Stage Write

 Sweeney Todd is a deliciously dark musical that tackles a revenge story worthy of The Count of Monte Cristo. The content is not for the faint of heart, but the Stephen Sondheim musical is a classic for a reason.  The famous score is brought to life in reverberating tones by the Carmel Symphony Orchestra in the first-ever collaboration between the group and the Actors Theatre of Indiana. The 32-piece orchestra is on stage, just behind the simple set. An 80-person choir provides the backdrop, rising above the action and adding a Greek chorus element to the tragedy. The unique set up adds gravitas to the big numbers, as does Erin Meyer's lighting design, filling the ample space with an eerie red glow. The whole production has an operatic feel that suits the material beautifully. Don Farrell plays the title character and the role allows him to showcase his incredible baritone voice. He is full of grief and a bloodthirsty rage. Judy Fitzgerald is Mrs. Lovett, his partner in...

  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 mu...

When audience members enter the Studio Theat er in the Carmel Center for the Performing Arts they are transported straight into the Kit Kat Klub in 1930s Berlin. Scantily-clad dancers say willkommen as they point you to your seats and the red lights set the mood. Cabaret is on stage now and the timing couldn’t be better.  Cliff (Eric J. Olson) is a young American author who finds his way into the city in the midst of a perpetual celebration.. He meets Sally Bowles (Cynthia Collins), a whirlwind of flirtatious energy and a singer at the Kit Kat Klub. Despite their drastically different temperaments, the two pair off.  Ben Asaykwee is the infamous Emcee and it’s worth hightailing it to Carmel for his performance alone. He steals every scene he’s in with a raised eyebrow and lascivious grin. His performance is more Alan Cumming and less Joel Grey, but with its own unique feel. Whether he’s teasing the dancers on stage or posing with a pineapple, you can’t look away. ...