IndyFringe

IndyFringe: Beyond Ballet

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By Wendy Carson

Whether you are an avid fan of ballet, casual observer or complete novice to the art, this show will captivate you with its style and variations.

From traditional dances to inventive takes – as well as a small preview of an upcoming offering – this show highlights what ballet is and can be. The performers here are still young students, yet their style and grace shows that they have honed their talents well.

The most inventive number presented is a solo dance to John Lennon’s classic song, “Imagine,” in which tap and ballet are combined to make something that is breathtakingly beautiful.

This is a perfect showcase for the Indianapolis School of Ballet to introduce new audiences to their program as well as the beauty and dynamics of its performance. It is definitely a must-see performance that will inspire and delight.

Performances on the Theatre on the Square main stage Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26-27. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: Class, Grass and Ass

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By Wendy Carson

It is clear from the onset that Debra Mullins aspires to be Bette Midler. This crazy tribute to the style and sassiness of “The Divine Miss M” is her attempt to do so. From her back-up group, The Debutants (think Indy’s version of Midler’s “Harlettes”) to her choice of songs, she does her best to invoke the diva.

While some of her attempts do fall a bit flat, the show is still entertaining. The comedy bits are great, the costuming and choreography work well, but she seems to miss some steps here and there.

For instance, the Who song, “Squeezebox” was written as “Momma’s got a Squeezebox” to help hammer home the double entendre. Her change of the lyrics to “Daddy’s got a Squeezebox” removes the main thing that makes this number so naughty.

Still, the show is a very good cabaret review that showcases several talents from around town that are rarely seen on these stages. So, get the girls together, grab a glass of wine, sit back and have a good time.

Performances at the Theatre on the Square main stage Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26-28. Get info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: Little Butchie Sings

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By Wendy Carson

The show begins with a stunning spoken-word poem about the prejudices faced throughout life; race, religion, sexuality, etc. It then launches into an autobiographical Cabaret retrospective of James Solomon Benn, aka “Little Butchie”.

We see his early beginnings as a precocious, bratty singer in his dad’s church. His family suspects his effete tendencies even at a young age, yet still pressure him to worship a beautiful, blond, European Jesus with buns of steel.

The songs he chooses for his story are mostly familiar pop songs and show tunes but presented in delightfully original interpretations. For example, the aforementioned Jesus is accepted as his lord to “I Will Follow Him,” and the number “Happy Talk,” from South Pacific, is sung as an Etta James scat song.

For a delightful evening of laughs, love, self-acceptance, song, and general sassiness, look no further than spending it with the Divalicious Little Butchie.

Performances at the Indyfringe Basile Theatre, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27-28. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

 

IndyFringe: Harrison!

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By Wendy Carson

Hip-hop musicals are all the rage currently. However, acquiring tickets to them is nearly impossible. Currently, you have the chance to see a hilarious improv version of one dripping in Hoosier history.

When you get your ticket you are given a slip of paper prompting you to list a book, musical, TV show, movie, or fairy tale. These suggestions are put in a hat and one is given to each actor prior to the show. They use these as touchstones for their individual characters’ dialogue and motivations during the show. As an example, the actor portraying William Henry Harrison – the general-turned-President of the title – was given “Cinderella” and his “Bobbity Boo-ing” of others during the show was very inflammatory.

Expect dance battles, rap battles, and some twisted historical events intertwining to some epic beats. While the show is ever-changing and never too serious, the final song echoes a strong truth that should be noted: “History forgets, but Death remembers!”

Performances are Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Aug. 27 and 28 at the Indyfringe Basile Theatre. Get info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

 

IndyFringe: Calder the Musical

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By Wendy Carson

This little show seems to be the early contender for biggest audience (move over, DK!). It’s a touching look into the life of a man who’s name most of us have never heard, but whose artistic output we are all familiar with.

Alexander “Sandy” Calder was a typical artist – a sensitive and misunderstood little boy, a wayward, searching young man and a misunderstood genius who is responsible for giving the world the mobile. Narrated by Thalia, the Muse of Comedy, we are taken to various times in the artist’s life that shaped his creations and legacy.

One thing to note, this script is being workshopped here in the hopes of being developed into a full-length show. However, what is presented does whet the appetite for more. The circus scene alone is amazing.

The production also presents possibly the largest cast and crew of any of this year’s offerings. I am bringing up this point because the caliber of talent involved so impressively high, I am unable pick out a single member of the team to focus on.

Just know that if you want to be able to experience this magic for yourself, you should go now and buy your tickets online at indyfringefestival.com. Every single performance so far has been a sell-out and that momentum does not look to subside. One performance remains: 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, on the Theatre on the Square main stage.

IndyFringe: Hair-Raising Hypnotist

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By Wendy Carson

Sadly, this show does not involve any witchcraft or voodoo. What it does have is a very talented hypnotist, Ray Adams, creating a hilarious hour of silliness for everyone involved.

