Author: PWJW_Indy

Cat, CCP stage farcical salute to struggling actors

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By Wendy Carson      

Is the thought of seeing one more Christmas-themed production making you want to spew your eggnog? If so, you need to drive over to The Cat in Carmel and catch a performance of Carmel Community Players production of “Moon Over Buffalo.”

The 1995 comedy by Ken Ludwig is notable not just for its slamming-door farcical elements but as the vehicle in which Carol Burnett returned to Broadway. Needless to say, there are plot twists and laughs aplenty.

In the summer of 1953, George Hay (Jason Creighton) and wife Caroline (Tonya Rave) have washed out on the Broadway stage as well as in Hollywood and tour the country in reparatory, alternating between productions of “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “Private Lives.” They are currently stuck in Buffalo, N.Y.

Still stinging over the loss of lead roles in the upcoming Frank Capra-directed Scarlet Pimpernel film, they are resigned to make the best of things. Having Caroline’s mostly deaf mother, Ethel (Wendy Brown), along as their costumer and all-around extra doesn’t improve their lot.

In a fortuitous turn of events their daughter, Rosalind (Natalie Piggush), has returned to introduce them to her new fiancé, Howard (Mac Wright). However, she never seems to get the opportunity, and his being tongue-tied doesn’t help. Add to the mix Richard (Brian Sprayue), the Hays’ lawyer who is madly in love with Caroline and trying to sweep her away from her husband; Eileen (Nicole Sherlock), the ingénue who is pregnant from a brief dalliance with George; and finally, Paul (Grant Bowen), Rosalind’s ex, who is still madly in love with her.

Secret loves, mistaken identities, a generous amount of alcohol, and the possibility of being cast in Capra’s film after all make for a rollicking night of craziness. It’s also good for those who like a peek at backstage life and the quirks of showbiz people, flavored with the evergreen lament that live theatre is dying (shakes fist at television).

Directed by Elizabeth Ruddell, the entire cast is spectacular; their tireless embracing of every comic element will keep you laughing so much that you can forget that “Marley was dead” or any other holiday frippery.

Performances are Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 14-17, at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, downtown Carmel (in the Arts and Design district, a distance away from the Kristkindlmarkt). Get tickets and info at carmelplayers.org.

Musical send-up of Scrooge story returns

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By John Lyle Belden

Ben Asaykwee’s “Christmas Carol Comedy” at the District Theatre has joined the ranks of downtown Indy’s cherished holiday traditions. Yes, we’re all surprised (I imagine Asaykwee is), but I’m not actually as he is really talented and the show is really funny.

I mean, look at the nice stuff we said about it last year.

As so much about the world today is silly and dumb, this musical parody of Dickens’ classic fits right into this season’s offerings. While Ben is over at the Phoenix, assistant director Hannah Boswell takes care of things, as well as roles including a talkative Christmas Future. This being a “Q-munity” production (started by Asaykwee’s Q Artistry company), there are numerous performers at all levels of experience, whose having fun at this easily translates to the sold-out audiences.

Matt Anderson is back as Scrooge, Shelbi Berry as Christmas Past, Tiffanie Bridges as Christmas Present (and, well… you’ll see), Maria Meschi as Marley, Emerson Black as Fezziwig, and Michelle Wafford as Mrs. Cratchit, with Jeff Stratford as Bob Cratchit, Tristan Montgomery as Fred, Miki Mathioudakis as Mrs. Fezziwig, and an ensemble of characters and Victorian Urchins played by Adrienne Anderson, Alex Kao, Anahit Aleksanyan, Anna Lee, Arin Anderson, Ben Curry, Beth Gibson, Calvin Meschi, Cari Gallagher, Charlotte Wagner, Derwin Lester, Elsie Huldeen, Emily Persic, Finley Eyers, Fiona Eyers, Jessica Dickson, Kallen Ruston, Katie Eaker, Kelly Haas, Kendall Crenshaw, Lillian Hall, Lisa Anderson, Luna Capehart, Mandy Holzhausen, Michael Persic, Noah Lee, Patrick Clemens, Sam Lee, Sophia Capehart, and Spencer Hahn.

You have seven chances (at the time of this posting) to see this charming, fun, silly, entertaining, and now traditional yuletide treat, but tickets are selling fast, playing Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 14-17 and 21-23. Get them at indydistricttheatre.org.

Spend a holiday with this “Nice Family”

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By John Lyle Belden

We extend our sincere thanks to Richelle Lutz for bringing us up the road to Center Stage Community Theatre in Lebanon for the holiday treat she directs and has a role in, “A Nice Family Christmas,” by Phil Olson.

