Theater Review: Beef and Boards: It's a Wonderful Life

Stockberger and Hopkins

"It's a Wonderful Life" opens Indianapolis' holiday season this week on stage at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre. The classic Christmas tale of learning to appreciate and having faith in yourself and others is a favorite with audiences.

The "Gotta Go" spotlight shines strongest on three individuals. Destination Actors, Eddie Curry as Clarence-Angel Second Class, Jeff Stockberger as Pa Bailey and Uncle Billy, and Sean Patrick Hopkins as George Bailey. Curry and Stockberger both have a strong presence on stage and many actors fade when onstage with either.

Hopkins makes his debut on B&B's stage with a performance that, rather noticeably, varies based on which other actor is onstage. His performance actually seems to match theirs. The stronger and more confident the other actor, the stronger and more confident his own performance becomes. An unusual personality quirk to be certain.

Hopkins and DiLellio

Hopkins' time with Betsy DiLellio as Mary Hatch Bailey, seemed to be spent holding back, perhaps not wanting to upstage anyone? Perhaps he felt he should blend in with the others. When George unleashes his feelings for Mary, the audience gets a more true sense of his ability.

Subsequently, when Stockberger's Uncle Billy, the absent-minded and often drunk relative, loses a large sum of money, Hopkins' performance comes alive. It is difficult to share the stage with someone who is larger than you, both with stage presence and true physical size, but it seemed to light the fire needed in Hopkins. The intensity with which he rallies as he loses patience with Billy's ineptitude (portrayed dead-on by Stockberger) is a marvel to watch as Billy cowers in fear and shame.

Curry and Hopkins

Hopkins' portrayal as George in deep despair, anger and desperation while interacting with the strength of Curry's enchanting portrayal of Clarence is the other highlight of the show. The two battling it out verbally while fighting George's internal demons bring out the confidence in the younger actor. The pair pulled the audience into the moment of heated debate while retaining the necessary disbelief of the situation by George.

Bottom Line: Curry, Stockberger and Hopkins create the energy in Beef and Boards' It's a Wonderful Life.

For tickets, schedule and performances, visit BeefandBoards.com
Photo credit: JulieCurryPhotography

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s 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.

Theater Review: Beef and Boards: Cinderella

Stockberger (L), Sutton (C) and King (R)

The venue was filled with princesses, of all ages, their tresses curled, tiaras perched and dressed in pink finery for the opening weekend of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis. The timeless fairytale is set to music and contains an injection of humor this go round.

From the first trumpet to the final curtsy, girls are caught up in the magic of fairy godmothers, princes and carriage rides to the royal ball. The well-known story of Cinderella, played sweetly by Lindsay Sutton, takes an unexpected twist of an ugly nature, however. Eddie Curry pulled magic out of his director's black bag by casting two males in the less-than-glamorous roles of the ugly stepsisters Portia, portrayed by destination actor Jeff Stockberger, and Joy, played by Doug King. Taking the big gamble that the audience could handle the over-sized siblings paid off big time for the Indy dinner theater.

Sutton as Cinderella

Parents and grandparents who dutifully arrived with young ones in tow, knowing the plot line like a well-worn record, were treated to a wake-up call when 6-foot, 5-inch Stockberger and 6-foot King adorned in corsets, makeup and wigs stumbled and fumbled their way onto the stage. Stockberger, who stood another 14 inches in height with his wig, and King created a zany, almost animated tone making this a show also for the adults. Little ones may have had fairy dust in their eyes throughout the program but the adults had tears in theirs from laughing so hard.

Hutcheson as Town Crier

Portraying the role of Town Crier is Will Hutcheson who was seemingly in the same mindset as King and Stockberger, drawing the next most amount of laughter and applause from the audience. It felt as if he wanted to go larger with the character but was uncertain how far to push the envelope, but certainly the desire and talent is there. If Hutcheson gained the confidence to follow his instincts a little more, he could (and should) push Town Crier over the top to match the ugly stepsisters' level of stage presence, creating a great balance.

Gift shop

The gift shop was ensconced in pink with castles, tiaras and other princess-worthy items available before the performance and during intermission. The show runs May 12 - July 1, 2011. Tickets are available at the link below or by calling the  box office at 317-872-9664.
Bottom Line: Through the combined talent of Stockberger and King, and under the direction of Curry, Beef and Boards' Cinderella gives a super-sized performance for adults to enjoy as much as kids.


Website: BeefandBoards.com
Photos: Julie Curry Photography
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and performing arts critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.
Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Beef and Boards: Annie Get Your Gun

Why would any theater put a show as old as Annie Get Your Gun on its schedule?
Everyone knows musicals won't draw a crowd. Classics aren't trendy. Dinner theater is out of style. Doug Stark, owner of Beef and Boards, 9301 N. Michigan Rd., has heard all the comments and gone his own way. Thank goodness. His loyal customers have followed him for more than 30 years and, judging by the crowd's reaction I witnessed, Stark has one more successful show on his hands.

