas

2010-10-20T06:48:00.001-07:00

The holidays have come really early at Beef & Boards this year. In addition to its traditional Christmas show, the dinner theatre is currently putting on a production of “White Christmas.”

The production’s songs include of mix of hits from the original perennial favorite film, like “Sisters” and “White Christmas” and other well-known standards, like “I Love A Piano.” Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye left some big shoes to fill, but Curt Dale Clark and Timothy Ford take the reigns with gusto. Clark is particularly good in a jazzy version of “Blue Skies.”

Christine Mild returns to B&B’s stage after her outstanding performance in the title role of “Always Patsy Cline” earlier this year. She plays Betty Haynes and once again belts out some beautiful show-stoppers, particularly “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me”

John Vessels, who became a B&B staple after the Smoke on the Mountain shows, pops up in a great form to provide some laugh-out-loud moments. His perfect comedic timing is a great addition to any show.

The tap numbers are plentiful and well-choreographed by Ron Morgan. The costumes, designed by Brian Horton, are especially note-worthy. Horton nails everything from the cinched waists and puffy petticoats to the feathered fans and soldier’s uniforms.

If you’re in the mood for a bit of early holiday cheer, “White Christmas” is the perfect solution. But move quickly, because many of the final shows have already sold out.

Don't Miss the Show

 Performances: The show runs until Nov. 21. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts; call the box office for more details.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE: All's Well That Ends Well, Waiting for Godot and The Syringa Tree

2010-10-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

When you arrive first arrive at the American Players Theatre in Wisconsin you feel as though you've stumbled upon Nick Bottom's acting troupe practicing in the woods in A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's secluded and everything seems tinged with magic. As you wind up a small path, farther and farther into the forest, you find the Up-the-Hill Theatre.

The wide open amphitheater provides stadium seating around an intimate stage. Young and old alike gather there to see productions put on by the professional theater. Even caught in a slight rain, audience members sit enthralled as the stage lights up. This is how Shakespeare's plays were meant to be absorbed, in the open-air, under the stars, performed with passion and humor, not just read from dusty pages.

All's Well That Ends Well

This Shakespearean "comedy" tells the story of the sweet Helena, the daughter of a poor physician. She falls for Bertram, the son of the countess who helped raise her and cleverly devises a plot to win him despite her low stature. Bertram, however, proves unworthy of her love, rejecting her out of his own selfishness.

I've never loved this particular play, always wondering why Helena loved the immature cad to begin with, but Ally Carey's sincere performance as Helena has the audience rooting for her to win her man, even though we know she could do better. She is loyal and devoted, even when Bertram is at his worst.

Jim DeVita steals every scene he's in as the fop Parolles. He plays Bertram's right-hand man as a pompous peacock full of talk, but little action and he is irresistible. He soaks each of his lines with the perfect amount of impetuous cheek, wringing out every ounce of humor that Shakespeare intended.

The costumes are beautifully detailed. Everything from the soldiers' medals to the ladies' jewelry. And enough cannot be said about the beautiful ambiance that the forest itself provides. When the trees are lit up around the stage, the effect is breathtaking.

Waiting For Godot

Samuel Beckett's famous play has inspired dozen of interpretations since its premier in 1953. Whatever your opinions of it may be, this particular version provides equal doses of laughter to balance out the bleaker bits.

Two tramps Vladimir, played by James Ridge, and Jim DeVita as Estragon, putter onto the stage and quickly the audience is sucked into their strange co-dependent relationship. They are waiting... for Godot, and while doing so they try to pass the time in a myriad of ways. They are both clearly miserable, but they seem to find solace in each other's company.

Ridge and DeVita have a lovely chemistry, complementing each other by remaining calm when the other is frantic. They provide a steady stream of troubled dialogue and physical comedy. Both men are worrisome creatures, frequently puzzled by their neurotic thoughts.

The audience never knows why they are waiting and really, that's not important. What matters is their struggle to make it through each day and to prove to themselves that they actually exist. They seem trapped in a repetitive cycle of confusing monotony. Godot will leave you pondering its meanings and reflecting on the brilliance of the cast long after you've left the theater.

On a side note, it was a delight to have a chance to see DeVita perform two very different roles within 24 hours. His range and talent are inspiring. The Indiana Repertory Theatre has included a play that DeVita wrote and will star in, "In Acting Shakespeare," as part of its upcoming season. I can hardly wait to see him in action again.

The Syringa Tree

What can I say about this one-woman show starring Colleen Madden? I was so deeply moved by the performance that I, along with most of the audience, was brought to tears, yet at the same time the show is peppered with humor.

From the opening moments the production is memorizing. The simple stage is set with only a single swing and scraps of colorful fabric. The subject matter is intense, the acting outstanding and the simplicity of the set and costume compliment those aspects perfectly, never distracting, only enhancing.

We see much of the story through the eyes of Elizabeth, a young white girl growing up in South Africa during the apartheid. She sees no race, only people she loves, whether they are her loving parents or gentle nanny, Salamina. Her naivete mirrors the brilliance of similar stories, like To Kill a Mockingbird, which allow a horrific story to be told by a narrator free of prejudices.

Madden plays two dozen different characters throughout the show, including both men and women of all ages and races. Yet her skill as an actress never allows a second of confusion about who she is at any given moment. Her voice booms as a black chieftain and murmurs primly as Elizabeth's mother. With the simplest hand motion or tilt of her head she slips between the characters, weaving a rich tapestry of love and oppression.

What I learned during my first visit to the APT is that you're in for a treat no matter what you see. Each of the shows were exceptional productions in their own way and I can't wait to return.

More Information:

The American Players Theatre is closed for its regular season. It will host a special holiday show, Gift of the Magi, from Nov. 26 - Dec. 19 at its indoor Touchstone Theatre.

The theater's outdoor seats are comfortable, but definitely bring a jacket, rain parka or blanket depending on the weather. The show will go on even if it's chilly or drizzling. There are easily accessible restrooms and concessions at both the Up-the-Hill Theatre and the Touchstone Theatre.

There are plenty of camping/B&B/cabin/hotel options nearby, depending on your preference. You can find additional information about where to lodge, restaurants and other attractions on APT's website.

For more information about APT and Spring Green, WI visit its website. Spring Green, Wi is only 6.5 hours from Indianapolis and makes a perfect weekend getaway.

Photos Courtesy of the American Players Theatre.

Holes

2010-10-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

The Indiana Repertory Theater opened its 39th season with “Holes.” Originally a young adult book by Louis Sacher, the story was turned into a movie in 2003. Now brought to life on IRT’s stage, audiences can see in the story of Stanley Yelnats unfold in person.

A teenage boy is wrongfully convicted of a crime and shipped off to a correctional camp in the middle of the Texas desert. There he meets an odd collection of misfits who spend each day digging holes in the desert.