While a sequel of sorts to Olson’s “Nice Family Gathering,” it takes place a few years later and there’s no need to have seen the antics of the earlier play to get into the dysfunction of the Lundeen family of Minneapolis. Being Minnesota Lutherans, they aren’t big on expressions of affection, and post-Covid avoidance of hugging or other contact come naturally to everyone.

Mom Helen (Melinda McGinnis) was hoping for, as the title says, a nice holiday, but that gets difficult with the arrival of her mother, saucy Grandma Clara (Lutz), from her retirement village of Sun City, Fla., where she’s run out of old men to hook up with. Middle child Carl (Frankie Gross), a journalist, arrives with an ulterior motive – his editor at the paper wants a “family Christmas” story from him. Younger sibling Stacy (Meredith Mitchell) arrives next, but without her girlfriend/fiancé, who is at her parents’ home, planning to come out to them. Grandma is still adjusting to Stacy’s sexuality (“In my day, we didn’t have gays…”). Mom’s eldest and favorite, Michael (Aaron Moon), arrives and it is soon revealed that he and his wife, Jill (Jada Cannelle), have separated – but she appears anyway, wildly hormonally emotional from their efforts to conceive a child. Another surprise is Uncle Bob (Richard Steinberg), who shows up with a big smile and a half empty whiskey bottle (“You can’t spell BYOB without BOB!”).

In an effort to rein in all the chaos, Mom proposes a game: A grand prize will go to the one who best fulfills the two rules – 1. Be good. 2. Do something unselfish for another. This will prove to be a harder contest to win than you’d think.

Issues abound with this bunch, from relationship troubles to expensive Star Trek plates, to hidden medical diagnoses, to the fate of Mr. Peepers, the gerbil. And, as always, this family’s difficulty in saying “The ‘L’ Word.” (The one that rhymes with “dove.”) While the content, especially when Grandma waxes nostalgic about randy adventures, can get a bit mature, this clan are masters of profanity-free euphemisms – “Oh, for priced cakes!” – so consider this a PG-13 show.

Punch lines come frequent and fast with hilarious familial barbs in all directions, though you can tell they all truly care for each other. The cast maintain great family chemistry that has me glad Encore has an ensemble award.  

One weekend remains, Friday through Sunday, Dec. 15-17, at 604 Powell St., Lebanon. Get info and tickets at centerstagecommunitytheatre.com.

Fringe hosts North Pole comedy mystery

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By Wendy Carson

Defiance Comedy is known for its zany musical spoofs and original content. This year this local comic crew brings us a delightful new treat for the holidays, “Claus Out,” a hilarious parody of the “Knives Out” film franchise.

Twenty years ago, Rudolph was murdered. While Prancer was initially charged, a lack of concrete evidence released him. Amid the chaos, Santa Claus disbanded his reindeer team.

Now, each reindeer has been mysteriously invited back to the scene of the crime, where Santa plans to reveal the truth behind this tragedy. Unfortunately, he is murdered just prior to the revelation. Now there is a bigger case to be solved.

While you may think you know those involved, their true personalities and motives are much cloudier. Take Dasher (Austin Hookfin), dripping with jealousy at the usurping of his leadership role of the team; Dancer (Charlie Rankin) whose affair with a bad-boy reindeer threatens her goody-goody image; Prancer (Joseph David Massingale), the initial suspect whose two days in lock-up left a lasting impression; Vixen (Paige Scott), the sultry seductress with an eye towards wearing the Big Hat; Comet (Shelby Myers), who thinks this is all because Merry is in retrograde and perhaps the right crystal/tea combination will fix everything; Cupid (Preston Dildine), whom everyone loathes, but he used his hiatus from the team to become an internet mogul; and Donder (Kelsey VanVoorst) and Blitzen (Ben Rockey) who are unabashedly German party animals though perhaps a bit slow on the uptake.

Add into the mix, Elfie (Robin Kildall), who is just trying to keep the Christmas Spirit alive while going full fan-girl on the famous Detective Benoit Bellz (Jason Adams), who was also mysteriously invited in order to solve the crime.

Writer/Director Matt Kramer digs deep into his bag of treats to give us a bounty of laughs, gags and moments of pure comic delight. The amazingly talented cast brings his works and lyrics to life perfectly, not to mention their mastery of Emily Bohannon’s choreography.

