Stage Write

  It’s rare to find a musical that can truly make the old feel new. So many productions feel like a simple spin on something that’s been done before. Hadestown, on stage now with Broadway Across America (BAA), is one of those uncommon gems. Perhaps that’s why it takes a minute to adjust to the show's distinct blend of jazz and ballads. From a train station above to the industrial prison below, the dramatic story is a retelling of a Greek myth familiar to many. The set has a New Orleans vibe with a balcony and a live band on the stage. The musicians give a club feel to the show like you’ve stumbled into a hidden spot in the French Quarter. The set doesn’t constantly change like some BAA shows but it’s beautifully done with some dramatic lighting moments, and it makes great use of the turntable on the stage. Our narrator and guide through the tale is Hermes (Will Mann). He has a beautiful voice and a playful sense of humor. The three Fates are dressed like 1920s flappers and come

  Welcome to Big Cherry where the dedicated city council members are ready and waiting to plan the annual heritage festival. The American Lives Theatre production of Tracy Letts’ one-act play “The Minutes” is on stage now at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre.  The show has a slow start as the meeting we’re watching is almost too realistic. It hits close to home if you’ve ever attended small-town meetings with petty conflicts and private grievances. It took me back to my years as a daily reporter covering the board of zoning appeals, and town councils.  Robert’s Rules of Order go out the window when blood begins to boil. When Charles Goad (Mr. Carp) appears the plot kicks into high gear. His role looms large in the story even before he arrives. As the catalyst for the action, he’s perfect, both passionate and sincere. Up until that point, it feels a bit like an awkward waiting game as Mr. Peel (Josh Ramsey) sits on the sidelines desperate for answers.     Ramsey plays Peel with an

For more than 60 years, the tale of Atticus and Scout has captivated the world. As a novel, a film, and then as a play, audiences have loved the complex story of a father trying to do what’s right as his raises his young children. This Broadway Across America production features Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of the book. Sorkin chooses to begin with the end in his script, which works perfectly because so many people already know the story. There’s no worry about spoiling the ending. It’s a verbose production, though I would expect nothing less from him.     In this adaptation there’s much more emphasis on the trial than the coming-of-age story. There are more conversations between Atticus and the other adults, Tom, Cal, the judge, and Bob Ewell. In the novel, it’s Scout story, and we see the plot unfold through her eyes. This iteration of the play is much more focused on Atticus. It’s like seeing a behind the scenes glimpse into the original Mockingbird. The story is the same but you’re

Roald Dahl is famous for writing beloved, if unconventional, characters. From Willy Wonka to the BFG, his creations have captivated hearts for decades. Readers connected with them so deeply because Dahl understood that life often didn’t go as planned. You might not have kind parents or enough money, but there is still magic in the world. The musical version of his novel Matilda stays true to that spirit. It’s not a children’s story with a tiny hiccup, the stakes are high. Cruel adults are controlling Matilda’s world and that tiny little bookworm is the only one who can fix it. Constellation Stage & Screen is producing the show in Bloomington at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The century-old icon is a gorgeous place to see any show. There is an orchestra in the front portion of the stage. The live music is excellent, but it’s hard to hear some of the lyrics during larger numbers. Voices are sometimes drowned out by the score. The huge cast brings great energy to the production. Kate G

A Christmas Carol is back at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. This holiday tradition is an audience favorite for a reason. New this year, Priscilla Lindsay directs and brings so much humor into the show with playful moments between the cast members. The set and plot are familiar but there are always unique elements. It feels like a well-oiled machine (in a good way) with a quick pace, smooth changes between the scenes, and a cast that’s wonderfully in synch. The chorus of actors narrating the story in Dickens’ own words works so well. I loved seeing the addition of a shadow show that helps flesh out Scrooge’s childhood scenes and adds joy to a sometimes bleak moment. Ryan Artzberger plays Bob Cratchit and his sweet interactions with Tiny Tim add a tender layer to the show and make the child’s fate all the more poignant. The costumes are absolutely lovely and including mannequins on the stage for quick coat changes worked well. I loved the displays on the second floor of the lobby which

The mega-hit musical Frozen is on stage now at the Old National Centre. I can’t think of many shows that would be a better fit for a child’s first Broadway experience. These characters are so beloved and watching the show was like leaning into one of Olaf’s warm hugs. From the magical costume change in “Let It Go” to the ice bridges and castle sets, the musical brings the movie to life in a way that expands the story. There are added scenes with the parents and other major characters that allow for more time to explore their connection, which felt rushed in the original story. There are obvious changes that must be made when translating a movie like this to the stage. Two of the main characters are a reindeer and a snowman. I loved the way the ensemble was used to enhance the shipwreck and snowstorm. Their fluid moments were more beautiful than any light elements to demonstrate snow and ice. Anna, played by Lauren Nicole Chapman, leaned more into the comedy side of the character. She h