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Indianapolis Theater

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Schedules Audition for Young Perfomers

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Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre announces local auditions will take place in March for young performers.

Auditions for boys and girls ages 6-15 will take place Saturday, March 11, by appointment only. Beef & Boards is casting young performer roles in Shrek, which is on stage May 18 through July 2.

Those auditioning must be available for all rehearsals and performances scheduled. They should prepare at least one vocal selection and bring sheet music in the correct key. Young performers should dress comfortably, and provide a photo as well as a brief résumé of recent performing experience.

Each child cast will receive a performance stipend and a limited number of complimentary tickets.

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that the child’s school is amenable to unavoidable missed school time.

For more audition information or to request an appointment, visit beefandboards.com. No phone calls, please.

The deadline to request an audition is 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 8.

Buck Creek Players Open YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN Friday

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​One of America’s all-time FAVORITE comic strips comes to life in Clark Gesner’s high-energy musical! Whether you’re keen to fly with the Red Baron, moon over the Moonlight Sonata, or just do your best to find “Happiness,” YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN is a crowd-pleasing classic musical suitable for the entire family!

Visit buckcreekplayers.com for more information and showtimes.

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

The Giver Runs January 23 – February 21

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David Alan Anderson & Grayson Molin in IRT's The Giver. Photo by Zach Rosing.
David Alan Anderson & Grayson Molin in IRT’s The Giver. Photo by Zach Rosing.

Beginning Jan. 23, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) will bring Lois Lowry’s Newbery Award-winning children’s novel, The Giver, to its Upperstage. This cross-generational story engages both adults who grew up reading the novel and children who are reading it for the first time.

In this play, adapted by Eric Coble and directed by IRT’s Associate Artistic Director Courtney Sale, audiences experience a utopian society where citizens have eliminated human characteristics in exchange for a safe and a sanitized existence. What at first appears to be an idyllic society, quickly unfolds into dystopia when Jonas (played by Grayson Molin) discovers his ability to see beyond the world of grey that has been created by his citizenry.

As his unique abilities emerge, he and The Giver (played by David Allen Anderson) who is charged with transferring memories of love, beauty, sadness, war, music and more, devise a plan which allows Jonas to escape to “elsewhere,” freeing the society from the opaque lens from which they perceive life’s limited depth and beauty.

“The production works beautifully because it allows audiences to experience a great narrative that takes a look at becoming an adult, understanding manipulative culture and determining how young adults choose to do something about it,” said Sale. “This is a story of enormous awakening; it’s about a brave young man who challenges the space of disobedience.”

The Giver, endlessly thought-provoking and daring, challenges audiences to question the dangers of conformity and the power of truth. The show runs January 23 through February 21, and is one hour and thirty minutes with no intermission.

IRT Closes season with The Game’s Afoot, April 23 – May 18

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The IRT closes its 42nd season with The Game’s Afoot – a very witty and glamorous comedy thriller, starring Priscilla Lindsay, IRT’s former associate artistic director and leading lady (she played in more than 60 productions during her long career at the IRT). The Game’s Afoot evolves like a mystery thriller. From the intriguing opening mini play within a play to the last surprising scene audiences will be taken for a wild and funny ride during the inspired whodunit. 

Acclaimed Broadway actor of the 1930s, William Gillette, invites his Sherlock Holmes co-stars to his eccentric Connecticut mansion for a Christmas Eve celebration. When one of the guests is murdered, Gillette employs the persona of the master detective he’s made famous on the stage. The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this entertaining murder-mystery farce.

Other Desert Cities at IRT Through April 5th

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Other Desert Cities

The Indiana Repertory Theatre brings to the OneAmerica Stage Other Desert Cities, from the creator of TV’s Brothers & Sisters. IRT’s Playwright-in-Residence, James Still, returns to Indianapolis to direct the play. Lawrence Pressman, best known for his roles in TV’s Doogie Howser, M.D., is among the cast.

Imagine, your daughter returns home for the holidays, announcing she is about to publish a controversial memoir of your family. Would you let the dirt be dished or be happy for her success? The drama of Other Desert Cities follows a young novelist who returns home to Palm Springs and announces she is publishing a book that will dredge up a deep family tragedy. The tell-all confessional novel threatens to put her prominent all-American family back in the tabloids. But will the truth be exposed? As the family struggles to come to terms with the past, betrayals are unmasked as well as unconditional love.

This production contains strong language.

OTHER DESERT CITIES REVIEW

First, the WARNING: Other Desert Cities contains foul language as well as  drug & alcohol use. If any of these offend you, this play may not be your cup of tea.

As far as the play itself goes, it isn’t a feel-good story, nor is it a humorous one. If I had to summarize it in a few words, I’d call it a life story.

But what struck me more about this one was the casting, particularly Lawrence Pressman, whom I grew up seeing on TV, and still do on occasion. I expect to see that caliber of actor on stage in New York City, or even Chicago, but here in Indianapolis that’s not something that crosses my mind when attending the theater. This may very well be due to the co-production of this particular play, but I’d absolutely love to see more recognizable actors and  actresses grace the stage here in Indy.

