Julie Lyn Barber

Brooks comedy comes ‘Alive!’ at ATI

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By John Lyle Belden

One of the cool perks of being Associate Artistic Director of Actors Theatre of Indiana for Darrin Murrell is that he gets to direct the incredibly fun musical, “Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein,” adapted by Brooks from his classic comedy film with Thomas Meehan. All songs are also by Brooks, except for the famous scene with Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

Murrell was overjoyed to have Ben Asaykwee in the title role, as well as Craig Underwood as the Monster, both adept at the necessary physical comedy. Asaykwee’s resemblance to Gene Wilder from the movie is less an impersonation than a reminder that both seem to have been touched by the same muse, hilariously delivering bluster, intelligence, and mischief, capable of being simultaneously the romantic lead and a slapstick clown.

One doesn’t have to have seen the film to follow this show, or have more than a rudimentary knowledge of the Frankenstein legend (Brooks’ approach was more a tribute to Universal Pictures monsters than the Mary Shelley novel). Movie fans will recognize many scenes and characters, though.

Professor of brain science Frederick Frankenstein (Asaykwee) – pronounced “fronk-en-steen” – discovers he has inherited his infamous grandfather’s castle in Transylvania. He goes there to settle his estate, met at the train station by servant Igor (John Vessels, Jr.), an odd man with a migrating back hump who has hired an eager young assistant, Inga (Sophie Jones), for his new master. At the castle, we meet horse-frighteningly eccentric housekeeper Frau Blucher (Julie Lyn Barber). Finding the laboratory and his grandfather’s notes, Frederick insists he won’t repeat any abominable and dangerous experiments – until, of course, he finds the right body and brain.

Meanwhile, there is concern in the village that a new Dr. Frankenstein is in residence. Inspector Kemp (Eric Olson), whose previous encounter with a reanimated creature literally cost him an arm and a leg, is determined to keep such events from happening again.

Frederick’s fashion-forward fiancé Elizabeth (Megan Arrington-Marks) will also arrive, just as hijinks get into high gear. 

As in the film, the Monster (Underwood) stumbles upon a Hermit (Adam B. Shapiro) who is blind and lonely, but he does get a song.

Other roles are covered by James Garrett Hill, Drew Kempin, JoBeth Hilton, Hannah Boswell and Natalie Fischer, with Emily Chrzanowski on hand as understudy.

Few frights, but a lot of laughs and double-entendres in Brooks’ bawdy style, with a few asides taking aim at popular monster-movie tropes. This being a “horror” show with song and dance numbers, indulging in silliness fits the milieu perfectly.

Vessels has fun with his character, delivering a nice homage to the late Marty Feldman with a bit of his own flair. Olson, well disguised by Kemp’s facial hair and costume, embodies the character perfectly for maximum comic effect. Jones’s Inga is winsome as the sidekick who is always smarter than she lets on, caring enough to let distracted Frederick catch up to her true affections. Barber nicely menaces and deadpans as Blucher, contrasted with the wild emoting over her “boyfriend.”  Arrington-Marks gives the full measure of self-obsessed Elizabeth, as well as her change of heart.

Even when dangerous, Underwood as the Monster doesn’t come across as monstrous – just a big guy (with Abbie Normal’s brain) very confused at waking up from the dead. Also, fire bad.

Nathan Perry is musical director; choreography is by Carol Worcel; and Kevin Casey is stage manager. The castle scenic design is by Jay Ganz (note the gargoyles), with props designed by Christian Condra.

Performances of “Young Frankenstein” run through Nov. 9 in the intimate confines of The Studio Theater at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Carmel. For info and tickets, go to atistage.org or thecenterpresents.org.

Musical mystery madness at ATI

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By John Lyle Belden

Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “Whodunit: The Musical” by Ed Dixon, a musical theatre comedy treatment of an early-20th century murder mystery in a style something like a Carol Burnett Show sketch.

As long as you keep this in mind and adjust expectations accordingly, you should have some fun with this felonious farce, loosely inspired by the classic (serious) mystery novel, “The Circular Staircase” by Mary Roberts Rinehart. Some liberties were taken with plot and characters, giving the show twists of its own – even the program book can’t be completely trusted.

