reviewed by Daniel Shock Birthdays, funerals, and weddings—the three family events where you become the producer, star, or supporting character of the story. Of the three, weddings are easily the most elaborate. I have found that, much like dogs, I prefer others’ weddings. There’s very little for me to do at your weddings. I was late to the last one I attended, so late that I came in through the kitchen just in time to hear ‘you may kiss the bride’. Weddings where I have a role (video, singer, usher, best man, or groom) immediately put me in anxiety mode. The play, Father of the Bride, staged ..read more

reviewed by Carrie Neal Jewels, brocades, royalty, and waltzes. Mystery, intrigue, and a case of mistaken identity…or is it? Rarely has a story seemed more ideally suited for musical theatre adaptation than that of Anastasia Romanov, and it is a story Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre is beautifully equipped to tell.  For those unfamiliar with this dark period of Russian history, Tsar Nicholas, Tsarina Alexandra, and their five children were brutally murdered by Bolsheviks in July of 1918. For almost ninety years, many believed that Anastasia, the youngest daughter, somehow escaped and ..read more

reviewed by Adam Crowe American Lives Theatre (ALT) is one of several arts organizations in residence at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre in downtown Indianapolis. In the tumult of the post-Covid arts landscape, the addition of multiple arts groups to this space is a bright spot. ALT has produced a number of exceptional productions over the past four years and its latest such offering is Samuel D. Hunter’s A Case For The Existence of God. Samuel D. Hunter’s play is a tour de force for two actors, and the ALT cast is up to the task. Eric Reiberg plays Ryan, a man with little to speak of in ..read more

reviewed by Daniel Shock Little Shop of Horrors began its life in 1960 as a low-budget black and white horror-comedy film by Roger Corman. It was a small success that grew in popularity on TV during the 1960s and ’70s. Future Disney creators Howard Ashman and Alan Menken were inspired to create an off-Broadway musical adaptation of the story in 1982. The success of the musical led to a film version directed by Frank Oz in 1986. I can remember going to see the film as a 15-year-old knowing nothing about it and finding it absolutely charming. Dominique Allen Lawson (as Seymour) and Lucy Maria G ..read more

reviewed by Ken Klingenmeier Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo came to Broadway in 1995, starring Carol Burnett in her return after a 30 year absence. One of Ludwig’s numerous farces, Moon Over Buffalo follows patterns of jealousy, drinking, frantic misunderstandings, and a celebrity audience member – all of which appear in some of his earlier plays. Add in an untimely pregnancy, a deaf old lady, some delicious Irish coffee, and jokes about Buffalo (my home town!!) and you have a road map for confusion, mayhem and many good laughs. Directors Dani Lopez-Roque and Kelly Keller’s troupe of actors a ..read more

reviewed by Vickie Cornelius Phipps I had the pleasure of seeing Ship of Dreams last night at Indy Eleven Theatre, in the IndyFringe Theatre. The 2022 Fringe show written by Paige Scott, Jason Adams, and Aaron Stillerman is back for a limited time with a cast of Indy’s funniest comedians. Eight friends attempt to cross an ocean of impossibility to stage James Cameron’s cinematic masterpiece “Titanic.” Paige Scott directs this hilarious and creative nostalgia-induced farce as a production of Working-Class Socialite. The cast includes Elysia Rohn, Hannah Elizabeth Boswell, Tracy Herring, Shelby ..read more

reviewed by Ken Klingenmeier Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I, which opened this week at Indianapolis’ Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is celebrating its 73th year of existence. Opening on Broadway in March of 1951 to solidly positive reviews, the show has since enjoyed a long series of productions all over the world. It made a star of Yul Brynner and won the 1952 Tony Award for Best Musical. B&B director Brian Jose develops a production rich in talent, design and diversity. With musical direction by Kristy Templet and choreography by Jennifer Ladner, Jose strikes a triumph in hi ..read more

reviewed by Daniel Shock The Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents Fables and Folklore, a double feature of tales expressed through contemporary dance. The first piece is a world premiere of “Golem,” based on the Jewish folklore story “The Golem of Prague.” The second piece is the returning Hancock adaptation of “Pinocchio,” which premiered in 2011. In his director’s notes, Mr. Hancock observes that while the two stories are very different, they share the common theme of creation to better the world, which he describes as a beautiful sentiment. Mr. Hancock’s vision for “Golem” is uncannily p ..read more

reviewed by Ken Klingenmeier Jason Miller’s 1972 play That Championship Season – which won the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as the 1973 Tony Award for Best Play – is rarely produced these days. Notably direct in its portrayal of 5 men who once shared the glory of a high school basketball championship, the script is quite raw, with curse-filled anger, disparaging references to blacks, Jews and women, infidelities, double-dealing and rough humor. As the playwright did not hold back on language and frankness, neither does Main Street Productions’ offering, directed by Lori Raffel. The C ..read more

reviewed by Daniel Shock Amid the chaos of our morning preparations for a road trip to Chattanooga, our cat decided to make a statement by throwing up in our open suitcase. This incident left us half-amused, half-frustrated, and fully convinced it was a calculated act. This moment coincided with my need to gather my thoughts about the unpredictable charm and occasional mayhem pets bring into our lives for this review of Theatre Unchained’s production of Neil Martin’s Herding Cats. Unlike our little saboteur, the feline characters in Herding Cats may not resort to villainy, but they certainly ..read more