~ Brian Groce

Civic Theatre closes out its 2012-2013 season with Into the Woods

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Civic Theatre closes out its 2012-2013 season with this fabulous Stephen Sondheim musical.  A story of wishes and curses and magic, a group of fairy tale characters set out on a comedic adventure Into the Woods.  The Baker and his wife find out that the reason they are childless is due to a curse put on their house by a neighboring witch.  She offers them a chance to lift the curse by finding and bringing her 4 items: a white cow, a red cape, hair as yellow as corn and a golden slipper. They meet several characters along the way and their stories become intertwined.

My personal favorites in the show were Andy Baker (as Rapunzel’s prince) and Justin Klein (as Snow White’s prince).  These two did a fantastic job and play so well off each other.  I don’t know if it was their intent but they reminded me of Prince Edward from the Disney movie, Enchanted.  (one of my faves!)  Susie Harloff did an excellent job as the Baker’s wife, a role she has always dreamed of playing according to her bio.

If you’re looking for something to do in the Indianapolis area, the Civic Theatre’s production of Into the Woods should definitely be on your list!

Performances of Into the Woods take place at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre (3 Center Green, Suite 200, Carmel, IN) from April 26-May 11, 2013 on Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7pm, last Saturday at 5pm, Sunday at 2pm.

Tickets are $44 for adult, $34 for youth 17 & under.

Buck Creek Players proudly present A Little Christmas Spirit

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November 30; December 1, 7, 8, 14 & 15 at 8 p.m.
December 2, 9 & 16 at 2:30 p.m.

All performances at Buck Creek Playhouse | 11150 Southeastern Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46259

Directed by KENNETH C. KERN

J.D. Morse has been looking high and low for a special Christmas gift for his grandson. Finally, as a last resort, he wanders into Nick’s Emporium, an old-fashioned store chock full of all sorts of gifts and knick-knacks. He has a hard time explaining to Nick what he’s looking for, but finds himself falling under the old storekeeper’s spell. Just when Morse is about to buy something, he runs into the street to chase kids away from his car. When he returns, he finds the store suddenly dark and quiet. A policeman then shows up to run him off because, “This place ain’t been open in forty years!” Morse finds a way back, not only to the store, but to a time years ago when he was a younger man. This Yuletide fantasy is full of holiday spirit and humor and makes us all wish we could find “Nick’s Emporium,” where life stands still and we can all truly enjoy a little Christmas spirit.

Tickets can be reserved online at http://www.buckcreekplayers.com or by phone at 317.862.2270.

 

Theater Review: The Woman in Black at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre

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The Woman in Black, based on a novel by Susan Hill and adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt, was a rather underwhelming experience at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in Carmel.  I’m still trying to trace the root of my issues with the play and in my opinion, its lack of thrills.  Maybe I’m desensitized from watching haunting movies from Japan and torture epics from the good ol’ U. S. of A.

The Woman in Black certainly deals with violent death and the agony of mortality in a much subtler way.  Don’t get me wrong; subtlety is very important.  However, there just wasn’t enough action to keep me and some parts of the audience entertained.  I heard more than one snore, especially throughout the first act, which features little more than dramatic recitations and drawn-out exposition.

On the other hand, I marveled at the skillful lighting and unique sets.  There was a marked minimalism in the show, which chooses light and shadow over props.  That proved sustenance enough to get me to the next act.  Throughout The Woman in Black, a persistent thread of tension pulled me along; I wanted to know the story behind that damn woman.

The second act features the majority of the action and felt significantly creepier.  I should note that both (the play features a cast of two) actors performed very well.  Each played more than one character and gave their all to every role.  Overall, the second act engaged me much more than the first.

While I didn’t experience as many chills as I expected, in retrospect I can appreciate the muted format of The Woman in Black.  Was I particularly titillated during my appreciation?  No.  But I enjoyed myself and would recommend the play to those who like a minimalistic ghost story.

The Woman in Black concludes with three performances this week:

  • Thursday, November 8 at 7pm
  • Friday, November 9 at 7pm
  • Saturday, November 10 at 5pm

Photo Credit: Zach Rosing

Buck Creek Players proudly presents THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

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A Musical Within A Comedy!

Music & Lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison
Book by Bob Martin & Don McKellar

June 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16 at 8 p.m.
June 3, 10 & 17 at 2:30 p.m.

All performances at Buck Creek Playhouse | 11150 Southeastern Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46259

Directed & Choreographed by D. SCOTT ROBINSON
Vocal Directed by MATTHEW KONRAD TIPPEL

To chase his blues away, a modern-day musical theater addict known simply as “Man in Chair” drops the needle on his favorite LP — the 1928 musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone. From the crackle of his hi-fi, the uproariously funny musical magically bursts to life around him in his apartment, telling the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet who wants to give up show business to get married, her producer who sets out to sabotage the nuptials, her tipsy chaperone, the debonair groom, the dizzy chorine, the Latin lover, and a pair of gangsters disguised as pastry chefs. Man in Chair’s infectious love of The Drowsy Chaperone speaks to anyone who has ever been transported by the magic of live theater.

Tickets can be reserved online at http://www.buckcreekplayers.com or by phone at 317.862.2270.