Broadway in Indianapolis: 2018-2019 Season

Far off lands, dancing in numerous locations and learning to live the life you want, are all included in the Broadway in Indianapolis: 2018-2019 Season.

Lions, Mormons, and waitresses find love, life and lasting friendships with strangers and loved ones. I am truly liking the diversity in this year's lineup. We have classics (The King and I), children-friendly (Lion King, Grinch), new to Indy (School of Rock, Waitress), and fan favorites (Mormon).

Broadway in Indianapolis: 2018-2019 Season

Disney’s THE LION KING

Old National Centre

September 12-29, 2018

Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, THE LION KING brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals.  THE LION KING also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.

DR SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL

Old National Centre

November 27-December 2

 Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is the record-setting Broadway holiday sensation which features the hit songs, “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the original animated special. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville and remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season.

SEASON OPTION

THE BOOK OF MORMON

Clowes Memorial Hall

December 18-23

This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Now with standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language.

SCHOOL OF ROCK

Clowes Memorial Hall

January 29-February 3, 2019

Based on the hit film, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. This high-octane smash features 14 new songs from Andrew LLoyd Webber, all the original songs from the movie and musical theater’s first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I

Clowes Memorial Hall

March 5-10, 2019

Two worlds collide in this musical, set in 1860’s Bangkok. The musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist king, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “Hello Young Lovers,” and “Shall We Dance."

WAITRESS

Old National Centre

April 23-28, 2019

 Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna - a waitress and expert pie maker, Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage.  A baking

contest in a nearby county and the town's new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

Season tickets for the 2018-19 Broadway in Indianapolis Season are on sale with three convenient ways to purchase season tickets:

1. Select your seats in person at the Broadway in Indianapolis Box Office in the Old National         Centre at 502 N New Jersey Street, Monday – Friday, 9:30am-5:00pm

2. Order online 7 days a week/24 hours a day at BroadwayinIndianapolis.com

3. Call the Broadway Across America toll-free Indianapolis Season Ticket Hotline at 800-793-7469. The Hotline hours are Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm.

Photos/Broadway in Indianapolis

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Broadway Across America Indianapolis announces 2012-13 Season

BROADWAY IN INDIANAPOLIS

2012-'13 SEASON

To apply for the Tuesday, November 13 ticket give away, post your name and email address in comments section below. I will draw randomly from names at 9 p.m. Monday, November 12.

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

November 13-18, 2012

Old National Centre

Billy Elliot: The Musical is the joyous celebration of one boy's journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community. A big musical with an even bigger heart, Billy Elliot will enchant the dreamer in all of us. 

JERSEY BOYS

January 9-20, 2013

Old National Centre

JERSEY BOYS, is the Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi.
For a review of Jersey Boys Indianapolis performance, 2010, click here.
This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were 30! JERSEY BOYS features their hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," "Oh What a Night" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You."

SISTER ACT

February 26-March 3, 2013

Old National Centre

Featuring original music by 8-time Oscar® winner ALAN MENKEN (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), SISTER ACT tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look: A convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT

April 2-7, 2013

Clowes Hall

Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Their quest for true meaning in a post 9/11 world leads them on the most exhilarating theatrical journey of the season.

Featuring the hits "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "21 Guns," "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "Holiday" and the blockbuster title track, AMERICAN IDIOT.

WEST SIDE STORY

June 4-9, 2013

Clowes Hall

More than 50 years ago one musical changed theater forever. Now it's back, and mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album of WEST SIDE STORY won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. Bernstein and Sondheim's score features such classics as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere."

Season tickets

There are 3 ways to purchase season tickets:

1. Broadway in Indianapolis Box Office in the Marott Center at 342 Massachusetts Avenue, Monday - Friday, 9 am-5 pm
2. Online 7 days a week/24 hours a day at BroadwayInIndianapolis.com
3.Ticket Hotline at 800-793-7469 Monday - Friday, 10 am - 5 pm

Five-show season ticket package range between $120 and $471 depending on seat location.

Group Sales and Single Tickets
Group sales-Chris Schneider, at 317-632-7469 x103
For more information, visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

Tickets for individual shows are not available at this time and typically go on sale to the general public 4-6 weeks prior to the opening of the show.

