Month: July 2015

Review: Hitchcock, hilarity and ice cream

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By John Lyle Belden

The downside to classic old films is, well, that they’re old. There’s a good chance you’ve already seen them, maybe more than once, or at least have heard about them so much that you know their plots, including the “spoilers.” This is especially problematic for mystery thrillers, which rely on you getting surprised by that twist near the end.

To keep them entertaining, the trick with such well-worn stories is how they’re told. Case in point: Patrick Barlow’s manic re-imagining of master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock’s classic, “The 39 Steps.” This London and Broadway hit is now playing on the stage of Carmel Community Players in the Clay Terrace shopping center.

The dramatic elements of Hitchcock’s movie are still there: In 1930s London, a man attending a performance by “Mr. Memory” meets a mysterious woman who insists she go home with him, then reveals she is being followed. During the night, the woman is murdered and the man is on the run, trying to clear his name. All he knows is that secrets are about to be taken out of the country, and that the espionage involves a master spy with part of his finger missing and something called “The 39 Steps.”

So, that’s the plot, but even if you know all the answers, it’s still worth both your time and your dime (actually a bit more) to see Barlow’s version, brought to life by central Indiana actors Jay Hemphill, Libbi Lumpkin, Neal Eggeson and Craig Kemp, under the direction of Lori Raffel.

The delivery of the story’s scenes rely more on slapstick than suspense, combined with wink-to-the-audience use of stagecraft, where chairs become cars; trunks become trains; curtains and windowshades just hang in midair where needed; and a supporting actor inhabiting two roles slyly converses with himself.

Eggeson and Kemp are identified in the program only as “Clown 1” and “Clown 2,” nimbly taking on all the roles of people encountered by our hero, Richard Hannay, played dashingly by Hemphill. Both Clowns bring the funny as they propel the plot forward, including Eggeson’s gender-bending turn as a Scottish inkeeper’s wife, Kemp’s entertaining portrayal of Mr. Memory and the goofy chemistry between them as the thugs in pursuit of our hero.

Hemphill plays a Hannay who is at times blusteringly confused as to what is going on, and at other moments a little self-aware that he’s the hero of the play, balancing this dance with our expectations and the fourth wall perfectly.

Lumpkin – a fierce balance of beauty, brains and bravery – fills the pumps of both the murder victim and the woman Hannay ends up handcuffed to during one of his escapes. Even at her most irritating and irritated at the other cast members, she never loses her charm with us.

Aside from our foursome, credit must also be given to stage manager Mark Peed, whose necessary interventions add to the magic rather than distract. And watch for references to other Hitchcock classics hidden in the story.

Another fine feature at CCP is the availability of ice cream at the concessions during these hot summer weekends. “Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps” plays through Sunday at 14299 Clay Terrace Blvd., Suite 140, Carmel. Call 317-815-9387 or visit carmelplayers.org.

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Review also in July 30 edition of the Greenfield Daily Reporter.

Games: The apple doesn’t fall far from the, um, Apple

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Consider this
Consider this “Cards FOR Humanity,” the game that launched a whole genre of party games. — Manufacturer image

By John Lyle Belden

In the last couple of years, people have gotten caught up in the outrageousness of a simple card game. Folks who wouldn’t otherwise bother with bringing out a game box at a party, who left card games like rummy or Uno behind with their childhood, found themselves eager to be both amused and shocked by Cards Against Humanity.

The concept is easy to grasp. Players all draw from a deck of cards that each have a person, place or thing named on it. One player, who is the “judge” for that round, draws and reveals a single card from a deck of cards printed with phrases with fill-in-the-blanks. The other players each give the judge a card (face down) that might fit the topic card. The judge then decides which player gave the best or most amusing answer, and the next round is played with a new judge. As the title “Cards Against Humanity” suggests, many cards, which include sexual and scatological references, are as disturbing as they are funny.

But it might surprise some CAH fans that this style of party game is hardly a new concept, best exemplified by the 1999 hit Apples to Apples. Easy to find in stores, with thousands of cards in its licensed variations – and more safe to play with kids – the game has players playing their Red Apple cards, with nouns, to match Green Apple cards, with adjectives. Of course, with devious enough players, Apples to Apples games can also push the boundaries of political correctness. For instance, you could play “Adolph Hitler” on “Visionary” – accurate, though no one cared for his visions. Our favorite winning combo in a game I played was “Helen Keller” for “Touchy-Feely.”

