Beef and Boards: A Beef and Boards Christmas 2010

Santa, Anna and Sydney Miller

Change, not always welcome, can be a good thing. Case in point: Beef and Boards' A Beef and Boards Christmas. As if waking from a slumber, the north side dinner theater revamped, re-choreographed and re-energized its show, serving this holiday dish as a variety show-style production (think Dean Martin, Bob Hope, et al.) complete with a guffaw-a-minute emcee (Eddie Curry) and a flying reindeer. Not to worry, there's only one airborne creature.

Bair, Mild, Vessels and Dickerson

Principal singers include destination actor John Vessels (Smoke on the Mountain), Christine Mild (Always...Patsy Cline), Christopher Dickerson (BBC '09) and newcomer Traci Bair. Popular dance duo Kenny Shepard and Deb Wims return to waltz and tap their way across the stage.

Deb Wims and Kenny Shepard

Most noticeable this year is the lightheartedness of the performers. Curry (Church Basement Ladies) keeps the show racing along with the corniest of jokes told in the most endearing way.

Shepard and Wims absolutely flourish this year, singing and dancing as if they have not a care in the world and drank a gallon of energizing Noni juice for breakfast. A joy to watch, this is truly the best exhibition by the couple witnessed by this critic.

Christine Mild

The exchange of Santa is a great asset as Mark Fishback provides the innocence necessary for the jolly old elf. He further endears himself by interacting with the audience moving from table to table announcing who made the naughty or nice list.

Vivacious Mild once more proves her ability particularly during Santa Tonight with Fishback and her solo Christmas Is. 

Keeping with the variety show style, Terry Woods and the B&B Orchestra enhance the show by performing live on stage throughout the evening.

Although this is clearly the best overall Christmas show I have seen at B&B, there remain some missed opportunities.

Two to be exact: Vessels and Dickerson.

Christopher Dickerson

This critic is uncertain as to the reason behind the decision to bring, once more, from New York City, the man with the smooth-as-cognac voice and then use him only for quartets, a duo and a semi-solo with a chorus. As the bass-voiced opera singer who stopped last year’s show with his rendition of Oh Holy Night, surely it would only enhance the show to have an extra solo from Dickerson. Certainly the fact that he was granted the most applause, thunderous both last and this year, would indicate the audience’s desire for more.

John Vessels

Vessels’ powerful vocals and ability to draw laughter from the audience with every entrance should be enough to grant him more solo stage time, also. Perhaps the decision-makers could sit in my seat and view the audience's reaction when either of these two performs. Whether or not it is understood is not relevant, it just is. We get it and that is all that matters.

I realize it is a variety show and do not mean to imply others are unworthy of their stage time at all, merely to point out an increase of certain performers can enhance the production that much more.

Bottom Line: A Beef and Boards Christmas is a must-see for fans of old-fashioned variety shows, holiday tunes and dancing characters.

Website: beefandboards.com

Photos: juliecurryphotography.com

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 Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook. 

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: White Christmas

Haynes sisters Betty (Christnie Mild) and Judy (Erin West)

Do NOT bother going to see White Christmas, the Musical, playing at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis. Stay far, far away from this show...unless you feel a need to sit through two and one half hours of seriously old-fashioned, feel-good nostalgia, great singing and fantastic dance numbers, that is.

Based on the 1954 movie, starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen, this musical, once again, finds B&B breaking the seasonal rule, bringing the holiday a little early.

But, you can't argue with success. With a packed theater for WC's opening weekend, and the sold-out shows of Smoke on the Mountain: A Sanders Family Christmas two summers ago, owner Doug E. Stark (General Waverly) apparently knows the audience doesn't look at the calendar when deciding where to spend their money and evenings.

Timothy Ford and Curt Dale Clark

From the first note, Bob Wallace (Curt Dale Clark) and Phil Davis (Timothy Ford) draw you into the seasonal mood with their warmth and sincerity wrapping around you like a knitted afghan.

Clark portrays Wallace in a thoroughly likable manner, giving the romantically reluctant crooner the necessary laid-back touch. His strong voice blends well with the other singers, including in Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep, with Christine Mild as Betty Haynes.

Mild's Love You Didn't Do Right By Me

Mild, last seen portraying the title role in the B&B hit show, Always, Patsy Cline, claims the audience's attention best with Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me and Sisters, paired with Judy, portrayed charmingly by Erin West.
Standing out most to this critic were the aptly chosen performers for every role, including the supporting cast, most notably, Kenny Shepard, Deb Wims and the ever-animated John Vessels.

John Vessels

Dave Ruark

In case you've been suffering from John-Vessels-withdrawals, not to worry. Fans of Vessels' portrayal of the good Reverend Oglethorpe in the Smoke on the Mountain saga will be delighted to find him in this show, stealing scenes and
 depicting deadpan characters, including Ezekiel, the handyman and Snoring Man.

Keep your eye on Dave Ruark, portraying Sheldrake. I enjoyed Ruark in April at The Cabaret at The Columbia Club supporting the talent of Lauren Cregor. Ruark is one of those entertainers whose talents are only discovered one layer at a time. His creative abilities range from singing to being one of the original performers of ComedySportz. 

Special note: The second act's high-energy dance act places West and Ford all over the stage including on top of a baby grand.

Bottom Line: Beef and Boards' family friendly White Christmas brings a warm cup of holiday cheer to your heart.

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 Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and FaceBook.
Photo credit: www.juliecurryphotography.com
Comments can be sent to elizabeth@gottago.us. 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.