The Marriage Matinee - Page 2

What did our critic think of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre? The story of Anne Frank has been immortalized in her own words for decades. Her writings range from the amusing to the dramatic to the tragic, but in their essence, they capture something so fleeting: a girl struggling to become a woman in unspeakable circumstances. Her firsthand account of hiding from Nazis shows us a different side of history, one that can't be summed up in a chapter in a textbook. The Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre has brought her story to life on stage in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, a play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman, and their retelling brings out new sides to Anne's story and pushes you to see this time period from new viewpoints.

We had the pleasure of speaking to Charlie Bryant III who plays Seaweed J. Stubbs in the current tour of HAIRSPRAY. He shared his thoughts and insights about the current tour and his personal take on what makes this show so special. 

A Christmas Story, the Musical reimagines the 1983 holiday movie masterpiece with boisterous songs and dance that brought new life and excellent vocals to the season. Loving fans, rest easy. Joseph Robinette’s adaption, directed by Emily Rogge Tzucker, brightens iconic scenes and characters and enhances the humor. The lamp, the flag pole, and the turkey-mad Bumpus Hounds are all there.

It’s the holiday season and all reviewers are going to their required holiday shows... You know... Elf, A Christmas Story, A Christmas Carol. It's the same stuff, different year. Not this show. This is a brand new show by a unique writers' room collaboration called A (Happy) Holiday. Feeling down or out by the holidays while everyone one else around you has holiday cheer? This is the show for you. It's got everything -- singing, dancing, a unique story, and a drag queen. Who could honestly want more?

The holiday season brings with it many familiar sights, sounds, smells, and of course, beloved cinematic and stage treasures like IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Beef & Boards chose a true gem to get every audience member into the right spirit while always recalling what’s truly important and truly worth fighting for: each other.

For all those growing up watching Disney movies, and for the kids who absolutely loved Aladdin, the Genie and Princess Jasmine or even Abu, this is a must-watch! Big band, big sound, big show — with enough energy to light up a few thousand lamps.

The rumors are true: ANASTASIA has finally made its way to Indianapolis. You may be thinking it’s just another movie turned musical, but there are new twists and turns to this rendition of the beloved animated film. There’s the romance, the legend of Anastasia, the glittering costumes and crowns, but there’s also battles with personal principles and a sense of national pride that leaves people emotionally and morally torn. In short, it has it all.

From the moment you hear those familiar four organ notes, you are caught up in the fun of THE ADDAMS FAMILY. This musical features the beloved and morbid family many have enjoyed in television and film for decades. Embark on an adventure with these endearing spooks as they try to spend a night, just one night, being normal.

Have you heard? There’s a rumor that ANASTASIA is about to hit the stage in Indianapolis! The anticipation is growing, and we were lucky enough to get an interview with Willem Butler who stars as Dmitry. He gave us some insight into the production and why this musical adaptation is the perfect way to kick off this season of Broadway in Indianapolis.

It's hard to comprehend a more unusual and nauseating narrative than the one re-imagined in Taste, Benjamin Brand's reality-based drama about a contract between a man with cannibalistic aspirations and the willing victim he solicits on the internet. The genuine event - preserved by the perpetrator on videotape - took place in Germany back in 2001, and contained a mutual pact to begin their operation by severing and then mutually dining on the victim.

Jimmy Buffet is a beloved part of the musical fabric of America, and so it makes complete sense that JIMMY BUFFET’S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE is just as endearing and just plain fun. This musical is a great way to feel transported to the simplicity of a beach vacation and live awhile on “island time.”

The beat of the drum and the twang of the guitar are calling you to HONKY TONK ANGELS at Beef & Boards. When a band of three women are flung together by chance, the results are a series of both charming and hilarious antics strung together by some of country music’s greatest hits.

Coping With Autumn considers the strength of human nature and is brutal challenged during the production. The question arises about what we will uncover after apprehension, violence, and hopelessness have taken their toll on Autumn.

We always have such fun with our Broadway interviews, but it is a special treat to get some backstage, behind-closed-doors insight into the inner workings of Broadway Across America. We had just such an opportunity when we spoke with Leslie Broecker, President of Broadway Across America Midwest. She offered us a fresh perspective on this season’s selections and where she sees Broadway going in a (hopefully) post-pandemic world.

As with any massively popular production, you have to wonder if the hype matches the reality. In the case of DEAR EVAN HANSEN, the reality more than exceeds the expectations. This production is full of not only exceptional musical moments but also an enthralling story. It holds you captivated from beginning to end and leaves you with a lingering sense that you just experienced something extraordinary and important.

Since its debut, DEAR EVAN HANSEN has rocked the musical world with its impactful message and incredible score. We wanted to know more about its inner workings and how the latest cast for the national tour takes on this powerhouse show.

A huge draw of live theater is the touch of nostalgia, that craving for the classics and a different era. That is exactly what you can expect at HELLO, DOLLY!, now on the stage at Beef & Boards. This timeless musical brings you the heartwarming charm of years gone by, complete with swirling period costumes and jaunty tunes.

For me, musical adaptations of movies can be either a hit or miss with no in-between. I am happy to say that the musical version of Mean Girls, based on the cult classic 2004 movie, was maybe more fun than the movie itself.

We were lucky enough to be invited to the “cool kids table” to have a chat with the incomparable Janis Ian from MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL, played by Mary Kate Morrisey. It was a highly informative experience, and she gave us the inside scoop, even though we forgot to wear pink on Wednesday and don’t even go here. 

There is always an inherent risk to taking a classic movie and trying to redo it in some way. That risk pays off with PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL. This production has charm, humor, and that all-essential romance we love from the film. Missing out on this touring show would be a big mistake. Big. Huge.