John

IndyFringe: Abraham Lincoln, Hoosier Hero

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews, Stage , , , , , , ,

This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

The stage has just a chair and a 36-star United States flag – and Abraham Lincoln. Yes, I know it’s actor and historical interpreter Danny Russel, but it feels like this is the closest anyone could ever come to seeing America’s 16th President in the flesh.

He puts us at ease immediately with his famous sense of humor – one can tell he grew up in Indiana from his corny jokes – and he feels a little relieved that as much as he loved theater, this venue (at the Murat Oasis) doesn’t have a balcony.

He establishes his Hoosier bona fides, noting that at age 7 he moved from Kentucky to then-wilderness Indiana, and his father placed in the already-tall boy’s hands an axe – which he said served him well. But even more useful to him were books, including his mother’s Bible, his first “library.”

This brilliant first-person history fills in so much of what we little know or long forgot about Mr. Lincoln, including what a prodigy he was, writing all the correspondence for his illiterate father at age 10, self-educating not only from his Step-Mammy Sally’s books (he had less than 300 days of formal education in his life, he said) but later from law books to become an Illinois pioneer lawyer, arguing 5,800 cases.

The jokes and humorous observations are tempered with moments of dark drama, shedding tears not only over various family members who died, but also in rage as he saw the evil of slavery first-hand on a trip to Louisiana. “If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong!” he declares.

Lincoln notes that he is the only lawyer to ever have the nickname, “Honest,” and elaborates on how he actually earned that sobriquet.

We learn of his courtship of Mary Todd, his many business failures, and his political career, including his famous verbal sparring with Stephen A. Douglas in the 1858 Senate race.

Things get a little more serious as he relates his tumultuous Presidency (1861-65) and the horrors of the Civil War, which would claim three percent of the U.S. population, he notes. Lincoln relates his proudest moment, when, with a tired but steady hand, he signed the Emancipation Proclamation – “My soul is in it.”

After one of the most horrific battles of the War, he is asked to speak at the dedication of a cemetery for the fallen. After the era’s greatest orator holds forth for over two hours, Mr. Lincoln steps up on that Gettysburg platform to say just a few words…

Please don’t miss your opportunity to see arguably our greatest President, live and in person.

IndyFringe: Act A Foo Improv Crew

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews , , , , , ,

This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

Put simply, Act A Foo Improv Crew is “Who’s Line” hilarity with Hip-Hop swagger. For several years, these young men have been spinning improvisational games around Indy, and they just keep getting better.

And don’t think these gentlemen won’t “go there.” When a suggested person, place or thing courts controversy, emcee Daniel A. Martin gives an “oh, well” grin and the Crew makes it funny. So, I’d say the content is for teens who have seen R-rated movies, and older.

Still, it gets far more silly than dirty. The performance I witnessed had a spot-on Edward Scissorhands, an entertaining mime of Build-a-Bear, and a mangled charade of Red Lobster restaurant that more resembled SpongeBob Squarepants. There was also a trio of Denzel Washingons trying to out-”Training Day” one another. In other words, just another day for AAF.

So bring your best suggestions — or your worst, they can work with it — to the IndyFringe Theatre and be ready to roll out of your seat laughing

IndyFringe: Simon Ferocious (Improvised Music Legend)

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews, Stage , , , , ,

This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

“What is ‘read the room’ in French?”

This is a line from the story of forgotten music legend Simon Ferocious that was uttered on stage, but might never be said again. This is because Simon is an etherial being, a dream within a fantasy — the product of some goofy people doing long-form improv.

Stroopwafel Improv prepares you for the story of this person (we heard David Bowie once met backstage, allegedly) with some fun little improvisation exercises. The audience doesn’t have to do much, just shout some words when asked, and this silly gang provides the weirdness. 

Then, we get to the Behind the Music episode that somehow MTV and VH-1 never got around to airing. Perhaps its because they needed you — yes you, who will go to see this on the District Theater stage — to tell the world what exactly was Simon Ferocious’ band name, or the title of his breakthrough hit.

Given only some opening audience cues, the Stroopwafels get stretched to their limits of invention, throwing in various band members, estranged family, and music “experts” to explain the rise and fall of this absurdly famous musician. As the show changes from performance to performance, all I can say is: Go see these local comics scramble to entertain you in a documentary that will be far more funny than enlightening.

“Oklahoma is the worst place for breakfast.”

Really, Simon? I bet you won’t say that at the next show.

IndyFringe: Do Jokes Still Work?

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , ,

This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

“I saw a homeless guy with a laminated sign,” Stewart Huff says, “he put money back into the business!”

Huff is full of funny and off-the-wall observances, such as: It amuses him to no end that the replica of Noah’s Ark in Kentucky has a “No Animals” sign.

