Stage Write

One bride, one mom, and three potential dads all on one Greek island; the premise of Mama Mia! might seem silly, but its playful absurdity provides the right framework for a musical built around ABBA songs. Beef & Board Dinner Theatre’s current production captures that spirit and runs with it. The 2007 Broadway Across America production felt much more like a concert. Beef & Boards’ show instead has a more intimate feel and it shines a light on the lovely mother/daughter relationship at the heart of the story. It also emphasizes the message that your identity is not created by your “family”, it’s something you must discover for yourself. Both Sophie (Rachelle Rose Clark) and her onstage mother Donna (Amy Bodnar) give enthusiastic performances. Bodnar is a Broadway veteran, who is new to the Beef & Boards stage. Her performance of “The Winner Takes It All” completely knocked it out of the park. Her vocal skills shine in those powerful solo moments. Tanya played...

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is thrilled to announce its 2018 season. Greater Tuna (Dec. 28, 2017  – Jan. 28) On stage Great Tuna is a sidesplitting comedy about the Lone Star State's third-smallest town. All 20 of its wacky residents are played by just two actors: Beef & Boards' own comic duo of Eddie Curry and Jeff Stockberger. This hilarious send-up of small town morals and mores is on stage through Jan. 28, 2018. Mamma Mia! (Feb. 1 – April 8) On stage for the first time at Beef & Boards and the headliner of the 2018 Season, Mamma Mia!, opens Feb. 1 for performances through April 8. Nominated for five Tony Awards and set on a Greek island paradise, ABBA’s greatest hits tell the hilarious story of a bride’s search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale includes the songs “Honey, Honey,” “Dancing Queen,” “Take A Chance on Me” and the incredible title tune. Singin’ In The Rain (April 12 – May 26)  It may get a bit cloudy starting...

Broadway Across America is thrilled to announce the 2014/15 Indianapolis season. Season tickets are now on sale. ELF THE MUSICAL (December 16-21, 2014 - Old National Centre) Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf. THE ILLUSIONISTS (January 20-25, 2015 - Old National Centre) Direct from Broadway, the world’s best-selling magic show is coming to Indianapolis. This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of seven of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusion...

Broadway Across America has brought the neon colors and sparkling sequins of "Mamma Mia!" to Indianapolis. The international hit musical is on stage now at the Murat Theatre. The show is built around songs by the Swedish band ABBA, who hit it big in the late 1970s. If you can't name more than a couple ABBA tunes, you're not the only one. But the show is beyond entertaining, it is a tasty, synthetic pop treat. The show is no highbrow drama, instead it is an unabashedly funny romp. The story follows young Sophie who, just before her wedding day, attempts to find out who her father is. After being raised on a Greek island by her single mother Donna, Sophie decides it's time to meet the other half of her gene pool. Donna's best friends are a modern day Lucy and Ethel combo. Played by Christine Sherrill and Allison Briner the duo steal the scene with their hammy antics. Their physical comedy makes for some of the best parts in the show. Sophie's potential fathe...