In 1931, spooky happenings at remote Sunnyside Cottage have scared off the entire staff except for head butler Thomas (John Vessels Jr.), just in time for the arrival of vacation renter Carrie (Judy Fitzgerald) who arrives with her personal maid Liddy (Cynthia Collins). Soon they are joined by Carrie’s niece Sally (Logan Hill), who has brought a friend from school – a man! Call him Jack (Jacob A. Butler). Things eventually go from awkward to scary when, after the lights go out and are restored, the portrait of Sunnyside’s deceased owner, Mr. Armstrong, is found destroyed and a crowbar – and an expensive cufflink – are discovered on the stairs. Thomas suggests calling the police in the morning, but that becomes sooner when, after all had gone to bed, a dead body is discovered in the middle of the floor.

This rather loose stiff is Reggie Armstrong, the owner’s estranged son – who had also been romantically stalking Sally and framed Jack for embezzlement at his work. Detective Jarvis (Eric Olson) arrives, trusty magnifying glass in hand, to search for clues. It turns out that nearly everyone had an issue with Reggie, and everyone has a gun. Before this mystery is solved, there will be another body, the fortune-telling cards of Zara the groundskeeper, and several song and dance numbers including, “It’s Harder to Move a Body,” and “A Dark and Stormy Night.”

Eventually, though, a Mysterious Stranger will appear to reveal all.

The campy capers are made entertaining by an excellent cast. Fitzgerald takes all the absurdity in stride, including the over-the-top British accent of fellow ATI co-founder Collins. Butler shows interesting versatility; Olson masters the melodrama; and Hill’s performance includes some award-worthy overacting. Vessels, like his character, is master of this madhouse. Julie Lyn Barber is director, with choreography by Carol Worcel, and musical and vocal direction by Brandon Vos.

Discover “Whodunit” through Feb. 16 at The Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Carmel. For tickets and info, visit atistage.org or thecenterpresents.org.

IndyFringe: The Madwomen’s Late-Nite Cabaret

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This show is part of the 15th Annual Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, a/k/a IndyFringe, Aug. 15-25, 2019 on Mass Ave downtown. Info, etc., at www.IndyFringe.org.

By Wendy Carson

From the moment that Lizzie Borden (Cody Ricks) dashes across stage to take her seat at the piano, you know that this show is anything but serious.

We then welcome our beloved hostess Ethel Merman (Dave Ruark hamming it up at his best) straight from her triumphant turn as “Annie”.

Throughout the night we are privy to songs revealing aspects of these historical icons who are more misunderstood than evil.

Shawnte Gaston has a quick turn as Medusa but spends most of the show co-hosting as Eve, the embodiment of maternal energy and possibly the most misrepresented of them all. She belts out her sentiments in both “What’s the Matter With Kids Today” and “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.”

Julie Lyn Barber embodies women as diverse as Typhoid Mary, Amelia Earhart, and Mary Stuart but she really stands out as Sybil singing “I Am My Own Best Friend”.

Georgeanna Smith Wade gives us a hilarious look into the mindset of Procne (most people know her as Medea) but it is her sultry version of Mata Hari performing “Bang, Bang” that really shines.

Add to this Jaddy Ciucci (although on the performance I saw this role was played by Devan Mathias), portraying not only Joan of Arc, Philomela, and Ann Boleyn, but a “Physical Embodiment of a Controlled Substance” (Mary Jane) and pleadingly insisting “I’d Be Good For You”

Needless to say, these women (and characters) deserve to be seen and heard and who knows when you will get another chance to do so. Presented by Main Street Artists, remaining performances are 9 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 Sunday at the IndyFringe Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair.

‘Cabaret Poe’ right at home on yet another stage

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By John Lyle Belden

For those who know of “Cabaret Poe,” the musical exploration of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and poems by Ben Asaykwee and presented by his Q Artistry productions, know that it has returned for its 10th year with its premiere with the Phoenix Theatre on its black-box Basile stage — complete with a couple of tweaks to adapt to its space and keep it fresh.

For those who have not yet seen it, this is a perfect opportunity to experience what is becoming a local fall tradition. It started a decade ago in haunted Irvington, and has since moved to Mass. Ave. and even Circle Centre Mall. Now, in partnership with the Phoenix, it and other Q Artistry works have a new home.

Asaykwee is Zolius, the gaunt acerbic leader of his little band, including fair ladies Morella and Berenice, and a mysterious Shadow that haunts the proceedings. He also has a small four-piece orchestra to provide music and much of the atmosphere. Our women are dual-cast; depending on the performance, you may see original performers Renae Stone as Morella and Julie Lyn Barber as Berenice, or Georgeanna Smith Wade and Jaddy Ciucci respectively.

They prefer you experience the suspense of not knowing what comes next, so there is no set published program, and I won’t spoil that here. Just know that many favorites will be recited and acted out, including “The Tell-tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amontillado” and, of course, “The Raven.”