The enterprising dark souls who came up with CAH (which can also now stand for Crabs Adjust Humidity, a renegade version of the game now making the rounds) were not alone in using the Apples template to set up their game. It’s illegal to copy directly, which means you have to get inventive:

  • “Crappy Birthday” declares the rotating judge to be the birthday boy or girl, and the single set of cards are potential bad presents, of which the receiver must pick the worst. Since one person’s get-that-away-from-me is another’s I-want-that-now, the game now has a “Happy Birthday” variant.
  • “Snake Oil” has the judge drawing a card that is his or her persona – a cheerleader, undertaker, or Santa Claus, for example – and the others use their cards to come up with innovations they need to sell. The anonymity factor is taken out, but if a group are good enough friends, hopefully one won’t be too guilty of playing favorites.
  • “The Big Bang Theory Party Game” includes quotes and odd things said on the hit sitcom, played out in Apples to Apples style. No actual knowledge of the show is necessary; this is not a trivia game. The game mechanics add a “Bazinga!” card that changes the goal card that everyone played their cards to match, and also adds scoring chips that allow the second-, third- and fourth-best answers to also get points, rather than just choosing only one winner each round.

These are just a few of the variations. Note that none of the three above or CAH (either version) are by the same company that produces Apples to Apples. Personally, I’d recommend getting the big “apple crate” version of the original game to get yourself and your friends hooked. Then, try the others. If your tastes and friends are like “R”-rated movies, go for CAH. Perhaps pick up the Big Bang version, and use its scoring chips to make Apples more interesting.

Only one warning: These games get so addictive, your party guests might lose all track of time until every card in the box is exhausted. You better get extra snacks.

Fun, Fun, fun

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If you thought there was trouble in River City before, just wait until this cast gets done with the classic musical when Buck Creek Players' Play-A-Part Fundraiser presents
If you thought there was trouble in River City before, just wait until this cast gets done with the classic musical when Buck Creek Players’ Play-A-Part Fundraiser presents “The Music Man” for one wacky weekend. — BCP photo

Cue music: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”

No, it’s not Christmas season already (though watch for decorations at the stores in a month or so), for folks like us who enjoy plays and playing games, August provides a bursting cornucopia of fun.

Yes, theatre friends, IndyFringe is almost upon us, but first…

This week, starting Wednesday (today, if you’re reading this on July 29) is the GenCon Game Fair, the world’s largest convention devoted to games, those who play them and those who make them. More than 60,000 happy nerds will overrun downtown Indianapolis, centering on the Indiana Convention Center, though many activities will be in nearby hotels and Union Station. If you are unfamiliar or don’t have much money to throw at this extravaganza, there is discount admission on Sunday, for Family Day (though the whole event is family-friendly).

Another note: The hallways of the convention center and hotel lobbies are open to the public. So, if you want to see and (respectfully) admire the many costumes attendees will be wearing, that doesn’t have to cost you a thing. However, the eye candy – while it makes good TV footage – is only a small fraction of the scene. If you like board, card, strategy or party games at all, you really need to get into this convention.

As for plays opening this weekend, we highly recommend fun of a different sort: The Buck Creek Players Play-A-Part Fundraiser production of “The Music Man.” The roles were all cast by winning a silent auction, with no requirements of age, gender, experience or even talent. Fortunately, director Scott Robinson levels the playing field by making the show an anything-can-happen live comedy in the tradition of TV’s classic “The Carol Burnett Show.” The result is highly entertaining, and the funds raised help with building improvements at this all-volunteer community theater. There are just four performances, Friday through Sunday, which are likely to sell out. Hit up the website or call 317-862-2270.

Sunday sees the return of the monthly experience that is “Going, Going, Gone” at Theatre on the Square. Co-creator Lou Harry has announced that, in honor of GenCon, the items bid on (which audience members get to win and keep) will be nerd-themed, as will be the cast, led by ubernerd (and Angel Burlesque MC) Jeff Angel. Also, wear a GenCon badge to the show, and get extra play money to bid with. Go, Go, Go, and quick, before the seats are gone!

– See you downtown!

Review: Where there’s “Smoke,” there’s a mighty fine show

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The cast of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre's
The cast of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s “Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming,” running through Aug. 16. — Beef & Boards photo

By John Lyle Belden

For regular patrons of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in northwest Indianapolis, just saying, “There’s a ‘Smoke on the Mountain’ show!” is enough to get many scrambling to contact the box office.

The popular original off-Broadway show centers on a gospel-singing family putting on a “sing” at a rural North Carolina church in the 1930s. Aside from seeing the interpersonal drama among the Sanders clan and sharing a few laughs, the audience is treated to a series of old-time hymns and gospel tunes, with the cast playing an array of instruments.

The sequel, “Sanders Family Christmas,” has the family returning to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church for a holiday sing in 1941, the last show before the Sanders’ son goes off to war.

The present production, “Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming,” takes place in late 1945, with the war over and young Dennis (Will Boyajian) back with the family, following through on his service as a chaplain and a lifelong call to take the pulpit as the Mount Pleasant minister.

