A classic TV special is being brought to life on stage!
The Civic Theatre has created a stage adaptation of, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” in which Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang discover the true meaning of Christmas.
The production is running from November 26 to December 18.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” was first shown as an animated television special in 1965 and has been part of the holiday tradition ever since. The stage adaptation by Eric Schaeffer was completed in 2013.
Max McCreary, who plays Charlie Brown, and Evan Wallace, who plays Snoopy, joined us today to share more about the production.
They say it’s great for little kids because it’s short (less than an hour long), and it’s the perfect way to come inside and warm up during a visit to the Christkindlmarkt, which is right outside the theatre.
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
Did you know that back in the day, when men played the parts of women on stage, the dresses on the men were often too long, and those dresses would drag across the stage as they performed?
That’s how drag queens got their name!
Tonight, for one night only, “A Big, Gay Boo-sical” is on stage at the Basile Theatre at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center.
The all ages show is at 6 p.m., and the adults only (21+) show is at 9 p.m.
“The Color Purple” is on stage now at the Civic Theatre!
AshLee “PsyWrn Simone” Baskin, who plays Shug Avery and Jonathan Studdard, who plays Preacher, Ol’ Mister and works as equity and diversity liaiso at the Civic Theatre, joined us today to share what we can expect from the show.
You can see it now through October 23.
This show is the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning story of hope and a celebration of life. The joyous jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music, and blues score sets the musical apart from the acclaimed 1985 film.
For more information visit, civictheatre.org.
Step inside a world of pure imagination with Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical!
Fiona Claire Huber, ensemble and Veruca Salt understudy, joined us today to share what you can expect from this show.
WHEN: Performances October 19 – 24
WHERE: Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University
Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY tells the story of Willy Wonka, world famous inventor of the Everlasting Gobstopper, who has just made an astonishing announcement. His marvelous—and mysterious—factory is opening its gates…to a lucky few. That includes young Charlie Bucket, whose life definitely needs sweetening. He and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a mesmerizing, life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination. Get ready for Oompa-Loompas, incredible inventions, the great glass elevator, and more, more, more at this everlasting showstopper!
Tickets are available online at broadwayinindianapolis.com or by calling 1-800-982-2787. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 317.632.5183.
There’s no shortage of great shows to see in Indianapolis as Broadway In Indianapolis is back with several entertaining plays and musicals!
Matthew Porter of Broadway in Indianapolis joined us live today with a rundown of what you can expect to see. Here’s more from him:
Broadway in Indianapolis is proud to announce the 2021 – 2022 Season headlined by the six-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen, and the ferociously funny new musical, Mean Girls.
Fall in love all over again with the dazzling, Pretty Woman: The Musical, based on the beloved romantic comedy film.
The series also boasts the Indianapolis premiere of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the spectacular return of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary Tour.
For more information visit, Indianapolis.broadway.com.
Youth Inspirations Theater is holding an athletic shoe drive fundraiser from September 1 through October 15 to raise money for their production of the Wizard of Oz and Fall Classes.
YIT will earn funds based on the total quantity of gently worn, used, and new sneakers collected. GotSneakers, a social enterprise, will issue funds in compensation for the collected sneakers. Those funds will benefit Wizard of Oz and our Fall Classes. Anyone can help by simply donating gently worn, used, and new sneakers.
GotSneakers has developed a unique fundraising program that asks communities to reach into their closets, not their pockets! The sneaker recycling program helps keeps sneakers out of landfills, which has harmful effects on our environment, and helps organizations like ours raise much needed funds. The program is truly a win – win!
We know that most people have extra sneakers in their closets they would like to donate rather than throw away. By doing so, we raise money for our production of Wizard of Oz and Fall classes and help the environment. It’s a win – win for everyone!
Donations can be dropped off Monday-Thursday 4:00-8:00pm at YIT Studio.
Address: 9625 E 150th St Suite 105 Noblesville, IN 46060.
Learn more about GotSneakers by visiting their website at, gotsneakers.com.
Timothy Mooney, Chicago actor, is fresh from last month’s Indy performances of Breakneck Hamlet and Breakneck Julius Caesar is returning to the Indy Fringe Festival with Shakespeare’s Histories; Ten Epic Plays at a Breakneck Pace (also at the District Theatre, 627 Mass Ave.) August 20 (9 pm), 21 (6 pm), 28 (9 pm) & 29 (6 pm)!
Mooney squeezes all ten of Shakespeare’s Histories into an epic one-man performance: the history of England, from 1066 to 1533 in a single hour! The Orlando Weekly called it “Spookily impressive… like attending one of the most entertaining lectures ever… a torrent of knowledge… a do-not miss show.”
Combining the most brilliant speeches of some of Shakespeare’s most difficult plays into a single hour, Shakespeare’s Histories reveals the epic sweep of Shakespeare’s historical vision. Mooney notes, “It’s amazing when you realize that all of these famous lines that live in our everyday language, had their origins in these obscure plays. Almost every speech rings with familiarity at the same time that it reveals its profound contribution to human consciousness. Suddenly, these challenging plays tell one complete, easy-to-grasp story in taut chronological order.”
