Beef and Boards & Dance Kaleidoscope

Dance Kaleidoscope opened to a nearly sold-out theater Friday night at IRT. World Music Carnaval was a delightful, well...kaleidoscope of colors and energy with Brittany Edwards taking the former male lead role in post-intermission's Play Mas'.

Artistic Director, David Hochoy, channels his memories, via the dancers, of his cherished experiences in Trinidad and Brazil at Carnaval time. The musical cornucopia originating from Argentina, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Africa and Pakistan provides the upbeat tempo required for the intense choreography.

Jillian Godwin’s energy was show-cased best in the first half in Food of Love, matched by George Salinas in the latter half during Play Mas’.

Another mention goes to a behind-the-scenes star. Cheryl Sparks has been the costume designer for DK since 1996. This program’s enchanting costumes became, in themselves, characters. Swirling, parading and leaping with the dancers, enhancing their movements with fluidity and gracefulness at one point, sensually silhouetting and accentuating bodies at the next. Sparks was aided by Lydia Tanji and Deb Dryden in completing the synchronization of color, material and dancer.

Beef and Boards veterans Jeff Stockberger, Ty Stover and Sarah Hund opened the 2010 season for the north side dinner theater with The Foreigner. Zany antics occur with this trio....to be expected with their talent and the venue of a British farce.

Stockberger (Annie, Hook) plays uber-shy Englishman, Charlie Baker who is convinced to trot off to America, with friend, Sgt. ‘Froggy’ LaSueur…to a backwoods fishing cabin in Georgia. The KKK apparently still exists and is less than pleased that a non-American is residing in their small town, even for a few days.

Stover (Annie, Cats) plays Froggy admirably giving the ‘only sober guy at the party’ attitude needed for the madcap adventure. He attempts to help his shy friend from having to socialize with the locals, by telling everyone that Baker can’t speak English. Then promptly leaves Baker in the hands of the strangers and departs for the local Army base.

Hund (Smoke on the Mountain) plays Catherine Simms, fiancé to the local Reverend David Marshall (David Schmittou). Always with perfect timing, Hund plays the debutante-trying-to-be-a-reverend’s-wife. A tough act to pull off, socialite party girl trying to turn over a new leaf, but Hund creates the perfect balance. Playing off the Reverend, the Englishman who doesn’t speak, and younger, intellect-challenged brother Ellard (David Purdy), Hund proves she is capable of being the hub of the wheel.

When everyone divulges secrets to Baker, Stockberger shines at what he does best…almost nothing. With slight twitches and minor glances, he speaks without uttering a word, which makes almost nothing into something great. A master at emoting through his movements, Stockberger brings quirkiness to the staunch man which is endearing.

Kate Braun brings authenticity to the lodge-owner, Betty Meeks, a southern lady with spunk, creating a likeable character with whom the audience empathizes.

Daniel Scharbrough nails the closed-minded, redneck, Owen Muser, with thorough despicability. As Baker finds out the sister and brother are being conned out of their money by the man of the cloth, he finds a way to bring everyone together to fight the evil within their midst.

Bottom Line: The Foreigner proves, once again, why British farces are the charming specialty of Beef and Boards.

If you have a performance or event you would like reviewed, e-mail elizabethjmusgrave@yahoo.com. Me, I’ll be right here, picturing Froggy at the Carnaval.

A Color Purple was presented by Broadway Across America at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indy and I was on hand to check it out. Based on Alice Walker’s novel, the musical follows the life of Celie (Kenita R. Miller) an uneducated, and abused, girl-turned-woman, whose experiences earn her the love and admiration of many, including, eventually, her former husband, Mister (Rufus Bonds, Jr.).

With powerful vocals belying her petite size, Miller turns in the strongest performance; threading her way through the production much as her character threads her way through the lives of all who know her. As the lives intertwine throughout time, Celie remains the constant, offering wisdom as needed, a firm hand as required.

Stand-in La Trisa A. Harper, as lanky sister Nettie, complemented Miller’s performance, as the two played off each other’s differences in vocal style and physical size. With such a short amount of time to encompass many decades of living, it’s understandable if you feel something is
skipped over.

