IRT's Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet opened this weekend at IRT, 140 W. Washington Street, as part of the theater’s Shakespeare for a New Generation program.
While generally considered drier than sawdust and too difficult to understand for many, this modern version jazzes up the Bard’s famous love tryst.
Post WWII era finds the Montagues as Caucasian and the Caputlets as an African-American family in a racially charged atmosphere; as tough a hatred as the Jets and Sharks in West Side Story, the well-known musical also based on R&J.
The cityscape set was complete with lights strung about the building-top patios. Costumes consisted of exceptional replicas of the styles in the years after the war.
Shakespeare-veteran Karen Aldridge as Nurse to Claire Aubin Fort’s Juliet rang strong and true as a woman who has been more of a major role in the raising of the young girl than the mother, Lady Capulet, portrayed by Cynthia Kaye McWilliams. Seasoned Aldridge brings an authenticity to the role which was absolutely heart-wrenching during the interaction between her and Juliet’s believed-dead body. The dialogue and emotional bond between Fort and Aldridge throughout the play was the most powerful interpersonal connection.
Fort’s delightful romp as Juliet was made all the more impressive when contrasted by her reversal into a heartbroken and desperate teen in the angst of a forbidden love. The emotional rollercoaster effect was dead-on (no pun intended) for teens unable to effectively fight against injustices brought upon them by the more powerful authorities of their parents, peers and society.
Keeping the dialogue true to the original works should temper any dismay felt by true die-hard Shakespearean fans who dislike the modernization of R&J. However, if you enjoy different interpretations of the centuries-old story, do not let the language throw you off. The high quality acting helps interpret any meaning you might otherwise miss.
Bottom Line: This style of blending the old language with the modern setting is an excellent way to introduce Shakespeare to the uninitiated or personally discover a new take on an old theme.
If you have an event or performance you would like reviewed, send an e-mail to elizabeth@gottago.us. Me, I will be right here; parting is such sweet sorrow.
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This post was originally published under "Gotta Go" in the West Side Community News in Indianapolis, and the West Indianapolis Community News.

Housewives of Mannheim

Never to shy away from uncomfortable issues, The Phoenix Theatre, 749 N. Park Avenue, Indianapolis, steps back into history for this adults-only scenario, dealing with anti-Semitism, gender-related issues and prejudices.

The Housewives of Mannheim, written by award winning Alan Brody, is based on a mock Johannes Vermeer painting of the same name. Depicting four women of the mid-1600s, it is actually a compilation of four of Vermeer’s true art pieces, A Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window, The Milkmaid, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher and Mistress and Maid. The reflection of the painting can be seen on the white bed sheet used in the opening and ending sequences.

Set in the kitchen of a 1944 Brooklyn middle-class apartment, THOM’s cast consists of three housewives and a widow. May, the sunny I-do-everything-right housewife with a school-age son; Billie, the unhappily married, independent woman with a school-age son; Alice, the neighborhood nosy body with a holier-than-thou attitude and Sophie, the Jewish pianist who escaped from Europe to become a widow in America.

With the authentic set and the proper music playing in the background, the play sets about dealing with real life issues, as poignant and real today as they were in the 1940’s and even in the 1600’s as May finds out. It is a coming-into-awareness theme for the four women as they figure out their roles in the modern world, with and without husbands.

When May (Lauren Briggeman) opens up to decade-long friend Billie (Allison Moody) and to new neighbor Sophie (Martha Jacobs) that she feels different and not quite like her old self, they each react in a different way to the news.
Whereas Sophie begins to open up to the idea of friendship and trust again, willing to teach May about another world, Billie is resistant to May’s desire to become educated to a world outside of theirs.

Alice (Wendy Peace) comes in and out of the scenes to represent the neighborhood chorus of dislike for anyone deemed “different or foreign.” She is similar to the mothers who do not let their children play with the child unlike the others, to simply follow the crowd and never question the rules. Throughout time remaining clueless as to the beauty of something other than what she was brainwashed to believe.

Billie and May feud after an evening out and May becomes scared of her own new lifestyle choices. Lashing out and blaming Sophie and Billie, she tries to slip back into the mold of perfect housewife.

Unwilling to allow her to pretend, Sophie and Billie corner May and convince her that if she does not follow her heart, she is worse than those who are ignorant to the truth. May finds her inner strength and grows into a stronger woman with the help of her old and new friends.

Briggeman, Moody, Jacobs and Peace are each a strong actor and merge for a cast of well-defined characters who do not flinch during the pivoting points of the performance.

Although the storyline is tragically old; hatred, cruelty, betrayal and intolerance, it is well-written and brings out points which, unfortunately, are as relevant today as in prior generations, around the globe.

