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9th Season of Indy Magic Monthly Kicks Off May 3rd

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Matthew David Stanley skinny

After the first 100 shows and an 8th anniversary sold out performance, it’s time for the beginning of the 9th year of Taylor Martin’s Indy Magic Monthly (IMM).

Kicking off the ninth season of IMM is show #101, featuring Chicago’s Tevell Rose and Indianapolis’ own Jason Adams, with Dayton’s Matthew David Stanley headlining and Taylor Martin as your favorite lost hippy conjurer “Del .B Fillmore” hosting.

IMM #101 takes place on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at 7:30 PM at Theatre On The Square, Cabaret Stage, 627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204. The lobby opens at 7 PM.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for over 61 and under 16. Family tickets are available for $55 for up to 5 (2 children please).

For more information please call Theatre On the Square at (317) 685-TOTS or Taylor Martin at (317) 431-1320. You may also visit TOTS.org and IndyMagicMonthly.com.

2016 Stutz Artists Open House April 29 & 30

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The largest group of artists under one roof in the Midwest will open their studios and present their work to visitors during the Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House. The Open House is set to take place April 29 and 30 at the historic Stutz Business and Arts Center. The Open House, which began in 1993, attracts more than 6,000 people every year to the 400,000 square-foot former car factory.

This is an entertainment opportunity to engage families, art lovers and visitors alike looking for a weekend event to enjoy in downtown Indianapolis. The Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House not only allows guests an opportunity to see the work of 60+ local artists in one place at one time, it’s an opportunity to see where and how the artwork is created. Artwork ranges from paintings, drawings and photography, to sculpture, jewelry and furniture. This is the perfect time to buy one-of-a-kind gifts with artwork prices ranging from $12 to $10,000.

New this year, the Grand Tour of Artisan Autos is an opportunity to see and learn about the 28 vintage and collectible cars owned by Turner Woodard which are on display in this former Stutz Motor Car factory during the Open House. Locations and descriptions of the cars, including the 1914 Stutz Bearcat, will be available at the event entrances. Visitors will also enjoy special activities such as painting with Wine and Canvas, art demonstrations, live music and food vendors. The Warehouse, this year’s music partner, is an intimate live listening room music venue in Carmel, which will bring excellent regional and local entertainment to the Open House. The Raymond James Stutz Art Gallery on the first floor will feature FIRST STOP, an exhibition with sample work from many of the Stutz artists and the recommended first stop for experiencing the Open House.

Families with children are encouraged to attend on Saturday, April 30 from 2-7 p.m. This family-friendly event will include hands-on art activities, youth art scavenger hunt, free cookies from Raymond James, and more.

Friday, April 29, 5:30 – 10:30 PM
Saturday, April 30, 2:00 – 7:00 PM

Tickets are available for $12 in advance at the Stutz Business Office (1060 N. Capital Avenue, Suite C200) and select Old National Bank branches.

Tickets will be $15 at the door.

Fences at IRT March 9 through April 4

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David Alan Anderson and Kim Staunton in IRT’s 2016 production of Fences. Photo by Zach Rosing.

Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) brings August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fences, to stage in a powerful journey of African-American life in the 1950’s.The production comes to the OneAmerica Mainstage March 9 through April 3.

Fences tells the heartbreaking story of sanitation worker Troy Maxson, a former Negro league all-star baseball player whose opportunity to play in the Major Leagues was thwarted by racism in the pre-Jackie Robinson era.

Struggling to provide for his family and conflicted with the temptations of life, Troy works to protect himself from what threatens his livelihood. As his world seems to crumble around him he does what he can to survive.

“This explosively tender story of American life shows what can happen when passion and thundering rage collide,” said Janet Allen, IRT Executive Artistic Director and CEO. “We’re pleased to bring Fences back to stage after 20 years because its story is just as relevant now, as it ever was.”

Fences made its first debut at the IRT in 1996, where David Alan Anderson played Lyons, son of Troy Maxson. This season, Anderson will play Troy himself.

“Twenty years ago, the idea never crossed my mind [that he’d one day play the role of Troy]; it was so far down the road,” said David Alan Anderson. “Playing Troy has been a great challenge made easier by the fact that the director of Fences, Lou Bellamy, and I share similar thoughts about how the character should be portrayed.”

What is arguably one of Wilson’s most prominent plays in his epic cycle, Fences is universal enough to touch a chord in every human heart (The New York Times).

