Stage Write

  Empathy is often in short supply when it comes to how we feel about people on the opposite side of the political divide. Heroes of the Fourth Turning, a Pulitzer-prize finalist, explores that tricky topic in an intense and memorable way. The show is perfectly in line with American Lives Theatre’s mission to provide provocative and entertaining plays to Indy. With a cast of five people, director Andrew Kramer tackles a difficult premise. Former students and friends from a Catholic college in Wyoming reunite to celebrate an old professor. Late at night the talk turns to politics and even though it’s a very conservative group, emotions run hot as the lines that divide them become evident. I loved how each new pairing offered a unique point of view. Individuals popped in and out of the house allowing for conversations to shift and new tensions to appear as they challenged each other’s beliefs. The set, designed by Daniel McCullough, is incredible. The IndyFringe’s normal layout is ...

All aboard! The Indiana Repertory Theatre's Exploring Stages program is currently producing "The Little Choo - Choo That Thinks She Can", written by James Still, the playwright-in-residence. He's reimagined the classic tale through the eyes of an imaginative brother and sister. Devan Mathias and Isaiah Moore play the enthusiastic duo. They throw themselves into the roles and embody the frustration, joy, and vulnerability of two kids.  Throughout the show Frankie Bolda provides dozens of musical embellishments to each scenes. Kazoos, tambourines, cymbals, and train whistles make up her costume and add to the fun.  As the little train attempts to climb the big hill the children in the audience find themselves cheering her on. The story, by its very nature, is repetitive, but it gives the kids a chance to grasp the idea and works well for the youth audiences it's intended for.  Grab your kiddos, nieces and nephews, or  grandkids  and visit the...

Lovers of theatre can usually remember their first introductions to the stage. Whether it's a school performance or a professional one, those earliest shows leave an impression. The Indiana Repertory Theatre's current offering, Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”, is a delightful way to make theatre accessible for kids as young as 3. The show begins with listening rules for kids, who are on the floor in storytime seating. The relaxed style takes away the intimidation that some people can associate with professional theatre.  Devan Mathias and Carlos Medina Maldonado star as Piggie and Gerald respectively. Their enthusiasm and playful performances has the kids laughing aloud. The musical, written by children's author Mo Willems, is a sweet story of friendship and trying new things. It even includes some fun Shakespeare and Star Wars references for older audience members.  Each season the IRT offers one children's show for kids ages 3 to 8 and their fam...

  There's a new theatre company in town and its inaugural production is not to be missed. Summit Performance Indianapolis, co-founded by Lauren Briggeman and Georgeanna Smith Wade, opened Silent Sky at the Phoenix Theatre this past weekend. The play by Lauren Gunderson tells the true story of the astronomer Henrietta Leavitt who worked at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s. It is an astonishing piece of theatre.  Carrie Schlatter plays Henrietta Leavitt, the driving force in the powerful production. With each breath she takes she exudes curiosity and a fierce drive. Her passion for her work is infectious. In her new role Henrietta has two female co-workers. Molly Garner is the no nonsense Annie Cannon. She is the straight woman to Gigi Jennewein's Williamina who fills her scenes, and their small work space, with a delightful sense of levity. Adam Tran is their colleague Peter Shaw, who finds himself just as fascinated with Henrietta as the audience is.  ...

In May the Phoenix theater will hold its grand opening at its new location. That exciting fact makes this Xmas show particularly special. This year is the very last time audiences can see the holiday hit in the old church the Phoenix has called home for decades. There are years of new memories to be made on the new stage, but for those of us who have made A Very Phoenix Xmas part of our annual holiday tradition, there was something special about seeing this final show. The Phoenix decided to bring back some crowd favorites from the previous 11 iterations of the show. They let people vote and the winners included "Tacobel Canon" and "Don't Eat the Baby". My personal favorite, "Les Miserabelves", was just as fantastic the second time around. The mash up of the Rudolph Christmas special and Les Miserables is beyond hilarious. Paul Hansen’s rendition of "Hallelujah" backed by a chorus of hymn singing cast members was incredibly movin...

There's something unique happening in Fountain Square right now. In Grove Haus, an old church being used as a performance space, EclecticPond is presenting an original piece, written, composed, and directed by Indiana's own Paige Scott. Viewers of this new interpretation of the classic novel Jane Eyre will fall into two categories. The first will be avid fans of the novel who can't wait to see it come to life on the stage. The second will be people who don't know the story at all or vaguely remember the details from a high school literature class. The great news is that the production is accessible to both groups. Personally, I fall into the first group, a huge fan of the book who was both nervous and excited to see Scott's creation. I left the show feeling completely enchanted.  The beautiful production of Brontë's work brings emotional nuance to pivotal scenes. The cast of seven never leaves the stage, an except for the main two leads, each person plays a...

This week I attended the 50th performance of the Indy Actors' Playground. This little gem of an event is held on the third Monday of every month at Indy Reads Books. Fantastic Indianapolis actors get to pick a play and do a live reading. The only requirement is that it is a professional play that has already been produced (not a new work) and that it hasn’t been produced in Indianapolis any time recently (and isn’t in an upcoming season).   This gives actors the chance to select shows they’ve always wanted to do. The play isn't announced until the show begins. People attending don’t know what they are about to see. This means that the actors don’t have to worry about whether or not it’s an easy production to market. There are no sets, no costumes, and no elaborate lighting effects. It’s just a simple stage with folding chairs. The actors sit a few feet away from the audience members and read directly from the scripts. The amazing thing is that with excellent acto...