The faster-than-a-speeding-bullet paced show is about two sharp shooters (an illiterate, unrefined woman and a smooth-talking ladies' man) who fall in love. Premiering on Broadway in 1946 and starring Ethel Merman, it includes the Academy Award-winning music and lyrics of Irving Berlin. The film version, starring Betty Hutton, hit the big screen in 1950.

Tiana Checchia (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Peter Pan) returns to portray Annie Oakley, the western girl who falls in love with Frank Butler portrayed by Curt Dale Clark (White Christmas, Treasure Island). The two principals are balanced in talent, stage presence and personalities, with the openly spunky nature of pint-sized Checchia complementing the charming and subtly feisty nature of Clark perfectly. You could not ask for a better pair to watch as they meet up, hook up, break up, and make up.

The majority of musical numbers are performed by the two main characters, Butler and Oakley, requiring seriously talented performers with excellent vocal abilities. Clark and Checchia are more than qualified, squaring off more than once in a singing match, exceeding all expectations of their respective roles. Checchia's, at first stubborn then forlorn, versions of You Can't Get a Man with a Gun, and Clark's heart-wrenching My Defenses are Down, open the audience to the true story romance. Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better) brought the tale of two stubborn lovers to a competitive sing off to the absolute delight of the audience.

This cast is solid and strong throughout the performance, showing zero weak links. Three young performers, Brielle Boynton, Molly Oates and Ellie Oates shoot no blanks as Oakley's younger siblings. Stage and film actor Jack Milo (That Thing You Do) slips into a ceremonial headdress for his role as Sitting Bull, Destination Actor Jeff Stockberger (Camelot, The Foreigner) steps into the large boots of Buffalo Bill, and J. R. Stewart (Run for Your Wife) dons the role of Butler's manager via a brightly colored plaid suit. Which brings us to another character. A silent, often ignored by critics, member of the cast.

The stage's set oftentimes makes or breaks the mood of a show and the Michael Layton-created Ringling Bros.' style set for this production brings forth the playful, colorful side of the traveling medicine/circus/Wild West shows of that era. Bright lights, bold paints and spinning wheels make for a dazzling stage providing the strong background required for the rough and tumble, shoot 'em up world of cowboys and Indians.

Bottom Line: Beef and Boards' Annie Get Your Gun hits a bulls-eye.

Website: Beef and Boards
Photo credit: Julie Curry Photography 
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and performing arts critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.

Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Beef and Boards: Jeff Stockberger and Doug King Get Ugly as Cinderella's Stepsisters

Jeff Stockberger

Doug King

Beef and Boards puts a new twist on an old classic when Doug King and Jeff Stockberger portray the Ugly Stepsisters for the upcoming production of Cinderella.

Stockberger (Run for Your Wife, Camelot) will join King (Showboat, Wizard of Oz) in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about finding the perfect match for Prince Charming.  Cinderella opens May 12 and continues through July 1.

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS – It’s the delightful story that has entertained families for generations and proved any girl can be a princess. This spring, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella as the Family Show of its 38^th Season. Offering special discounts for kids ages 3-15, this magical musical opens May 12 with performances running through July 1.

          Anything is possible in the wonderfully imaginative world of fairy tales. Pumpkins become carriages, the most beautiful ball gown appears with the wave of a wand, and it takes just one dance to fall in love. Cinderella discovers all this and more in the classic tale perfectly paired with the musical styling of the incomparable duo of Rodgers & Hammerstein.  

          Lindsay Sutton makes her debut at Beef & Boards in the title role. Aaron Young returns for his second production of Cinderella, but this time as her Prince Charming. Cinderella’s remarkably unladylike pair of stepsisters are played by Beef & Boards favorites Doug King and Jeff Stockberger. The musical is directed by Eddie Curry and choreographed by Ron Morgan.                                                                       

WHEN:          May 12 through July 1, 2011

                        Weekday/Saturday Evenings

                        Doors open at 6 p.m.; Buffet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Show at 8 p.m.

                        May: 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31

                        June: 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30

                        July: 1

                       

                        Weekday Matinees

                        Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; Buffet from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Show at 1 p.m.

                        May: 18, 25, 26

                        June: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 30

                        Sunday Matinees

                        Doors open at noon; Buffet from 12:15 to 1 p.m.; Show at 1:30 p.m.

                        May: 15, 22

                        June: 5, 12, 19, 26

                        Sunday Evenings

                        Doors open at 5 p.m.; Buffet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Show at 7 p.m.

