(11/28/2014) - Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre rekindles the spirit of the holidays with a special original production that's been loved for generations. In its longstanding tradition, A Beef & Boards Christmas is on stage through Dec. 23 to herald in the season.
(11/18/2014) - - This holiday season, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents the 20th Anniversary production of its popular one-hour version of A Christmas Carol. Enhanced with traditional carols, this classic Charles Dickens tale is on stage for just 10 performances from Dec. 6-22.
(11/04/2014) - Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre rekindles the spirit of the holidays with a special original production that's been loved for generations. In its longstanding tradition, A Beef & Boards Christmas opens Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving, to herald in the season. Scroll down for a sneak peek!
(10/01/2014) - In a true celebration of tradition, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre's 2014 Season concludes with the nine-time Tony Award-winning: Fiddler on the Roof. This heartwarming musical marks its 50th Anniversary this year, and opens on Oct. 9 at Beef & Boards. Douglas E. Stark reprises his favorite role of Tevye, the milkman, who is the center of this touching story set in the tiny village of Anatevka. Tevye does his best to protect his five daughters and instill them with traditional values, even in the face of changing times and social principles. Iconic songs include 'Sunrise, Sunset,' 'If I Were A Rich Man' and 'Matchmaker, Matchmaker.' Scroll down for a first look at Stark onstage!
(08/21/2014) - An enduring all-American musical brings many fresh faces to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre this August as it presents Oklahoma!, the very first collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. This high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys in Western Indian territory at the turn of the century is now on stage through Oct. 5. Below, BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action!
(08/13/2014) - Karen Irwin tore up the stage at The Cabaret at The Columbia Club July 25 and 26. The Indianapolis native is well known for her bluesy rasp vocals and excellent coverage of Janis Joplin tunes. So popular is Irwin, the entire weekend was sold out for both performances, matching her prior visit to this stage.
(07/24/2014) - N'Kenge (Motown: The Musical, Sondheim on Sondheim), reunited with Pops Conductor Jack Everly to perform as a soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony in a new concert CLASSIC FM: RADIO HITS FROM THE DECADES. Below, BroadwayWorld has exclusive photos from opening night!
(07/21/2014) - Different Stages Theater has just kicked off its inaugural season at the award-winning New Huntington Theater in downtown Huntington Indiana, with the world's most beloved musical, The Sound of Music. Presented three-quarter arena style, this exciting new production is led by Lauren Lukacek (Maria) and Robert Teasdale (Captain von Trapp). Check out production shots below!
(06/23/2014) - Those hilarious Church Basement Ladies have cooked up an all-new show, and it's being served along with the buffet this summer at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement, the fourth and funniest installment yet of this popular series, opens July 5. Scroll down for a first look at the show!
(05/16/2014) - Bring the family and get swept up with Disney's high-flying Mary Poppins, live on stage for the first time at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Based on one of the most popular Disney films of all time and now playing, this musical is nothing short of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Check out a first look below!
(04/18/2014) - Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis announces Spun. The show opened last night, April 17, 2014 in the Livia and Steve Russell Theatre at the Phoenix, and runs through May 11, 2014. It is directed by Bloomington Playwrights Project Producing Artistic Director Chad Rabinovitz. The show stars Lisa Ermel as Molly and Chris Roe as Jesse. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(04/03/2014) - Get on board for some delightful and de-lovely entertainment as Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents the nautical musical Anything Goes. Recently revived on Broadway, this lighthearted Cole Porter classic celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, and tap dances through May 11 at Beef & Boards. Scroll down to see some photos from the production!
(03/12/2014) - Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis presents the NNPN Rolling World premiere of Lauren Gunderson's I and You. Opening tomorrow, March 13, 2014 in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre at the Phoenix, this show runs through April 13, 2014 and will be directed by Indiana University Bloomington Professor Martha Jacobs. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the stars -- Eli Curry (Anthony) and Katharine Shelton (Caroline) -- in action below!
(03/08/2014) - The Buck Creek Players will continue their 40th Anniversary Season 'Fabulous at 40' with Clare Boothe Luce's comedy, The Women, opening Friday, March 21st, and running for two weekends through Sunday, March 30th. Curtain times will be at 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with 2:30 p.m. matinees offered on Sundays. All performances will be held at the Buck Creek Playhouse on the southeast side of Indianapolis at 11150 Southeastern Avenue. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(02/26/2014) - Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis announces the NNPN Rolling World premiere of Lauren Gunderson's I and You. Opening March 13, 2014 in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre at the Phoenix, this show runs through April 13, 2014 and will be directed by Indiana University Bloomington Professor Martha Jacobs. Scroll down for a first look at the cast: Eli Curry (Anthony) and Katharine Shelton (Caroline)!