Photo credits: Broadway in Indianapolis

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, LinkedIn and Facebook. Gotta Go is published on BroadwayWorld.com, AroundIndy.com. in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Broadway Across America: Broadway in Indianapolis Announces 2011-12 Season

BROADWAY IN INDIANAPOLIS

ANNOUNCES 2011-2012 SEASON

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - October 11-16, 2011
Clowes Memorial Hall

The most beautiful love story ever told comes to life!

The romantic Broadway musical for all generations, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Indianapolis ! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Clowes Memorial Hall!

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET - December 13-18, 2011
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is the smash hit Broadway musical, inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.

On December 4, 1956, these four young musicians were gathered together by Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ’n’ Roll” at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - March 6-11, 2012
Murat Theatre at Old National Center

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, the Tony Award® winning musical that has captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal, embarks on its North American Tour.

Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has been lauded by critics again and again, and won the hearts of people all around the world. Filled with a rousing, heartwarming score, which includes “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were A Rich Man” and “ Sunrise , Sunset,” FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is a timeless classic.

No other musical has so magically woven music, dance, poignancy and laughter into such an electrifying and unforgettable experience. Relive a glorious tradition of the musical theatre with FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.

LES MISERABLES - April 10-15, 2012
Clowes Memorial Hall

Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25^th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.  This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes.

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, LES MISÉRABLES is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit.  The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “Master Of The House” and many more.

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.

Broadway Across America: Mary Poppins

Magical, mysterious and Practically Perfect in every way, Mary Poppins arrives to 17 Cherry Tree Lane

Caroline Sheen as Mary Poppins

by umbrella through October 3 at The Murat Theater, 502 N. New Jersey Street. Somehow managing to be vain and adorable simultaneously, this ever-popular nanny is portrayed practically perfectly by Caroline Sheen.

Sheen depicts the narcissistic nanny, with a tough-love approach to dysfunctional families, flawlessly. Whether teaching life-lessons, dispensing a Spoonful of Medicine, or joining a group of chimney sweeps as they Step in Time, the Banks brood receives an ample dose of love from the prim and proper governess.

Charming, chimney-soot-smudged Bert is played by Nicolas Dromard. Dromard gains the spectators’ affection from the start and has them waiting for one more sideways glance or irresistible dimpled-smile. He keeps the audience with him throughout the journey and knows, instinctively, that they will follow him even to the rooftops.

Nicolas Dromard performs Step in Time in Mary Poppins

Laird Mackintosh provides a stern-due-to-his-upbringing father in George Banks, unable to see his own inflexibility, cold attitude and need to be one of the “best people,” are creating numerous problems for his family. The financial expert eventually finds his compassionate side through the help of the all-knowing Poppins.

Katie Whitehouse, Fishers, attends Mary Poppins.

The pop-up storybook house magically opens and welcomes you into its movable rooms and levels, including nursery, living room, kitchen and rooftop. A park changes from gray and dreary to energetic and vibrant awash with hues of violet, orange and turquoise with a stroke of Bert’s brush and a bit of Poppins’ magic. Statues spring to life and a parade of kites fill the perfect blue sky as the Banks children learn to care for something besides their own wants.

Unfortunately, this column is not long enough to mention every single member of the cast as they so richly deserve. The bigger-than-life characters are so real it’s difficult to remember they are being portrayed by actors. When the theater fades away, when reality ceases, when fantasy and tale become real, you know you are watching a magical moment.

Bottom Line: A story dear to the hearts of one generation has officially been handed down to a whole new generation of children, bewitched by Broadway Across America’s Mary Poppins.

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.
Photo Credits:
BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com
Mark A. Lee, greatexposures.net
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.

Indianapolis CIty Ballet: An Evening With the Stars 2010

An Evening with the Stars 2010

Indianapolis City Ballet’s An Evening with the Stars danced its way onto the stage at The Murat Theatre this weekend. Principal dancers from around the globe, China, Japan, Australia, Russia, Mexico, Brazil and the United States were brought together for one night, to share their talent and passion of ballet.