                        May: 15, 22

                        June: 5, 12, 19, 26

 Cinderella Cast List

Lindsay Sutton        Cinderella

Aaron Young           Prince Charming

Mark Fishback        The King

Laura Lockwood     The Queen

Lynne Perkins         Stepmother

Jeff Stockberger      Portia

Doug King              Joy

Karen Pappas          Fairy Godmother

Peter Scharbrough  Captain of the Guard

Jarvis B. Manning Jr.   Chef

Danny Kingston      Steward

Adam Shaff            Court Tailor

Jenn Maurer            Lady

Sara Brophy           Lady

Erin Cohenour        Lady

Director:                 Eddie Curry

Musical Director:    Terry Woods

Choreographer:       Ron Morgan

Costumer                Jill Kelly                                      

WHERE:           Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

9301 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, 46268

TICKETS:         May be purchased by calling the Box Office at 317.872.9664 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.                        Tuesday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays. Tickets range from $36 to $59 with a special $10 discount on tickets for kids ages 3-15. Ticket price includes Chef Odell Ward’s family-friendly dinner buffet, fruit & salad bar and unlimited coffee, tea and lemonade. Discounts are also available for groups of 20 or more.

WEB SITE:       For more information or show schedule, visit www.beefandboards.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Beef and Boards: Camelot

Often a comedic actor is underestimated in his talent, so easy does he make his style appear to the audience and critics. And, yet, you will find that he is often a fantastic dramatic talent, as well. Jeff Stockberger has proven my theory in the Beef and Boards, Indianapolis, performance of Lerner and Loews' Camelot.

Jeff Stockberger and Krista Severeid in Camelot

Stockberger, one of my Destination Actors, steps, not once, but twice, into the Gotta Go spotlight this week. The first in a slow, sure-footed way as Merlyn, the mentor and magician, who guides young King Arthur, portrayed admirably by Douglas E. Stark, into his future as the idealistic ruler of Camelot.

Stockberger's second entrance into the spotlight is a little, sideways-sauntering gait, of sorts, as King Pellinore, the whimsical guest who arrives for a visit and never leaves. Do not enjoy Mr. Stockberger's zany side and cast out his less flashy, dramatic ability. Being able to switch costumes and characters, mid-show as he does, requires a skill we should not ignore.

The well-known tale of the Knights of the Round Table heats up when a love triangle ensues between Sir Lancelot, played forcefully by Tony Lawson, Queen Guenevere, played by Krista Severeid, and the king. Add in the side issue of illegitimate son Mordred, which brings me to the other performer in the Gotta Go spotlight this week.

Danny Kingston and Douglas E. Stark

Danny Kingston brings his own delightfully spiteful and vicious, twisted version to Mordred who hopes to eliminate, well, pretty much everyone who stands in his way of wearing the crown. He then incites jealousy, anger and yearnings within his fellow knights in a thoroughly wicked fashion. It's a joy to watch Kingston being so very good at being so very bad.

A special mention goes to set designer, Michael Layton. Creating a believable, theatrical set on a stage as small as B&B takes cunning and a deep desire for a challenge. Apparently Layton has both, as this set truly envelops the dreamy feel required for this musical, without losing the starkness of the reality which befalls the king.

Sir Thomas More is credited with creating the word, Utopia, meaning nowhere, when he wrote of a romantic mythical land of honour and chivalry. Only in fiction can a place exist where eternal happiness flows like a babbling brook, the government handles efficiently all matters necessary, and the military personnel frolics around a maypole with the ladies.

Stark offers a credible depiction of idealistic Arthur, who places his hope for the future of that unattainable perfect world into the hands of the next generation. In fact, I would say this is a role well suited to Stark, and my favorite thus far, showcasing his vocal abilities.

Bottom Line: The talents of Stockberger, Kingston and Stark shine in sharp contrast, making Beef and Boards' Camelot a dreamy delight.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and at gottago.us. Comments can be sent to elizabeth@gottago.us.

Photo Credit: juliecurryphotography.com
Website: beefandboards.com 

Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, West Side Community News, New Palestine Reporter, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

F.E.V.E.R....with the Fever

It isn't often I get invited to do something I haven't done before...

Oh, who am I kidding? I get invited to go boldly (translation: blindly) into new experiences all the time.

In fact, that's what I'm known for...getting myself into adventures about which I have no clue. Which is another way of spelling T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

In, yet one more Lucille-Ball-meets-Rachel-Ray moment, I agreed to pay a game of F.E.V.E.R. (we know it as H.O.R.S.E.) with one returning Fever player and two basketball players trying out for the WNBA Indiana Fever team.

I am only 5 feet 3 inches tall...

I decided to bring some help; some really tall help.

My thought process was to bring great athletes with me. This would give me a chance to, for once in my life, win at an athletic event.

The problem being that I don't know any athletes, professional or otherwise.

Plan B.