DETAILS

WHAT: Fences by August Wilson
WHERE: Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140. W. Washington Street
WHEN: March 9 – April 4
COST: Adult pricing: $25-59 | Student Pricing: $20
RUNNUNG TIME: Two hours, plus one 15-minute intermission
AGE: Recommended for grades 9-12 due to strong language and mature themes

Learn more at irtlive.com

CAST

  • JAMES T. ALFRED | Lyons
  • DAVID ALAN ANDERSON |Troy Maxson
  • SIMEEYAH GRACE BAKER | Raynell
  • TERRY BELLAMY | Gabriel
  • MARCUS NAYLOR | Bono
  • EDGAR SANCHEZ | Cory
  • KIM STAUNTON | Rose

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • MARCH 10| DINNER AND A SHOW WITH THE EAGLE’S NEST
    For only $80 per person, a scrumptious three-course dinner from The Eagle’s Nest is the perfect pairing for a performance of Fences. This cannot be combined with other offers. To reserve contact the ticket office at 317-635-5252.
  • MARCH 10 | POST-SHOW DISCUSSION WITH JAMAL SMITH, INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL’S ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
    Jamal Smith is no stranger to the impact sports can have on one’s life. As the former Senior Advisor for Minority Affairs to the Governor and Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and current Indianapolis Public School’s Athletic Director, Smith is credited with orchestrating the Annual Civil Rights Game – a game that celebrates history and the progressive movement of all people towards equal rights. The Civil Rights Game honors former Negro League players, while the Indianapolis Indian’s wear throwback Clown’s jerseys.  Smith’s discussion takes place on March 10 after the 7:30 PM performance.
  • MARCH 11 | OPENING NIGHT
    Features a champagne toast with the cast after the performance.
  • MARCH 20 | IRT TEA TALK W/ DALE OGDEN, CHIEF CURATOR AT INDIANA STATE MUSEUM, & CLIFF ROBINSON, FORMER BATBOY FOR THE INDY CLOWNS
    Enjoy tea and cookies at a post-show discussion as Dale Ogden and Cliff Robinson come together in a conversation about race, sports and opportunity in the mid-1900’s. Robinson, who was a former batboy for the Indianapolis Clowns (Indy’s Negro League), along with Chief Curator of History at the Indiana State Museum Dale Ogden discuss exactly what it is that Wilson’s Troy is experiencing: life as an African-American athlete in the 1950’s. The discussion begins after the 2 PM performance.
  • MARCH 24 | COOKIES & COFFEE MATINEE & BACKSTAGE TOUR, WITH SPECIAL GUEST IRA MCKNIGHT
    Enjoy cookies from Vanilla Bean Bakery and coffee before and during the intermission of your performance. Afterwards meet Ira McKnight, former catcher for the Kasas City Monarchs (1956-1963), as he shares his memorabilia and signs autographs.
  • MARCH 29 | HAPPY HOUR
    Complimentary drinks from Sun King Brewing and New Day Mead plus 1/2 priced bar drinks all night long!
  • MARCH 30 | DINNER AND A SHOW WITH THE OCEANAIRE
    Hand selected, three-course dinner for $75 per person. Reserve by calling the ticket office at 317-635-5252. This cannot be combined with other offers.

PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

  • Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 PM
  • Thursday, March 10 at 7:30 PM
  • Friday, March 11 at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, March 12 at 5 PM
  • Sunday, March 13 at 2 PM
  • Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 PM
  • Friday, March 18 at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, March 19 at 5 PM
  • Saturday, March 19 at 9 PM
  • Sunday, March 20 at 2 PM
  • Sunday, March 20 at 6 PM
  • Thursday, March 24 at 2 PM
  • Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, March 26 at 1 PM
  • Tuesday, March 29 at 6:30 PM
  • Wednesday, March 30 at 7:30 PM
  • Thursday, March 31 at 7:30 PM
  • Friday, April 1 at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, April 2 at 4 PM
  • Saturday, April 2 at 8 PM
  • Sunday, April 3 at 2 PM

‘Merry and Bright’ at Butler University December 13th

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Butler University choirs and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble will join together for concerts called “Merry and Bright: Holiday Music with the Butler University School of Music” on Sunday, December 13, at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM in the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts.