The set is an impressive feat. It takes a particular talent to turn an intimate stage into an expansive desert filled with deep holes. It also has to accommodate a pick-up truck, couch and boat moving on and off during various scenes. Scenic Designer Robert M. Koharchik managed to design something that worked beautifully, giving the feeling of limitless space despite the restrictions.

Ben Tebbe and Jennifer Johansen, both regular IRT players, are wonderful as Stanley’s doting parents and in the many other roles they took on throughout the show, including Stanley’s grandfather and Kissin’ Kate Barlow. Newcomer Mauricio Suarez was also a delight as the soft-spoken Zero. He brought a quiet intensity to the role and I look forward to seeing him perform in future productions.

If there’s one show this season that would appeal to teenage boys, this is it. It has adventure, outlaws, stinky sneakers and treasure. And for boys, you can’t go wrong with that combination of elements.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Saturday, Nov. 6 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 IRT’s 2010/11 season has a great balance of old favorites, like The Diary of Anne Frank, and new shows that look fascinating. Below is a complete list and you can visit irtlive.com for more information about each show.

Mary’s Wedding
Nov. 3 – Dec. 4

The Diary of Anne Frank
Jan. 18 – Feb. 24

A Christmas Carol
Nov. 26 – Dec. 26

Going Solo: A festival of intimate stories brought to life by three actors, three scripts, three shows in repertory.
• Neat
Feb. 10 – Mar. 6
• Fire in the Garden
Feb. 12 – 27
• In Acting Shakespeare
Feb. 19 – Mar. 13

The Gospel According to James
Mar. 22 – Apr. 10

The 39 Steps, Alfred Hitchcock
Apr. 20 – May 14

Photos Courtesy of the IRT

Mary Poppins

2010-09-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

Broadway Across America has opened its season with Mary Poppins at the Murat. The classic show brings the children's story to life in a musical extravaganza.

Bert, a cheerful jack-of-all-trades, acts as the show's all-seeing narrator. He is at times a painter and at others a chimney sweep, but he's always around. Nicolas Dromard plays the role with a wonderful warmth and a cocky accent is as thick as the London fog. He also wows the crowd with his gravity-defying antics and particularly shines in the show's best number, "Step In Time," an elaborate tap routine with elements of STOMP.

The show manages to capture many of the elements that made the original movie so magical, including Mary's bottomless carpet bag and rooms that help clean themselves. These tricks are difficult to pull off on a stage in front of an audience, but the production manages it smoothly.

The audience will recognize many of songs from the Disney musical, but there are are few new ones. One features toys that come to life and another has a pair of dueling nannies, neither adds much to the overall production.

At the start of the show, the Banks family finds itself in need of a new nanny and Mary Poppins fits the bill. Michael and Jane and the Banks' precocious children, played by Cade Canon Ball and Paige Simunovich in Friday's show. They're spoiled and a bit neglected by their harried parents and a strict but kind nanny is just what they need.

Mary Poppins is played by the excellent Caroline Sheen. She creates a prim and proper Mary with a mischievous spark and a delicious impertinence. Her rich voice is both strong and well-suited for the role. She can turn the simplest walk in the park into a fantastical adventure.

The sets are extravagant, sliding on and off stage or lowering from the ceiling they turn the blank canvas into a bank, park and home, all with rich depth and detail. The Banks' home adds a special dose of whimsy, unfolding like a dollhouse.

Mary Poppins is a great show to take the kids to, while being able to enjoy it as an adult. It has enough song and dance to keep the tots entertained, while providing a story with a powerful overarching message. Sometimes it's good when you're life gets shaken up a bit. It can put everything in perspective and make you realize what's really important.

Don't Miss the Show

The show runs until Sunday, Oct. 3 at the Murat Theatre so hurry to get tickets. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.
Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Photos Courtesy of Broadway Across America

W;t

2010-09-20T11:18:00.001-07:00

Vivian Bearing is a 17th century poetry professor who specializes in the sonnets of John Donne. After decades of choosing work over a personal life, she's been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Margaret Edson's play is a brutally honest look at one woman's fight against cancer and coming to terms with the world she's made for herself. This intelligent play speaks to the loneliness our society can breed when we wrap ourselves up in our work and alienate ourselves from others.

Even in this most dire time in her life Vivian can't help condescending to those she considers less intelligent than her, even those who show her affection. Her defensive nature has been built up to the point where she doesn't know how to ask for help or show weakness. She values intellect over kindness, even though it has left her alone.

Vivian is ironically facing the cold professionalism of doctors in the hospital in the same way her students have had to deal with her. Both she and her doctors prefer research to humanity and she's learning too late how cruel that can feel. In the midst of undergoing 8 months of chemotherapy, Vivian's thick shell begins to crumble as her body succumbs to the cancer. She escapes the pain by delving deeper into the world of metaphysical poetry, but soon she can't deny her vulnerability and she discovers that in the end the simplicity of human connection is what we long for above all else.

Susan Pieples is absolutely enchanting as the logical and distant Vivian. There's a delicate balance to portraying the prickly professor. The audience must understand how she's pushed away the people in her life and yet still have a deep sympathy for her. Pieples captured this balance perfectly.

Pieples shaved her head for the role, a seemingly small decision that demonstrates the essential dedication to character and enhances the power of the show. Though there are a few other characters, Pieples carries the show. Without her amazing performance it would have fallen flat.

The supporting cast is excellent as well. In the limited scenes the dialogue is sharp and the emotions are clear with each sigh and pursed lips. The only thing I would have changed about the show is the choice of music. Instead of enhancing the performances the odd collection of elevator music and Danny Elfman compositions became a bit distracting.

The simple set consists of a backdrop of seven black screens, each is turned around during the course of the show, to the opposite white side. The beauty of this simple act demonstrates the undeniable progression of her disease and the passage of time in a poignant way.

I've been continually impressed by the material The Theater Within has chosen to tackle. They've picked such excellent, challenging pieces that I can't wait to see what's next.

Don't Miss the Show
For more information about The Theater Within, visit their website. The theater is located at 1125 Spruce St., Indianapolis, IN 46203, just four blocks east of Fountain Square along Prospect Street immediately south of the KFC.

Performances: The show runs until Sept. 25 and offers two performances a week, Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 8 p.m.

Tickets: To purchase tickets, call (317) 850-4665. Prices range from $13 to $15. Up next at the Theater Within is Death and the Maiden, which opens Nov. 5.

Photo courtesy of The Theater Within

Camelot

2010-09-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

History's most famous love triangle, between King Arthur, his wife Guenevere and his best knight, Lancelet, is on stage now at Beef & boards Dinner Theatre in the celebrated musical "Camelot."

Beef & Board's owner Douglas Stark plays Arthur, the king of Camelot. Lerner and Loewe created the character to be a bit like Winnie-the-Pooh. Thinking may vex him, but his heart is sincere and he strives to bring peace to his lands. Stark captures the king's playful, yet troubled air masterfully. Jeff Stockberger adds a comedic boost as a quintessential Brit, peppering his conversations with "what whats" and sputtering indignation.