Rebekah Taylor slinks her way around the stage as the silent Shadow, and even gets to interpret one piece in a featured dance.

There are a few moments of audience interaction, so it truly is a little different at each performance. Changes to the set include lights embedded in the crypt-stage, used to good effect. Asaykwee’s style and his contributions to Poe’s words add clever dark humor, making for a thoroughly entertaining evening. There are no major scares, just a spooky atmosphere, and TV-PG language so this show is good for tweens and older.

Tickets have been selling briskly, so act fast. The show runs through Nov. 4 at the Phoenix Theatre, 705 N. Illinois St. Call 317-635-7529 or visit phoenixtheatre.org.

‘Cabaret Poe’ returns with new site, fresh look and familiar chills

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By John L. Belden and Wendy Carson

Quoth Wendy:

You always know that Halloween is approaching when Q Artistry launches its annual production of “Cabaret Poe.” This is not to disparage the show in any way – even after almost 10 years of shows, the audiences are still enthralled by it. In fact, a patron behind me was proudly seeing the show for the sixth time and still loved it just as much as the first.

This year’s show does mark another change of venue, this time in a small alcove on the fourth floor of Circle Centre Mall (in the heart of downtown Indy). Upon first entering the space, it seems very cramped and awkward. However, the company has turned this on its ear with inventive staging.

No longer do cast members leave the stage when not actively performing; instead they seat themselves throughout the crowd and become part of the audience, observing the spectacle themselves. By utilizing the whole space as their stage, and with the addition of projection screens, they assure that there is not a bad seat in the house.

I was also quite impressed by the unique lighting effects utilized by designer Brent Wunderlich. From innovatively turning their black and grey hues to purples, to bathing the audience in a rainbow of colors during “Masque of the Red Death.”

Quoth John:

Oops, sorry Ben!  — Show creator Ben Asaykwee likes keeping it a surprise which of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and poems he has adapted for the evening’s Cabaret, and in which order. But it won’t give too much away to say that some pieces can be expected to appear, like the one about a heart that tells tales, or the quest for a rare cask of Spanish wine, or a certain obnoxious black bird…

Asaykwee presents it all with his catchy inventive songs, infused with dark humor, such as “Buried Alive,” “Dark (The Pit and the Pendulum),” and the recurring title theme. He also stars as one of three performer/narrators, the smugly sour Zoilus. His accomplices are two women, Morella and Berenice. On opening night, they were played by Julie Lyn Barber, a Cabaret Poe player since its first year, and Georgeanna Smith Wade, a first-timer in this revue, but no stranger to the strange as a major player in the NoExit troupe. Some performances feature Q Artistry veterans Renae Stone and Jaddy Ciucci in the ladies’ roles. In addition, a ghostly dancing shadow is perfectly silently executed by Rebekah Taylor – she even gets a solo scene.

The lighting effects, projections, and shadow puppetry are new for this year, fitting seamlessly into the narratives and reducing the need for physical props. But then, the players do have us, the audience, to play with.

Quoth Wendy:

With the changes made, this was my favorite version of the show. “Cabaret” implies an intimacy different from other kinds of productions, and this presented it more effectively that in past shows.

Concludeth John:

So, it’s both old and new, familiar and surprising – like a 21st-century musical based on a nineteenth century writer. Performances run through Oct. 29. Get info and tickets at qartistry.org.

IndyFringe: Indiana Squirrel Stampede

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By Wendy Carson

This is the story of the Great Indiana Squirrel Stampede of 1822 (not to be confused with the Great Ohio Squirrel Stampede of 1819). As zany as this musical is, it is inspired by actual historical events.

What is believed to have led up to this catastrophe is a combination of the migratory paths of black squirrels, the encroachment of humans into their territories and these humans’ alteration of the land from forests to farmland, leaving the squirrels without access to their natural food sources.

While the above explanation was nigh on impossible for those affected to wrap their head around, many crazy theories arose as to what caused this disaster. These theories are mined for gold by playwright and star Julie Lyn Barber and the other actors to your sheer delight. Especially the younger actors, Sophia and Sage Barber Murrell. Their performances are worth the whole ticket price to see.

Biblical lore, Native prophecies, cautionary tales, even weresquirrels are included for your amusement. Just remember that natural events like those shown here are possible and cyclic — it is entirely possible that another such uprising could occur. So, watch, laugh, and maybe even learn a thing or two so we may be prepared for their next attack.

Performances are Friday and Sunday, Aug. 26 and 28, at the Indy Eleven Theatre. Info and tickets at indyfringefestival.com.