IndyFringe Theatre Festival in Review: Part Five

Three more shows to share about, then I'm taking the night off from Fringe.

Road to Nowhere

John Hefner returns to IndyFringe Festival after a successful run last year with The Hefner Monologues. His latest show, Road to Nowhere, chronicles his cross country journey to self actualization. With frantic and nerdy energy, Hefner relies heavily on his ability to charm the audience with self-deprecating humor. Though Road to Nowhere lacks the cohesiveness and comic timing that Hefner proved himself capable of during last year's fringe, his story is a sweet retelling of his trip from DC to Seattle to visit his certifiably insane lover while coming to terms with the death of his father. Though Hefner mingles enough quirkiness to keep your interest throughout including a slide show of his actual trip complete with a rousing came of "Where's Dad?", Road to Nowhere is a vast departure from the tightly performed comedy of his previous fringe offering. Capable of so much more, I hope to see Hefner return with a more rehearsed show next year.

Road to Nowhere at Comedy Sportz:
Saturday, August 28 at 1:30 pm

Joe's Cafe

Joe's Cafe is the first and only concert show I've seen thus far in the 2010 IndyFringe. Singer-songwriter Rupert Wates presents an evening of original compositions based on tidbits of news and historical information he has collected over the years. Paired with two outstanding female voices, Wates picks away at the guitar with incredible skill. From an homage to the late great George Carlin to a dangerous retelling of police brutality in Queens, NY, Wates creates an experience that hearkens back to the hay day of folk music. For a thoroughly enjoyable evening of toe tapping music, catch his final show tonight.

See Joe's Cafe at the IndyFringe Building:
Thursday, August 26 at 10:30 pm

IndyFringe Theatre Festival in Review: Part Four

The IndyFringe Theatre Festival is in high gear as crowds flock to downtown's Mass Ave theatre district to partake in one of the most eclectic festivals all year. In a week long marathon of theatre, the IndyFringe presents shows from both local, national and international performers, creating a buzzing epicenter for culture in the Circle City. Read on for reviews of The Blizzard Rewind: 30 Years/ 30 Plays/ 60 minutes, A Brighter Shade of Blue, Lot O' Shakespeare, Archy and Mehitabel and don't u luv me?.

Archy and Mehitabel

The best kept secret of this year's IndyFringe Festival and perhaps the biggest gem of the 2010 line up, Archy and Mehitabel features Canadian performer Jeff Culbert in an adaptation of the famed columns from journalist Don Marquis, which first appeared in 1916. In addition to playing Archy the cockroach, a the poet turned political agitator, and Mehitabel the alley cat, a free spirited dancer, Culbert dons a host of other characters from an informant ant to a daredevil moth. In each, the actor is completely transformed as he takes on Marquis' eerily relevant text, which touches on everything from a mother's love to the curiously wasteful habits of the supreme creator's chosen leaders: humans. Swaying easily from free verse, rhythmic poetry and prose, Culbert challenges his audience to understand "the thought that men and insects are the same, both transient flecks of starry dust that out of nothing came. Without ever preaching or brow beating, Culbert dons and drops each subject with out an ounce of righteousness. He simply shares Marquis's ruminations on humanity in a wonderfully performed show.

See Archy and Mehitabel at Marian Underground:
Wednesday, August 25 at 6:00 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 10:30 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 4:30 pm

The Blizzard Rewind: 30 Years/ 30 Plays/ 60 Minutes

Bloomington Playwrights Project returns to the IndyFringe Festival after last year's daring show Sex/Death. The Blizzard Rewind shares the multiple short plays format of their former year's offering, but with a twist. A play for each thirty years that BPP has been open performed as the audience shouts out years from 1980 to 2010. With a different order every showing, the cast of six frantically scamper about grabbing props and setting chairs minute to minute. This high energy show provides a cross section of work from various writers involved with BPP. With a wonderful sense of ensemble and a no holds bar approach to audience participation, The Blizzard Rewind is pure fun. Their biggest success: projecting a timer throughout that no one seems to fixate on. Enjoy this wild celebration of the Bloomington Playwrights Project's 30th Anniversary.