If you have a performance or event you would like reviewed, email elizabeth@gottago.us or elizabethjmusgrave@yahoo.com.

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.

Theater Review: Beef and Boards: Christmas 2009

Certainly a holiday show is enjoyable. A tradition looked forward to annually.

However, every once in awhile, the lull of the known is rocked by the unknown and changed forever. You are left with a feeling of disquiet, as if you had been cheated all of this time by not knowing what else was out there.

Such was the moment when opera performer, Chris Dickerson (La Boheme’, Carmen, Il Travatore) took the stage at Beef and Boards, 9301 N. Michigan Road, for the Christmas 2009 show.

The first act’s proffering was as traditional as turkey, stuffing and songs of little towns in Bethlehem. Then, somewhere in the second half of the performance, a changing of the guard took place. An upswing...

A deeply-timbered revolution.

At the helm of this holiday mutiny stood a man, approximately six foot six inches of "I won’t be silenced." Dickerson, whether having an obviously enjoyable time with You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch, or joining in on Sleigh Ride, and Mistletoe and Holly, brought a presence which could not be overlooked or dampened by mere mortals.

Towering above the other members of the cast, Dickerson belted out his solo, Oh Holy Night, basking in the admiration of the audience, which showed its appreciation via howling, yes, I said howling, cheering, foot stamping, and, dare I say it, catcalls? The audience wanted more, much more.

The show could -- and should -- have ended there. The standing ovation due the man was quashed due to the starting too soon, anticlimactic Joy to the World which followed as the finale. There was simply no earthly reason to not allow Dickerson, and the audience, to finish the show basking in that magnificent glass-of-cognac-while-sitting-by-the-fireplace voice.

Resplendent in his self-confidence and adoration of the ‘his-now’ audience, I can recommend only one thing. See him perform while he is in town, because chances are dismally slim he will have room in an already busy schedule to return next year. Talent of this quality rises to the top and travels to much bigger cities rather quickly.

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.
Tickets and schedule: BeefandBoards.com

*Photos by Julie Curry Photography

Gotta Believe: Chickiepoo's

Anyone who has worked in a professional kitchen can tell you good help is hard to find. Four-year-old Isabelle James, better known as Isa, can guarantee it.

However, the world’s tiniest chef has lucked out. Her dad, Chef Lucien Gregor, has volunteered to help her out at Chickiepoo’s, 209 E. Main Street, in the Ohio River city of Madison.

Besides kitchen staff, Isa has an additional obstacle.

Cancer.














Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, also known as A.L.L., to be more specific.

When not in the kitchen with dad, or helping mom, Phoebe James and big sister, five-year-old G.G. (Gibson) in the 14- seat dining area, Isa is undergoing chemotherapy. She and her mother trek two hours north to Indianapolis’ Riley Hospital for Children to receive medical treatment every Monday and Tuesday.

I’d like to tell you this is a sweet bedtime story with a happy ending, but the future is unknown for Isa.

Although there is approximately an 85 percent chance she may live five years after she was diagnosed in January of 2009, statistics after the five-year mark drop dramatically.

With the knowledge the tiny chef could be gone at any time, Eat Here Now! is the restaurant’s motto. Sooner, rather than later, because right here, right now is the only moment you can count on and living fully in each moment is exactly how they live. To be fully connected to every single moment, not distracted by iPods, laptops, televisions or cell phones, and to simply focus on each other is what Chickiepoo’s is all about.

No carryout orders are taken. No reservations are accepted. Cash only.

Eat here now.

Not later. Not without realizing what you are eating, or with whom you are enjoying the
meal.

Now.

In this moment.

Even more than a restaurant, Chickiepoo’s is a dream…and a reality.

When Chef Lucien realized Isa’s dream was to become a chef just like him, his own dream of becoming a corporate chef became unimportant. His new dream was to make sure Isa’s dream became a reality while he still could.

Walking away from a dream career of working for a four star restaurant, James’ new ambition became his family. With a lucrative position in a resort kitchen, he would have had a grueling 80-90 hour week away from his children and wife. He understood that was not enough.

Not enough time. Not enough family.

“I became selfish,” the soft-spoken owner told me. “I wanted every moment with my family I could possibly get.”

With next to nothing in its bank account, the James family devised a sketchy plan on how to remain together for as long as time allowed. By opening their own restaurant, they could keep the girls nearby as much as possible and make Isa’s dream a reality before it was too late.

The girls are able to be with both of their parents on a daily basis, when Isa is not in the hospital.
The success of the bistro is vital to maintaining the flexibility needed for Isa’s treatments, including home-given medicines. Realizing that life is never easy, they try for some sort of normalcy with the children without regret or self-pity.

