Stage Write

Six the Musical does not disappoint! The 90-minute, no-intermission show is a pop concert mashup with Tudor history. The women are the six wives of Henry VIII and are competing to see who has had the worst life. Their stories are no joke. Despite the humor that’s dominant, there are elements of sorrow woven throughout. Many of these women lived lives dictated by greedy men and their fates made that clear. That said, this show is blistering with energy and sass. It kicks off with attitude and passion, swinging seamlessly from power ballads to a German rave while keeping the audience engaged. Each solo number gives a queen a chance to shine while a completely female band provides live backup. The lyrics pack centuries-old history into each song, conveying the women’s stories with eloquence. The costumes, designed by Gabriella Slade, are a true work of art. Each queen has a distinct color, gold, green, black, red, pink, and blue. Their outfits are gorgeous creations, bedazzled, and stud...

  Nina Simone was one of the most impactful voices of the Civil Rights movements. This play gives audiences a glimpse at her struggle to use her lyrics to fight during that horrific time. Her story is woven in with the 16th St. Baptist Church bombing in 1963. The set is built around a piano which provides live music throughout the show. There are stained glass windows, burned carpet, and collapsed pews, immediately pulling the audience into the tragedy. The success of this production rests on the voices of the actresses and what a success it is! Without incredible singers, the rest falls flat. Each of the four give beautiful performances, but it was the voices of Akili Ni Mali as Nina Simone and Jamecia Bennett as Sarah that brought the house down. Packed with such passion and incredible skill, they make the show pulse with righteous anger and sorrow. Bennett’s rendition of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” feels like a portal into a church service. Akili’s fury is a sight to behold as...

Lovers facing an impossible obstacle, catchy pop song medleys, and epic Parisian sets, what more could you want? Moulin Rouge is the story of a courtesan with a secret and a young artist blinded by love. It’s a premise that’s hard to resist. Fans of the original movie (2001) will recognize many of the big numbers, but in this new iteration, the songs have been updated. Brittney, Beyoncé, and Adele’s work are all present, but lesser-known songs from artists like Regina Spektor make surprisingly delightful appearances. The unexpected pop hits could’ve been gimmicky, but it works because the performers nail their vocals and the audience cares deeply about the characters.   After a whirlwind opening in the nightclub, the show finds its footing as we slow down and meet our Bohemians. In the classic style of RENT, La Boheme, and Les Mis, we fall for the poverty-stricken artists with big dreams. There’s so much playful humor, even in their stark tawdry world that the overarching feeling i...

  I love a locked room mystery, but put that room on a train mired in a snowstorm and you’ve got a classic. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is the perfect mix of fascinating plot and exciting twists and turns. Even when you know the final reveal it still entertains. Ken Ludwig’s adaptation is particularly excellent; tightening the story, dropping clues in every scene, and pulling the audience in quickly. In the opening moments an eerie voice over adds a layer of creepy intimacy to the story. It sets the stage for the mystery that’s about to unfold. The real kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby provided the inspiration for this mystery, which gives it an added gravitas. Once we are on the train, the sets are beautiful. The bar car is particularly splendid and William Mohoney’s design uses space well with a turntable and an additional set on a balcony. The cast is full of Beef & Boards favorites like Eddie Curry, Suzanne Stark, Devan Mathias, Scott Greenwell, and Ben...

  The American Player Theatre is just a quick drive north to Wisconsin. For 45 seasons APT has produced a wide range of shows each summer in both their large outdoor theatre and smaller indoor location. It is always worth the drive. Much Ado About Nothing is the classic enemies-to-lovers story that set the standard for all the thousands that followed it. Merciless barbs are tossed back and forth between Beatrice and Benedick before the pair realize they’re actually in love. This production is set in a seaside town, complete with a maritime theme. Beatrice (Jessica Ko) and Benedick spark like wildfire. Their chemistry is essential for the show to work, and their verbal sparring is a joy to watch. Marcus Truschinski wears his full heart on his sleeve even when jesting as the loveable Benedick. The gentle deception of their friends pushes Beatrice and Benedick together despite their stubborn natures. Not since the film “It Happened One Night” has a sheet and a clothesline been u...

  There are a few Indy performers whose name alone is enough to get me to their show. Ben Asaykwee and Claire Wilcher are two of those actors. They’ve come together for “White City Murder”, an original musical Asaykwee created about the serial killer H.H. Holmes, who made his mark at the Chicago’s World Fair in 1893. To carry off a successful two-person musical conveying a massive amount of historical content, you need the most charismatic performers. I can’t imagine the show without Wilcher and Asaykwee. They swing from playful and campy to melancholy and disturbing in the span of a single song. They share props, trade accents, and use a simple red glove to play dozens of characters without ever making things confusing. The outrageous nature of the show keeps things moving at a brisk pace and it never lags. Most numbers use an audio looping machine to provide harmonies and backdrops. That, along with a piano built into a cabinet on the stage, is all they need to provide music in...