Stage Write

In 1956 Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins spent one evening jamming together at Sun Studios. The group was referred to as the "Million Dollar Quartet" and the recording became famous. Years later a musical was made to commemorate that famous night and the show is on stage now at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Each actor brings a unique vibe to the production. Brian Michael Henry's Lewis is petulant but buzzing with energy and ambition. Christopher Wren is an incredibly talented guitarist and plays the snarky Perkins as brimming with bitterness. Edward La Cardo embraces the extreme physicality of his role as Elvis and nails the vocals, but doesn't quite capture the inherent charm of the crooner. Last but not least, Justin Figueroa's performance as the quiet, smoldering Johnny Cash just makes the show. His baritone notes and calm demeanor make you lean in and really listen every time he approaches a microphone. Jill Kelly H

The Phoenix Theatre is excited to announce its 2018/19 season. This will be its first full season is its new home on Illinois Street.  Bright Star  Music, book, and story by Steve Martin and music, lyrics, and story by Edie Brickell Sept. 21-Oct. 7 Cabaret Poe by Ben Asaykwee (a co-production with Q Artistry)  Oct. 5-Nov. 4 A Very Phoenix Xmas 13: Merry Superstitious by Various Artists Nov. 23-Dec. 23 Apples in Winter by Jennifer Fawcett Jan. 11-Jan. 27 The Hotel Nepenthe by John Kuntz March 1-March 24 The Christians by Lucas Hnath March 29-April 14 The Children by Lucy Kirkwood April 26-May 19 White City Murder by Ben Asaykwee (a co-production with Q Artistry)  June 14-July 7 For more information about these shows or to purchase tickets, please visit PhoenixTheatre.org or call (317) 635-7529.  Photo courtesy of Zach Rosing. 

  When the Theatre on the Square closed the Indy theatre community couldn't help but worry and speculate about what would happen next. It breathed a collective sigh of relief when the building was saved. Now named The District Theatre, the Mass Ave space opens its doors with the musical Forbidden Broadway. The show is a wink and an elbow to the ribs to all theatre lovers and provides a chance to laugh at campy renditions of well-known songs. No beloved musical is safe from skewering. From Les Misérables to Lion King, everything is fair game. The show is a production from the Actors Theatre of Indiana and stars all three co-founders (Don Farrell, Cynthia Collins and Judy Fitzgerald), plus a fourth performer, Logan Moore. The company usually performs in Carmel and so their southern migration is a treat for those who prefer Mass Ave to braving the world of roundabouts.    Throughout the show, Brent Marty provides piano accompaniment as the actors ham it up. His musical styl

  There's a new theatre company in town and its inaugural production is not to be missed. Summit Performance Indianapolis, co-founded by Lauren Briggeman and Georgeanna Smith Wade, opened Silent Sky at the Phoenix Theatre this past weekend. The play by Lauren Gunderson tells the true story of the astronomer Henrietta Leavitt who worked at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s. It is an astonishing piece of theatre.  Carrie Schlatter plays Henrietta Leavitt, the driving force in the powerful production. With each breath she takes she exudes curiosity and a fierce drive. Her passion for her work is infectious. In her new role Henrietta has two female co-workers. Molly Garner is the no nonsense Annie Cannon. She is the straight woman to Gigi Jennewein's Williamina who fills her scenes, and their small work space, with a delightful sense of levity. Adam Tran is their colleague Peter Shaw, who finds himself just as fascinated with Henrietta as the audience is.    Devan Ma