His show, “Do Jokes Still Work?” includes bits of storytelling, memories, and observances of the stupidity of fellow humans – “You can’t hate science, and love NASCAR!”

But he has a generally optimistic outlook, noting that noisy anti-science people are nothing new – relating various historical events in hilarious fashion. Huff believes that “all human beings are artists,” that the pinata is among our greatest inventions, and if Bigfoot is real, it’s better if we don’t find him.

When you see him take the District Theater stage, it’s a little surprising, as IndyFringe publicity materials have an old clean-shaven photo. With his salt-and-pepper beard and aging-hippie ponytail, Huff looks like your cool uncle who can tell you one hell of a story.

And he does.

Huff’s show is not for the easily offended – either by language or opinions – but otherwise an essential visit for any Fringe-goer.

IndyFringe: Copyright/Safe

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , , ,

This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson and John L. Belden

Playwright Casey Ross has brought to the Fringe her love letter to the comics industry, particularly Marvel and its X-Men franchise.

In “Copyright/Safe,” the characters are members of a superhero team who are self-aware in a manner much like professional wrestlers — they know their lives are scripted, but it still hurts when they fall.

The show begins with Badger (Dave Pelsue) and Creature (Doug Powers) graveside, mourning the loss of their creator. With his passing, the team’s future seems to be in limbo, adding to the tension among team members. Eyepatch (Zach Stonerock), the ersatz leader, is missing and while their final issue is at the printer, no one seems to know what the future holds.

Badger deals with the situation by drinking heavily and expressing his feelings through music (songs written by Pelsue) at his small club. He also tolerates sharing his apartment with Mask (Taylor Cox) a fan-fiction character who appeared in an episode of the Z-Men cartoon, which makes him an official part of the world.

Whether or not you are familiar with comic books, the very real dynamic of a group of people wondering about their futures is indentifiable to all. Ross is brilliant at tense and relatable dialogue, even in a setting such as this. For fans of “sequential art,” note that atmospherically this play brings the style of a graphic novel to life better than most superhero films.

This touching drama is also comic in the sense of having truly hilarious moments.

One important note, however: though comic books are traditionally for children, the language in this show is quite “Rated M for Mature.”

Performances are in the IndyFringe Theatre.

IndyFringe: Shakespeare’s Histories – Ten Epic Plays at a Breakneck Pace

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews, Stage , , , , , , ,

This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

Timothy Mooney returns to IndyFringe with the show that started his series of “Breakneck” Shakespeare presentations. He sets up a one-hour timer (also the limit of a Fringe show) and proceeds to get everything said before it hits 60:00:00.

As he had done here with “Julius Caesar,” this is more a historical lecture — giving real-world context in which Shakespeare worked — than just a presentation of a play. This is essential when dealing with 10 dramas, extending through the centuries from the infamous King John all the way to Henry VIII (father of Elizabeth I, ruler in the Bard’s era). But if you are thinking of the dull, dry lessons you had in high school or college, fear not! Mooney makes the history come alive, complete with projected visual aids, and punctuated with the words Shakespeare put in these monarchs’ and nobles’ mouths. 

The keyword to all of this, Mooney explains, is succession, and the more unclear the passing of the throne goes, the more people fight and die, inspiring some great stage drama. We “tell tales of the death of kings” as “we happy few” in the audience actually get a sense of what the Wars of the Roses were, and why poor Richard would give “my kingdom for a horse!”

We even get a few words from Joan of Arc, who doesn’t come off as a saint in Shakespeare’s telling.

Those familiar with Mooney’s work will not be disappointed, and those who aren’t are in for a treat. This rapid-fire jam-packed entertainment is on the main stage of the District Theatre — one of the bigger venues, yet this might still sell out.

IndyFringe: Radium Girls

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , ,

This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

In the 1920s, there was huge demand for items with glow-in-the-dark numbers and letters from paint that contained radium, recently discovered and believed by many to be perfectly harmless — maybe even beneficial, as it was used to treat cancer. This meant plenty of high-paying jobs for young women suited to the delicate work of applying the paint. To get a precise point, they were told to put the brush tip to their lips.

But eventually, mysteriously, their jaws began to hurt…

Christian Youth Theater presents “Radium Girls,” based on the true story of these women’s battle with the U.S. Radium Corporation to get it to admit to the dangers of the deadly substance they worked with, and to set things right. Many wouldn’t live to see justice. 

As we meet these “girls,” they talk of a coworker who had passed away. The obfuscation by the company is already in effect, with a rumor the deceased had syphilis, and having their own illnesses attributed to exposure to phosphorus in matches, or from bad nutrition. One of the women, Grace Fryer, leaves the company with plans to start a family, but her persistent illnesses are only getting worse. Fortunately, she finds help in arguing her case, presented both before a judge and, more importantly, the court of public opinion. 

