Stage Write

"The Color Purple," presented by Broadway Across America, is on stage now at Clowes Memorial Hall. Based on the Pulitzer-Prize-winning book of the same name, the musical's central character is a subservient, sweet-natured girl named Celie. Celie's story is one of heartache and pain. She is beaten, raped and mistreated by all of the men in her life from a young age. The few people in her life whom she loves, her sister Nettie, her two children and a woman named Shug, are all taken from her at some point. She's lived under the oppressive thumb of her husband since she was only 14. Yet somehow, despite the unimaginable sorrows the characters face, this story exudes hope and love. "The Color Purple" is truly about Celie finding her footing in a harsh world. Celie is played by Kenita R. Miller, whose small stature disguises a vocal powerhouse. Miller is the perfect choice for the role and her solo numbers are breathtaking. The production's supporting cast...

The plot is deceptively simple, two people, a man and a woman, who have been corresponding for their entire lives. Through their letters the story unfolds and the audience is quickly reminded that there is nothing more complicated than just one man and one woman. A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" is on the Indiana Repertory Theatre's Upperstage right now. IRT favorite Priscilla Lindsay plays the woman, Melissa, and Patrick Clear is Andrew. They grew up together and from their first notes in second grade to postcards sent from family vacations to family Christmas letters as adults their lives have remained entwined. Lindsay is wonderful as Melissa, but she definitely excels in the second half when Melissa moves past her melodramatic teenage angst into a bittersweet melancholy. Lindsay manages to find the perfect balance between sassy quips and an all-consuming unhappiness that she can't ever seem to shake off. Melissa's flip comments and cavalier tone hide a w...

The Indiana Repertory Theatre's annual show, "A Christmas Carol," is back for its 14th year. The show is 90 minutes, with no intermission, perfect for both kids and adults to enjoy. The IRT once again captures the true macabre atmosphere of the Victorian e ra story, but it also manages to sprinkle humor and carols throughout the show. The production is beautifully choreographed. The entire cast felt perfectly in synch as they moved from spot to spot on the stage picking up props as they went and adjusting each scene by opening and closing trap doors in the floor. The narration of the show is also done by the cast as a whole, they trade lines in a seamless flow. The costumes are exceptional in this show. Everyone from the shady laundress to the British officers are decked out in the perfect attire for their character. Charles Goad is back as the cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge. As he relives his memories, both the joyful and the painful, he shows a sweet intimacy. Goad gives...