Tatum Meadors

Footlite ‘In Paris’ in Indy

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By John Lyle Belden

At a time when the French capital is on our minds with the upcoming Olympics, Footlite Musicals presents “An American in Paris.”

Based on the 1951 Gene Kelly film – a showcase for both his dancing and the celebrated music of George and Ira Gershwin – the musical, with book by Craig Lucas, had its world premiere in Paris (naturally) in 2014 before its acclaimed Broadway run in 2015. The local production, Footlite’s summer show featuring college-age performers, is directed and choreographed by Kevin Bell.

With World War II just ended and the City of Lights finally recovering, we meet Adam (Seth Jacobsen), an American still limping from his war wounds. He makes his living playing piano and writing music while helping local friend Henri (Louis Soria) become a nightclub singer, unbeknownst to his industrialist parents. Meanwhile fellow American soldier Jerry (Alexander Holloway) purposely misses his train out of Paris so he can stay and work on his art.

From the beginning there is a mysterious girl (Jaelynn Keating) who we find out is Lise, a second-generation ballerina who, at the request of American heiress Milo Davenport (Remi Shirayanagi), is to star in a new ballet written by Adam, who feels a deeper connection. For Jerry it was love at first sight, as he insists on having more time with Lise to finish his sketch of her. But what neither man knows is that she is a long-time friend of Henri, who is working up the courage to propose to her.

The cast also includes Audrey Beaverson, Ella Bassler, Tajeyon Bohannon, K. Dottery, Emma Gedig, Josh Hoover, Tatum Meadors, Danny Roberds, Katie Van Den Heuvel, and Thomas Zotz as The Maestro of the ballet company.

This production is unusual in being a sort of hybrid of a traditional stage musical and ballet, with graceful dancing in most scenes. This works in part because of the triple-threat talents of Holloway and Keating. Their singing is exceptional in numbers like “I’ve Got Beginner’s Luck” and “The Man I Love” and their dancing is exquisite, especially together in the climactic title ballet. Jacobsen is also strong in stage presence and singing voice, as well as showing he’s quite a dancer in a fantasy scene.

A celebration of love and Gershwin, “An American in Paris” has performances Thursday through Sunday, June 27-30, at Footlite’s Hedback Theater, 1847 N. Alabama St., Indianapolis. Get tickets at footlite.org.

‘Somewhat True,’ definitely entertaining

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By John Lyle Belden

“The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood,” by Mary Lynn Dobson, is a perfect play for teen and tween actors, and Main Street Productions does it proud on their Westfield stage.

Historians can tie themselves in knots trying to figure out who the “real” English folk hero was, but that absolutely does not matter here. From the title onward, we are treated to something like the atmosphere of a Muppet film, or Monty Python, or a sort of G-rated “Deadpool.” Essentially, they are in a story, and know it, are just fine with it, and as things progress, they take advantage of it.

I’m tempted to call this “the Yeater brothers strike again.” It is upon Owen that is cast the enormous responsibility – and ego – of being Robin, “a great character of literature,” he reminds us. To strike the karmic balance, slightly younger bro Quinn is the conniving Sheriff of Nottingham. (Big brother Mason is stage manager, their little brother was in the audience.)

For true “Boo, Hiss” evil (we are encouraged to shout along), there is Harrison Coon as dastardly Prince John, sharply performing like a demented Benedict Cumberbatch. On the noble side of the coin, there is our Lady Marian, Rachel Bush, fortunately talented enough to avoid being upstaged by her scream queen Lady in Waiting, Ella Crites.

Robin manages a band of Merry Men (of any gender), manically played by Maile Alpizar, Nora Gapinski Coon, Sammy Geis, Neil Hackman, Isabella Hasseld, Kaavya Jethava, Owen Lockert, Anna Pfeiffer, and scene-stealing Zach Harvey as (actually little) Little John – all armed with spoons (I’m guessing an homage to the Costner film?). They are co-led by Sister Tuck, Kaelyn Harvey, armed (naturally) with a ruler.

