Stage Write

  Mel Brooks fans and those missing Gene Wilder should be flocking to Carmel this month, where the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre’s current production of Young Frankenstein hits all the right notes.  First off, can we just take a moment for the sets? They are incredible! They are based on the original Broadway scenic design, but there were no corners cut in recreating them here. From the gorgeous laboratory with a winding staircase to a Transylvanian village, the sets just keep coming. There’s   a ship, train, cave, horses, a giant monster puppet, a forest; you name it and it was probably in there. It was easy to get sucked into the story with the elaborate scenery. The cast is a blast. Saucy Frau Bleucher (played by Vickie Phipps), naïve Inga (Devan Mathias), and earnest Frederick Frankenstein (Steve Kruze) all seemed like they were made for these roles. My particular favorite is Damon Clevenger as the forever loyal Igor. He was hilarious as he nimbly followed his Master’s

American Players Theatre (APT) is excited to announce its 2017 season, which will run June 10 – October 22, 2017. UP THE HILL THEATRE A Midsummer Night’s Dream By William Shakespeare Directed by John Langs A Flea in Her Ear By Georges Feydeau Adapted by David Frank Translated by Abbot Chrisman Directed by David Frank Cyrano de Bergerac By Edmond Rostand Adapted by James DeVita Directed by James DeVita Cyrano de Bergerac is a fearless Three Sisters By Anton Chekhov Translated by Susan Coyne Directed by William Brown Pericles, Prince of Tyre By William Shakespeare Directed by Eric Tucker TOUCHSTONE THEATRE   The Maids By Jean Genet Translated by Bernard Frechtman Directed by Gigi Buffington The Unexpected Man By Yasmina Reza Translated by Christopher Hampton Directed by Laura Gordon A View from the Bridge By Arthur Miller Directed by Tim Ocel The Creditors By August Strindberg Translated by D

  In a year where election campaigns can leave you feeling little love for your country and state, the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s unique production “Finding Home: Indiana at 200” is a welcome respite. I’ve never felt so misty-eyed about my Hoosier heritage. The play was created to celebrate the state’s bicentennial and is a combination of the work of dozens of artists. It compiles original music, created by Tim Grimm and performed by his family band, with short plays about Indiana’s history.   There are no restrictions on content, except it has to be about Indiana. From Cole Porter to James Dean, Princess Mishawaka to Eli Lilly, the richness of Hoosier history unfolds beautifully.  They touch on the Indy 500 and IU basketball, but the other pieces are thankfully not heavy on sports; even those two focuses on lesser known elements.     Many of the pieces are based on facts familiar to Hoosier, but the writers give those common stories a face and bring them to life.  I’m gr

Fairytales are familiar fare at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, but the darker stories in Into the Woods are not. The theatre is currently producing the Stephen Sondheim musical for the first time. The show explores the lives of Cinderella, Little Red Ridinghood, Rapunzel, etc. with a much more realistic twist. What happens after the happily ever after ?  Don Farrell and Meaghan Sands play the baker and his wife. The pair is the heart of the show. Their struggle with infidelity drives them into the woods to break a curse. The two work well as a married couple, frustrated with each other and loving in equal measure. Sands is particularly good, providing a grounded center in the midst of chaos. Her vocals are beautiful. Farrell finds his voice during the number “No More”. “Agony” sung by Cinderella’s Prince (Timothy Ford), and Rapunzel’s Prince (Mickey Rafalski), is one of the highlights of the show. For me it blends the production’s tongue-in-cheek humor, excellent singing,