Ben Rockey

Defiance pulls off hilarious Christmas criminal caper

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By John Lyle Belden

In crime, a well-executed theft requires such skill and finesse to be an art. In “The Heist Before Christmas,” the musical farce by Matt Kramer and Defiance Comedy, the art of larceny quickly devolves from Leonardo da Vinci to Looney Tunes.

An artist in all things theatre, Jay Hemphill performs the role of Nick Demarco, third-generation Master Toy Thief who, with hardened criminal Roxy (Shelby Myers) and her goofy younger brother Bobby (Joseph David Massingale) make a “Christmas Jail Break” (also a song – silly numbers like this, choreographed by Emily Bohannon, run through the plot). Once out, they head to Whitakers Toy Box, an independent store that promises a million dollars’ worth of inventory in its Christmas Eve Extravaganza.

Craig Whitaker (Joe Wagner) doesn’t really have a million bucks worth of toys. He has some Legos, plushes, and a lot of debt to settle, having inherited the shop a year earlier from his father. His frustrated clerks Sarah (Robin Kildall) wants to escape to grad school and Devon (Ramon Hutchins) is preoccupied with his band and finding it a new drummer. Practically the only other thing open is an equally customer-free coffee shop, from which barista Lily (Julia Ammons) comes to drop caffeine-loaded hints that she really, really likes Devon.

Our trio of bandits arrive to commit the meticulously well-planned-out robbery that Nick calls “The Silent Night Swipe,” his masterpiece. Craig is just happy to have someone in the store.

Then, a Karen (Carrie Andrews Reiberg) named Karen, who gets a song called “Karen,” and is a total, you know… comes in through the door Bobby forgot to lock to return an item she bought at a different store but it’s not open and this one is, and can she talk to the manager?

Carlos Medina Maldonado plays all the other roles, except for the Robot outside twirling the sign. A master thespian, we have seen Maldonado deliver as various characters in different companies at the Phoenix Theatre (old and new) and the Indiana Repertory Theatre. With Defiance, he shows his deft character range and (continuing the art metaphor) is the Picasso of the poop joke.

This wacky romp also includes an all-important nutcracker, odd plot twists, improbable romance, awkward ghosts, an ‘80s song as a plot device, and a somewhat happy ending – all the things you want from a Holiday Special by people who typically do stupid stuff for Fringe shows.

Kramer has the knack for writing and directing a “bad” (in his words) story that comes out good, with the help of people with who don’t mind “that just happened” fourth-wall bruising improv-style hijinks. Massingale, who once wowed us in the serious musical “Bonnie and Clyde,” shows great comic flair as a much less threatening bandit. Wagner, who leads an improv troupe of his own, excels at “yes-and”-ing the boss who stays optimistic and primed for success, no matter what, anchoring the spiraling misadventures throughout this somehow coherent narrative. We always knew Hutchins could belt a tune; he can now add twerking for laughs to the resume.

Well-played wishes to stage manager Molly North. Ben Rockey likes seeing his name in these reviews.

Just a few opportunities left to witness “The Heist Before Christmas,” including tonight as I post this, at the IF Theatre, home of IndyFringe, 719 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis. Tickets at indyfringe.org.

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.

Executive dysfunction in holiday parody

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By John Lyle Belden

As we settled in for a long winter’s viewing of “The North Wing,” an original Christmas musical presented by Defiance Comedy at the IndyFringe theatre, Molly North, assistant to the show’s writer and director, Matt Kramer, said this is like if “The West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin had (presumably under the influence of something) decided to write about the Santa Claus Workshop at the North Pole, and add music.

Well… there is a “walk-and-talk” scene, so we’ll go with that.

Since Burl Ives is dead and Josh Gad costs too much, we have the lovely Paige Scott as our narrator, Jeff the Snowman, ironically with a warmer heart than her other role, Mrs. Claus. The former is charming, literally disarming, and proud to be “a waste of resources.” The latter seems to take pleasure in being naughty – which could be a problem in this setting.

Clay Mabbitt is Thomas the Human (not the one shipped off to New York, that’s another musical), the leading assistant to retiring Head Elf, Mr. Hinkle-Twinkle (Ben Rockey, one of a number of Elfin roles) who apparently learned to speak English by watching “It’s a Wonderful Life.” After another Christmas Eve in which holiday spirit is down, the old man steps down and, before Thomas can be promoted, Mrs. Claus announces an outside hire: Janet (Meg McLane) the human former executive of a Toy Corporation, who has lots of ideas for improving things at The North Wing.

Imminent changes with only 364 Days Until Christmas have elf executive assistant Beatrice (Shelby Myers), Phil the Elf (Austin Hookfin), and random Elves (Rockey and Robin Kildall) very worried. It doesn’t help that Judy Sparkles of North Pole News (Kelsey VanVoorst) reports that disaster is inevitable. It’s enough to drive one to drink – with libations served by Blumpkin the reindeer bartender (VanVoorst in antlers and red nose).