The departing pastor, the Rev. Mervin Oglethorpe (John Vessels), responded to a request to open a church in Texas and will leave the next day, taking his very pregnant wife, June (Sarah Hund), the Sanderses’ elder daughter. Burl and Vera Sanders (Bob Payne and Pam Pendleton) still have daughter Denise (Christina Rose Rahn), Dennis’ fraternal twin, now married with twins of her own, as well as Burl’s troubled brother, Stanley Sanders (Brian Gunter).

They are hosting one more sing before the Oglethorpes depart, but it becomes apparent that there are still a few issues to work out.

It helps that most of the cast is the same as past B&B “Smoke on the Mountain” productions, especially Vessels as the emotional and hyperactive Brother Mervin and Hund at her comic best as simple June, who provides the family band’s percussion, sometimes in hilariously inventive ways, and signs rather than sings — though some of her gestures might confuse any deaf audience members who happen by the church.

Boyajian and Rahn make their B&B debuts but manage to fit right in as though they had always played the Sanders twins, especially when circumstances force them to re-enact a song from when Dennis and Denise were very young.

It’s not all comedy; be prepared for some very serious moments of testimony and a lot of talk about Jesus. But this is what comes naturally in a musical with a song list that looks like one from a small-town Sunday school.

In fact, especially when Dennis or Stanley recall their darkest hours, it’s easy to forget that these are fictional characters. But the spirit (or Spirit, if you believe that way) of the play stays true to the memories of those of us who ever attended a little church in the backwoods -– or a hometown congregation anywhere.

One hopes that playwright Connie Ray would eventually see fit to have the Sanderses go see June and Mervin for a Texas-sized gospel sing, but for now we can enjoy witnessing the “Homecoming” daily except Mondays through Aug. 16 at 9301 N. Michigan Road, near the Pyramids. Call 317-872-9664 or see beefandboards.com.

– – –

Review also appears in the July 23 edition of the Greenfield Daily Reporter.

Opening in the wide open spaces of “Oklahoma,” or Noblesville

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Nick Gehring (Curly) and Emma Rund (Aunt Eller) in the Young Adults production of "Oklahoma!" at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in Carmel. -- Civic Theatre photo
Nick Gehring (Curly) and Emma Rund (Aunt Eller) in the Young Adults production of “Oklahoma!” at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in Carmel. — Civic Theatre photo

There are two stage openings of note this weekend.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Oklahoma!” is on the boards at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in The Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Carmel. This is the annual summer production performed mainly by late teen and early 20s actors. Given the youth theatre and high school thespian scene, these “kids” might already have some seasoning, but career- or volunteer-vocation-wise, they are just getting started.

Summer brings out local devotees of the immortal Bard (both on stage and in audience) for Shakespeare in the Park. Thursday through Saturday this weekend and next, a production of the comedy “Twelfth Night” will be presented at Seminary Park, located between 10th and 11th streets, and Division and Hannibal streets in Noblesville. Festivities start at 7:30 p.m. and admission is free.

For something a little different this weekend (for grown-ups only) the Angel Burlesque “Nerdgasm” returns to Theatre on the Square on Mass Ave. in downtown Indy, Friday and Saturday, starting at 10 p.m. Being geeky has never been sexier.

— Go have some fun!

Review: Say yes to the dresses

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The Cast of Theatre on the Square's "Love, Loss and What I Wore" by Nora and Delia Ephron, playing on the TOTS Second Stage through Aug. 1 -- TOTS photo by Abdul-Shaheed
The Cast of Theatre on the Square’s “Love, Loss and What I Wore” by Nora and Delia Ephron, playing on the TOTS Second Stage through Aug. 1 — TOTS photo by Abdul-Shaheed

By John Lyle Belden

A local production of “Love, Loss and What I Wore” by Nora and Delia Ephron returns to Indianapolis, now playing at Theatre on the Square (the first production was a couple of years back at the Phoenix) and is, again, a funny and heartwarming little show about how our wardrobe links to our memories.

The play is mostly a set of monologues performed by five women. In the center is Adrienne Reiswerg as Gingy, the central recurring character who has lived a full life and, to remember it, has made drawings of the various dresses and outfits she has worn along the way. As stage manager Stacy Ricks hangs the drawings up behind her, Gingy relates the story behind each garment.

In addition, Rhoda Ludy, Miki Mathiodakis, Lucinda Phillips and Bridget Schlebecker portray numerous characters – mothers, daughters, sisters, fiances – who remember boldy and fondly a certain dress, or bra, or shoes, or even finding a unique purse.

The delivery brings out a lot of laughs – “You’re not wearing that, are you?” – as well as a few tender moments. It will no doubt also stir up some memories of your own favorite item.

You don’t have to be female or fashion-obsessed to love this show. The well-crafted script is in very able hands on the TOTS Second Stage. But if clothes are your thing, you simply have to see it.