Miguel Quinone-Caught

Contemporary to traditional and signature pieces were showcased, including a return of last year’s most popular dancer, Miguel Quinones. Quinones’ Caught once again received a well-deserved standing ovation. The David Parsons-choreographed piece delighted the audience with its special lighting giving the appearance of the dancer flying without wires.

Other dancers receiving a large portion of the accolades were Daniil Simkin in Les Bourgois, music by Jacques Brel, in Act II, and Ivan Vasiliev. Compared to famous ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, Vasiliev performed two numbers, Flames of Paris and Don Quixote Pas de Deux, both with Natalia Osipova.

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 and questions 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.

Broadway Across America: Jersey Boys

If you are fortunate enough to review theater long enough you will come across performances which sail above the majority. I have been that fortunate, on a few occasions, to witness the short list of shows setting a standard to which others strive to match.

Broadway Across America's Jersey Boys is one of those shining stars. Four boys from the wrong side of Newark (is there a right side?) Walk Like a Man onstage at The Murat Theatre, 502 N. New Jersey St., through July 3. The Tony and Grammy award-winning show hits every note and every emotion at full throttle and with an Italian sledge-hammer intensity.
In the gritty New Jersey jungle where you, "Join the Army, get mobbed up or become a star," four street thugs scratch, bribe and threaten their way up the ladder of pop idol stardom. Golden egg and falsetto-voiced teenager Francis Castelluccio-Frankie Valli (Joseph Leo Bwarie) becomes lead singer for the ever-turbulent band which eventually settles on the name The Four Seasons. Other members of the group include bad boy Tommy DeVito (Matt Bailey), neurotic, brooding Nick Massi (Steve Gouveia) and songwriting child prodigy Bob Gaudio.
With a street-tough stage and an in-your-face approach, the audience is delivered a documentary musical ripe with behind-the-scenes juicy details including, prostitutes, failed marriages, fights, jail time, blood, booze, certain Italian affiliations and loan sharks...kind of like a mob movie, complete with Joe Pesci, set to amazing music.
Shed your rose-coloured, dreamy pop icon glasses at the door, folks, 'cuz this ain't no group of Catholic choir boys. These almost-wise guys have each others' backs, secrets and loyalty. Their rise to fame was no walk in the park.
Each of the four members takes a metaphoric season giving a blow-by-blow account interjected with several of the 29 No. 1 hits. Belting out the songs (Sherry, My Eyes Adored You, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like a Man) in rapid-fire, concert-style succession, gives definition to the lyrics' origins, including Oh What a Night, about Gaudio's loss of virginity.

Swearing like, well, guys from Jersey, the finger-snapping, dapper-dressed, well-choreographed group lays it all out there...judge them and take a chance on their wrath, because they are not ashamed. Like them or not, they are who they are...American born and American proud. Rising to fame and fortune was not easy and they earned every penny.
Selling 175 million albums, the Hall of Fame inductees parted ways when financial disaster, through De Vito's gambling mishaps, was brought to light...by the loan sharks. After pledging to the mob that he would pay back every penny owed by his Jersey buddy, Valli, along with Gaudio, continued on with touring. Massi departed from the group at that time, citing a need to be home with his family.
The show's final 'season' was narrated by Valli's account of going solo. Always the idealists, Gaudio and Valli continue their handshake partnership, dividing all monies gained through solo ventures, remaining best friends to this day.
Whether over, or under, the appropriate age to remember this group's rise to fame, chances are you know the music, lyrics and songs. Although not as great as the real thing, this version of Valli and the Four Seasons is as close as you could hope to find.
As a writer, you may find it strange when I say there are not enough words in Mr. Webster's dictionary to explain the phenomenon going on at The Murat Theatre, so I will put it succinctly.

Bottom Line: DO. NOT. MISS. Jersey Boys...for any reason. Lie, cheat, steal...whatever it takes...Jersey Boys is the one you do not want to miss for the 2009-10 season.
For tickets and information, visit http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/shows/jerseyBoys.html

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 appears in its entirety, or in an edited version, in the following newspapers:
South Sider Voice, West Side Community News, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times-Reporter, Fortville-McCordsville Reporter, New Palenstine Reporter