magic

Back to the routine

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Now that IndyFringe is done and September is here, we’ll resume the weekly look-aheads.

This weekend we have just one stage opening: the two-weekend run of “The Prince and the Pauper” by Center Stage Productions at Southport Presbyterian Church.

There is also an encore performance of an IndyFringe favorite, “Jason Adams is a God Damn Mind Reader,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the IndyFringe Theatre, 719 E. St. Clair St. in downtown Indy, by the intersection of Mass Ave., St. Clair and College Ave. If you didn’t see one of the sold-out Fringe performances, and are not offended at the show’s title, then by all means go see this wild mix of comedy and mental magic.

This weekend is also Labor Day, and you can wear your white shoes one more time to Indy LaborFest Saturday in the heart of Downtown Indianapolis for free, all-ages fun.

However you do it, enjoy your weekend!

IndyFringe 2015 Wrap-Up

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

We had a great time at this year’s IndyFringe. Though we didn’t see all the shows, we saw quite a few, so, here in one place are the links to all our reviews, for anyone wanting to look one up:

“4.48 Psychosis” by Savage at Last

“4Square” by AV Productions

“Acting My Age” by Matt Holt

“The Adventures of Les Kurkendaal” by Les Kurkendaal

“Auditioning for Swan Lake” by Lou Ann Homan

“The Best of Indy Magic Monthly” by Magic Taylor’d for You (Taylor Martin)

“Breakneck Hamlet” by Tim Mooney

“Bromance” by Farewell Tour Productions

“Cabaret of Puppetry” by Peewinkle Studios

“Ca-Ching” by Nomads Collective

“Camp Summer Camp” by Defiance Comedy

“Cocooned in Kazan” by Royal Kung Foolery

“The Comedy Magic of Oscar Munoz” by Oscar Munoz

“Dancing in the Mist” by RibbetRepublic

“Drosselmeyer’s Magical Bedtime Story” by No Exit Performance

“The Eulogy” by Michael Burgos

“Fruit Flies Like a Banana” by Fourth Wall

“Ghost Story” by Peter-John Byrnes

“Growing Up All Over Myself” by Mat Alanso-Martin

“Hannibal: LIAR!” by Chris Hannibal

“Hell’s Fourth Ring: The Mall Musical” by Casey Ross Productions

“Home Grown Originals” by Band O’ Leers

“An Indian Comedian: How Not To Fit In” by Krish Mohan

“I’m Not Gay” by Submatter Press

“Interrupting the Sermon” by First Hand Theatrical

“The Invisible Man” by What’s in a Name? Company

“Jason Adams is a God Damn Mind Reader” by Jason Adams

“Kill the Column” by MamaProductions

“Laughing Sober” by Rick Garrett

“A Little Business at the BIG TOP” by David Gaines

“Men’s Room” by MayDay Productions

“Mom?” by Box of Clowns

“Mr. Boniface, the Wise” by KT Peterson

“My Sister Diane” by Jim May

“Not My Baby!” by Dreadmelon Productions

“The Not So Secret Origin of Captain Ambivalent” by Captain Ambivalent

“ODDyssey” by Blair Godshall

“Orange is the New Black Keys” by ComedySportz Indianapolis

“Sarge” by Clifton Performance Theatre

“The Secret Book of Jesus” by Maximum Verbosity

“Shakespeare’s Ear” by Early Music in Motion

“The Shout” by In the Mix

“The Sibling Staircase” by Sally Perkins

“Speedthru” by Eclectic Pond

“Threads” by Tonya Jone Miller

“Tipped and Tipsy” by Jill Vice

“Top Shelf: Our Last American Tour – Again” by Betty Rage

“The Traveling Tap Dance Super Show” by TapMan Productions with Circle City Tap Company

“Ulysses Grant: A Fluxkit Opera” by Stephen Rush

“Up Yours, Indianapolis” by The Fleece Academy

“VELOUR” by Schedule C Productions

“Whisper in My Good Ear” by Vintage Players

“Who Run The World: A Madwomen’s Cabaret” by Main Street Artists

“The Wizer of Odd” by Gift of Gab

“Working Titles” by Jeremy Schaefer

“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Earlham Theatre Department

Fringe review: Hannibal: “LIAR!”

PWJW_Indy IndyFringe, Reviews, Stage , , , , ,

By Wendy Carson

“Hannibal: ‘LIAR!’” at the IndyFringe Indy Eleven Theatre was the most “grown-up” magic show of the Fringe, so the fact that there were some younger children in attendance causing him to partially censor himself actually made it much funnier, in my opinion.