Admission is free, but tickets are required. They are available at the Clowes Memorial Hall box office during regular business hours and at the Schrott Center beginning two hours before each performance.

The concerts will feature four choral groups—the Butler Chorale, University Choir, Chamber Choir, and Women’s Chorus—and the Wind Ensemble performing a mix of new and classic holiday music, including a setting of “Silent Night” by undergraduate student composer Harriet Steinke and a new piece called “Mirabile Mysterium” written by graduate student Justine Koontz, a double major student studying conducting and composition.

Other selections will include a jazz-vocal arrangement of “White Christmas,” a Hanukkah song called “Hanukkah, Festival of Lights,” and “Gloria” from the opera The Masque of Angels by Dominick Argento.

The groups will combine to close the show with “Gloria” and “Joy to the World,” both by Randol Bass, and a carols sing-along with the audience.

These more intimate performances in the Schrott Center for the Arts replace the annual Rejoice! holiday concerts traditionally presented at Clowes Hall.

SOURCE: Butler University

25th year of A Christmas Carol at IRT through December 26

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Celebrating its 25th year at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, (IRT) A Christmas Carol the beloved story of loss and redemption, returns to the OneAmerica Mainstage on November 14 through December 26.

Set in mid-Victorian London atop more than 1,000 pounds of snow, Dickens’ characters are brought to life in this faithful, fanciful and frolicsome adaptation, directed by associate artistic director Courtney Sale.

“A Christmas Carol reminds us that we need the ghosts of friends, the ghosts of strangers, the warmth of a happy family, our past, our present and our future to rattle us back to the understanding that this life is a marvel,” said Sale. “My vision is to allow the youthful spirt, the magic and the miracle of those moments as they relate to our everyday lives, to shine through.”

New this season, child-actor Grayson Molin will star as Ghost of Christmas Past. His role marks the first time a child has played an adult role since the 1990’s.

“I especially love my role because I help Scrooge recognize opportunities in his life where he could have been kind and generous,” said Molin. “I help Scrooge discover that there are other ways to be happy.”

Come experience A Christmas Carol for the first time, or all over again. This holiday favorite brings us together when we need it the most by celebrating the power of kindness, family and love.

The production is 90 minutes with no intermission and is appropriate for ages 6 and up, or as emotionally ready for thematic music and ghost scenes.

Indiana Repertory Theatre ♦  140 W. Washington Street
November 14 – December 26
Adult tickets: $35-87 ♦ Student tickets: $15-40

SOURCE: Indiana Repertory Theatre

IRT Opens 44th Season with The Great Gatsby

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Zach Kenney in IRT's 2015 production of The Great Gatsby. Photo by Zach Rosing.
Zach Kenney in IRT’s 2015 production of The Great Gatsby. Photo by Zach Rosing.

Opening its 44th season with The Great Gatsby, the IRT is pulling out all the stops for this much-anticipated production, which comes to the OneAmerica Mainstage from September 30-October 25.

Money, class, romance and corruption collide as the Great American Novel comes to life on stage. Opulent parties, passionate affairs, jealousy and murder are tangled together in this powerful and vivid tale of American bravado, lost love and post-war recovery in the Roaring Twenties. The Great Gatsby is an eloquent evocation of a bygone era that deeply resonates with our world today.

The Great Gatsby, adapted by Simon Levy and directed by Peter Amster, is the only stage version authorized by the Fitzgerald estate since 1926 and is the first time that it has been brought to a professional Indiana theatre stage.

“The Great Gatsby is such a perfect season opener for us, because it celebrates the American character in all its many facets:  our sense of striving for success, our belief in our ability to reinvent ourselves, our resilience in the face of obstacles, our national belief in romance,” said IRT Executive Artistic Director, Janet Allen.  “It provides thrilling challenges for artists to create Fitzgerald’s iconic images and characters vigorously on the stage.”

Whether it’s those reading the book for the first time, those who have read it many times, those who have enjoyed the movies, or those who can quote it by heart, The Great Gatsby is a story that generations can gather around.

Part heartbreak, part mystery, part war remembrance, part endless party, The Great Gatsby invites work from artists across the country who we have gathered to create the production specifically for our central Indiana audience.

IRL-Gatsby-DatesThe performance is two (2) hours and features one 15-minute intermission. Strong language and mature themes.

Tickets range from $25 -59 , Students $20.

Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis.

SOURCE: Indiana Repertory Theatre