Beef and Boards Announces its 40th Season 2013 features Menopause, Old Lace and Smoke

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, located at 9301 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, celebrates its 40th season with three new shows to its stage and several popular favorites.

 Visit GottaGo.us throughout the season for theater reviews.

Arsenic & Old Lace

Dec. 28, 2012 – Feb. 3 

Kicking off the season is the classic Arsenic & Old Lace. This comedy follows the deadly deeds of two charming elderly spinsters who believe they are rescuing their lonely lodgers by poisoning them and burying their bodies in the cellar. Between their special secret and their brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt, their nephew is in for quite a surprise when he pays them a visit.

9 to 5

Feb. 7 – March 24
Next on stage is the debut of the high-energy hit 9 to 5: The Musical. With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, and based on the hit 1980 movie in which she starred, 9 to 5 is the story of three female coworkers who plot to get even with their sexist and egotistical boss – and take over the company while they’re at it.

Menopause, The Musical

March 27 - May 12

Set in a department store, Menopause, The Musical brings four women together who have little in common other than a black lace bra. The ladies make fun of woeful hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges in this production that includes parodies from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

The Sound of Music

May 16 – June 30 

The Sound of Music, follows the adventures of free-spirited postulant Maria as she is sent from the convent to become a governess for seven children of Captain von Trapp in Austria during World War II. With stories and song, she transforms the home and hearts of this rigid family. Adapted from “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers,” with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. 

Smoke on the Mountain

July 5 – Aug. 18 

Summer brings the return of the mega hit Smoke on the Mountain. One of the most popular shows in Beef & Boards’ 40-year history, this musical follows the Singing Sanders Family, who is invited to perform at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church by its new pastor, the Rev. Oglethorpe. Enjoy the “signing” sister June, and all your favorite characters as they perform energetic Bluegrass and Gospel tunes and share stories that will touch your heart and leave you laughing.

Father of the Bride

Aug. 22 – Sept. 29 

Ready or not, Stanley Banks is about to be the Father of the Bride. His daughter has announced her engagement and the preparations begin for a “small” wedding. But as the plans and the guest list grow rapidly, so does the debt – and the stress. Banks is surrounded by caterers, dressmakers, florists and furniture movers, and faces the unthinkable when his daughter calls the whole event off.

Les Misérables

Oct. 3 – Nov. 24

The musical phenomenon Les Misérables makes its Beef & Boards debut. Journey with Jean Valjean as he finds redemption against all odds in the corruption and chaos of revolutionary France. An eight-time Tony Award winner, Les Misérables is the struggle, the score and the story that has captivated millions around the globe. Based on the novel by Victor Hugo. 

A Beef & Boards Christmas

Nov. 29 – Dec. 23

The holiday season is time for the annual celebration A Beef & Boards Christmas. This variety show has been a tradition for more than 20 years, and makes the most of the season, with beautiful music, energetic dance numbers, colorful costumes and stirring voices.
Read review of A Beef & Boards Christmas 2011 here

Website: BeefandBoards.com

Tickets: Call the box office at 317.872.9664 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily (10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Mondays). Tickets for main stage shows range from $37.50 to $62.50, and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet, fruit & salad bar and unlimited coffee, tea and lemonade.

Images provided by Beef and Boards.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on Gottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in magazines and several Indianapolis area newspapers. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Restaurant Review: Sahm's Place Serves up Success on Tap with Third Thursdays

Sahm’s Place, Indianapolis, has decided it has been in the shadow of wine-pairing dinner for far too long. Creating a five-course dinner menu for the third Thursday of each month, the north side pub offers IPAs, ales and stouts paired with gourmet appetizers, entrees and desserts.
The reservation-only event has proven an immediate success with sold-out dinners for September and October, the first two months. November will focus on Thanksgiving foods and ideas for which liquid amber to choose for accompanying the holiday feast.

Invited to sit in on October’s pairing, Bier Brewery was featured prominently with a hoppy Rye IPA (SRM 9, IBU 70, ABV 7%) served with Buddhanut soup for the first course. The butternut squash soup’s roasted almonds and cinnamon oil held up against the spicy malt liquid.

Second course consisted of the diners’ favorite Imperial Brown Ale (SRM 10, IBU 20, ABV 8%) paired with The Apple King stuffed with blue cheese, Dominator Dopplebock, dried cranberries, walnuts and New Day Meadery Hard Cider. (read review of New Day here) The medium weight bier was layered with chocolate, coffee and caramel emphasizing the autumn flavors of the apple dish.

Good Pils (SRM 3, IBU 25, ABV 5.5%) a German pilsner joined forces with Gordito Camote for the third course. Filled with black bean avocado salad, chorizo, sweet potato and peppers, the tortilla grabbed hold of the spicy earthiness of the German noble Hops and held on throughout the layer of sweetness and balanced the hops’ bitterness.

Fourth course arrived in the form of the entrée prime pork loin with scalloped potatoes, brussel sprout gratin and a fennel reduction. The Scottish 80 (SRM 11, IBU 15, ABV 4.9%), a pale ale, was a gentle partner to the meat with a smokiness which drifted throughout each sip.

Dessert was Pumpkin Tri, a Sahm’s take on an autumn tradition: pumpkin bread pudding, true pumpkin pie and nutmeg whipped cream. The much-anticipated Pumpkin Ale (SRM 8, IBU 15, ABV 5.3%), was as delightful to the tongue as anyone could wish. The sweetness connected with the spices created a not-too-sweet autumn ale perfect for dessert or sipping solo.

Bottom Line: Sahm’s Place has moved into the food-beer pairing with absolute smoothness with its enjoyable and educational style, making it a perfect evening out.

Need to Know:
Sahm’s Place: 317-202-1577; 2411 E. 65th St., Indianapolis
When: Third Thursday monthly
Cost: $30
Reservations: Required
Website: Sahms.com
Attire: Casual

Images: Izzy Evans

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on Gottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in magazines and several Indianapolis area newspapers. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.