This will be Mooney’s fifth appearance at the Indy Fringe. (This is his 73rd fringe festival overall, while spending the last 20 school years touring colleges and high schools across the US with his award-winning one-man shows.) Past Indy Fringe appearances have included “Lot o’ Shakespeare” (2010), “The Greatest Speech of All Time” (2013), “Breakneck Hamlet” (2015) and Breakneck Julius Caesar (2018).
Describing his process, Tim explains, “I’ve been inspired to bring substance and passion to the soliloquies and great speeches (while bridging the gaps of the ongoing action with a playful, snarky commentary that I can’t quite resist). By removing a couple of dozen actors and many hours of sometimes-archaic text, we surface the power that the original Elizabethan audience must have felt, giving access to one of our greatest cultural touchstones, making us suddenly more aware of the raging theatrical action that made these plays great in the first place.”
Shakespeare’s Histories is the very first of Tim’s “Breakneck” series. “I had started out with a one-man show that featured monologues from every Shakespeare play, performed at random. But one day I found myself running my lines for the History monologues in chronological order. I was amazed at just how much more sense the speeches (and the plots of the plays) made when I looked at them in that order. I then doubled back to add in more of the crucial speeches, along with my usual trademark snarky narration to whip past the slow parts, and suddenly those ten plays came alive for me in a way like never before.”
This Indy Fringe show will be performing at the District Theatre for performances on Friday, August 20 (9 pm), Saturday, August 21 (6 pm), Saturday, August 28 (9 pm) and Sunday, August 29 (6 pm). Tickets to “Shakespeare’s Histories” are now available on-line at IndyFringe.org.
More on Tim Mooney can be found at Timmooneyrep.com.
Discovering Broadway is preparing for their inaugural season finale, and it features one of the world’s most popular plays, Hamlet!
It will be produced/directed by Carmel native, Joel Kirk, and star Broadway stars, Jordan Donica (My Fair Lady) as Hamlet, Samantha Paul (Six) as Ophelia and Adam Pascal (Rent) as King Claudius.
Joel joined us today to share what we can expect from the show and Discovering Broadway.
Tickets are available now for an exclusive first look at this Broadway-bound musical featuring eight Indiana native performers and musicians. Hamlet is a new musical in development, inspired by William Shakespeare’s most famous play.
Hamlet is written by Cody Fry (American Idol), Emmy-winner Gary Fry, Joel Ansett (Marvel’s The Punisher), Lucille Lortel Award-winner Andrew R. Butler, and Jeff Daye (Cleopatra) to name a few. Direction/Book/Additional Lyrics by Joel Kirk (Blatantly Blaine), with Music Supervision, Music Director, Arrangements and Orchestrations by Kris Kukul (Beetlejuice).
The creative team will participate in Discovering Broadway Inc.’s Writer’s Retreat program August 14 – 29, followed by a public concert of songs on August 20 at 7 p.m. at the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre in the Indiana Historical Society.
For more information, visit discoveringbroadway.org.
You can now see Shakespearean plays all across Indiana this summer! This is thanks to the Brown Box Theatre project who has now added new dates to their tour.
Margaret Clark, who plays Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, joined us on Indy Style to preview the July performances. Margaret is originally from Toledo, OH, and returns to Brown Box for her sixth show. Her previous credits include Taming of the Shrew, Hamlet, The Hotel Nepenthe, and Rosalind in As You Like It. Other local credits include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Romeo and Juliet (Huntington Theatre), Henry V (Actor’s Shakespeare Project), and The Three Musketeers (GBSC/Front Porch).
Brown Box Theatre Project, the country’s premier outdoor Shakespeare touring company, comes to Indiana this summer as part of their 10th Annual Shakespeare tour! Brown Box’s largest tour to date spans 3 regions across the US from Indiana to Massachusetts to Delmarva, featuring free outdoor performances of the comedy Much Ado About Nothing, and a series of “Page to Stage” library workshops exploring Shakespeare’s world and words. Under the direction of Executive Artistic Director and Co-Founder Kyler Taustin, audiences can now enjoy Shakespeare’s beloved comedy of trickery, deceit, and masquerade LIVE and on-stage, with bonus workshops for audiences of all ages, thanks to partnerships with local libraries. The expanded 2021 Indiana Summer Tour brings Shakespeare to 8outdoorstages and 6 library workshops in July 2021! A special workshop for teens ages 14-18 will be held on Friday, July 30th hosted by the Rushville Library at Riverside Park!
All Much Ado About Nothing performances are free, outdoors, and open to all audiences; no tickets are needed. Social distancing through lawn seating, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome.Brown Box’s extended tour will also include locations in Massachusetts (August 2021 – 13 outdoor performances and 4 library workshops!) and Delmarva (September 2021 – 18 outdoorperformances and 4 library workshops!). Please visit brownboxtheatre.org for full performance schedule and rain locations. All library workshops are free and open to the public; some are in-person and some are virtual. Please see each library’s website for information and registration.