Krista Severeid stars as Guenevere, playing opposite her real-life husband Tony Lawson, as Lancelot, in their first Beef & Boards show since their wedding last fall. Severeid's voice is lovely and perfectly suited for Guenevere's duets and solos. Lawson, who played a similar role as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, embodies the egotistical and cocky Lancelot. He brings both humor and pain to the role.

The costumes are wonderful. They were originally created for the National Tour of Camelot, which starred Richard Harris. From fur-trimmed gowns to suits of armor, the costumes carry the audience into the medieval tale.

The show is filled with famous songs, like "Camelot" and "C'est Moi," sword fights and swooning. It's captivated audiences for decades and won't disappoint.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Oct. 10. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts; call the box office for more details.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

Church Basement Ladies

2010-07-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

Over the past three years Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre's audiences have enjoyed the antics of the Smoke in the Mountains clan every summer. This year "Church Basement Ladies" fills the big shoes vacated by the Sanders clan. Though the "Smoke" shows are a tough act to follow, the cooking ladies of a Minnesota Lutheran church rise to the challenge.

The show is set in the 1960s in the church basement's kitchen as four women prepare meals for a fundraiser, funeral and a wedding. Dressed in sensible shoes and aprons, the women cook up heaping Norwegian dishes. In one musical number they celebrate the joys of cooking with butter and doing the "Pale Food Polka."

The cast works wonderfully together. The oldest of the group struggles to accept changes in the church, while the youngest tries to square her parent's beliefs with her own. Karen Pappas portrayal of Mavis is especially fun. She brings an impressive energy to her role, which provides constant bits of physical comedy in the show as she battles hot flashes and chops cookie bars. Eddie Curry is the only male in the estrogen soaked musical. He plays the church's pastor and helps give a balance to the women's interaction.

It's a sweet show and at its core it's about friendship and the common bond these women share. It's a great show for church groups or a night out with the "church basement ladies" in your own life.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Sept. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers discounts, call the box office for more details.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

Reasons To Be Pretty

2010-07-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

"Show me a beautiful woman and I'll show you a guy that's tired of F***ing her."

As crude as that line is, it perfectly sums up the character of Kent, who says it during "Reasons to be Pretty," on stage now at the Phoenix Theatre.

The show premiered off-Broadway in 2008 and is the final play in Neil LaBute's trilogy about society's perception of beauty. The Shape of Things, the first play, was turned into a film starring Paul Rudd. The second, Fat Pig, was part of the Phoenix Theatre's 2007 season.

"Reasons to be Pretty" is about a couple, Stephanie and Greg, who fall out after she find out he called her face "regular" compared to a pretty co-worker's face. On the surface it's simple enough, but it delves much deeper into other issues in their relationship and in Greg's relationship with his self-centered friend Kent.

Angela Plank, who also co-starred in Fat Pig, plays Stephanie. She does an excellent job exuding a mixture of pain, strength and confusion that her character is dealing with. She soars in a delicate scene where she lashes back at Greg in a mall.

Ryan Artzberger plays Greg and manages to take a selfish character and completely turn him around. By the end of the show the audience sees a true change in Greg. His selfishness becomes selflessness as he makes hard decisions that benefit others. Though you don't see his chemistry with Plank until the end of the show, it's worth the wait. The two have a sweet, teasing ease, which makes the whole show more poignant.

Kent (Shane Chuvalas) is a stereotypical bully who has pushed others around throughout this life. He constantly makes degrading comments about women and is crass in every possible way. Unfortunately his type is not uncommon in the real world. In the end he teach Greg exactly what he doesn't want to be.

Mariana Fernandez plays Kent’s wife Carly. She balances her tough exterior as a security guard with her fragile, insecure true nature, bred from years with Kent.

In the end, the show is really about the pain that we can do to one another in relationships. In order to be close to someone, we have to be willing to open ourselves up and that often leads to a world of hurt. The words we use, good or bad, won't be forgotten and insecurities and distrust can be born out of casual, but cruel comments.

The show is meant for adults and the language and issues reflect that.

Don't Miss the Show

For more information about the Phoenix Theatre, visit www.phoenixtheatre.org. The theater is located at 749 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis, just off Massachusetts Ave.

Performances: The show runs until Aug. 1 and offers four performances a week. Thursdays begin at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturdays begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets: To purchase tickets, call (317) 635-PLAY (7529). Prices range from $15 to $20.
Photos Courtesy of the Phoenix Theatre

Proof

2010-06-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Theater Within has once again chosen a play that tackles a complicated subject. "Proof," the 2001 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, deals with the thin line between genius and madness and the strain it can place on a family.

The story begins with Catherine on the eve of her 25th birthday. After years of caring for her mentally unstable father, a famed mathematician, she now has to cope with his death. She put her life on hold to care for him and the years have made her caustic and distrustful.

The cast finds its footing in the second half, moving past stereotypes into the meat of the roles. Glenn Dobbs plays the struggling mathematician and he shines in his scenes with Catherine (Danna Sheridan). His convincing paternal nature makes the audience understand her devotion to him. Jeremy Kinnett is fittingly awkward but sincere as Hal, Robert's social-stunted former student.

Kristin Katsu excellent as Claire, Catherine's older sister. With her A-type personality she swoops in, all crispness and calm, to try to rescue Catherine from herself. Claire is the oil to Catherine's water, so different that they can find no middle ground.

Director Rod Isaac presents an ideal setting in which we can explore family dynamics. The play looks closely at the relationship between a father and daughter and the one between diametrically opposite sisters. Like every family, love is blended with frustration and resentment to create a toxic mix.

Don't Miss the Show
For more information about The Theater Within, visit their website. The theater is located at 1125 Spruce St., Indianapolis, IN 46203, just four blocks east of Fountain Square along Prospect Street immediately south of the KFC.

Performances: The show runs until June 26 and offers two performances a week, Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 8 p.m.

Tickets: To purchase tickets, call (317) 850-4665. Prices range from $13 to $15.

Photo courtesy of The Theater Within

High School Musical

2010-06-17T06:46:00.000-07:00

For this year's annual Family show, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre chose Disney High School Musical. The plot deals with high school cliques, pressure to succeed and balancing of diverse interests. But this is certainly not a serious drama. Perky songs and choreographed dance numbers keep things moving quickly and over-the-top drama queens provide comic relief.

The show features only two adult roles, which means decades of experience is not in the cards for most of the cast. Productions that depend so heavily on young actors can be tricky, but B&B manages it with ease. The cast brings a freshness and energy to the show that's infectious.

Gabriella, played by Jessica Ann Murphy, has both a beautiful voice and a natural ease, which makes her performance believable. She and her co-star, Tim Barsten (Troy), work well together. They have great stage chemistry.