Who killed the most famous reindeer? And their boss? As the cast sings in “Intermission Song,” you may think you know, but you’re probably wrong. Find out at the IndyFringe Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis, Dec. 8-10 and 14-16. For tickets, go to indyfringe.org.

GHDT does ‘Nutcracker’ their own way

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By John Lyle Belden

Likely one of the most produced entertainments this time of year (aside from a play with someone named Scrooge) is some version of “The Nutcracker.” Let us suggest you check out Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s unique vision of the classic E.T.A. Hoffmann children’s story, performing this weekend in downtown Carmel.

Choreographed by Gregory Glade Hancock with Dawn Deahl and Shari Washington Rhone, this dance program is a showcase for all ages of students at the Academy of GHDT. The contemporary feel is enhanced by a largely Tchaikovsky-free score, instead featuring music by the likes of David Arkenstone, David Byrne, Danny Elfman, and Hans Zimmer. The arrangements work, and still serve the story.

Another difference is the casting of a boy, “Klarence,” performed by Vincent Kitchen in select performances. Others have the more traditional Klara, danced by his twin sister, Violet Kitchen. We attended a performance with Vincent, who is outstanding, already showing the poise and presence of dancers much older.

Featured dancers also include Audrey Holloway, Hillary Riley, and Audrey Springer, who appear as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Nutcracker, and a soloist in the international dances. Megan Webb appears as Drosselmeyer, Evangeline Meadows is the Mouse Queen, and Zoe Hacker is the Snow Fairy.

Other dancers include Claire Bagato, Annabelle Breeden, Arden Brothers, Fiadh Flynn, Lera Griffis, Amelia Joest, Aailyah Johnson, Stella Kitchen, Jocelyn Larry, Jo’Nia Larry, Jovair Larry, Josephine Meadows, Hazel Moore, Ellington Thacker, Isabella Webb, Molly Webb, and Tara Williams.

Presented with Hancock’s flair for visual storytelling, this familiar yet unique production is at the GHDT performance space, The Florence, at 329 Gradle Drive, Carmel, Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 7-10. (Parking spaces will be kept open for patrons – the Carmel Christkindlmarkt is nearby.) For information and tickets, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.  

Buck Creek ‘Miracle’ relives holiday memories

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By John Lyle Belden

When we were children, it was easy to think of our parents as capable of anything, maybe even magic, especially during the holidays. This is the theme of “Dad’s Christmas Miracle” by Pat Cook, this season’s production by Buck Creek Players.

Connor Murphy (Tony Brazelton) is an adult now but has fairly vivid memories of at least one long-ago Christmas. As he tells the story, the ghost of his teacher Miss McLaughlin (Marie McNelis), pops up to keep him accurate and on-topic.

Young Conner (Spencer Bland) wishes for a real motorized go-cart at a time when his father (Matthew Bush) struggles to afford gifts at all. His pesky older brother Frank (Wes Olin) has made his wish clear, dropping leaden hints, but sister Jessica (Brooke Dennis) is testing the power of faith by only asking for her Christmas gift in silent prayer, refusing to even tell her best friend Madelyn (Josie Joyner). Not even Mother (Megan Slocum), with her maternal psychic powers, can trick out a clue.

Meanwhile, Connor is working on his part in the Christmas pageant with best pals Neil (Jacob Bush), who is super smart, and Tater (Spencer Pipkin), who isn’t.

And then there’s neighbor Harriet (Sarah Latimer) bringing over her (in)famous fruitcake.

While this fits the genre of nostalgia stories (like the ones on TV with angels or BB-guns) this play has its own charms and twists, and plenty of funny moments. There’s mischief at the movies, the “honesty test,” and even a momentary Greek Chorus. Naturally, there’s also a thing that happens in the second act that jeopardizes the holidays, but true to the title, Dad will somehow pull off the Best Christmas Ever. You have to watch to see how it cleverly comes about.

Directed by Sam Brown, everyone comes off as charming in their own way, making for perfect family entertainment.

Behold “Dad’s Christmas Miracle” Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 17 at 11150 Southeastern Ave., Indianapolis (Acton Road exit off I-74). Get info and tickets at BuckCreekPlayers.com.

‘Carol’ gets farcical in Westfield

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By John Lyle Belden

We know that a lot of the folks who read our reviews have some experience with community theatre – whether on stage, backstage, or patience-tested family member. For you, “Inspecting Carol” by Daniel Sullivan, presented by Main Street Productions in Westfield, may feel familiar.