“If Chickiepoo’s is gone, because people chose to not eat here, they missed that moment,”
said Phoebe. “Just like our Isa. She is here now, but she could be gone in the next moment, so we live in the present. The restaurant parallels our lives.”

The boutique eatery receives the same attention to detail that Isa gives to her drawings, which decorate the walls. She personally tests foods from the kitchen, including her favorite dish, pasta, whether it is spaghetti or noodles.

Chickiepoo’s buys and uses the best quality and freshest produce, dairy and meat from local farmers and townspeople. The menu is derived daily, dependent on what products the 31-pound, fragile cook is able to obtain from her sources.

However, if you like a particular dish and it is on the menu board today, order it quick, because it won’t be available tomorrow, or possibly even the next moment.

Starting the eatery on a shoestring budget, the family is rich in one thing…the ability to believe.

Even with 10 long pages of medicines and their side effects for little Isa, including almost certain sterility and the possibility of new types of cancer from the very treatments given to save her young life, the family still believes in the positives.

"When nothing worse could possibly happen, then you stay positive, because anything that isn’t bad is a positive,” explained Phoebe James. “If she isn’t dead, then that is the positive. If she’s alive and feeling ill, it’s still a positive, because it gives us another day, another moment. There is only positive.”

And yes, you guessed it, the bistro is named for Isa, whose nickname is Chickiepoo.

If you know of a heartwarming story you would like me to discover and share, send an e-mail to elizabeth@gottago.us. Me, I will be right here, remembering all the reasons we’ve gotta believe...

Chickiepoo’s
209 W. Main Street
Madison, Indiana

~ Hours of Operation ~
Thursday, Friday
and Saturday
Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner
Sunday
Lunch and Dinner
chickiepoo.wordpress.com
chickiepoos@gmail.com

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

*Photos by EJMusgrave

IRT: A Christmas Carol

This time of year welcomes many venues to produce holiday shows. I was fortunate this weekend to catch a new-to-me one and one of my annual musts.

The Phoenix Theatre, 749 N. Park Avenue, is serving up its fourth helping of holiday cheer in A Very Phoenix Xmas. A two-act menagerie of skits, with behind-the-scenes snippets during stage changes, took a fun poke at the holidays without being offensive.

There were many regulars, creating a warm sense of camaraderie with the actors and audience. The sidesplitting interaction between Sara Rieman (Shipwrecked) and Michael Shelton (The Pillowman) in the opening segment, Happy Hannu-Clog, is worth the ticket price alone.
A man with a shoe obsession, no relation to me, and his wife who attempts to explain how unnatural it is for a guy to go gaga over boots is an unadulterated delight.

Another standout piece finds Shelton and Rieman pairing up once more in The Forty-three Second Kiss, giving a glimpse into what happens after the office Christmas party.
Shelton and Amanda Lynn Meyer team up nicely in Death of a Snowman, a poignant moment
between a girl who has lost her mother and her snowman, who explains the circle of life in the coolest way possible.

To balance out the new, I went to, where else but, IRT for my annual dose of A Christmas Carol. Never tiring of the tale of why one should be kind and caring, IRT’s scaled-down, non-glamorous take continues to rank No. 1 in my book.

Turning in a solid performance is Mark Goetzinger as Marley’s Ghost, a role which, with Goetzinger, would definitely enhance the show with extended stage time and interaction with Scrooge.

David Alan Anderson’s portrayal as the Ghost of Christmas Present felt restrained, and I am unsure why the reins were held tight on this actor. The potential could well have been met if Anderson had been allowed to fulfill the enthusiasm of the character’s love of life’s joys and happiness.

The ritual of Christmas would be incomplete without Charles (Chuck) Goad at the helm of the cast as Ebenezer Scrooge. I asked the performer exactly what it meant to him to transform himself into Scrooge and, in turn, also become an annual tradition to holiday theatre-goers for the past 11 years. He replied that it is his dream role.

“It’s a great part because it has a unique emotional arc—the journey that Scrooge takes through misery and pain to love and joy is incredible,” he said. “I’m able to measure my progress as an actor in the part by continually looking for different and better ways than I’ve done it before. “In a way, doing A Christmas Carol is like being at the Fezziwig party. You can’t help but have fun. and fun is contagious.
Something happens in a theater under the right conditions that can’t happen anywhere else. A group of people come together and agree to empathize and to be moved by other human beings. That’s the tradition not just of A Christmas Carol or the IRT; it’s the tradition of theater. I’m honored to help pass that on.”

That philosophy explains why every year, instead of becoming stale and uninspiring, the performance seems to have aged…like a fine wine.

If you have an event or performance you would like reviewed, please contact me via e-mail at commnews@inmotion. net. Me, I will be right here, with my figgy pudding... whatever that is.

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