Scenic designer Michael Layton turns a movie, that moves throughout an entire high school, into a single set production. The simple design allowed the stage to become a gym, auditorium stage, science lab and more during the show.

(Tim Hills and Michael Layton)

My own brother, Tim Hills, whose passion for theater rivals my own, assisted Layton in the design. Tim, 18, is a student at Brownsburg High School. He has Cerebral Palsy, which makes performing difficult and so he has chosen to fuel his creativity into set design. This show was the first time he had the opportunity to work with a professional theater.

This popular show provides good, clean entertainment and is a great opportunity to take teens to the theater. So whether you're new to the High School Musical phenomenon or a long-time fan, the show is a fun night for the whole family.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until July 18. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet. This production offers $10 discounts on tickets for kids ages 3-15.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

Jersey Boys

2010-06-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

Long before we met the delinquents of Jersey Shore, there was "Jersey Boys," the musical that took Broadway by storm in 2005. It tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the group that wrote and sang dozens of hits that sold a million records, like "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" and "Walk Like a Man."

The Broadway Across America show, currently on stage at the Murat Theatre, has it all. It's the story of an American Dream that came true for a few blue-collar boys. Four guys from Jersey created a brand new sound that allowed them to rocket up the charts in the 1960s. The boys' unexpected success was, as it always is, both a blessing and a curse.

(Joseph Leo Bwarie as Frankie Valli)

Joseph Leo Bwarie plays Frankie Valli, the talented lead singer. Bwarie's unbelievable range mimics Valli own unique pitches. We meet Valli when he's an innocent 16-year-old and watch his journey to stardom.

The three other leads, Nick, Tommy and Bob, each narrate a portion of the story and lend their voices to a dozen songs. Tommy, the troubled tough one, Nick, the funny man, and Bob, the talented songwriter all work well together. They are a convincing group, with salty language, teasing interactions and conflicts. They're brothers in all but blood. Their sense of loyalty to each other was born in the Jersey streets and stayed with them throughout their lives.

"Jersey Boys" creates the perfect blend of music and story. It highlights the struggle of the artists, while celebrating the songs they created. It's one of the best new musicals from Broadway in the past decade. Catch it while it's here!

Don't Miss the Show

The show runs until Saturday, July 3 at the Murat Theatre so hurry to get tickets to the show. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online here. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Photos courtesy of Broadway Across America

A Flea in Her Ear

2010-05-17T12:48:00.001-07:00

Almost any French farce will reliably include slamming doors, jealous spouses and sometimes angry Prussians and speech impediments. This jumble of elements creates a frenzy of misunderstandings that's only straightened out in the end.

The Indianapolis Civic Theatre's production of Georges Feydeau's most famous farce, "A Flea in Her Ear," has all of those elements and more. Add a few pistols, a seedy hotel, and a love letter and you've got a recipe for disaster. A randy German and an angry Hispanic man add extra doses of humor throughout the show.

The show gets off to a slow start, but begins to crackle in the second half. There are three acts and one intermission. This production lacks the pacing essential for a farce to work. It's a delicate balance between banter and action sequences, but the show relied too heavily on the banter in the first half and the action in the second.

Paul Hansen serves as both the wrongly accused husband Victor Emmnauel and a drunken hotel porter named Poche. The tricky roles require him to look exactly the same in most scenes, to ensure the maximum amount of confusion with the rest of the cast, and yet make sure the audience knows at a glance which character we're seeing. Hansen handles it effortlessly. He slips back and forth as the cheerful Poche and proper Victor while chaos erupts around him.

It's a fun show, but don't let it be your only taste of farces.

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 May 23. 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.

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

The Indianapolis Civic Theatre's 2010/11 Season

"Annie"
Sept. 10 – 25, 2010
Ever-optimistic yet yearning to find her own family, spunky, red-haired moppet Annie dreams of breaking away from her dreary existence at a Depression-era orphanage. Her adventures and antics both captivate and delight in this Broadway hit featuring favorite tunes “Maybe,” “Hard Knock Life” and the classic “Tomorrow.”

"The Belle of Amherst"
Oct. 29 – Nov. 13, 2010
In this critically-acclaimed work, William Luce draws on the poems, letters and first hand accounts of Emily Dickinson to sculpt a one-woman play that is an inspiring, poignant and truthful biography of one of America’s greatest literary women. Miss Emily’s poetic genius unfolds the mysteries of her eccentric life.

"Disney's Beauty and the Beast"
Dec. 10, 2010 – Jan. 1, 2011
Disney’s lavish stage version of the Academy Award-winning animated film brings to life the beloved ‘tale as old as time’ in a magical musical production featuring extraordinary costumes, magnificent scenery and an enchanting score with such gems as “Be Our Guest”, “If I Can’t Love Her” and the title song.

"The Last Night of Ballyhoo"
Jan. 21 – Feb. 5, 2011
It’s December 1939, in Atlanta, Georgia and the well-to-do Freitag family can concentrate on nothing but Ballyhoo, the social event of the season. This 1997 Tony Award-winning comedy by Alfred Uhry, author of Driving Miss Daisy, has an illuminating message filled with humor, romance and revelations.

"Cabaret"
March 11 – 26, 2011
On the eve of Hitler’s rise to power, a Cabaret singer, an American writer and the citizens of Berlin are caught in the swirling maelstrom of a changing society. This provocative Broadway show, Tony Award winner for best musical and score, features a macabre emcee and phenomenal cabaret dance numbers.

"The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"
May 6 – 21, 2011
Mayhem ensues when a motley crew of characters gathers in a mysterious mansion to pitch a Broadway musical to potential backers. Replete with revolving bookcases, hidden passageways and secret identities, the show is a riotous homage to the corny thrillers of Hollywood’s heyday.

Always... Patsy Cline

2010-05-10T11:59:00.001-07:00

Music has a way of seeping into your pores. There's no way to explain the affect that certain songs or artists can have on an individual. It's as if they speak to your soul. Those are the notes and lyrics you heart would have sung if it had a voice. Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre's latest show, "Always... Patsy Cline" is a musical created to celebrate this very fact and the unlikely friendship that formed between the singer and one of her biggest fans. After meeting during a concert Cline gave in Texas, Patsy and Louise Seger became real life pen pals.

Christine Mild stars as Patsy Cline, the world-renowned country singer. It's obvious Mild is comfortable in the role, one that she's performed all over the country. Not only does she sound shockingly similar to Cline, she also bears an eerie resemblance to the singer. Her rich voice washes over the crowd in every number. She brings a southern charm and cheek to the role, which is perfectly complimented by her friend's sass.

Seger, played by Erin Parker, is the mouthy fan that becomes Cline's fast friend. Parker is quirky and blunt and easy to love and the two hit it off with an enviable ease. The two actors have an easy camaraderie and the friendship feels natural.

