Stage Write

When the play you’re about to see is a murder mystery called “And Then There Were None”, you know there will be a body count. The deliciously dark Agatha Christie novel comes to life on the stage in the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre‘s current production. Unlike most of its shows, this one is held in the smaller, more intimate Studio Theater, a great fit for the chilly drama. Ten strangers find themselves trapped on an English island with a killer in their midst. They soon realize not all is as it seems when they are all accused of committing various murders. The three-act play has one 15 minute intermission and then a short pause after the second act. The pace clips along briskly as the story unfolds. Charles Goad had quite the challenge as the director. He has to show murders, both onstage and off, without revealing the killer. It’s a game of sleight-of-hand and he manages it beautifully. The audience is pulled into the guessing game as the bodies piled up. I frequently he...

  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 followe...

  After celebrating its 100 th anniversary last season, the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre kicked off its next century of performance with the Broadway musical “Little Women”. The show is based on the beloved book by Louisa May Alcott, but it doesn’t stick strictly to the text. It wisely begins with the lead character, Jo March, away from her family in New York. Early scenes with the sisters can feel a bit slow and beginning it later in the story gives the show a stronger opening.  The musical incorporates some of Jo's stories into the performance. As she reads them aloud to her sisters or friends we see the adventures acted out on stage. The campy dramas provide laughs as her "blood and guts" tales come to life.  Julia Bonnett plays Jo March and it’s her role that truly stands out in this production. Bonnett is fiery and ambitious as the young writer. Her enthusiasm and temper sometimes get the better of her and it’s the character’s flaws that make the audience ...

If you’re already a fan of Monty Python, then seeing the current production of Spamalot at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre should be a no-brainer. For the rest of the theatre-going crowd don’t go to this musical expecting life-altering drama or lyrics filled with lines of wisdom. This is pure entertainment and it’s done so well. With numbers like, “The Song That Goes Like This” and “The Fisch Schlapping Song” it’s clear the show is focused on fun.    Robert Koharchik does an incredible job with the set. He recreates the Monty Python scenes from the French castle to the Camelot casino perfectly. The high tower windows on either side of the stage worked particularly well. A few awards for the show:   Best Dance Moves: Sir Robin Best Insults: The French Best Hair: Sir Dennis Galahad Best Use of Coconuts: Patsy  Best Jazz Hands: Sir Lancelot  Best Dramatic Performance: Tim the Enchanter  Just sit back and revel in the absurdity of the ...

When Elf (the movie) came out in 2003 people were expecting a goofy Christmas romp. While it was hilarious, the reason it remains a seasonal favorite is because of the sweet message at its core. What could have been pure comedy instead had real heart, encouraging even the grumpiest of adults to find the magic in Christmas. Now the movie is a musical and Broadway Across America has brought the cheerful production to Indianapolis just in time for the holidays.  That unbridled enthusiasm translates well into a stage musical, where bursting into song is expected, but something is inevitably lost with that expectation. We know there will be singing, so it's not surprising when Buddy the Elf starts singing in the midst of Macy's Christmas rush. The musical takes that same plot of the film and adds bubbly songs and gives a few characters a bit more meat. Buddy's new stepmother Emily and his father's assistant Deb both benefit from the changes ...

I’ve always had an affinity for plays that teach me a bit about history. Golda’s Balcony, the longest-running one-woman show in Broadway history, does just that. Written by the same playwright who brought Helen Keller’s story alive in “The Miracle Worker,” Golda’s Balcony explores the life of Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir. Miki Mathioudakis plays the titular character with a firm grace. Golda was the prime minister during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, a terrifying time for the country of Israel. There is a delicate tightrope to walk for all political leaders, but that’s even truer when a country is in the midst of a tumultuous time.   The set is a simple room, but the backdrop is a huge projector screen. Throughout the production the screen displays images of the political adviser and world leaders as she discusses each one. It also had photos from her childhood and maps of the areas under attack. These elements help bring the audience into the story, connecting them...