Stage Write

In 2008 the country was in the midst of a massive economic recession. That year the Indiana Repertory Theatre produced This Wonderful Life, a one-man show that celebrates the classic film, It's a Wonderful Life. It's appropriate that the theatre would return to that joyful play in 2020, a year that has been so heartbreaking. Never before have we so badly needed the reminder that family and friends are the most valuable part of our lives.  Rob Johansen plays the storyteller, recreating the movie with an exuberant performance. He single-handedly brings each character to life. In the blink of an eye, he switches from the evil Mr. Potter to the coquettish Violet. If you know the movie well, you can probably say many of the lines along with Johansen. It’s almost a retelling, but with some added commentary about 1946 and the impact of certain scenes. You can’t recreate live theatre with a recorded performance, but the care that was put into the production is excellent. Benjamin ...

  The heartbreaking thing about the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s current show, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, is that it’s still incredibly relevant. I wish that wasn’t the case, but it feels timely in a way that is surprising since it’s set 50 years in the past. The story revolves around a married couple whose adult daughter, Joanna (Annie Munch), comes home from a trip and announces she’s getting married. The joyous news is met with consternation when her parents discover her betrothed is a black man. Despite the fact that he’s a brilliant doctor and complete gentleman, they are concerned that their daughter doesn’t know how difficult her interracial marriage will be. In a world where Black Lives Matter and racially-driven shootings by police are daily items on the news, it’s a good time to see this play. It creates some awkward conversations; important ones that folks shouldn’t shy away from. I think one of the most powerful aspects of the plot is that Joanna’s fath...

If you’re already a fan of Monty Python, then seeing the current production of Spamalot at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre should be a no-brainer. For the rest of the theatre-going crowd don’t go to this musical expecting life-altering drama or lyrics filled with lines of wisdom. This is pure entertainment and it’s done so well. With numbers like, “The Song That Goes Like This” and “The Fisch Schlapping Song” it’s clear the show is focused on fun.    Robert Koharchik does an incredible job with the set. He recreates the Monty Python scenes from the French castle to the Camelot casino perfectly. The high tower windows on either side of the stage worked particularly well. A few awards for the show:   Best Dance Moves: Sir Robin Best Insults: The French Best Hair: Sir Dennis Galahad Best Use of Coconuts: Patsy  Best Jazz Hands: Sir Lancelot  Best Dramatic Performance: Tim the Enchanter  Just sit back and revel in the absurdity of the ...

When Elf (the movie) came out in 2003 people were expecting a goofy Christmas romp. While it was hilarious, the reason it remains a seasonal favorite is because of the sweet message at its core. What could have been pure comedy instead had real heart, encouraging even the grumpiest of adults to find the magic in Christmas. Now the movie is a musical and Broadway Across America has brought the cheerful production to Indianapolis just in time for the holidays.  That unbridled enthusiasm translates well into a stage musical, where bursting into song is expected, but something is inevitably lost with that expectation. We know there will be singing, so it's not surprising when Buddy the Elf starts singing in the midst of Macy's Christmas rush. The musical takes that same plot of the film and adds bubbly songs and gives a few characters a bit more meat. Buddy's new stepmother Emily and his father's assistant Deb both benefit from the changes ...

Into the Woods begins as any good story should with Once Upon a Time. The famous musical reintroduces us to well-known fairy tale characters. We meet Cinderella, Jack (and his bean stalk), Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood at the beginning of their stories. The second half takes a look at a different ending for those we left with their “happily ever after.” These are not the sanitized fairy tales found in Disney films. They are instead a dark picture of what might have happened when the story book closed and our characters were left to settle into their chosen lives. Our main character is a mild-mannered Baker. He and his clever wife, Susie Harloff, are childless after being cursed by a local witch. She tells them they can cure their state by going on a quest and gathering four strange items. This journey leads the baker to cross paths with the other fairy tale characters. Harloff is great as his frustrated partner in crime, helping him achieve his goals behind the scenes. ...

The Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre closes its first season in its new Carmel location with the classic musical Guys and Dolls. Men strut their stuff in zoot suits as they juggle their dames and crap games in this fun production. Sky Masterson (Nathanael Welch), is a gambler set in his bachelor ways when his path crosses with Sarah, a beautiful woman set on saving sinners. Welch does a wonderful job playing the smooth-talking Sky. He really has a chance to show off his vocal skills in “Luck Be a Lady."   Laura Lockwood embodies the role of Miss Adelaide, the long-suffering fiancé of Nathan Detroit (J.D. Walls). She steals the show with her hilarious and nasally renditions of “Take Back Your Mink” and “Adelaide’s Lament.” Nicely-Nicely Johnson, played by Craig Underwood, lit the audience up with his performance of “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” He plays the good-natured character with gusto and has wonderful buddy comedy chemistry with Benny (Troy Johnson). T...