His tricks are presented as a story of his childhood and the delight that he experienced whenever his grandfather would entertain him with even the simplest of illusions. While there are a few points in which the audience participates, the amazement delivered is abundant. Especially when one of the other Fringe performers reacted to some impressive card predictions with, “He’s the Devil!”

If you get a chance to see Chris Hannibal, AKA #CardMonkey, do. It’s a charming hour of fun and tricks that will make you glad that you came.

Fringe review: The Comedy Magic of Oscar Munoz

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By Wendy Carson

Firstly, I must admit that when I attended “The Comedy Magic of Oscar Munoz” at the IndyFringe Indy Eleven Theatre on Thursday night, I had confused my times and thought I was seeing, “Hannibal, ‘LIAR!’” By the time I figured out I was in the wrong show, there was no way for me to get to another one, and since I hadn’t been able to fit this into my schedule, I figured I’d go ahead and watch it, and I am glad I did.

The tricks are fun, but not too elaborate, and Munoz works the crowd beautifully. Since there were some children in the audience they were happily recruited to assist him with his illusions. In fact, much of the audience became involved in one way or another.

Rabbits and birds appear out of thin air and even the simplest tricks are presented with such aplomb that you can’t help but be charmed by it all. So bring the whole family to this show and catch a wonderful evening of magic and humor.

Fringe review: Jason Adams is a God Damn Mind Reader

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By Wendy Carson

The most important thing I can say about “Jason Adams is a God Damn Mind Reader,” rocking Theatre on the Square’s second stage, is that if you want to see it, reserve your tickets in advance as every performance has been and will continue to sell out. Otherwise, you will miss out on this spectacle.

Part magician, part storyteller and all showman, Jason Adams engages the audience even before they enter the venue. Working the crowd and passing out cookies (Jammie Dodgers no less) his overwhelming charm is ever-present.

Once inside, his wife, Erin Adams, delights you with her lovely singing while Jason continues to engage the audience. How can one describe the level of enjoyment he coaxes from the crowd, except to say that the theater may have sustained structural damage from the overwhelming excitement.

The feats of magic and mind reading are silly and extremely cheeky but always entertaining. And you might come away with a newfound respect for Canada.

As the title suggests, there is a bit of mature language, but consider the show a PG-13.

If you are lucky enough to attend a performance, you will not be disappointed by a single moment of the show. Again, reserve your ticket now or miss out on the show all of the “cool kids” will be talking about for quite a while.

Fringe review: The Best of Indy Magic Monthly

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By John Lyle Belden and Wendy Carson

For those who have never seen one of the enjoyable offerings that comprise the Indy Magic Monthly shows, “The Best of Indy Magic Monthly” on Theatre on the Square’s second stage will offer you a taste of what you are missing and should make you a regular patron in the future.

IndyFringe regular and IMM founder and host Taylor Martin presents a different lineup of magicians from near and far each show, including illusionists who have toured internationally, played Vegas and The Magic Castle, and appeared on television shows such as “Penn & Teller’s ‘Fool Us.’”

Martin emcees as one of his magical personae, then four other magicians dazzle us with tricks including elaborate props, mentalism and close-up magic. Monday’s show included comedy (making a Triscuit “disappear”) and the exotic (a Hong Kong magician who employed Chinese masks as well as marvelous tricks). But don’t expect to see that lineup again – the remaining performances promise acts just as good, but unique to that particular hour.

There are a lot of laughs and wonder for everyone in the family. Even if you think you know how the tricks are done, seeing them played out in the eyes of a child will make it all seem new and wondrous again. And the variety not only keeps the show fresh, but will make you want to see more than one of them to have a better experience.

For those who can’t make it to this during the Fringe, Indy Magic Monthly showcases some of the best performers locally and around the world the first Tuesday of each month at Theatre on the Square.

Fringe review: Velour

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By John Lyle Belden

Vinnie Velour, former Driver to the Stars, tells of his transition to Vinnie Velour, Professional Lounge Singer, in the one-man (and a woman) variety show, “VELOUR,” by Schedule C Productions, at the Marrott Center.

In a performance dedicated to the late great Mel Torme, Velour covers everything from Bryan Adams to Mr. Rogers. And at three points in the narrative, the audience gets to vote on what act he will bring to the stage next – the plate-spinning is very popular, and I personally recommend the sword-swallowing.

This story of love and redemption has just a hint of cheese, but it’s all in good taste. Velour is a true talent.