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IRT Performs The Cay January 28 – February 26

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Actors David Alan Anderson and Dalyn Stewart. Photo by Amber Mills.

Amid a war-torn 1942, a young white boy and an older black man find themselves stranded on a Caribbean island in the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s (IRT) The Cay, on the Upperstage from January 28 through February 26.

In this story of opposites, The Cay follows a friendship that blossoms despite racial division as Phillip (played by Dalyn Stewart) and Timothy (played by David Alan Anderson) learn that without each other, neither will survive. Together, the duo brings Theodore Taylor’s award-winning novel to life and share that despite age, upbringing or race, friendship can be found in the most unlikely of places.

Taking place on a set that brings to life a variety of circumstances and locations, the characters survive being stranded at sea, tossed amidst a hurricane and deserted on an island. Geoffrey Ehrendreich, IRT Properties Manager, believes thecomplexity and creativity of the set to be the best work of the season.

“My favorite theatre is when you have to use your imagination, and this production encourages just that,” said director and IRT dramaturg, Richard J Roberts, revealing that the sound effects have been created using musical instruments and theprops, including two giant palm trees, have been fashioned from items one might find washed ashore after a shipwreck.

“This production asks the audience to look beyond the surface reality of stage objects and imagine a world of natural wonders, just as the characters must look beyond their personal differences and see the possibilities of friendship,” said Roberts.

Celebrate the New Year, with new friendships found only in the IRT’s The Cay. Learn more about this production by visiting irtlive.com.

SOURCE: Indiana Repertory Theatre

Naptown Buzz for April 1, 2016

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Naptown Buzz for April 1, 2016.

Includes: Who’s Yer Con, Bridge and Tunnel at IRT, Guys and Dolls at Beef and Boards, Naptown Roller Girls, NCAA Division I Women’s Final Four and IndyCar.

Please SUPPORT NAPTOWN BUZZ through Patreon.

[Read more…] about Naptown Buzz for April 1, 2016

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

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

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 Partners with Dress for Success, Has Donation Drop-off Site Through Run of Good People

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Now through the Feb. 1 conclusion of Good People, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) welcomes the community to donate women and men’s new and gently used professional attire to benefit Dress for Success (DFS).

“Good People tells the story of single mother Margie Walsh who loses her job and spends the majority of the play trying to find new work while overcoming countless obstacles,” said Janet Allen, IRT’s Artistic Director. “This partnership signifies the good work Dress for Success does in helping women, like Margie, achieve employment.”

DFS provides women with supportive services they need to make life transitions that result in self-sufficiency and socioeconomic advancement and will attend the Jan. 16 show of Good People to discuss the relevancy of their work at the post-show discussion.

“The themes explored throughout Good People emphasize that success depends on an array of factors,” said Candice Brisson, DFS Program Manager. “We believe that in order to win the game of life, you must first be empowered to know the rules. We help women prepare for and then secure and maintain employment in Indianapolis.”

Donations can be dropped off at the IRT ticket office Monday – Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or before any show of Good People. A complete list of show times can be found at www.irtlive.com.

What: IRT welcomes donations for Dress for Success
Where: Drop-off site in IRT Ticket Lobby, 140 W. Washington St. Indianapolis
When: Now – Feb 1
Items requested: Pant suits, skirt suits, dress slacks, skirts and blazers
long- and short-sleeved blouses, shoes in excellent condition that are flat or have low heels, purses and briefcases, new hosiery, new cosmetics, portfolio binders/padfolios
and conservative jewelry.

RED by John Logan

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RED_title_posters_website_ARTNow Playing at the IRT

It’s 1958 and abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko had just landed the biggest commission in the history of modern art.  With the help of his assistant, Rothko frantically struggles against his insecurities while trying to create a definitive and moving body of work. Electrifying and captivating, this winner of the Drama Desk Award and Tony for best play investigates the conflicts inherent in the tension between a great artist’s desire to be understood and respected.

October 14 – November 9
IRT Upperstage
Tickets, Dates & Times
Adult tickets: $25 – $59
Student tickets: $20
317-635-5252

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.