Stage Write

Bard Fest wrapped up its second annual events this past weekend. This year’s festival included three different Shakespeare productions, by three companies, in rotation: Twelfth Night from Garfield Shakespeare Co., King Lear from First Folio, and Coriolanus from Catalyst Repertory. One highlights of the festival is that audiences are able to see plays that are rarely produced in Indiana .  I was only able to make it to King Lear, something I hope to remedy next year. The productions obviously have a small budget, but they make the most of what they have. Costumes are simple and the stage is sparse, highlighting the performances over the atmosphere. Carey Shea’s direction wisely focuses on relationships over action sequences. David Mosedale is the titular king. He’s flustered and frustrated by his situation. His brokenness is clear in the second act. Ann Marie Elliott plays both the rejected daughter Cordelia and the Fool. Her performance as the former is emotional and ...

Indy's Shakespeare festival is back for a second year! The annual event runs from October 13 through October 30. The three main shows this year are Coriolanus, King Lear, and Twelfth Night. Founded by & managed in partnership with The Carmel Theatre Company, First Folio Productions, Catalyst Repertory (formerly CRP) & The Garfield Shakespeare Company. Bard Fest Indy was founded by 3 Indiana-based theatre companies to bring a professional quality, yet intimate, Shakespeare festival experience to central Indiana. Through their partnership with The Carmel Theatre Company, Bard Fest is able to not only provide paying work for local area actors, but also provide 3 unique visions under one intimate roof. Opening Weekend Celebration: Opening weekend will include buy-one-get-one tickets to the Shakespeare anchor shows, and will also feature two special guest shows by the critically acclaimed Fringe performer and classical literature scholar, Timothy Mooney. They ar...

   Take one deserted mansion in an English marsh, add in rumors of possible hauntings, children’s laughter and a nervous solicitor and what do you get: the perfect Halloween treat! The Woman in Black is on stage now at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre . The beautifully dark show has long been a favorite in England. It’s the second longest-running play in London and was turned into a film starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) earlier this year. Now the ICT is presenting the creepy production just in time for Halloween. As Hitchcock taught audiences for years, the less you see the scarier it is. That idea holds true for this show as well. The show features a play within a play and though it starts out slow, the momentum builds in a wonderfully satisfying way. This two-man show features excellent performances by both of its leads. Dan Scharbrough is the earnest Arthur Kipps, a troubled man who wants only to unburden himself of his terrible story.  John Mi...

The Actors Theatre of Indiana has finally found a permanent home. Their latest production, Chicago, is on stage now at the Studio Theatre in the Carmel Center for the Performing Arts. The intimate setting is just right for the talented group and fans of their work will now know exactly where to find them. Chicago starts, and ends, with a bang. The sexy show is set in the 1920s when booze and jazz were “corrupting” the youth in the big cities. Roxie Hart, a young married woman, kills her lover and finds herself first in jail and then in the newspapers as she plots to get herself a verdict of not guilty and a big vaudeville show. Velma Kelly is another singing murderess with high hopes and rough ways. The two women look out for # 1, as does their lawyer, Billy Flynn. One of the best aspects of the show is the wonderful live band which provides the well-known jazz songs throughout the show. The choreography (by Michael Worcel) is also topnotch. There's not a dull moment as the tirel...