Seeing this portrayed by a cast of talented teenagers brings to mind how young the actual victims were — not much older than the actors — as through effective makeup we see their fresh faces go sallow as their characters’ bodies fall apart. The script by D.W. Gregory pulls no punches: we see the lengths the company goes to put off its reckoning; the temptations of the women, dying and deep in debt, to take a small settlement; and the reactions of strangers that range from authentic sympathy to cold exploitation.

I don’t have a cast list, so I’ll just applaud an excellent ensemble, members of which we will likely see more of in seasons to come. But the important people are the ones they represent, real people in an American scandal and tragedy we should never forget. Performances are in the Basle auditorium at the Athenaeum. 

IndyFringe: Honk Squawk Love

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews, Stage , , , , , , ,

This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

In the Beginning, God allows Satan to create the ultimate nuisance for Man, the dreaded Branta Canadensis (a/k/a Canada goose).

At least this is what Abigail believes. She hates these foul waterfowl, which infest every parking lot and corporate park — and they hate her, triggering her terror. It’s bad enough that events have taken her from a teaching job she enjoys to occupying a cubicle in a corporate processing center, but also the path to her workplace is beset by one of these horrid creatures, which gives chase. Then one day, Chris, a nonplussed IT tech outside on a smoke break, stands up to the goose. Man and bird lock eyes, and something changes.

I must curse the genius of playwright and director Paige Scott, who, in her comic drama, “Honk Squawk Love,” actually gets me — and other otherwise rational people — to feel for a damn Canada goose. We also see the struggle of Abigail (Elysia Rohn) as we learn not only of her phobia but also her recent backstory, which left another deep emotional scar. And we learn about Chris (Tyler Lyons) as he comes to understand more of himself through his unlikely and oddly tender relationship with the bird they call Lucy (Courtney McClure Murray).

This is an outstanding short play, possibly the best show of this year’s Fringe. The story unfolds with genuine feeling as the humans’ bizarre circumstance brings on needed changes and growth. Rohn proves a reliable narrator, even of her own pain. Lyons gives what starts as a loner-nerd caricature, dimension and likability. And Murray masterfully moves and squawks as a sort of full-body puppet with her arm the graceful neck of our heroine, Lucy. We even feel comfortable with the absurd conversations between Chris and his avian friend (perhaps it’s just hashing things out with himself as the goose honks along, but Scott’s script puts it through his perception).

If at all possible, you must see this, playing at the District Theatre. Don’t let any bird stand in your way, Tippy.

IndyFringe: Downtown Magic! With Jordan Rooks

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews, Stage , , , , ,

This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

Note: There are two magicians (both excellent) named Jordan in this year’s festival. This is the one in the jacket that looks like it’s made of newsprint.

This very friendly and charming young man does familiar tricks and illusions, such as with cards and scarves, but in his own particular style. He also relies a LOT on audience volunteers (“You make the magic,” he says), so bring friends, and especially children. 

Rooks is a natural with youngsters, though he’ll fool folks of any age. He embraces the silly — such as the popular “yellow bandana” routine — while engaging your sense of wonder.

Anyone seeking an all-ages fun diversion at Fringe, I’ve been steering them to this guy, performing at the Murat Oasis.

IndyFringe: Second Annual Tap Cabernet

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews, Stage , , , , ,

This is part of IndyFringe 2021, Aug. 19-Sept. 5 (individual performance times vary) in downtown Indianapolis. Details and tickets at IndyFringe.org.

By John Lyle Belden

If you don’t like tap-dancing, this show isn’t for you.

But if you like to see hoofers hoofin’ it, the Tap Cabernet is your cup of tea — or whatever is in your glass. You will need to acquire your own beverage at the upstairs Athenaeum bar, but during one number, snacks will be provided.

Following through on the pun of the title, this cabaret revue has members of Circle City Tap shuffling to various hits with the topic of wine and other strong beverages. We get the energetic talented tap stylings of Jeff Bird, Lora Dingledine, Ashley Lain, Tanya Radisich, and Ashlee Yackley, who also lends her voice to the “karaoke” number. And Lorenda Carr is drafted into hosting duties despite still celebrating her birthday.

Baskets of props add to the fun. Along with routines to songs like “Good Time Cheap Wine” and “Margaritaville”, there is also a nod to the recent “wine and paint” trend in which several audience volunteers get to make an original artwork.

And if you know a step or two yourself, all are invited to join in on the traditional “shim-sham” at the end — this time to a sassy recent pop hit.