Stage Write

  A trip on the yellow brick road is not a rare occurrence in local theater, but some productions just hit it out of the park. The current one at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre managed to find the perfect cast, include a wonderfully fresh and diverse group, including Bessie D. Smith as the delightfully devious Wicked Witch of the West. Grace Atherholt gives off serious Judy vibes as the lovely Dorothy. She’s perfect for the role. Her three sidekicks are gentle, kind, and wonderfully encouraging as she embarks on her perilous journey. Joey Boos is particularly sweet as her knock-kneed scarecrow. The costumes are excellent. From a plethora of munchkins to sassy crows, elegant apple trees to a witch in leather pants, I loved every detail. I also thought the transition from sepia to color on stage was beautifully done, with great attention to detail all the way down to Dorothy‘s gingham dress. The supporting cast is large and does a wonderful job. Hannah Boswell stands...

Broadway Across America is thrilled to announce the 2015/16 Indianapolis season. Season tickets are now on sale. Cirque Dreams Holidaze (December 15-20, 2015 - Old National Centre) Cirque Dreams lights up with 2015 holiday season with its critically acclaimed holiday stage extravaganza Cirque Dreams Holidaze; a new cirque show, Broadway musical and family Christmas spectacular all in one! Hailed by The New York Daily News as a “delicious confection of charm, sparkle and talent by the sleighload & so full of energy it could end our dependence on oil!” Be amazed by over 300 costumes, 20 acts and 30 artists from every corner of the globe making Cirque Dreams Holidaze the greatest variety show on the planet! Witness snowmen, penguins, angels, reindeer, toy soldiers, gingerbread men, ornaments and of course Santa; with soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats, elaborate production numbers, imaginative costumes, illusions and more. The show celebrates the most wonderful time...

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 ...