Fans of the Smoke on the Mountains shows Beef & Boards has done in the past will be wooed by the talented band's live music. Smoke cast members, Sarah Hund and Jayson Elliott, are two of the performing musicians. The show boasts 27 songs, not including any rollicking encores. It includes everything from Cline's moving renditions of hymns to honky-tonk hits. The show is a treat for Cline fans, but that's certainly not a prerequisite. I'm embarrassed to admit I couldn't name more than one song of hers before the show, but recognized many during the production and am certainly a fan now.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until June 6. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

Legally Blonde: The Musical

2010-05-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

Broadway Across America is thinking pink this week with the Tony Award-winning "Legally Blonde," on stage now at Clowes Memorial Hall. The show is frivolous fun at its finest. It embraces sorority stereotypes and pokes fun at itself with every "OMG" squealed. Anyone who's seen the movie will have a good idea what to expect, just add singing and dancing to the mix. Expect lots of neon lights, velour tracksuits and shades of Pepto Bismol.

Becky Gulsvig is a perfect blend of ditzy blonde and sincere determination as Elle Woods. Her sassy entourage, which doubles as a Greek choir, embodies the textbook sorority girl mentality.

Michael Rupert embraces his inner slime ball in the role of the cutthroat lawyer Callahan. His big number, "Blood in the Water" drips with delicious sleaze. The UPS guy, played by Ven Daniel, steals each scene he's in and he elicited hoots and whistles every time he walked on stage.

One courtroom number, "There, Right There!" had the audience rolling as it asked the questions that deals with the self-declared "eternal paradox" is he gay or European? This song, like many of the others, is very tongue-in-cheek. Though the overarching theme is to see value in yourself and not underestimate your abilities, it's much more "bend and snap" than "hear me roar."

I wouldn't suggest dragging husbands and boyfriends to the show, but it's perfect to see with sisters, friends or mom for a girls' night out.

Don't Miss the Show

The show runs until Sunday, May 9 at Clowes Memorial Hall so hurry to get tickets to the show. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.
Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Photos Courtesy of Broadway Across America.

Around the World in 80 Days

2010-05-03T06:44:00.001-07:00

(The five man cast of Around the World in 80 Days)

The Jules Verne classic "Around the World in 80 Days" is the Indiana Repertory Theatre's final show of the 2009/10 season.

Phileas Fogg (Jeff Cummings) decides to travel around the globe in only 80 days on a spur-of-the-moment bet. Cummings' capture's the a-typical Englishman's attitude to a T. He's all business with a stoic sensibility. Fogg's trusty French servant, Passepartout, played by La Shawn Banks, travels with him and provides a steady stream of slapstick hilarity.

(La Shawn Banks and John Lister)

With only five actors to play dozens of characters, the talented cast was constantly switching wigs and costumes to cleverly disguise themselves with a new identity. Zack Buell has a particularly trying time playing (according to the playbill) "everybody else." He literally played a different person in almost every scene, becoming the show's chameleon.

(An "elephant" in the jungle in Around the World in 80 Days)

The set is unbelievably versatile. It has to represent half a dozen countries, train cars, an apartment, ship decks and more. Using the simplest of elements, set designer Kevin Depinet managed to make each new location come alive. He relied on the audience to provide the imagination and with a covered and raised table we saw an elephant thundering through the jungle. It was truly a wondrous accomplishment.

(Minita Gandhi and Jeff Cummings in the beautiful costumes
from Around the World in 80 Days)

The music, all original compositions by Andy Hansen, is everything a good score should be. It lingers just beneath the surface, never quite calling attention to itself, but always moving the audience from one emotion to the next. The costumes, designed by Rachel Anne Healy, are yet one more excellent element in this tour-de-force show.

The show is a delightful, fun adventure and a wonderful way to close another great season at the IRT.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Sunday, May 16 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.

Photos courtesy of Julie Currie Photography

IRT Announces 2010/2011 Season

2010-04-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

The IRT Announces its 2010-11 Season

With two world premieres, an award-winning book and hit movie, a Tony Award-winning play, a traditional holiday favorite and the return of the critically acclaimed Going Solo Festival, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) unveils its 39th Season – a season filled with drama, comedy, mystery and history.

 Holes, by Louis Sachar
Sept. 25 – Nov. 6
A lost treasure. A multi-generational curse. Racial injustice. And a bizarre correctional facility where kids serve time digging holes in the desert. Found guilty of a crime he didn’t commit, Stanley discovers more than dirt as he digs – in this quirky comedy, he also finds new friends, the power of perseverance and the truth about his family’s past. What will he find at the bottom of the next hole?

Mary’s Wedding, by Stephen Massicotte
Nov. 3 – Dec. 4
The night before her wedding, Mary wakes from a recurring dream about a childhood love – and takes the audience through a dreamscape of love, heartache, passion and heroism. Set against the backdrop of World War I, Mary’s Wedding presents lives and hearts caught in a time of stunning change. Dreams and life collide in an intimate and powerful work that asks, do we see the truth in our sleep, or after we awake?

The Diary of Anne Frank, by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesserlman
Jan. 18 – Feb. 24
The Diary of Anne Frank is such a literary landmark that it’s easy to forget how it started out: as the personal journal of a young girl striving to become a woman. Written while she and her family hid from Nazis in Amsterdam, Anne Frank’s diary stands as a tribute to the human spirit.

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, adapted by Tom Haas
Nov. 26 – Dec. 26
The classic story of greed and redemption comes to life when Scrooge is taught the true meaning of Christmas by a trio of ghosts who show him his past, present and future.

Going Solo: A festival of intimate stories brought to life by three actors, three scripts, three shows in repertory.

• Neat, by Charlayne Woodard: the story of Charlayne’s brain damaged aunt, Neat, and the profound change she brought to Charlayne with her enormous love, energy, simplicity and magnificent clarity. (a sequel to last year’s Pretty Fire)
o Feb. 10 – Mar. 6
• Fire in the Garden, by Ken Weitzman: a father ponders the changes he undergoes during his wife’s pregnancy while gaining understanding about what it means to be a father for the first time.
o Feb. 12 – 27
• In Acting Shakespeare, by James DeVita: a Shakespearean actor takes a humorous look at his life with the Bard.
o Feb. 19 – Mar. 13

The Gospel According to James, by Charles Smith
Mar. 22 – Apr. 10
In 1930, James Cameron and Mary Ball emerged as the sole survivors of racial crimes in Marion, Indiana. Teenagers when the crimes occurred, they look back on those events and their lives in this World Premiere work commissioned by the IRT with support from the Joyce Foundation. As their past and present lives intermingle, Cameron and Ball discover that their remembrances of that day differ even if their experiences were the same.

The 39 Steps, Alfred Hitchcock
Apr. 20 – May 14
This Tony Award-winning play has been called “a Hitchcock masterpiece … with a dash of Monty Python.” Four actors play multiple characters, contend with outrageous special effects and, along the way, pay homage to some of Alfred Hitchcock’s most iconic movie moments … all while delivering a somewhat faithful, totally tongue-in-cheek rendering of a classic Hitchcock movie. The 39 Steps in IRT’s 39th season!

