Chelsea Leis Mullen

DivaFest: Play honors Depression-era ‘Book Women’

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By Wendy Carson

Between 1935 and 1943, The Pack Horse Library Project employed around 200 women to deliver books and other reading material to the around 100,000 residents of the Appalachian Mountains in rural Kentucky. These “Book Women” faced numerous dangers and hardships in their rounds but were spurred on by the delight of bringing books to people who might never have read or seen one before. Local actress and author J. E. Hibbard imagines a portrait of four of these women as well as their mule, Nellie, as they prepare for a visit from First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, in “Ballad of the Book Women.”

Four actresses each play one of the Book Women, as well as other roles to flesh out the story. They also sing songs that help give the flavor of the play’s time and location. Not only do these ladies have to deal with weather, thieves, and the sheer ruggedness of the terrain, they also frequently come up against those who are not only illiterate but also wary of what they see as the evils of reading and writing.

MaryAnne Matthews plays Edna, the feisty elder of the group, but shines as the character of Hal, a crusty loner who secretly looks forward to the visits for food, friendship, and stories that are read to him.

Chelsea Mullen portrays Mandy, who is always making scrapbooks to prevent any piece of reading material from going to waste. Her sweetly delightful turn as one of the few school teachers reminds us of the dire need in the area, rejoicing that her class finally received two books from which to learn, while having sticks in the dirt as the only method for students to practice their writing.

Maria Meschi gives up not only Flossie, the leader of the group, but also spectacularly brings Eleanor Roosevelt to life as she tours the country bringing attention to the efforts.

Tracy Nakigozi is a sheer delight to behold as spunky young Rose. Aside from this endearing character, she is the puppet master of Nellie, which she brings to life in many charming ways. I honestly could have watched an entire show made up of her adventures with the mule.

As timely as this production is – with various books under attack today, especially in rural areas – I am greatly saddened by the sparse ticket sales. The talents involved deserve crowds with only a handful of tickets left, not barely enough audience members to outnumber them. Please, go see this delightful show.

Directed by Lucy Fields and presented by Theatre Unchained and IndyFringe for DivaFest 2023, “Ballad of the Book Women” runs Thursday through Saturday, May 4-6, 8 p.m., at IndyFringe Basile Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis (just off Mass Ave.). For info and tickets, see indyfringe.org.

DivaFest also presents activities around the Book Women story: Enjoy a “Scrapbooking Extravaganza” crafting hour at 7 p.m. before Thursday’s performance; attend a Post-Show Discussion after Friday’s performance with Cat Cardwell of IndyReads joining cast and crew to discuss expanding adult literacy. Details at the Fringe DivaFest page.

IndyFringe: Sweet Dreams, Pillowman

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This is part of IndyFringe 2022, Aug. 18-Sept. 4 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson

Monique (Audrey Stonerock) is literally a hot mess. Her apartment is a wreck, her hygiene is questionable at best, her cat has run away in disgust and her only companions are a trio of singing rats (Chelsea Mullen, Carrie Powell, and Maria Meschi). Is it any wonder she has begun talking to the pile of pillows and blankets next to her?

She has also started to imagine hearing a strange male voice from somewhere. Is it the rats playing a trick on her or something more sinister?

When she discovers that there is indeed a Pillowman (voiced and puppetted by Zachariah Stonerock), she is frightened at first, but then begins to deal with this manifestation. As is often the case, her visitor is here to help her work through the issues that have brought her to this place in her life.

In “Sweet Dreams, Pillowman*,” presented by American Lives Theatre, many hard truths are explored, but catharsis (and oranges) win out in the end.

Personally, I feel that J. E. Hibbard’s script makes a perfect Fringe show. The characters are interesting, the story is charming, it lulls you into a false sense of whimsy and then hits your emotional buttons (without going overboard).

Experience the sweetness 7:15 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday, Aug. 26-27, on the Indy Eleven stage at the IndyFringe Theatre.

(*This play has nothing to do with the much-darker drama “The Pillowman” by Martin McDonagh; though if you do find a production of that one, be sure to check it out.)

Wacky wizard world, from a different perspective

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By John Lyle Belden

The goofballs of LAFF (Loud and Fast Funny Shows) are back, and they’ve brought some friends.

In “Puffs,” an Off-Broadway show by Matt Cox, this time the parody target is the “Harry Potter” novels. However, the seven-year epic (presented in 100 minutes) is told from the perspective of what trademarked materials would call House Hufflepuff. It should be noted that the more you know about the Potter books and films, the more you will get all the jokes and references. But for fans, no matter what your House, this fun and touching take on the stories is a must-see.

The LAFF regulars — Matt Mullen, Jim Banta, and Olivia Schaperjohn — are our central trio of students, finding themselves sorted into the Puffs (rather than the Braves, Smarts, or Snakes) only to find that it is apparently a House of losers. The one exception is handsome prefect Cedric (Christian Condra), who is a shining leader up until the climax of Book 4. Afterward, Condra portrays He-whose-name-we-shouldn’t-be-talking-about (never mind the irony), with taped-down nose and hilariously dramatic flair. 

Dave Ruark rejoins the company as our Narrator, keeping this complex plot moving along. 

Various roles are ably filled by Mark Cashwell, who plays a lot of the faculty; Gorgi Parks Fulper, parts include Professor Sprouty, and an evil Puff escaped from Wizard Prison; Chelsea Leis Mullen, notably as charming and cheerful Leanne, as well as the Puffs founder; Tyler Lyons; Maddie Deeke; Kayla Lee; Anthony Nathan; Justina Savage; and Frankie Bolda, whose roles include Harry. 

While this is a very funny parody, what might be surprising is the amount of emotional heft this underdog (under-badger?) story carries, as the group that would be happy to rank third out of the four Houses grows to prove they are just as important as any other aspect of the Wizarding world. Since a lot of Potter fans grow up nerdy outsiders, they feel an affinity for the Puffs; this show allows them to not only laugh at themselves and other odd aspects of the epic, but also to affirm their steadfast gold-and-black badger pride.

Performances of “Puffs” are Fridays through Sundays through Jan. 4 on the main stage at the District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave., managed by IndyFringe. Get info and tickets at www.indyfringe.org.