Stage Write

  It's easy to think The Lion King is just for kids. As one of a slew of Disney movies turned into stage musicals, it could easily have been dismissed. But the famous Broadway show has stood the test of time since its 1997 premiere. It didn't make the mistake of sacrificing the heart of the story for the spectacle. The opening number alone is worth the price of admission. The musical's costumes are among the best in the industry. Even grass becomes beautiful when worn as headdresses on swaying dancers. The animals are incredible accomplishments in puppetry. Cheetahs strut, and giraffes lope across the stage, capturing each creature's movements with magnificent accuracy. Most kids are already familiar with the story from the movie, making this a very family-friendly show. It has that wow factor, and meshes a captivating plot, incredible sets, and an award-winning score together. There will be a few surprises for those only familiar with the film version. Some new songs, ...

  The show is brilliant, let’s start with that. If you haven’t seen it, go immediately. If you’ve seen it before, there’s so much packed into each scene that multiple viewings are essential. The Broadway Across America production is on stage now at the Old National Center (Murat Theatre). Each time I see “Hamilton” something new stands out to me. After a year marked by grief and heartache, the story of so many unexpected young deaths was painful to say the least. To have a show that is a pop sensation, still resonate such deep themes is shockingly rare in the Broadway world. Grief and legacy aren’t light topics, but the speed and humor in the show balance it nicely. Hoosier Michael Natt took the stage as Hamilton at the performance I attended. A.D. Weaver, another Hoosier in the cast, is the fearless leader, George Washinton. Jimmie “JJ” Jeter’s Aaron Burr feels a bit more sardonic than past versions.   Nathan Haydel (John Lawrence/Philip Hamilton) and Lauren Mariasoosay ...

  Hamilton’s “You’ll Be Back” might as well have been written about me and Les Misérables. There will never be a time I’m not drawn to this show. I think we often forget that musicals and plays that have become commonplace to us are still new to the next generation. Bringing my nine-year-old daughter to see the show for the first time was a beautiful experience. I remember seeing it in London for the first time at 21 and being blown away. The depth of the story, the beauty of the songs, the range of the vocals, it was a revelation. Seeing the same response from her made this production particularly special for me. Broadway Across America included this show in its season two years ago, and many of the lead actors, including Javert (Preston Truman Boyd), Valjean (Nick Cartell), the Bishop of Digne (Randy Jeter), and others, all remain the same. Their powerful performances could carry the show alone, but the large supporting cast is full of standouts. Alexa Lopez does a beautiful job ...

At this point in Indy, there are those who haven’t seen Wicked and are dying to experience it, and those who can’t wait to see it again. It has stood the test of time since its 2003 premiere more than 20 years ago. With the release of the first half of the film version, there are whole new legions of Wicked fans excited to see it live. Two different women take on the role of Elphaba during the Indianapolis run of the show. The performance I attended featured Olivia Valli as the rebellious witch. Valli is an incredible singer, which should come as no surprise considering her past Broadway performances and her lineage (granddaughter of Frankie Valli). She demonstrates how painful it can be to go against the grain when you stand up for what is right instead of fitting in. She's vulnerable and broken in equal measures when she discovers unexpected love and then loses the dreams and family she held so dear.   The effervescent Zoe Jensen as Glinda is the perfect counterweight to Elphaba’...

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...

  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...

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 bu...

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...

Hamilton is back in town! The Broadway Across America production is currently at the Old National Center. At this point most people who have been dying to see Hamilton have made it happen in Chicago, New York, or with one of the touring productions. The real question is: is this production as excellent as the others and is it worth seeing multiple times? The obvious answer is yes. Whether it’s your first time seeing the show or your fifth, it’s no less intoxicating. The musical is so layered and filled to the brim with moving parts that there will always be something new to discover. Many are familiar with the addictive soundtrack and 2020 film version with the original cast, but there’s a contagious energy that can’t be captured without a live performance. With a cast of more than 20 people, the choreography is astonishing. Every motion is smooth and perfectly timed, and the supporting cast moves as one unit. In one scene a dancer uses a single book as a prop in a gorgeous dance, in a...

