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, ...

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...

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...

Les Misérables is in town at the Old National Centre this week. The Broadway Across America production features a huge cast and sets that are startlingly beautiful. The classic score contains so many familiar songs and it never disappoints. It tells the story of a prisoner who breaks his parole and spends years being hunted by a policeman obsessed with justice. It’s a tale of redemption, grace, second chances and falling in love. There’s a reason this show has had no problem finding audiences for more than 30 years. Every time I see it a different song shines for me. This time it was “Bring Him Home”, the barricade ballad in the second act. Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean hits his stride and shows his range in the number and the result gives you chills. The beautiful number provides a moment of stillness in the midst of chaos. Through the decades, each new Les Mis cast has brought a slightly different interpretation to their characters. This current iteration features a younger...

Like so many others, I grew up watching Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The lyrics of those songs are ingrained on my brain to this day. So seeing Broadway Across America’s current production of the story is bittersweet. It was fun to revisit the characters, but it was impossible not to compare the musical with the movie as I watched. The show contains quite a few new numbers, but not a single one is a stand out. Instead they feel like efforts to kill time in between the recognizable songs from the movie. “Daddy’s Little Angel” is particularly cringe-worthy. “Positoovity” is another example; Scuttle the seagull didn’t need his own number. Even when the audience is treated to “Under the Sea” and “Part of your World” they fall a bit flat. It’s not the singing that’s off, but the production as a whole. Though the lead, Diana Huey, can belt out her parts beautifully, it’s hard to concentrate on her singing as she shimmies her way around the stage “swimming” through the set. The ...

Let me start by saying I'm not necessarily a fan of magic shows. Having never attended any sort of professional magic show I can't say I was drawn to go see this one. That being said, the Broadway Across America's production “The Illusionists: Witness the Impossible” was one of the most entertaining performances I've been to in a while. The show includes acts by seven different illusionists. Each one goes by a specific moniker: the Inventor, the Warrior, the Escapologist, the Trickster, the Manipulator, the Anti-conjurer, and the Futurist. I was incredibly surprised by the level of showmanship that each one demonstrated. Vegas veteran Jeff Hobson (the Trickster) and Adam Trent (the Futurist) act as the show’s emcees. They take turns hamming it up with the audience and introducing the other magicians. Both were hilarious and although neither of their magic tricks are mind blowing, their interactions with the audience made the whole show more entertaining.   ...