Hackman and Pfeiffer also play guards at Prince John’s Court, which is attended by a trio of highly entertaining Fawning Ladies: Chaya Flicker, Tatum Meadors and Sophia Musick.

As for the story, you likely already know it – except maybe the part about bowling, and the essential role of the Town’s Guy (Teddy Epstein), our narrator and the characters’ link to the all-important Miss Technical Director (Megan Mramor, according to the Crew list).

Also, you can tell it’s Medieval England because the footwear is all by Sir Chuck Taylor (those are the rules, I guess).

Directed by Nikki Lynch and Becca Bartley, saying this is delightful seems to sell this show short, but it truly is a hilarious delight to see kids taking history and “great literature” on such a fun ride, complete with cheeky “you get that?” after-school special moments.

As I post this, there is a matinee today (July 30), as well as performances Aug. 3-6 at the Basile Westfield Playhouse, 220 N. Union St., downtown Westfield. For info and tickets, see westfieldplayhouse.org.  

Youths share lessons of ‘Godspell’

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By John Lyle Belden

As a story of Jesus Christ, the 1971 musical “Godspell,” by John-Michael Tebelak with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, goes beyond the traditional Passion Play to give the greater context of what in Jesus’ actions and teachings won him followers, then brought him to the events of the Crucifiction. As a theatre production, it has a degree of flexibility allowing for creative stagings and inserting modern references to allow audiences to relate to a story from around 30 AD nearly 2000 years later.

It is also an easy – and given its playful mood, appropriate – Broadway show to cast with teen and tween actors. Carmel Community Players presents “Godspell” as its summer Rising Star Production with youths in all roles, directed by Tanya Haas, who notes she first performed the musical in high school.

Our setting is a well-stocked child’s playroom, with lots of toys, plushes, crafts, etc., to aid in the lessons our peer teacher, Jesus (Mason Yeater), has come to share. But first, John the Baptist (Nick Lantzer) must rally the kids together, his anointing represented by a bubble wand.

Jesus presents favors to each of the gathered disciples, in this case, ribbon pins. He gives the black ribbon to Lantzer, who from then on plays Judas. (This is the only other named biblical figure, the others are given random modern names to keep them relatable. I could guess who appears to me to represent Simon Peter or Mary Magdeline, but that’s beside the point.)

As anyone familiar with this show, or the Gospel of Matthew, knows, we get a number of Christian Parables, including “The Good Samaritan” and “The Sower and the Seed,” told and enacted by various cast members – along with a couple of people momentarily pulled from the audience.

The various songs, including “Day By Day” and “Light of the World,” feature vocals by all: Isabella Bardos, Emmy Bobenmoyer, Joey Brandenburg, Fender Brokamp, Rachel Bush, Jack Levine, Tatum Meadors, Morgan Rusbasan, Quincy Russell, Greta Shambarger, Owen Yeater and Quinn Yeater, as well as the two leads.

Performances are executed with the youthful energy and humor that makes this personally one of my favorite musicals. Recent high school grad Mason Yeater has great stage presence, able to say with a glance that he understands what in the plot must be taken seriously, even when all are just having fun. In the role’s original look – face makeup and Superman shirt with rainbow suspenders to show his “jester’s license” to speak truth to authority – Jesus is gentle, yet never mocked. Lantzer makes Judas seem kinda sus from the jump, and effectively keeps up the actions of a man willing to play along as long as this movement suits his goals.

All Disciples have their moments. Bush rises to the challenge of both popular numbers “Day By Day” and “Turn Back, O Man.” Shambarger celebrates “Bless the Lord” and duets on “Beautiful City” with Brandenburg. Bardos and Meadors join for “By My Side.” 

There was just a month of rehearsal, so still some rough edges on opening, but the kids are all right, and should be more than ready to bring the “Light of the World” to the stage this weekend (June 22-25) at the Ivy Tech Auditorium, 300 N. 17th St., Noblesville. For information and tickets, see carmelplayers.org or call 317-815-9387.