See The Blizzard Rewind on Theatre on the Square's Main Stage:
Friday, August 27 at 10:30 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 1:30 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 7:30 pm

A Brighter Shade of Blue

Paul Strickland brings his unique flavor of comedy to the ComedySportz stage this IndyFringe. Half one man show, half stand up routine, Strickland manages a sweet message in his down-to-earth, laugh-out-loud show. Drawing material largely from a recent divorce, Strickland teaches by example as he places a positive spin on each tragedy he shares. From growing up in Hope Grounds trailer park torn between optimists and realists to his ex-wife's childlike outlook on the world, Strickland spins his own pessimism into hilarious quips revealing a deeper struggle to find the silver lining in a gray world. With tremendous organization from bit to bit, Strickland ably introduces ideas, jumping from story with a twinkle in his deep blue eyes.Whether or not you find yourself struggling to find the upside in troubling times, A Brighter Shade of Blue is definitely worth seeing.

Catch it at Comedy Sportz:
Friday, August 27 at 10:30 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 9:00 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 1:30 pm

Lot O' Shakespeare

With a monologue from each of Shakespeare's plays and some sonnets, Timothy Mooney invites audiences to play IAGO (his version of BINGO) randomly deciding what and when he performs. Mooney's feat of memorizing such a vast amount of language is no doubt impressive. His handle on Shakespeare's text makes for a completely accessible performance from beginning to end, regardless of the obscurity of the chosen monologue. Yet as he moves from character to character, Mooney's readings begin to run together as he fails to find unique qualities for each mask he dons. His readings seem rote, with little wiggle room from performance to performance. Yet when simply speaking a sonnet, Mooney drops any "actory" pretense, finally sharing a moment of honesty and truth. Regardless, he is clearly an entertainer at heart, and worth seeing for that alone.

See Lot O' Shakespeare at Marian Underground:
Thursday, August 26 at 9:00 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 3:00 pm

don't u luv me

The Young Actors Theatre of Indianapolis offers a challenging piece about teen dating violence at the IndyFringe Building. With a solid script, high school age actors promote awareness of an important concept. Though a bit like an after-school special, the performance is emotionally affective. As one teen abandons her friends for an older boyfriend, she discovers the perils of the dating world. Her journey through love and then fear shares an invaluable lesson about reaching out for help. It was lovely to see these teen actors dig their teeth into a more personally relatable topic, than say The Crucible or Our Town.

See it at the IndyFringe Building:
Thursday, August 26 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 4:30 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 3:00 pm

IndyFringe Theatre Festival in Review: Part Two

Grind: The Musical

Minnesota based Theatre Undeclared offers musical talents on Theatre on the Square's main stage. Always in awe of those with talents I do not possess, I commend the creators of Grind: The Musical for their exploration of various musical genres throughout their show. Though the writing was a bit hokey and only a few of the singers really shone, creativity abounds as shadow puppets further the setting. This slice of life musical from the RENT generation pays homage to the rock musical concept, yet remains unaware of itself. Biting off a bit more than they could chew, writers Alex Higgen-Houser, Laura Stratford David Kornfeld attempt to tackle eviction notices, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the death of parents and the search for artistic fulfilment. They simply had too many loose ends to tie up in fifty-five minutes. Musical theatre fans will appreciate the hard work these novices put in to this production and even recognize their success, which equally balance their failures.

Worth Seeing at Theatre on the Square's Main Stage:
Monday, August 23 at 6:00 pm
Friday, August 27 at 9:00 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 6:00 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 9:00 pm

Hurry Up, Jesus!

Comedian Lindsay Webb takes the stage at ComedySportz with his quirky Australian comedy. Eager to see Webb in action after enjoying his emcee skills at IndyFringe's preview, he definitely lived up to expectations. With a set focused on the fallacy of religion, Webb gracefully walks a dangerous line between offending and entertaining. Quick on his feet, Webb dissects every sect of Christianity urging us to have faith in ourselves rather than religion. Every groan from the audience is followed by a hard laugh as Webb powers through fifty-five minutes of material on religion and family. A talented stand up comedian, this Aussie is a welcome addition to the 2010 IndyFringe Theatre Festival line up.


Catch him at ComedySportz:
Monday, August 22 at 7:30 pm
Friday, August 27 at 6:00 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 3:00 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 4:30 pm


Do Not Kill Me Killer Robots

Ben Eagerman's Do Not Kill Me Killer Robots at the Phoenix Theatre takes my vote for funniest play in Fringe, so far. A show designed for and by the Internet generation, Eagerman's humor plays on viral videos, Facebook feeds and end of world scenarios. As ridiculous as the title sounds, this one man performance piece is simply a laugh riot. Set three days in the future, Eagerman stands as the last living soul in a post-apocalyptic world. With cardboard props and a homemade megaphone, he feigns a slapdash one man show (timed to perfection) as his last ditch effort for survival. This campy piece pits kittens against sharks, explores the realities of space camp, and offers many theories on the origins of robots. Beware, Eagerman prods a rowdy audience, cast as the Killer Robots, to be even more verbal as the show progresses. 