Performance and ticket information is available at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT Ticket Office at 317.635.5252.

About the IRT
Since the Indiana Repertory Theatre was founded in 1972, it has grown into one of the leading regional theatres in the country, as well as one of the top-flight cultural institutions in the city and state. The IRT has made the historic Indiana Theatre, 140 W. Washington Street, its home for nearly 30 years. Led by Artistic Director, Janet Allen and Managing Director, Steven Stolen, the theatre serves a diverse audience in public performances and student matinee presentations of the plays, serving students, teachers and schools in 2/3 of Indiana’s counties. The IRT celebrates its 39th season.

Images Courtesy of the Indiana Repertory Theatre

A Chorus Line

2010-04-21T11:55:00.001-07:00

"A Chorus Line," presented by Broadway Across America, is on stage now at Clowes Memorial Hall. The show goes behind the scenes of a Broadway chorus line audition in 1975. Over the course of two hours, with no intermission, the audience gets to know what brought each dancer to this point.

With a huge cast and a simple set, the show defies many musical norms. There's no major plot, instead it's a compilation of individual stories. The blank stage has a wall of mirrors and little else to distract from the dancers. You quickly realize that the dancers themselves have become the set. Their flawless bodies pose and stand frozen as the spotlight singles out one individual to perform. The other 16 actors stand, all graceful angles, creating the perfect backdrop.

The cast is equal parts hilarious, heart breaking and incredibly talented. They sing, they dance and they sass, all while trying to manage their nervousness and anticipation. From the deliciously cold diva Shelia to the effusive but (intentionally) vocally-challenge Kristine, the cast creates a wonderfully entertaining group. Every single one of them brings something distinct to the mix. Zach, the director searching for his chorus line, is no exception. With a gruff voice a sprightly steps, he somehow intimidates and encourages them to open up all at the same time.

This love letter to Broadway's hardest working group is the ideal platform to allow dancers to demonstrate their tireless love for what they do. The show is brilliantly choreographed, an absolute joy to watch. Every single high-kick counts when their potential job is on the line. The high energy needed to execute the constant stream of dance is daunting. The lighting is particularly important to this show as well. A single spotlight often distinguished between the sea of leotards to show the audience who's speaking.

Tall, short, male, female, each one is unique, but when they dance in the line they create a single being that moves in perfect unison. They are all passionately in love ... with dancing.

Don't Miss the Show

The show runs until Sunday, April 25 at Clowes Memorial Hall so hurry to get tickets to the show. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Photos courtesy of Broadway Across America

Yankee Tavern

2010-04-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with the Indiana Repertory Theatre, the Phoenix Theatre currently has a show by playwright Steven Dietz on stage. The Phoenix's show, "Yankee Tavern," is a conspiracy-fueled drama set in a New York City bar.

It was fascinating to compare the two shows. The plots were diametrically opposite, but the rapid flow of dialogue was the same. Dietz's writing style was hard to miss. Both plays dealt with serious issues, while maintaining a sense of humor.

"Yankee Tavern" centers on a grad student, Adam, who runs his deceased father's bar. Shane Chuvalas walks the line between cynic and believer as Adam. He's struggling not only to finish his thesis, but also to find closure from his father's death. His fiancée, Janet, (Carrie Schlatter), has grown impatient with his indecision and is beginning to question his true goals in life.

Adam's dad's best friend, Ray, is a regular at the tavern and spews out an endless stream of conspiracy theories on everything from Starbucks (a cult in a cup) to weddings (retail retaliation). Stephen Hunt is perfectly cast as the slightly mad, but lovable, Ray. During the first half of the show he jumps from one topic to another, throwing out far-fetched ideas, finally settling upon the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The aura of mystery grows as a silent patron at the bar pipes up with his own thoughts on that doomed day.

The set, designed by Linda Janosko, felt so authentic that it was hard to remember it wasn't a real bar. Vintage album covers hung on the walls and the beer bottles were plentiful. The whole show takes places within the tavern, so the stage was completely converted.

In the second half of the show the humor is put on hold as the conspiracy takes center stage. Tipping the scales in this way made the show lose some of its entertaining momentum. Though it's interesting to hear bits and pieces of 9/11 theories during the show, the more important goal to questioning the value or harm of all conspiracies. The question the show raises is, what effect do these theories have on the public's faith in authority? Ray wonders aloud which has more damage, the 9/11 attacks or the theories that followed, encouraging the nation to question everything the government tells us. There's something wonderful about a play that leaves the audience with questions. It's certainly a show that will fuel discussion long after the final bow.

Don't Miss the Show

For more information about the Phoenix Theatre, visit www.phoenixtheatre.org. The theater is located at 749 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis, just off Massachusetts Ave.

Performances: The show runs until May 1 and offers four performances a week. Thursdays begin at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturdays begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets: To purchase tickets, call (317) 635-PLAY (7529). Prices range from $15 to $20.

Photos Courtesy of the Phoenix Theatre.

Becky's New Car

2010-04-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

(Macy and Hormann in Becky's new car)

"When someone says they want a new car, what they really want is a new life," the title character in The Indiana Repertory Theatre's "Becky' New Car" says at the beginning of the show.

Becky is a married, middle-aged woman with an adult son who lives at home and a job that has her working late hours doing paperwork at a car dealership. A chance encounter forces her outside of her comfort zone and she tries out a different life, but soon her two worlds collide.

The IRT coordinated the premier of this play with Indianapolis' Phoenix Theatre's premier of "Yankee Tavern." Both plays are written by Steven Dietz, providing Indianapolis residents with the unique opportunity to compare two live shows of a playwright's work in the same month.

(Lisa Ermel and Adriano Gatto in "Becky's New Car")

The set is a versatile, yet intimate living room. You feel as though you've stumbled into someone's home. The show's dialogue is crisp and quick-witted, never lagging for a moment. The second act becomes almost farce-like in its speed and dozens of overlapping situations.

Constance Macy plays the title character with a relaxed conversational air. She interacts with the audience and chats about her life. She feels more like a friend than an actress in this show, which is perfect.

The cast works together with an electric chemistry. They make the show bubble with energy and a believable camaraderie. Michael Shelton as a grieving co-worker with hilarious habits, Robert Neal as the trusting husband, Adriano Gatto as Becky's pontificating son, Nicholas Hormann as a bumbling widower, and the rest of the cast. It's all of them, together, that make this show so outstanding.

(Macy driving in "Becky's New Car")

From the first scene the cast keeps the audience in stitches. Even though the plot deals with serious issues, the confusion and dissatisfaction that a sedate adult life can bring, it's so funny. The humor that is infused into the entire production is what sets it apart from other morose plays that deal with similar subject matter. "Becky's New Car" is absolutely delightful and I can't wait for my next dose of Dietz work at the Phoenix Theatre next week.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Sunday, April 11 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.