As befits a story inspired by real-world political intrigue, this all gets really silly, really fast. And there are songs. And dancing (choreography by Emily Bohannon). And romance. And, of course, the traditional plots to destroy/save Christmas.

To rescue the holiday, there is a quest for the next must-have toy, which brings – at 164 days to Christmas – the arrival of Binky the Toy Tester (Kildall). Will the thingamajig pass muster? Will it matter?

This cast works together smoothly, and I was particularly impressed with Myers’ performance. The more dramatically inclined Mabbitt makes a great straight man to set up fellow goofballs. Scott’s ability to switch between clown and villain is fun to watch.

As we’ve come to expect from Defiance, this show is full of gut-splitting hilarity and features a number of improv veterans, so expect anything. Also as usual, there’s a bit of ribald innuendo, but aside from the “Naughty” edition 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, there is a “Nice” more all-ages version at 3 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 9-11).

See their style of wacky comedy that sells out Fringe festival shows, now in two full acts, at IndyFringe Basile Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis. Get tickets at indyfringe.org.

BCP succeeds at ‘Disaster’

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By John Lyle Belden

Before we give the world to the Millennials, let’s have one more fun show for the memories of Boomers and Generation X, a silly tribute to 1970s pop music and death-defying films in “Disaster! The Musical,” on stage through June 16 at Buck Creek Players.

This show by Seth Rudetsky (an “ah-mah-zing” personality on Sirius/XM’s Broadway channel) and Jack Plotnick takes on thrillers such as “Earthquake” and “The Poseidon Adventure,” and adds fire, rats, sharks, piranhas and disco.

It’s 1979 New York, and the casino ship Barracuda is holding its grand opening. It only has to float to be legit, so it stays moored to the pier. Owner Tony Delvecchio (Corey Yeaman) sank a lot of money into this venture, so what’s a few cut corners going to hurt? That shaking is just construction on the West End Highway, right?

Chad (Scott A. Fleshood) needs to get back into action with the ladies, so gets friend Scott (Jamison Hemmert) to bring him on the boat as a fellow waiter. But just as he’s getting his “what’s your sign?” working, he runs into Marianne (Allie Buchanan), who left him at the altar, choosing her career as a Times reporter over him.

Others on this journey include disaster expert Professor Ted Scheider (Joe Wagner), who wants everyone off the boat immediately; Sister Mary Downey (Emily Gaddy), out to save souls, but worries for her own when faced with an old temptation; Maury and Shirley Summers (Michael Davis and Laura Duvall-Whitson), a couple in a long, happy marriage on what could be their last voyage; disco diva Levora Verona (Joi Blalock), whose career is on the skids; and ship’s entertainer Jackie Noelle (Jessica Crum Hawkins) and her twins Ben and Lisa (both played by Ava Lusby).

The cast also includes Joshua Cox, Christine King, Paige Land, Carrie Powell, Jason Ryan, and Ben Rockey in dual roles as the dutiful security guard and a rich passenger.

The show manages to balance an absurd, fun atmosphere with a touch of genuine suspense. It unapologetically embraces cheesy elements including puppet killer fish, obviously fake body doubles, and a “CASINO” sign that flips over to signal when the boat has capsized, somehow making it all work. And then there’s the music, as pop hit lyrics are warped to fit the plot, and vice versa. For instance, during the opening number every possible meaning for the words “Hot Stuff” is explored to help set up the various elements of the oncoming calamity.

Fleshood makes ‘70s suave look cool; Yeaman is just sleazy enough for us to enjoy every misfortune he encounters; Wagner makes a likable egghead; Hemmert is charming in a hard-luck way; Duval-Whitson and Davis are sweet enough to induce sugar-shock; Rockey can’t help but steal scenes; and the ladies are top-notch — Buchanan providing a humorous yet respectful reflection of the era’s feminist struggles; Hawkins giving dimension to what could have been just a damsel-in-distress role; Blalock being a sassy force of nature in her own right; and Gaddy making a supporting role look like a star turn.  

Lusby is very impressive in her community theatre debut. The seventh-grader shows a lot of talent and a knack for comedy as she smoothly switches between siblings throughout the show.

Director D. Scott Robinson can be reassured that ironically, in this “Disaster” everything went right. Find the Buck Creek Playhouse at 11150 Southeastern Ave. (Acton Road exit off I-74). Find info and tickets at 317-862-2270 or buckcreekplayers.com.

BCP: It’s a wonderful show

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By John Lyle Belden

It’s Christmas Eve, 1945, and we’ve gotten in out of the cold to sit in the studio audience at WBFR Radio, New York City. Freddie Fillmore, who is as handsome as he sounds, comes out to greet us commoners, along with fellow stars of the airwaves, Jake Laurents, Sally Applewhite, Lana Sherwood and Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood. Sound-effects expert Art Foley teases us with an earful of a common kitchen utensil, challenging us to guess what that sound will represent on air – none of us can!