(02/06/2014) - The seven-time Tony Award winning Cats pounces onto the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre stage as the first musical in its 2014 Season. Andrew Lloyd Webber's playful production is the second-longest running show in Broadway history, and continues through March 30 at Beef & Boards. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!
(01/10/2014) - TRIBES by Nina Raine runs now through February 9, 2014, at the Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(12/28/2013) - Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre starts off its new season on the right note as it presents Lend Me A Tenor, the Ken Ludwig comedy marking its 25th Anniversary in 2014. Opening tonight, this Tony Award-winning madcap farce was called 'uproarious' and 'hysterical' by USA Today, and is sure to have you pealing with laughter! BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(12/19/2013) - TRIBES by Nina Raine, directed by Richard Rand, will run at the Phoenix Theatre from January 9 through February 9, 2014. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast onstage below!
(12/07/2013) - In time for the holidays and on select dates only, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents its special one-hour production of the classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol. This timeless story is enhanced with music and live on stage through Dec. 20. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(12/02/2013) - For the 8th year in a row, Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis will present the World Premiere of arguably Indy's most original and entertaining holiday offering: A Very Phoenix Xmas. This year's subtitle is Angels We Have Heard While High. Opening the day after Thanksgiving, November 29, 2013 on the Livia and Steve Russell Stage at the Phoenix, this holiday show runs through December 22, 2013 and includes Wednesday (7 pm), Thursday (7 pm), Friday (8 pm), Saturday (8 pm), and Sunday (2 pm) performances. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(11/29/2013) - As it wraps up its 40th Anniversary Season, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre brings a fresh feel to its annual original holiday production, A Beef & Boards Christmas. An all-new quartet performs festive arrangements in a glittering celebration now on stage through Dec. 23. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show, opening tonight!
(11/20/2013) - The old sayings, 'You've got to see it to believe it,' and 'You either get 'IT'or you don't,' are certainly sayings that could be (and probably are) applied to WICKED.
With its 10th anniversary this year, and nine current productions performing around the globe, I must say I was completely surprised during intermission. A gentleman sitting in front of me struck up a conversation and nonchalantly stated he had bought the ticket on a whim while in town for business ~ with no clue what the show was about. He had no idea it was in reference to Wizard of Oz and had no anticipation. He was simply ready to enjoy a live theater production and that was what caught his eye online.
Wow.
The winner of more than 50 major awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, was unknown to this gentleman. Naturally, I reflected back to my first time of seeing it in Chicago, and the subsequent reviews of 'Wicked' I have written ~ each one a totally different experience and finding different aspects most notable.
At my first experience, I was blown away ~ as almost everyone is. The second, I noticed the nods to the book, film and characters. At my third, I noticed, and wrote about, the symbolism transportation played ~ in this review (REVIEW: WICKED 2010).
After seeing any show several times, the viewer naturally compares the actors and have those they feel most closely fit the bill, the ones they believe most talented, etc.
This production stars Jennifer DiNoia as Elphaba and Hayley Podschun as Glinda. If you are a fan of Kristin Chenoweth and, frankly, who isn't? ~ then, you will absolutely adore Podschun. She practically radiates on stage during 'Popular,' drawing ecstatic applause from the engaged audience.
Naturally, DiNoia's rendition of the power ballad won thunderous applause. It is definitely one of DiNoia's finer moments in the performance. Her other being the duet, 'What is this Feeling?' with Podschun as the two opposing witches realize how much they loathe each other.
The main issue with anyone stepping into the sparkly shoes of Glinda or the work boots of Elphaba in the musical loosely based on Gregory Maguire's novel, is they are attempting to fill seriously talented footsteps. Even those who have not (gasp) seen the musical, have more than likely heard of the Broadway originators of the roles ~ Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel (read review of her solo performance here).
And therein lies the problem. Can anyone ever make the role truly their own, while compared to the greats at every turn?
Probably not.
At least not for another 10 years.
It would be equivalent to performing a role so well the audience forgets Judy Garland (The Wizard of Oz), Michael Crawford (Phantom of the Opera), or Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean). Whether a stage or screen production, some performers become the standard for all others after them. A tough act.
With that said, it's like being in the top 10 percent of your graduating class. No, you aren't No. 1 or 2, but you're still in the top percentile. Nothing to be upset over.
Bottom Line: Whether this is your first, or 15th time, Wicked is a must-see anytime it is in town.
Performance Schedule
There is no performance on Thanksgiving Day,Thursday, November 28.
November 13-17: Wednesday & Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Thursday matinee at 2:00 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm, Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm; November 19-24: Tuesday -Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm, Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm; November 26 - December 1: Monday - Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm.