Photos courtesy of Julie Currie Photography

Hello Dolly!

2010-03-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is making matches on its stage this spring. Hello Dolly!, the story of a widow who excels at matching up singletons in Yonkers, is on stage now.

Mark Goetzinger plays Horace Vandergelder with a sweet, hassled air. For those who are familiar with his extensive work at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, you might be surprised to find out Goetzinger has a wonderful singing voice. Just one more reason to look forward to seeing him on stage in anything!

Cornelius Hackl, played by David Schmittou, shines in "It Only Takes a Moment." Iris Lieberman is the kooky, meddlesome Dolly Levi. She dances verbal circles around Horace, convincing him of things before he's even realized what she's doing. With the help of a few dancing waiters she makes the title number a doozy.

At Beef & Boards the talented dancers are often overlooked. They do such a continuously wonderful job in almost every show that it's easy to take them for granted. This production was no exception. There's dancing in the parade, the restaurant, the hat shop, etc. The waiters in the restaurant scenes were amazing and boy can those guys jump!

The costumes, created by Brian Horton and his staff, were also impressive. Every woman was decked out in multiple elaborate frocks, gloves and hats with lace galore. The turn-of-the-century garb was excellent. Hello Dolly! is an upbeat, family-friendly show with an energy that won't disappoint.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until May 2. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards

Carousel

2010-03-16T11:42:00.001-07:00

The Indianapolis Civic Theatre's production of "Carousel" provides a big does of Rodgers and Hammerstein style music and lyrics. The famous duo, who created "Oklahoma" and "The Sound of Music" have always been hit or miss for me. Sometimes their perky numbers fit well with the plot, while other times they seem to trivialize a serious issue.

If you already know and love the story of "Carousel" than you won't be disappointed with this production. There is a large cast, which lends itself well to boisterous numbers about clambakes and the month of June. The revolving set is versatile, but not overly distracting. The period costumes are colorful and the lead characters are played by talented actors with good voices and chemistry. Jigger, played by Paul Nicely, is particularly fun as a classic scoundrel.

If you haven't seen the show before, you'll certainly enjoy it for all the reasons stated above, but the plot itself might not sit as easy. The story hinges on the tumultuous relationship between Billy Bigelow, an unemployed ruffian, and Julie Jordan, a sweet-natured girl. Alliteration aside, their union is a doomed one.

"Carousel" is a fun show, but it's certainly light in the way of a thought-provoking plot. The flow of the plot is strange as well. It seems like it should have been broken into three acts, instead of two. Despite these elements, it doesn't cease to entertain.

2010/2011 Season

The ICT just announced its upcoming season.

Annie: Sept. 10 - 25, 2010
The Belle of Amherst: Oct. 29 - Nov. 13
Beauty and the Beast: Dec. 10 - Jan. 1, 2011
The Last Night of Ballyhoo: Jan. 21 - Feb. 5
Cabaret: March 11 - 26
The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940: May 6 - 21

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 28. 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.

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

Photos courtesy of Aladin Images, Inc.

The 101 Dalmatians Musical

2010-03-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

When I first heard Broadway Across America was bringing "The 101 Dalmatians Musical" to Clowes Memorial Hall I was so curious to see how they would portray a cast that mainly consists of animals. Other musicals, like "The Lion King," have done it successfully, but it's not easy.

101 Dalmatians takes on this tricky challenge by covering the canine cast in spotted costumes. The puppies are played by kids, the dogs are played by adults and the humans are all on concealed stilts, which allow them to tower above their pets. It was the perfect way to make the entire production from a dog's eye view.

The sets are all wonderfully whimsical, with slanted furniture and London townhomes. The plot remains basically the same as the Disney movie of the same name, but doesn't contain any of the songs from the film. One surprising bit in the show is a delightful number of tricks performed by actual dalmatians.

101 Dalmatians is the perfect musical for little kids. Even the two-year-olds sitting next to us seemed enthralled by the colorful sets and bouncy songs. It's a clean, fun show for the whole family (except for the family dog).

Don't Miss the Show

The show runs until Sunday, March 14 at Clowes Memorial Hall so hurry to get tickets to the show. Tickets can be purchased at Clowes Memorial Hall, The Murat Theatre, by calling (800)-982-2787 or online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.
Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Photos Courtesy of Broadway Across America

Going Solo Festival: The Year of Magical Thinking and After Paul McCartney

2010-03-02T08:14:00.000-08:00

The Indiana Repertory Theatre always seems to be doing something new and this year's Going Solo festival is no exception. The IRT selected three unique one-man shows and is presenting them on its Upperstage. These intimate shows allow the audience to feel like they are having a one-on-one conversation with the actors.

"The Year of Magical Thinking" stars Fontaine Syer in her IRT debut. The show is an ode to grief and one woman's journey through it. Author Joan Didion wrote the book of the same name after her husband suddenly died as they were sitting down to dinner. So many of us have struggled with loss, but Didion gives a voice to our pain. The loss of control and the overwhelming feeling of helplessness are undeniable.

Syer is excellent in the role of Didion. Her voice is tinged with an icy bitterness, bred by the isolation her loss created. She rejects the death, bargains and reminisces through her anguish, while the audiences raptly watches. It is an unflinching look at dealing with death and its powerful impact left me reeling.

"After Paul McCartney" is the ying to Magical Thinking's yang. It's all energy and optimism. Two middle-aged best friends set out on a mission to meet their hero, Paul McCartney. The show is set in 1989 and is a celebration of friendship and the power of art.

Rob Johansen plays Philip, and a few other characters, in this whirlwind piece. He is an average man who becomes extraordinary because of his love of the Beatles and his devotion as a friend. Whether he is lighting a fictional cigarette or dancing in a club, Johansen is masterful. His charisma and magnetic energy pulls the audience in and doesn't let them go until the final bow.

The third show, "Pretty Fire," is an autobiographical tale about growing up black in America. The IRT has added shows because it has been so popular. It stars Milicent Wright and I've heard it's wonderful.

Because the shows are shown back-to-back, the set needs to accommodate all three very different plays. They chose simplicity, which lets the actors work shine. There are few props and allowing the acting to speak for itself. "After Paul McCartney" has some adult language and all three shows have adult themes.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: "Pretty Fire" is one stage until March 21, "The Year of Magical Thinking" runs until March 7 and "After Paul McCartney" runs until March 14 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 $44 with discounts available for students and seniors.

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

Broadway Across America announces 2010/2011 season

2010-02-26T06:52:00.000-08:00

Broadway Across America is thrilled to announce the 2010/11 Indianapolis season. Season tickets are now on sale.

MARY POPPINS kicks off the season and the world’s most famous nanny will arrive at the Murat Theatre in September. Combining the best of the original stories by P.L. Travers and the beloved Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS is a perfectly magical musical the entire family will enjoy. The show includes favorite songs such as “A Spoonful Of Sugar,” “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”.