Killer Robots at the Phoenix Theatre:
Monday, August 23 at 6:00 pm
Wednesday, August 23 at 6:00 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 3:00 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 4:30 pm

IndyFringe Theatre Festival in Review: Part Three

Missing

California based writer and actor Jessica Ferris brings whimsy to the Theatre on the Square second stage in Missing: The Fantastical and True Story of My Father's Disappearance and What I Found When I Looked for Him. No bones about it, I loved this show! Imaginative and heartfelt, Ferris creates a multi-faceted journey through family history, her female role model's poor choices about men and the definition of what it means to be, or rather be born of, a sociopath. Though the show's themes about feeling helpless, swindled and the search for sincerity and her father (antonyms in her book), Ferris' incorporation of physicality, clowning, inventive puppetry and an awareness of herself on stage keeps it light. Thoroughly enjoyable, Ferris creates an illuminating climax through the use of simple objects and language. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!

Missing at Theatre on the Square's Second Stage:
Wednesday, August 25 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 6:00 pm

Swan Balloon

Dan Bernitt of New York creates a magical world where balloons and swans can fall in and out of love at the Phoenix Theatre. In a cute burst of storytelling, Bernitt offers an beautifully written story. However, he lacks the charisma to truly hold the attentions of children, his target audience. Though he uses engaging props dialects to illustrate various characters, he sits reading from a music stand for the majority of the show. This creative story is robbed of its full potential with lackluster staging. Yet, as a writer, Bernitt's language is both vivid and accessible. Moralistically, his childrens story is a parable about surmounting one's fears and staying true to oneself. Worth a glimpse if you are in the mood for something sweet and simple.

See Swan Balloon at the Phoneix Theatre:
Tuesday, August 24 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, August 25 at 9:00 pm
Thursday, August 26 at 6:00 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 1:30 pm

The Tale of Mephisto

A deconstructed offering of The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus from the International Theatre Laboratorium takes the main stage of Theatre on the Square. Thinking too hard while watching this piece is not advised. Though the surreal structure creates a very intellectual production, the real meat stems from the emotional quality of movement with text as "soundscape." As the sole actor on stage, Natsume Sugiyama works with masks, puppets and odd props as the production ruminates on the idea of damnation. Fans of John Green's work at Butler Theatre and around the city will enjoy the perspective of director Antony Sandoval. Though their viewpoints are vastly different, the avant garde genre is the same.

See The Tale of Mephisto on Theatre on the Square's Main Stage:
Monday, August 23 at 9:00 pm
Friday, August 27 at 6:00 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 9:00 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 1:30 pm 

IndyFringe Theatre Festival in Review: Part One

People lined the streets of Mass Ave this weekend, milling around before they head into the next theatre. Music from street performers fill the air, as various companies thrust postcards into unsuspecting hands in an attempt to fill their venue with a live crowd. In short thirty minute spurts, Mass Ave is filled with chatter and laughter as the crowd swells from one place to the next. In its sixth year, the IndyFringe Theatre Festival has proven itself a force to reckon with, garnering larger crowds each day and bringing commerce to Indianapolis' Theatre and Arts district. Commendable for the high standard of work this year, the IndyFringe Festival has taken on a life of its own. Acts from across the Midwest, New York, California and around the globe brighten the stages on Mass Ave. The Hoosier Heartland welcomes this burst of culture with open arms, and here is my humble take on the shows I caught Friday at the Fringe Festival.


Boy in the Basement

Wisdom Tooth Theatre presents an homage to the romance novel genre in a funny and foul spoof of steamy literature. Over the top in every way, this show is acutely aware of what is accomplishes, which is a raucous journey through one novelist's sex slave fantasy. With a keen yet predictable sense of comedy, playwright Katherine Heller creates larger than life characters that fit neatly into their stereotypes: the virgin, the sexpot, the hippie, the dominatrix and the sex slave. As the story unravels, Heller's script with direction from Callie Burk digs for both humor and sentimentality. With nearly constant commentary in acting, directing and writing choices, the show's send up of the romance genre manages a balancing act between outrageously lusty comedy and believable plot devices that create an interesting story to follow. 

