By Wendy Carson
“Prodigal Hoosier” is a time-traveling trip told mainly through song.
We begin with a tender look back at Kevin Kelso’s music teacher and the lessons learned, far beyond just piano skills. The show then moves from tributes to famous mathematicians, his loving wife, his obsession with goals and plans to a “Fight Song” for the mythical Farmers Insurance University.
Kelso’s musical skills showcased are quite impressive. The song for his father, “You can take the boy out of Brown County, but you can’t take Brown County out of the boy” is a tender delight. Although my personal favorite number was his musical version of Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias,” simply because I love the source material.
Also, if you’re lucky, he might come out and do an encore song. Truly a delightful evening of joy and music for young and old alike.
Performances are 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27-28, on the Phoenix Theatre underground stage. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.