While many people are afraid to be hypnotized, others find it refreshing. Your mind becomes very relaxed and allows you really break out of your shell. You will not do anything you don’t want to, but you will find yourself really, really wanting to do the things you are told during the show.

Ideally, this show best with a large audience and around 6 to 8 participants. However, the show I made it to barely had that many attendees; and yet it not only worked, our lone “hypnotee” was probably one of the best subjects I’ve ever seen. Fortunately, these attendance numbers are not typical and the remaining shows will be more like the opening night when the theater was packed.

Whether you’ve never seen a hypnosis show, or are an avid watcher of them, make sure you get out to catch this one while you can. It’s an enjoyable time for everyone involved.

Performances at IndyFringe Basile Theatre, Aug. 26 and 27. Get info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: What’s a Wedding Got to do With It

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By Wendy Carson

This is the journey of a man — one who abhors the very idea of the institution of marriage and all it stands for — taking the plunge and actually getting married. The story is told  by Jeremy Schaefer in four parts, each of which illustrate the various rituals and ornamentations society demands be included in order for the ceremony to occur.

From the history of the engagement ring, the music choices for the reception, the guest lists, locations, scheduling and every detail in between; it’s a pretty overwhelming feat that anyone does this at all. Still, when the right person enters the picture and the legal ramifications of the bond hit close to home, he finds himself struggling to make sure that everything is perfect for her.

For a sweetly touching look at love, marriage and all of the traditions surrounding it, this show is a delight. Besides, where else are you going to get the opportunity to see someone wearing a wooden bow tie?

Performances are at ComedySportz Aug. 24, 27 and 28. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: C-

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By Wendy Carson

Your college years, they were fun — weren’t they?

You had a good time and the worries of the day-to-day working world were but a distant glimmer on the horizon. But now graduation is over 20 years behind you. What have you done with your life and what do you wish that you had been taught back then to better prepare you for your future?

This is the story of one man’s quest to reconnect with some of his frat brothers in order to discern the answers to those questions. Among those Eric Jaffe finds are his redneck buddy who went to college because his parents wouldn’t support his dream of being a “Rock God,” the disgraced athlete who let his scholarship slip through his fingers, and “The Sponge” who was always smoking pot but never bought any of it.

The stories are compelling and their messages are strong. In fact, I would hope that parents would try to bring out their high school-aged kids to see this and maybe learn some of the pitfalls that college offers.

However, the narrative was not at all linear, and this caused the individual characters’ storylines to be impossible to follow. With a little polish, this could be an amazing show that could be a useful teaching tool for college-bound students.

Even so, the message is important enough to make this show worth a look.

Performances are at the Theatre on the Square second stage Aug. 25 and 27. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: The Immaculate Big Bang

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By Wendy Carson

An irreverent night of comedy covering science, religion, relationships, philosophy and family, “The Immaculate Big Bang” by comedian Bill Santiago feels like what an episode of “The Big Bang Theory” would be like if it was written by George Carlin. The laughs are pretty constant, but some of the material might even make you pause to think or research one or two of the topics covered.

The material as a whole is not actually offensive, but some of it might not be to everyone’s taste. Basically, if you think the idea of telling Jesus a “Yo’ Mamma’s So Holy…” joke is in poor taste, then this show might not be for you. Otherwise, get out and see this show. Who knows, you might actually learn a thing or two from it.

Performances are at ComedySportz Aug. 25, 27 and 28. Get info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.

IndyFringe: The Juniper Tree

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By Wendy Carson

Playwright Timothy Taylor presents a loving insight into three generations of women and their struggles with their personal histories. Our first character, Anna (or Bubbe), is the Grandmother. Her determination to connect with her past life and traditions, ripped away from her by antisemitism throughout her beloved homeland of Ukraine. Her stories are touching and sweet, yet sad and rueful. She brings forth the story of The Juniper Tree, which can grow and thrive anywhere they are planted. She is determined to be that hardy and bear fruit no matter how harsh her environment.

In a solid counterpoint, is her daughter, Cece. We see her as a typical, hot mess of a seventies woman. She’s visiting her friend’s shrink, mostly for valium to help her deal with her stress. Although she initially exits when she can’t get what she feels she needs, she eventually comes back to the doctor’s office and we are treated to a glimpse into what made her the way she is. I was utterly surprised at the depth of her story considering how shallow she initially appears to be.

Finally, we have Rachel, Cece’s daughter who has decided that she wants to reconnect with Bubbe, who she has not seen or heard from since she was an infant. She sends a tape recorder & tapes so that she can get a true oral history for her family’s past, as well as insight into what caused the rift between her mother & grandmother in the first place.

This show is a solid look at family structures and the small choices that can ripple through a lifetime and destroy that which has been so hard fought to preserve. Susan Bennett does an admirable job fully forming the characters into believable women and not just the stereotypes that they could have easily lent themselves to becoming.

While the opening night house was only half-filled, I hope that word-of-mouth will help increase ticket sales so that the remaining performances get the larger audience this show deserves.

Performances at the Phoenix Theatre underground Aug. 22,  26 and 27. Get info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.