At the Soapbox Playhouse, director Zorah (Tanya Haas) and stage manager M.J. (Jennifer Poynter) are having difficulties with rehearsals for the annual production of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Much of the cast have done it year after year, but that’s not much help, especially since their Scrooge, Larry (Scott Prill), likes to go off script. Also, Luther (Tyler Acquaviva), their Tim, isn’t so “tiny,” putting a strain on Phil (Trever Brown) as Cratchit. Dorothy (Cathie Morgan), who has various roles and a real British accent, is hobbling on a broken foot. Sidney (Brad Burns) is ready to play Marley, providing he gets the chains under control. Newcomer Walter (Malcolm Marshall), who plays the ghosts, is uneasy with being the lone “diversity” casting. At least Bart (Gregory Vander Wyden) is capable of handling both some character lines and moving the set pieces.

Then there’s Wayne (Jeff Haber), a stranger who just showed up, claiming to be a traveling actor seeking stages where he can audition. But he’s not in the union and seems oblivious to things a thespian should know.

Business manager Kevin (Jim Gryga) suspects the visitor could be an undercover inspector sent by the National Endowment for the Arts, which has suspended the company’s grant pending a review.

Directed by Kelly Keller, who has a knack for bringing out the funny, this farce reels from one silly situation to the next, likely cathartically familiar to anyone who has dealt with production mishaps, last-minute changes, dropped lines, and looming budget shortfalls. Debbie Underwood completes the cast. Elianah Atwell is assistant director, with Tanya Keller as stage manager.

Hilariously brilliant performances all around, including Haas keeping Zorah’s Lithuanian blood at a low boil, Prill with Larry’s “updated” script, Haber as well-meaning Wayne, and especially Poynter as the cat-herding jill-of-all-trades pushed to her limit. And if a bad dress rehearsal foretells a great performance, this company could have the best “Carol” ever, once they recover.

See what I mean at “Inspecting Carol,” Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 7-10, at Basile Westfield Playhouse, 220 N. Union St., Westfield. For info and tickets, see westfieldplayhouse.org.

Mud Creek filled with holiday ‘Spirit’

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By Wendy Carson

Christmas is the time of the year we all gather with family and/or friends and celebrate the joy of the season. However, not all of us have loved ones with which to celebrate.

In Mud Creek Players’ “The Spirit of Christmas: A Holiday Cabaret,” such is the plight of Mabel (Anne Phelan), who is spending Christmas Eve cleaning the local theater where she volunteers. While struggling not to feel sorry for herself, a mysterious voice reminds her that while she may not have actual souls to be around, her rich supply of Christmas memories are what she should focus on.

The rest of the cast (Audrey Beaverson, Lauren Bogart, Nicole Bridgens, Stephen DiCarlo, Emily Keenan, Sophie Liese, Dani Lopez-Roque, Karen Naber, Noah Nordman, and Tara Weed) embody those memories and help guide Mabel through them to renew her Christmas Spirit. Even director Chris Bundy steps in a time or two.

Through a mix of traditional and newer songs, with a lesser-heard one or two, they remind Mabel, and us, of the delights of childhood and the meaning of Christmas. They even have a hilarious take on “The 12 Days of Christmas” that will have you seeing that song in a very different way.

Bundy and the Mud Creek crew have changed up the seating arrangements, giving the “Barn” a true cabaret set-up with audience members seated at tables throughout the venue. Tables are provided with a delicious snack mix and Holiday Punch for all as well as a trio of desserts and other drink choices served by the performers at intermission, all at no extra charge.

Remaining performances, Friday through Sunday, Dec. 8-10, are sold out, according to MudCreekPlayers.org. Go to the Contact page on the site, or email info@mudcreekplayers.org to ask about possible openings due to cancellations or additional seating.

Getting to look a lot like ‘Xmas’

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By John Lyle Belden

I’ll never forget the moment a few years ago during a show when Claire Wilcher shouted, “That just happened!” as she rolled with the comic chaos, ever one of this city’s biggest talents.

As the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center sought to revive its traditional “Very Phoenix Xmas,” it was entrusted to Wilcher, who directed and wrote the whole show with “& Friends,” which include costars Shawnte P. Gaston, Carlos Medina Maldonado, and Ben Asaykwee, who co-wrote songs with her. Putting aside lame wordplay (for a moment) this is simply, “A Very Phoenix Xmas Returns: The Return of the Very Phoenix Xmas.”

Yeah, it’s happening.