Over the top is the running theme in this show, a choice necessary for its content. A cast of eight push their comedic limits, playfully creating an environment where anything goes. With expanded boundaries, Boy in the Basement offers heavy humor with a dash of beautiful women and a sprinkle of awareness. Not for the faint of heart or children, this is a must see comedy in the 2010 IndyFringe Festival. 

Catch it at the Phoenix Theatre:
Tuesday, August 24 at 9:00 pm
Thursday, August 26 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 9:00 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 3:00 pm


Not A Peep

ShadowApe takes over Theatre on the Square's main stage with their Charlie Chaplain inspired commentary on American society. The show's opening offers a rhythmic expression of the monotonous life of office workers. Repetitive beats created entirely from office supplies begins to make one questions (as in real life): "How long can this go on?" Yet, as Constance Macy, Ben Tebbe and Jennifer Koharchik build on their silent relationships, it isn't long before all hell breaks loose in this farcical world. With a central focus on one co-workers ritualistic devouring of sugar coated peeps throughout the day, the trio builds to a hilarious climax in the riveting "First Act" of their show.


Yet as the company continues into second and third "acts", the magic of their technique begins to fade. Though the show's transition into the actor's inner monologues as they cope with a consumer driven society remained entertaining, the company's divulgence into their social agenda felt brow beaten. While their message was solid and important, and their execution flawless, its amazing that a show where no one speaks could be so preachy. 

Catch it at Theatre on the Square:
Tuesday, August 24 at 6:00 pm
Thursday, August 26 at 9:00 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 6:00 pm

Sandcastles in the Sky

Bloomington based company, Theatre of the People, present a confusing piece about being neighborly at the IndyFringe Building. The absence of exposition in the script coupled with unclear symbols in a very abstract script left the whole room searching for anything to grasp on to. A singular moment of laughter erupted as the central character exclaimed, "I don't have any idea what's happening." Neither did we. The use of a live baby on stage offers the only real point of interest with this one. With clunky staging and scattered acting choices this is definitely one to skip.


At the IndyFringe Building:
Thursday, August 26 at 6:00 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 1:30 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 6:00 pm


They Touch in Flood

PaperStrangers Performance Group offers an experimental dance piece at Theatre on the Square's second stage. Director Michael Burke and choreographer Tommy Lewey explore sex in four parts: courtship, coupling, copulation and consequence. Jammed into the tiny second stage of Theatre on the Square, the piece suffers from obvious spacing issues throughout. However, the content is riveting. The audience, as a sea of uncomfortable laughter leaning forward so as not to miss a word or movement, reflects Burke's triumph to push his viewers beyond their boundaries. Lewey's scantily clad dancers capture every nuance of sex as they throw their bodies into each other. Smokers will definitely want a cigarette after this sexually charged experience that will leave you wanting more.


See it at Theatre on the Square's Second Stage:
Tuesday, August 24 at 6:00 pm
Wednesday, August 25 at 9:00 pm
Saturday, August 28 at 3:00 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 10:30 pm


You Never Know

Out of townerwatch. Her story may not be your story, but it will feel that way, a true testament to the talent of this writer and actor. 


Don't miss her at Marian Underground:
Wednesday, August 25 at 9:00 pm
Thursday, August 26 at 6:00 pm
Friday, August 27 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, August 29 at 10:30 pm

Welcome

Dear Friends and Fellow Art Enthusiasts,

I'd be lying to you if I didn't say, I'm starting this blog for selfish reasons. After an incredible year long tenure with an Indianapolis based website as their arts writer and theatre critic, my life has taken a new direction, but my need to see everything in town has not. However, my motives are not entirely egocentric. I truly believe in the arts scene in Indianapolis. With exciting theatre, innovative visual art and beautiful dance productions through the year, the community of Hoosier artists creating for you and me never fails to astonish.

In this blog, Bravo Indianapolis, I hope to support these companies as well as to promote their growth. Encouraging audiences to get out and see the human to human connections being made in Indianapolis theatre, dance and art events is my first goal. Not far behind, I hope this blog will be an open forum to discuss both the successes and failures of artistic endeavors across the Circle City. Honesty about my perceptions of artist's work is intended only to help as they begin new pursuits. All art is a local event, created for and by the people of a particular community. A dialogue between the creators and the receivers is, in my mind, the best way to foster artistic growth for the entire community

With these rather lofty ideas, I contribute a my small portion from a West side corner of Indianapolis. I love this city, and I love the art being produced here. Though I may not always agree with it, nor it with me, I promise never to be malicious or cruel, but always to be honest.

Bravo Indianapolis! And keep creating.