Since 2010 Brown Box Theatre Project has been committed to reinventing the way theatre is created and consumed, by transforming public spaces into vibrant cultural and tourist destinations. Brown Box has perfected the art of the tour; through unique partnerships with local and state organizations, Brown Box delivers outdoor programming and educational workshops that engage and inspire. Brown Box’s touring Shakespeare events include professionally designed sets, lighting, costumes and props, performed by skilled regional actors. Each program is built, performed, and packed away at each location!
About Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing:
“Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.” Upon their return from war, a group of soldiers are reminded that life and love are not so black and white. Trickery, jealousy, deceit, and masquerade each play a role in challenging Benedict and Beatrice’s scorn for love (and each other) as well as the seemingly unassailable love of Claudio and Hero. Through witty banter and dastardly deception, Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing debates the preconceived notion of how to love and the value of trust.
Much Ado About Nothing will be fully staged in each location and will feature professional artists, designers, and actors.
“Much Ado About Shakespeare: Stage to Page” Library Workshops – JUST ADDED!:
Brown Box Theatre Project is thrilled to announce the addition of 6 “Much Ado About Shakespeare: Stage to Page” Library Workshops in Indiana, presented FREE to the public during the company’s 2021 Summer Tour! Audiences of all ages are invited to join Brown Box Theatre Project in an engaging, exciting exploration of Shakespeare’s words and worlds, in partnership with libraries in each touring region. Starting with collaborative relationship-building exercises, we will look at Much Ado About Nothing through its post-conflict scope. What happens when communities, like those in the script, begin to embrace non-traditional ways of thinking? Committed to curating a safe, accessible space for varying skill levels and interests, the workshops will be led by teaching artist, Surrey Houlker. Please see each library’s website for information and registration.
For more information and to see the full performance schedule visit, brownboxtheatre.org.
Nonprofit arts organization Discovering Broadway is working with Broadway producers and directors to give Central Indiana residents a behind-the-scenes look at Broadway in the making.
Joel Kirk, founder and artistic director of Discovering Broadway, joined us Wednesday to share more about “Ever After” coming to Indy before it hits NYC!
Tickets are on sale now for Discovering Broadway’s second show selection “Ever After,” based on the 20th Century Studios film starring Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Huston and directed by Andy Tennant (“Hitch,” “Fool’s Gold”).
The creative team will participate in Discovering Broadway Inc.’s Writer’s Retreat program May 18-24. A public concert of songs at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the new Feinstein’s Cabaret, located in the Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection, will follow the program.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Here’s more:
Christy Altomare starred in “Anastasia” for the entirety of the Broadway musical’s run.
Corey Cott is best known for playing Jack Kelly in the Broadway musical “Newsies” and originating the role of Donny Novitski in the Broadway musical “Bandstand.”
‘Ever After” was selected as Second New Musical for the Discovering Broadway Inc. Writer’s Retreat.
In May, the creative team of the new musical “Ever After” will participate in the Discovering Broadway Inc.’s Writer’s Retreat program in central Indiana. At 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Discovering Broadway Inc. will present songs in concert from the new musical “Ever After” starring Christy Altomare and Corey Cott at the new Feinstein’s Cabaret in the Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection.
“Ever After” will be the second show to participate in Discovering Broadway Inc.’s program following the February Writer’s Retreat of the new musical “The Devil Wears Prada.”
Altomare said, “It is always a wonderful day when it is spent in Indiana. I am beyond excited to be participating in the writers retreat this May! ‘Ever After’ is one of my favorite shows and I can’t wait to see what inspiration hits amidst such a warm, welcoming, and creative environment.”
Director Marlo Hunter said, “‘Ever After’ is the salve we all need right now — a witty, smart and romantic new musical comedy with a lush and layered score. There’s no greater gift for a show in development than a safe, supportive space — and Discovering Broadway is just that.”
Composer Zina Goldrich said, “I’m so excited to get back in the room with Marcy, Kate and Marlo. There is nothing better in the world than doing what you love with such intelligent, gifted and funny women.”
Bookwriter Kate Wetherhead, who participated in Discovering Broadway Inc.’s “The Devil Wears Prada” Writer’s Retreat, said, “It’s a thrill to return to Carmel to collaborate with another phenomenal team of theater artists. Discovering Broadway is fast becoming a creative home away from home.”
Lyricist Marcy Heisler said, “How special it is to have a safe, warm welcoming place to try things. Thank you so much for inviting us to Discovering Broadway. Your beautiful, needed resources are something to sing about, indeed.”
“Ever After” has music by award-winning songwriting team Goldrich (“Breathe,” “Yay People Yay!” and Drama Desk Nomination for “Dear Edwina”) and lyrics by Marcy Heisler (“Williamsburg” and Drama Desk Nomination for “Dear Edwina”).
The book is by Marcy Heisler and Wetherhead (co-bookwriter “The Devil Wears Prada,” co-creator/writer/director/star of the online comedy “Submissions Only”).
Directing the new musical is Hunter (“American Reject” and Callaway Award winner for directing/choreographing “Unlock’d”).