The Marriage Matinee - Page 5

HAIRSPRAY is such a likeable musical, full of catchy upbeat tunes and 60's flair. It is nearly impossible to resist the urge to tap your toes or bob your head as Tracy wheels her way around the dance floor. But the latest production of HAIRSPRAY at Beef & Boards brings more than what the musical has to offer on its own. It has heart and soul that cannot hide, even behind the misty clouds of Ultra Clutch hairspray.

Monument Theatre Company is celebrating its inaugural season with a play that encapsulates so much of its mission. They have entered the Indianapolis theater world to challenge and trouble some of the fixed mindsets that the average theater-goer may have developed. 1984 is the perfect vehicle to bring that goal to life and to create a strong impression on its audiences, leaving more questions than answers.

Nostalgia can be big business, especially in musical theater. Harking back to some by-gone, golden age permeates both politics and pop culture now, but nostalgia has always been rose-tinted and shines above and beyond any hardships, struggles, and even life. Beef & Board once again hits the nail on the head and has successfully recreated classic rock and roll in BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame is an internationally recognized symbol, a mammoth structure of stone and priceless art, some of which suffered from the ravages of fire in April. But it is so much more. It is the building that bears witness to the faith and failures of countless people who come to it every day, and Footlite Musicals gives you a window into some of those deep themes with their production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.

What would it be like to live "under the sea"? Beef and Board's THE LITTLE MERMAID provides the audience with a fantastical glimpse into the world of King Triton and Ariel along with her friends in this colorful, bubbly show now showing at Beef and Boards from now until June 30th.

Reading the synopsis of CHILDREN OF EDEN leads you to believe you know exactly what's to come. The story of the Book of Genesis is one many people have at least a passing familiarity with. However, this musical makes the stories come to life in new ways and provokes questions and thoughts that are as relevant today as they were in Biblical times. A journey through the Garden of Eden becomes a whirlwind of music, movement, and moving moments that goes far beyond the words on a page.

Based on songs by ABBA, Mamma Mia! is established in a Greek island where a young lady named Sophie Sheridan is about to get married. Getting married without her birth father giving her away is deeply troubling her, so she sets to remedy that. However, she really has zero clue who he is, so she invites three men who were amorously involved with her mother some 20 years ago to the wedding. When they arrive on the island, Sophie's mother, Donna Sheridan, is brought back memories of love and heartbreak.

At first glance, WAITRESS has a deceptively simple surface plot. Woman in a bad marriage hangs with gal pals encouraging her to do better for herself. That may be the bare bits of this musical, but its complexities and melodies are as enticing as one of Jenna's famous pies.

We had the privilege of interviewing Steven Good, who plays Dr. Pomatter in the upcoming tour of WAITRESS coming through Indianapolis. We had to ask him what this musical is able to serve up, other than pies, and he had some great insight to share with us about this fun and touching musical.

Razzmatazz, glitz, glamour, intrigue: 42ND STREET is filled with these classic themes, which is why it still thrills audiences decades after its premiere.

The musical, THE KING AND I, accounts the experience of widow Mrs. Anna Leonowens (Anglea Baumgardner), an English school teacher, who was take on as a main driving factor in the King of Siam's push to modernize Siam in the late 1800s. Anna and her young son travel to Siam where she teaches the royals about culture, customs, and the modern world. With the King also being thought of as "a barbarian", Anna also prepares a formal party for English diplomats with hopes they will change their tune about the King.

The draw is easy: Joshua Henry, Broadway star, with a meteoric rise which includes HAMILTON. Enough said, right? But therein lies the beauty of the setting of a cabaret.

THE KING AND I has the power to evoke many iconic songs, images, and fond memories. It has become a designated Broadway classic. However, what do the classics have to offer us in this modern age? Timothy Matthew Flores fills us in on how this national tour has breathed new life into the classic, showing its timeless qualities.

'Grease' is certainly the word at Beef & Boards as the original production of the celebrated musical started its run.

SCHOOL OF ROCK is a musical about rebellion, the mantra of "sticking it to The Man", of children finding their voice in a controlled and advantaged setting and finding their courage to rise up.

We had the privilege of speaking with Deidre Lang, who plays Ms. Sheinkopf in the upcoming touring production of School of Rock, and she had quite a few reasons why we all need to go back to school. She reflected with us on what this show can mean as something beyond a musical, which predominantly features kids, and how it can speak to us as adults.

The advertising is very clear: for mature audiences only. MURDER BALLAD is a rather steamy and enticing piece of musical theater.

The assumption when you take your seat for THE BOOK OF MORMON is that you will laugh, perhaps even laugh a lot, but that is far from the truth. You are much more likely to be in physical pain from full-belly laughing for nearly the entire show. Trey Parker and Matt Stone did an exceptional job using humor as a vehicle for some excellent life lessons.

The first impression created by THE BOOK OF MORMON does not necessarily scream 'timeless themes,' but Corey Jones, who plays the General in the second national tour, begs to differ. The musical is the brainchild of Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park, a duo expected to deliver hilarity, but Jones gives an insight into why this musical is relevant for more than a few laughs.

It was our pleasure to be invited to review CIRCUMSTANTIAL HOLIDAYS by local playwright and director Christine Kruze, and we have to say that we came in with a certain amount of skepticism. That was a huge mistake on our part because the production was nothing but fun from start to finish.