Bring in teammates who could pretend they know how to play basketball. At least for a few minutes until we get whipped by the powerful Fever women.

I made a call.

Patricia Rettig, media and public relations director of Beef and Boards, 9301 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, hooked me up with some bodyguards, er, um, I mean teammates.

Enter Stage Left:
Eddie Curry, casting director of Beef and Boards, and an actor, Jeff Stockberger, assistant director of Beef and Boards, and also an actor, and Elizabeth J. Musgrave, writer of the finer things in life...non-athletic.

Okay, actors, acting like they can play basketball, and a writer (me) writing about the event afterward (now) against three really tall, physically fit athletes.

Did I mention I am vertically and athletically challenged?

Enter Stage Right:
Three women, professional athletes, looking fierce. Allie Quigley, Christina Wirth and Shay Murphy. Although all three tried out for the team, Murphy is the athlete who made the team, proving to be an asset early on.

Now, I am not going to say the athletes were scared of us or anything, but I am sure they were worried. You believe that, right?

Well, I bowed out first, then Jeff Stockberger, and, well, you get the idea...it wasn't pretty. Curry lasted the longest with the pros. The winners were gracious and didn't laugh at us. Not too much, anyway.

Bottom Line: I do not feel bad that I was barely beaten by the WNBA Fever team. Not one bit...oh, okay, humiliated was more like it. However, considering they are playing Game 3 of the series in New York tonight, losing to that particular group of athletes makes us members of that large club: teams taken down by The Fever.

Not a bad distinction.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93.1 WIBC and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and at gottago.us. Comments can be sent to elizabeth@gottago.us.

Photo Credits: PLR

Links: feverbasketball.com, beefandboards.com

Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, West Side Community News, New Palestine Reporter, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Beef and Boards: High School Musical

Proving that theater isn't just for adults, Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre once again demonstrates its ability to find a way to introduce live arts to the below 21 age group.

Disney's High School Musical, seen everywhere from the television to the ice rinks, is now being performed as a live production. Basketball heroes, cheerleaders, shallow drama queens and science geeks converged on the north side of Indy.

A sweeter, less foul-mouthed storyline similar to The Breakfast Club, (1985) showcases the stereotype teens afraid of asserting their independence against authority figures. Without the hard, and more likely scenarios in the typical high school, these teens don't swear, smoke marijuana or ridicule janitors. They do, however, dance, sing and juggle basketballs in unison.

The message is strikingly familiar...be the person you want to be, regardless of what peers and adults want. With the jocks, the drama kids and the brainiacs, the show attempts to give a good idea of school cliques, both kids and adults.

Basketball hero Troy Bolton (Tim Barsten) and science and math whiz Gabriella Montez (Jessica Ann Murphy) dare to follow their hearts and cross the line by mustering up the courage to tell their friends they want to be in the school drama performance. Murphy's vocals, Start of Something New, were certainly the best of the evening. Bolton in the duet with Murphy, gained confidence as the show went along.

Eddie Curry, director, and Ron Morgan, choreographer, make excellent use of space allotted by a theater, instead of movie, stage. Divvying up the set into thirds executes the science lab, gymnasium and drama room convincingly.

Scenic and lighting designer, Michael Layton creates a dynamic solution to a difficult situation. Back-and-forth moving between the various areas of the school could have been bothersome to the audience and actors alike. However, his design smooths the seams nicely, with extra input from a local Brownsburg teen.

Tim Hills was born with an extra challenge allowing him the edge to solve complex stage settings. With Cerebral Palsy giving him the needed push to focus intently on using his only usable finger, Hills concentrates on one problem at a time. Sending a letter to Layton, the west-side youth explained in detail how best to set up the stage for maximum benefit. Layton met with Hills and solicited him as the show's scenic design associate.

Destination Actor Jeff Stockberger portrays the headstrong head coach and Troy's dad perfectly, mellowing out at the end and giving a little taste of his comedic timing. Bantering with Ms. Darbus the drama coach, played by Karen Pappas, allowed the two to demonstrate their comedic chemistry. Another show with just the two of them would not be out of order, if the amount of audience laughter indicative of success.

Other notables include, J. Tyler Whitmer as Ryan Evans and Shavanna A. Calder as Taylor McKessie.

Bottom Line: This made-for-kids popular show teaches a great and positive lesson in an entertaining way.

For tickets and details visit: www.beefandboards.com
Photo credit: www.juliecurryphotography.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, theater critic, and travel writer. You can now follow her on facebook and catch her as Indy's Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC's Saturday Morning News Show, giving a quick Gotta Go list of things to do in the Indy area, including restaurants, festivals, events, theater, and films.

**This column was published in the following newspapers: West Side Community News, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times-Reporter, Fortville-McCordsville Reporter, New Palestine Reporter