This production runs through Aug. 1 at 627 Massachusetts Ave.; call 317-685-8687.

Step to it

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Hoosier-made short
Hoosier-made short “The Dean’s List” is among the dozens of movies (short and feature-length) at the Indy Film Fest, July 16-25 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. – Photo provided

Only one live theatre opening is on our schedule for this weekend, “Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The 39 Steps'” at Carmel Community Players. This Tony-winning show takes a comedic approach to the classic Hitchcock thriller.

But that’s not the only thing happening in “theaters.” Of course, there are lots of movies — you could see “Minions” or watch “Jurassic World” again — but more importantly, the Indy Film Fest gets under way tomorrow (Thursday) and runs through July July 25 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It promises lots and lots of features and shorts that you’re not likely to see anywhere else, or at least so easily. Click on that link a couple of sentences back for the whole lineup and more details.

— See you in the audience!

Review: Ohmygod, you guys! CrazyLake has hit with “Legally Blonde”

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Amy Studabaker (left) is townie hairdresser Paulette and Peyton Cole is Harvard law student Elle Woods in the CrazyLake Acting Company production of
Amy Studabaker (left) is townie hairdresser Paulette and Payton Cole is Harvard law student Elle Woods in the CrazyLake Acting Company production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” — CrazyLake photo

By Wendy Carson

CrazyLake’s new show, “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” does a fantastic job of showcasing many of the talented young adults in the Hancock County area. With a mere 15 percent of the enormous cast consisting of adults, it’s really impressive to see these kids ruling the stage. I’m sure most of them will be off to college and out of the area very soon, but those that do stick around should be regulars on the area stages very soon.

Besides the overall level of acting and singing, the true stand-out here is the choreography by Amy Studabaker. The various dances are not only artfully crafted but perfectly executed. This is especially amazing in the numbers with seven or more dancers performing in unison. The finale with the entire cast is particularly breathtaking.

The show’s story is very faithful to the original movie’s script and the elaborate musical numbers do not detract from the story. However, like the film it was based on, it never takes itself too seriously. Hence, the running gag of Elle’s “Greek Chorus” appearing periodically thoughout.

Payton Cole is sheer perfection in her turn as Elle, a ditzy sorority girl who will do anything (including getting in to Harvard Law School) to snag the man she feels she is destined to be with. Harrison Kenn is appropriately pompous and self-involved as the object of Elle’s affections. Patrick Gawrys-Strand’s does a beautifully nuanced job in his role as Emmitt, the financially disadvantaged kid who is Elle’s most faithful supporter. Studebaker is delightful as Paulette, the salon owner with her dreams of Ireland and a better life with a good man who truly supports her.

Still, many of the true stand-outs are in some of the “lesser role,” such as the divine band of ladies playing Elle’s sorority sisters and the Greek Chorus. Trevor Brown’s take on Kyle, the UPS guy, was hilarious and fun to behold. Of course, I cannot leave out the amazing talents of the two most adorable cast members, Banner McDowell-Fisher and Buddy Brown as Bruiser Woods and Rufus — they were consummate professionals through and through.Honestly, I could easily write at least a dozen or so more paragraphs highlighting every single performer and role but I already feel like I’m exhausting my audience’s patience as well as running out of adjectives. So just let me say that every single cast member was sheer perfection, and if anyone out there misses this production, they will truly regret it.

Performances are today through Sunday and July 17-19 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. in downtown Greenfield (on U.S. 40, just west of the county courthouse). Info and tickets at the CrazyLake Facebook page and CrazyLake.com.

Summer stages

PWJW_Indy Weekly update

With the July 4 holiday behind us, a new bunch of plays open this week.

The Phoenix Theatre in downtown Indy opens the Simpsons-inspired comedy, “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” Thursday (likely today if you are reading this within hours of our posting it). Just a couple of blocks away, Theatre on the Square opens the acclaimed “Love, Loss and What I Wore” by Nora and Delia Ephron on Friday. Just up Alabama Street, two more shows open Friday: a young-adults production of “West Side Story” at Footlite Musicals and a more mature cast in Epilogue Players‘ “The Second Time Around.”

Meanwhile, out in Greenfield, the CrazyLake Acting Company presents an excellent and fun production of the musical “Legally Blonde” for a two-weekend run at the Ricks Centre for the Arts, just a block or so west of the county courthouse on U.S. 40.

And up in northwest Indy, by the Pyramids, “Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming” opens at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. As this is one of B&B’s most popular series of plays, the preceding sentence is all one would have to say to inspire sellouts through the end of the month. Judging by the previous editions, if you find the term “old-time Gospel sing” at all appealing, this show is a must-see.

So, there you have it – something for everyone.

– See you in the audience!