Click here for information on $25 ticket lottery for Wicked in Indianapolis.
Images: provided by BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; Joan Marcus
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy's Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.
(11/19/2013) - Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre's annual production, A Beef & Boards Christmas, will have a fresh feel this season as an all-new quartet several fresh arrangements in a glittering celebration of the season on stage Nov. 29 through Dec. 23. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in action below!
(10/11/2013) - The Pyramid Players are proud to present a fun-filled musical featuring that silly old bear with Winnie-The-Pooh this fall at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. This fun show opens Oct. 11 for kids of all ages. Check out a first look below!
(10/04/2013) - Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents the powerful nine-time Tony Award winning musical sensation Les Miserables for the first time ever in a dramatic conclusion to its 40th Anniversary Season. The epic production, featuring four Broadway performers in the cast, is now on stage in Beef & Boards' intimate atmosphere through Nov. 24. BroadwayWorld has a first look t the cast in action below!
(09/20/2013) - The Buck Creek Players will open their 40th Anniversary Season 'Fabulous at 40' with Neil Simon's fast-paced comedy, Rumors. Opening Friday, September 27, and running for two weekends through Sunday, October 6, curtain times will be at 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with 2:30 p.m. matinees offered on Sundays. All performances will be held at the Buck Creek Playhouse on the southeast-side of Indianapolis. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!
(09/20/2013) - Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis will bring the 2013 Best Play Tony Award winner, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, to the Livia and Steve Russell stage - just four weeks after it closed on Broadway. Opening September 19, 2013, this show runs through October 20, 2013 and will be directed by Phoenix Theatre Producing Director Bryan Fonseca. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(09/05/2013) - Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis will bring the 2013 Best Play Tony Award winner, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, to the Livia and Steve Russell stage - just four weeks after it closed on Broadway. Opening September 19, 2013, this show runs through October 20, 2013 and will be directed by Phoenix Theatre Producing Director Bryan Fonseca. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
(08/24/2013) - Wedding bells are ringing - but they're playing the blues for Stanley Banks as he unwillingly becomes the Father of the Bride at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Live on stage through Sept. 29, this hilarious comedy is the perfect match for the fall wedding season. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!
(07/29/2013) - Julia Goodwin is the 2013 winner of the Great American Songbook Vocal Academy and Competition. The 15-year-old is from Baldwinsville, New York. During the finals concert on July 26, she sang two American standards: 'Dream A Little Dream of Me,' and 'Feeling Good.' Scroll down for photos of Goodwin and the other finalists!
(07/22/2013) - The Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis is currently presenting the Indiana Premiere of Love, Loss, and What I Wore by Nora and Delia Ephron, now playing through August 11. The production is based on the memoir by Illene Beckerman and poignantly illuminates women, clothing and the memories that are indelibly connected to what we wear. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!
(07/07/2013) - The Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis has announces the Indiana Premiere of Love, Loss, and What I Wore by Nora and Delia Ephron. The production is based on the memoir by Illene Beckerman and poignantly illuminates women, clothing and the memories that are indelibly connected to what we wear. Scroll down for a first look at the cast!
(06/19/2013) - One of the most unforgettably entertaining families to ever step foot on the Beef & Boards stage returns this summer for more bluegrass Gospel fun. Back by unprecedented demand and opening July 5, the hilarious musical Smoke on the Mountain signals the return of the lovable Singing Sanders Family. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show!
(05/23/2013) - The Buck Creek Players will continue their 2012-2013 season 'In the Spotlight' with the Tony Award wining musical, City of Angels, a deliciously funny spoof of 1940s film noir and hard-boiled detective fiction. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!
(04/22/2013) - Menopause the Musical opens at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre this week to the sound of an audience gone wild. Who knew menopausal-age women (and their menfolk, by the way) could be so energetic and exuberant?
(02/27/2013) - The Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis has announced the Indiana Premiere of Nicky Silver's corrosive comedy, The Lyons, in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre. Opening tomorrow, Thursday, February 28, and running through Sunday, March 31, 2013, The Lyons was chosen by Phoenix Producing Director Bryan Fonseca specifically for Diane Kondrat in the lead role of Rita Lyons, as her last role before moving to the West Coast. The Lyons will be Diane Kondrat's 20th play at The Phoenix Theatre. Scroll below for new production photos from the show!
(02/15/2013) - The Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis has announced the Indiana Premiere of Nicky Silver's corrosive comedy, The Lyons in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre. Opening Thursday, February 28, and running through Sunday, March 31, 2013, The Lyons was chosen by Phoenix Producing Director Bryan Fonseca specifically for Diane Kondrat in the lead role of Rita Lyons, as her last role before moving to the West Coast. Scroll below for photos of the cast onstage!