The best advice I can give is to read the book or, at least, watch the film before checking out the musical to help meld the gaps.

Also ending the year was the annual holiday tour from Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Conseco Fieldhouse. With new video screens, an updated light/laser show and a rising stage, fans were not disappointed.

Once again performing with the full intent of making sure no one is sleeping, TSO brought the traditional artificial snow, nontraditional holiday tunes and a little extra this go round, playing selections from the newest album Night Castle.

With the October ’09 release, TSO steps away from its well-known Christmas line and gives a new choice for rock opera fans. Also included with the CD is a storybook with excellent illustrations, somewhat like a dream sequence captured by the artist.

Founded in 1996, the group has toured every winter since 1999, announcing at this year’s concert that there will be a spring tour to promote the new music from the 26-track CD. This is great news for those who get a case of withdrawals, waiting for the group’s signature sound, from one Christmas season to the next.

If you have a unique restaurant, event or performance you would like reviewed, contact me at elizabeth@gottago.us. Me, I’ll be right here, thinking about Wizards in Winter. Catch Elizabeth on facebook or Twitter.

--This post was originally published under "Gotta Go" in the West Side Community News in Indianapolis, and the West Indianapolis Community News.

New Year's Gotta Go List 2010

Well, it is that time of the year again, and when someone finds out where this year has gone, please let me know. I am sure you will remember my dislikes for the un-fun resolutions; stop this, stop that…ugh. Who invented that idea anyway? Let’s continue with my style of resolutions, if you please. I do prefer them.

As a reminder, and for those who were not around for my list last year…instead of making boring, depressing, unpleasant resolutions which we hate and will forget about in a week or
two, we will make fun resolutions which we will look forward to keeping. We will wake up every day wanting to reach our new goals. Sounds better than giving up chocolate or coffee, doesn’t it? If our lives are full of fun and excitement, we won’t crave the bad stuff to fill the void, anyway.

That’s my theory and I’m living it and loving it.

By some weird fate, I realized when I was checking out which items I had accomplished over the past 12 months that I had reached nine of 10 goals. ... off the list I made for you. Not nearly so many off my own list.

So this year, I am combining our lists, since I seem to prefer yours anyway, and keeping some from last year. Ready?

Okay, here is our list of 12 things to do in 2010 (drum roll, please):

1. Take up a hobby we enjoyed when younger, but have stopped for whatever reason.

2. Try a new sport. This can include racing, individual or team sports.

3. Hike through the woods. With so many parks, this will be easy to do.

4. Try an alternate mode of transportation just for fun, maybe take a scenic train ride, snow-mobiling for a day or even a carriage ride around town.

5. Visit a state never before visited. This one will be on the list every year until I visit all 50.

6. Tour a lighthouse. A real one, and take photos of it for proof.

7. Get a passport. This is another I didn’t get to in ’09, but so important it returns.

8. Become acquainted with a different type of music. Rap doesn’t count.

9. Read to a child or an invalid. Everyone likes to be read to, especially when sick or young.

10. Visit a museum. A train, fine art, potato or blue grass museum; any kind works.

11. Grow an herb garden. Nothing fancy, just one or two plants for personal recipes. Chia pets do count.

12. Go on a picnic. Even if it is in your own backyard. Toss down a blanket and go for it.

There is one more that will appear only on my list.

13. Be in the delivery room when my very first grandchild is born in March.

What an exciting year lies before us; new dreams and possibilities, new mistakes to learn from and new memories to be made. Life doesn’t get any better than that, I promise.

If you would like to drop me a note about our fun resolutions, you can e-mail elizabeth@gottago.us. Me, I will be right here, learning to knit baby booties.

--This post was originally published under "Gotta Go" in the West Side Community News in Indianapolis, and the West Indianapolis Community News.

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes

Like a runaway, speeding train hurling itself through the night, Sherlock Holmes takes you on a ride which keeps you riveted to the big screen, hanging on for dear life.

Teaming Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes, the intellectual sleuth, Jude Law as his loyal sidekick, Dr. Watson, and Rachel McAdams as Adler, is a winning combination. Rapid-paced, dry humor runs throughout the film, which is set in London’s dark, latter 19th century.