Soon they settle in on stage, and present a new holiday story, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

This is the trip to the past delivered by Buck Creek Players, a parallel world where the Frank Capra film is just a rumor, and we get the Christmas legend of George Bailey and Clarence the Angel as a live radio play (adapted by Joe Landry). The cast does work the crowd a little before the show, while stage manager Nicole Droeger, in period costume, helps set things up as a WBFR staffer. There are “APPLAUSE” signs to cue us (though they often weren’t needed) as well as the “ON AIR” light to let us know the show is under way.

Jeff Wilson plays Fillmore, the established star who hosts the event and provides numerous character voices, including complete opposites Mr. Potter and Uncle Billy. Tiffany Wilson is Applewhite, who portrays the major women characters, including George’s wife, Mary. Sami Burr is Sherwood, who does the minor women’s roles. Ben Rockey is Jazzbo, who can’t help providing visual gags when not voicing Clarence, or George’s brother Harry or friend Sam. Christian Condra is up-and-coming star Laurents, tasked with the voice of George himself. And Christopher Brown is Foley, who works with a table of noisemakers a lot like those used in the Golden Age of Radio.

The result is a brilliant rendition of the now-familiar story. If you close your eyes, it’s exactly like the show would have been as a radio drama, or you could even fill in the film visuals with your mind’s eye as only a little was changed, and all major plot points are intact. Of course, if you’re not watching, you don’t get to see the method of Foley’s clever effects, Jazzbo hamming it up, or a bit of shenanigans that happen in the studio, including some sneaking around during intermission.

The cast, under the direction of Cathy Cutshall, are all in fine form. The Wilsons, Burr and Rockey nimbly shift from one distinct character voice to another. Condra delivers an excellent, genuine George Bailey without slipping into a James Stewart impersonation.

It’s worth the trip out to the Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeastern Ave. (Acton Road exit off I-74), through Dec. 17.

Also, this being the BCP holiday show, there is the annual cookie sale during intermission. They accept cash, cards or checks, so pick up a bag or tin of fine baked goods and help support local theatre.

Get info and tickets at 317-862-2270, or visit www.BuckCreekPlayers.com.

Make note of nutty ‘Nothing’

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By John Lyle Belden

The title “Much Ado About Nothing,” William Shakespeare’s comedy now produced by Indy’s Khaos Company Theatre, makes it sound like an Olde English version of “Seinfeld.” While its plot is as easy to follow as a sitcom, the title is more of a pun – “noting” in Shakespeare’s time was to overhear gossip, which happens here with “much ado” indeed. (Thanks, Wikipedia!)

In a modernish Italy that can only exist on stage, Leonato (James Mannan), owner of the estate where the play is set, will give his daughter Hero (Kyrsten Lyster) to Claudio (Ben Rockey), a soldier in the company of Don Pedro (Donovan Whitney), who has arranged the match.

Meanwhile, Hero’s cousin, Beatrice (Kayla Lee), has nothing nice to say about men and marriage – I checked, this was written after “Taming of the Shrew,” so consider her a more-refined “Kate” – and the main target of her venom is boisterous braggart Benedick (Daniel Dale Clymer). Sensing that these two would be suited for a different kind of sparks between them, Leonato, Pedro and Claudio, along with Hero and her companions Margaret (Kathleen Cox) and Ursula (Kaylee Spivey-Good), conspire to get them thinking each is loved by the other.

Also meanwhile, Don Pedro’s brother, Don John (James Crawley), our villain, sets out to ruin everything with the help of drunken Borachio (Jake Peacock). The main thing standing in their way is Dogberry (Linda Grant) – the Barney Fife of Shakespearean Italy – her lieutenant Verges (Nikki Sayer) and faithful Watchmen (Aidan and Addison Lucas).

And “mark that I am an ass” if I don’t mention other cast members Bradley Good, Case Jacobus and Steven C. Rose, as well as that felt Comrade on Peacock’s left arm.

The jokes and barbs hold up, even with the original text. Hero, being a teenager, does blurt out “hashtag” at moments of stress, and you get latter-day clothes with sword scabbards, but it all works. Crawley should be commended for the best evil grin this side of the Grinch, and Rockey is great at playing goofy and clumsy, yet lovable. Clymer is as sharp as the blade at his side, and Lee is simultaneously beautiful and a force to contend with.

Also, Grant and Sayer totally make the corset-and-riding-crop look work.

Under the direction of KCT’s Anthony Nathan, this classic romp is truly something to make “much ado” about. Remaining performances are Friday (pay-what-you-want night) and Saturday, July 21-22, at 1775 N. Sherman Drive. Get info and tickets at kctindy.com.