A quick warning: In the edgy spirit of the Phoenix Theatre, there are a fair number of F-bombs dropped among the fake snowflakes, though as usual nothing blasphemous for this holy season. This fun is for high schoolers and older.

The overall theme is Christmas season in central Indiana, with some comic shots taken at traditions including the IRT “Christmas Carol,” the Symphony’s “Yuletide Celebration,” and the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. To start the second half of the show, we even get a look at actual Yelp reviews for local attractions.

Between scenes, we get “greetings” from various Hoosiers throughout history, from Col. Eli Lilly to Madam C.J. Walker to Kurt Vonnegut. (And by the way, Claire, Wendy and I have always called that freeway “the Babyface.”)

All four have their moments to shine, including Gaston as an infamous billionaire, Maldonado and his “box dance,” and Asaykwee as a disaffected member of whatever today’s generation is called. Order the theme cocktail before the show or at intermission, and you, too, can be part of the performance!

Once again, the Phoenix balances engaging in tradition with thumbing its nose at it. This ‘Xmas’ is fresh, funny, heartfelt, and entertaining with deftly delivered satire and all the feelings – from fun to frustration – of the holiday season.

Performances run through Dec. 23 at 705 N. Illinois St., downtown Indianapolis. Get tickets at phoenixtheatre.org. And at the show, tell Gustav we said “Hi.”

Belfry serves up hilarious ‘Dinner’

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By John Lyle Belden

It’s that time of year, when many of us have been, or had to put up with, houseguests.

In a small Ohio city in early December 1939, Sheridan Whiteside – famed writer, lecturer, radio personality, and the toast of any town – visited the home of factory owner Ernest Stanley. It was to be only for dinner, but a slip on a patch of ice left the injured celebrity guest recovering at the Stanley home for the rest of the month.

This fictional incident is the basis for “The Man Who Came To Dinner,” a comedy that Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman based on numerous showbiz personalities whom they knew. This play comes to life in Noblesville courtesy of The Belfry Theatre, directed by Eric Matters.

Two weeks into his convalescence, Whiteside (Robert C. Boston Jr.) decides to take charge of the Stanleys’ living room for his business needs, threatening to increase the amount of his pending lawsuit against Mr. and Mrs. Stanley (Tom Smith and Kim O’Mara) if they don’t yield. As for the hosts, he is more than fed up while she is still a bit starstruck. Ernest’s sister Harriet Stanley (Janet Borcherding) regards their guest with a strange fascination.

While “Sherri” Whiteside is an absolute pill to the elder Stanleys, as well as Dr. Bradley (Gene Burnett) and nurse Miss Preen (Chloe Vann), he is friendly to the nearly-grown Stanley children June (Anabella Lazarides) and Richard (Jericho Franke), as well as the butler John (Aaron Budde) and talented cook Sarah (Grace McKinnies). Faithful secretary Maggie Cutler (Amanda Falcone) seems immune to his verbal jabs and handles work details which mainly involve frequent contact with numerous celebrities. Aside from the characters written to appear in the play, an avalanche of real names from the era are dropped throughout the show.

Local newspaper reporter Bert Jefferson (Eric Dixon) matches Whiteside in a verbal joust, earning respect and an interview, and entry to Maggie’s heart. As it turns out, Jefferson is also a promising playwright.

The plot then largely turns on Whiteside’s efforts to keep the local journalist from taking his secretary, involving various showbiz people who come by the house including ambitious actress Lorraine Sheldon (Hannah Partridge), suave acclaimed actor Beverly Carlton (Drake Walker Smith), and Marx Brother-inspired comic Banjo (Daniel Dale Clymer).  Some actors take more than one role; Melissa Reid rounds out the cast. A few children (unlisted in the program) make a cameo.

Add to all the human foibles the presence of a “Roach City” in the living room, an octopus in the basement, and penguins in the library, and you have the fun makings for a classic comedy, a rather unique take on the Christmas season.

Boston excellently portrays Whiteside much like a wily housecat, presenting charming softness or sharp claws (or both) to any person he wishes, with engaging wit that makes his personal celebrity and connections believable. Falcone presents a savvy sweetness that is endearing and worthy of respect. Dixon convincingly plays intelligent with unflappable Midwest charm. Partridge is a force of nature as a B-list actor feeling entitled to A-plus accommodations.

This wild and entertaining farce with sly insight into the rich and famous of the mid-20th century has another weekend, Thursday, Nov. 30, through Sunday, Dec. 3, at Noblesville United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St. (enter on the west side of the building), Noblesville. For info and tickets, visit thebelfrytheatre.com.