The pursuit of world power leads Lord Blackwood, portrayed coldly by Mark Strong, into the practice of the dark arts. Pursuit of the occult leader leads Holmes, Watson and Adler into the sewers of London.

Loosely based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic book series, Guy Ritchie directed with the clear intention of creating a franchise, including numerous sequels. Downey and Law play off each other brilliantly, creating a co-dependant relationship and showing their weak links and strengths, which keep them together. Sharp-witted and beautifully flawed, the men need each other, manipulating the situation to grow and strengthen themselves and each other.

A solid cast, including the minor roles, and a screenplay written in a fast-paced, modern style, create a movie worthy of seeing a second time. Standing alongside the computer-generated movies out currently, the throwback to an earlier time is refreshing for moviegoers craving fewer futuristic special effects and a stronger, well-written story line.

This razor-sharp view of a young Holmes and Watson gives insight to the detective’s ability to analyze without emotion, with cool logic, and then act upon it with confidence.


Apparently a divorce from pop singer Madonna works for Ritchie, whose latest endeavor seems organized and on target for its audience.

Bottom line: Downey, Law, McAdams – not since Newman, Redford and Ross in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) has there been a trio this perfect.

This post was originally published under "Gotta Go" in the West Side Community News in Indianapolis, and the West Indianapolis Community News. Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Ultimate gift Guide 2009

It’s that time of year again: snow, carols, crowds and serious decisions. Online or in-store shopping, blue or white bow with the gold wrapping paper, gift cards or actual presents, the spirit starts to wane.

Gifts which are unique will be remembered long after the tinsel is gone and the latest gotta-have-it is tossed to the side. The annual round-up of gifts discovered throughout this year, whether by design, referral or accident, is even tastier than last year. The quality, uniqueness and ease to buy are some of the factors which are looked at carefully before the items make it on this list.

Stocking stuffers can be the favorite gifts this year, if you get the perfect little something tucked between the popcorn balls and candy canes. Finding the trinket to please the recipient, without breaking the piggy bank can be easier than imagined, just by shopping in a non-traditional place. For example, rather than merging with the hundreds of others in the mall, stop in at a local winery for your vino-loving friends and family.

“For stockings and inexpensive small gifts,” described Meredith Easley, Easley Winery, Indianapolis, “you can’t go wrong with wine charms, a charm tree for display or wine bottle stoppers.” Other gift ideas for the wine lover are vacuum sealers, customized wine labels and the deluxe wine-making kit, complete with one free wine class.

For the wine drinker who thinks he has everything, try scooping up some tasty treats from the West Coast. Sacramento Cookie Factory has thin wafer cookies to accent red and white wines. Mocha-Chocolate, Raspberry-Almond and Lemon-Vanilla rearrange taste buds for a distinctive approach to wine. These saucer-size wafers also can be used to create unique desserts.

The chocoholic isn’t forgotten if you remember to order some of Trunnel’s Farm Market’s home-made fudge. Located just outside of Owensboro, the KY Bourbon Chocolate flavor ranks No. 1 on this year’s fudge choice.

Have a sweet lover in the family, who isn’t crazy about chocolate? Try out the hand-made gourmet marshmallows in more than 45 flavors, including Chai Spice and Lemonade, from local Indiana Artisan company 240 Sweet. These fluffy creations are delicious by themselves, making hot chocolate optional.

If traditional shopping isn’t possible, but ordinary gift cards seem too impersonal, purchase a more customized card or membership, without leaving home. Available by telephone or online, gift cards are available for a family membership to the local children’s museum, zoo or even the neighborhood YMCA. Most theater and concert venues will accommodate holiday buying needs whether a single performance or a season subscription is in the budget.

With the economy tightening the Christmas-giving budget this year, creative approaches can be the successful key to a gift which will be remembered long after the egg nog and snow have disappeared.

Guide to Ultimate Gifts

240Sweet
240SWEET.com
California Wine Wafers
sacokfac@pacbell.net
Easley Winery
easleywinery.com
Trunnell’s Farm Market
kevintrunnell@bellsouth.net

This post was originally published under "Gotta Go" in the West Side Community News in Indianapolis, and the West Indianapolis Community News.