  The greatest musicals, the ones with a lasting impact, combine two important things. The first is a powerful story and the second is a great score. Few musicals do that as brilliantly as Les Misérables. It’s a story of mercy, grief, redemption, and the ripple effect that love has on everyone it touches. Every time I see the show, something new stands out to me. In this Broadway Across America’s production, I was struck by Javert’s story. This is the first time I’ve seen the show since the wild polarization of our nation built to its current fervor. Javert’s worldview is painfully legalistic, leaving no room for mercy or the acceptance of growth in others. That story hit differently this time as I recognized how common it has become to refuse to see your “enemy” as a real person. Empathy is in short supply and the cautionary tale of Javert’s obsession with justice is more harrowing than ever. Preston Truman Boyd did a beautiful job with the character and is a towering presence o...

  Broadway Across America does big musicals well. Obviously, the trend of movie-to-musical has touched every genre, but Disney musicals tend to translate well in that medium. Aladdin is no exception. Everything is big, bright, sparkling, and bursting with color. The special effects don’t disappoint. There are lightning-fast costume changes and spectacular sets. The Cave of Wonders is particularly impressive.   The show feels different through the eyes of a child. Critics might feel overwhelmed by the hugeness of the cast, set, and costumes, but for kids it's magical. A favorite movie comes to life in front of them and the production nails that. The magic carpet ride alone is worth the price of admission for the look of sheer joy on your kiddo’s face. The musical has learned from some of its Disney predecessors. In The Little Mermaid, the annoying sidekicks didn’t translate well to the stage and in Aladdin, those characters are wisely eschewed. Instead of a querulous monkey...

  High school is a different world from what many of us experienced growing up. Now, social media is an integral part of life and that fact is evident from the scrolling feeds presented on the hanging panels of the Dear Evan Hansen set. The story of a community coping with the suicide of a teenage boy took Broadway by storm when it premiered in 2016. It helped people feel seen and connected in a time when suicide and hopelessness run rampant in our society. The show is greater than its summary. The description doesn’t capture the grief and depth of loneliness the characters are facing. While the plot is relatable for so many, the show would fall flat without its incredible score. It was written by Grammy®, Tony®, and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman). A live orchestra performs each number of the captivating composition on a riser above the stage. The Tuesday night production was entirely understudies except for the roles of Zoe and...

Broadway in Indianapolis is proud to announce the 2020-2021 season headlined by the six-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen, and the new musical Mean Girls.          Season tickets for the 2020-2021 Broadway in Indianapolis Season are on sale now with TWO convenient ways to purchase: 1. Order online 7 days a week/24 hours a day at www.BroadwayinIndianapolis.com 2. Call the Broadway Across America toll-free Indianapolis Season Ticket Hotline at 800-793-7469. The Hotline hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. Prices for the five-show season ticket package range between $216—$614 depending on seat location. EXCLUSIVE SEASON TICKET HOLDER REWARDS: • Flexible ticket exchanges • No upgrade charges for exchanged seats in same price level regardless of performance • Priority purchase opportunities for additional tickets to all Broadway in Indianapolis shows • Lost ticket insuranc...

Much has been said about this smash hit musical Hamilton. It seems universally beloved by all audiences and seeing it in person you'll understand why. In the midst of the warp-speed raps and deep dive into history, there's a passion that gets to the core of what America is truly about. It's the story of an immigrant, a story of someone who overcomes every obstacle, hauling themselves up from the bottom with pure ambition and drive. It's the story of a broken man and the people his decisions affected in both good ways and bad. It’s also a love story, filled with heartache and the relatable position of being lost and searching for your way home to the one you miss. It’s the story of jealousy and what happens when you can’t let go of injured pride. It is tragedy on a Greek scale. And all of that is rolled into one show that clocks in just under 3 hours. It’s pretty epic. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the music, lyrics, and book and his brilliance is woven into each song....