DREAMGIRLS, starring Indianapolis’ very own Moya Angela as Effie, will play the Murat Theatre in November. Direct from Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theater in New York City, this Tony® and Academy® Award-winning musical tells the rags-to-riches story of a 1960’s Motown group and features the unforgettable hits “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” “One Night Only” and “Listen”.

9 To 5 The Musical will make its Indianapolis premiere at Clowes Memorial Hall in January. Direct from Broadway, this new musical comedy is based on the hit movie and features Dolly Parton's original hit title song along with her new Tony Award® -and Grammy-nominated score.

GREASE plays Clowes Memorial Hall in March and will take audiences on a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins and T-birds. “Bad boy” Danny and “girl next door” Sandy fall in love to the tune of our favorite songs: “Summer Nights” and “Greased Lightnin’” as well as additional songs from the hit movie: “Grease”, “Hopelessly Devoted To You” and “You’re The One That I Want”.

ROCK OF AGES has taken Broadway by storm and in April, Indianapolis audiences will have nothing but a good time at Clowes Memorial Hall. This arena-rock love story about a small town girl and a big city rocker is told through the greatest songs of the 80’s and features music by Journey, STYX, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benetar, Poison, Whitesnake and many more.

In addition to the regular season package, WICKED is playing the Murat Theatre Dec. 15, 2010-Jan. 2, 1011 as a season special. Season ticket holders will have priority access to tickets.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA 10/11 SEASON SCHEDULE

MARY POPPINS: Sept. 23-Oct. 10, 2010 at the Murat Theatre

DREAMGIRLS: Nov. 2-7, 2010 at the Murat Theatre

9 To 5, The Musical: Jan. 11-16, 2011 at the Clowes Memorial Hall

GREASE: March 22-27, 2011 at the Clowes Memorial Hall

ROCK OF AGES: April 12-17, 2011 at the Clowes Memorial Hall

10/11 SEASON SPECIAL
Season ticket holders will have priority purchase opportunities.

WICKED: Dec. 15, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011 at the Murat Theatre

To purchase ticket:

Order online 7 days a week/24 hours a day at BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

Call the Broadway Across America Indianapolis Season Ticket Services at 800.793.7469. Season Ticket Services hours are Monday –Friday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

Select seats at the Broadway Across America Indianapolis Box Office located downtown in the Marott Center at 342 Massachusetts Avenue. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

Prices for the five show season ticket package range between $118.00 and $431.00 depending on seat location and performance time.

For more information visit Broadway Across America.

Footloose

2010-02-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre's "Footloose" is fun with a capital F. It's filled with 1980s power ballads, big hair and teen angst.

For the few people who have never seen the movie, a high school boy, Ren, and his mother move to the tiny town of Bomont, where dancing is illegal. Unfortunately, Ren just loves to dance, so this poses a problem and he's quickly labeled a "troublemaker."

The best parts of the show are the big '80s dance numbers. Erin P. West shines as the wild preacher's daughter, Ariel, especially in "Holding Out For a Hero." With the help of her girls she belts out the song with such gusto you can't help but love it.

The show was packed with great performance by the supporting cast. Eddie Curry's portrayal as a grieving, controlling preacher was a wonderful dramatic performance. Megan McKinney pulls double duty in her Beef & Boards' debut as both Ren's mom and a country singer. Amanda Lawson plays Ariel's cowboy-loving sidekick, Rusty, with the perfect blend of humor and sass.

Happy Mahaney is a complete scene-stealer as Williard. His redneck character is hot under the color and beyond hilarious. His "Mama Says" number, which isn't from the original soundtrack, was my favorites in the production.

The musical is meant to be fun and frivolous in many ways, but it has a few deeper lessons as well. The characters learn together that it's important to celebrate life and dancing is one great way to do that.

The show isn't meant for kids, so grab a sitter and enjoy a night of unadulterated '80s love.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until March 21. 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 $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet.

Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

Bus Stop

2010-02-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

The Indianapolis Civic Theatre's current production is "Bus Stop." The play was made into a film in 1956, starring Marilyn Monroe, but it isn't one that pops up frequently on midwestern stages.

It's a strange little story. A bus headed to Topeka, Kan. is stranded overnight at a diner when a snowstorm blocks the roads. As the travelers make their way off the bus we meet a nightclub singer, Cherie, a hotheaded cowboy, Bo, and his sidekick Virgil, and a strange professor with a penchant for booze and young girls.

Paul Hansen plays Dr. Lyman, the Shakespeare quoting drunk. He does a wonderful job portraying the tragic character, but it's painful to watch his scenes. You can't help feeling uncomfortable as he sweet talks a naive, young waitress. He's a man filled with remorse and disgust for himself and his lack of self-control.

The set was excellently done. The '50s diner provided a simple set up with good details. The waitresses costumes were particularly fun. The show is split up into three acts with the only intermission positioned after the first act, only 30 minutes into the show.

Tobin Strader and Carrie Bennett Fedor enhance the show as the local sheriff and the brassy diner's owner. They're characters feel like they could be from any small town in America, making the show more accessible. As the play wraps up you're left wondering how all of the oddball characters will fare in the future as they go their separate ways.

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 Feb 7. 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.

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

Photos courtesy of Aladin Images, Inc

Romeo and Juliet

2010-01-25T11:51:00.001-08:00

The Indiana Repertory Theatre's Mainstage is currently home to one of the world's most famous love stories, just in time for Valentine's Day. Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" has been breaking audiences' hearts for centuries and this production is no exception.

To give the old story a new twist, the IRT's version of "Romeo and Juliet" is set in the 1940s. The Capulets are African American and Montagues are Caucasian, but when Romeo and Juliet see each other for the first time their love rises above the racial divide.

The production is the IRT debut for many in the cast. There are a few IRT regulars, but many of the leads, including the title duo, are new to the Indy scene. Though I love seeing familiar faces, it's always a treat when a local theater offers audiences a few new performers with a fresh perspective.

The play hinges on the audience believing that the two teens have fallen so completely in love that they literally can't live without each other. The problem is that the chemistry in this show feels forced. The scene in which Romeo and Juliet see each other for the first time is brief and there is little time for them to show any real connection.

Juliet's nurse, played by Karen Aldridge, does a wonderful job. She is at times playful and in the very next scenes she's shaking with rage and grief. I really enjoyed Claire Aubin Fort as Juliet as well. She has a sweet sincerity, but becomes filled with wild desperation as her world spins out of control.

The fact that the IRT is willing to include something from the Bard in its season every year is fantastic. The only true way for students to being introduced to Shakespeare is by seeing his work on stage. Every time I see his work performed it gives me a chances to watch the text come to life and it makes me fall in love with Shakespeare's masterful language all over again.

Don't Miss the Show

Performances: The show runs until Saturday, Feb. 27 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.

Photos courtesy of Julie Currie Photography