You-review-it Monday: 'Pure Prine,' 'Iron Man' and more

Variety spices area stages and screens.

May 10, 2010
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Okay, so maybe I'm the only person who will ever see a double feature of the documentary "Babies" and the action sequel "Iron Man 2," but that's sort of how Thursday went when I attended the former for an IBJ Night at the Movies pre-opening screening at Keystone Art Cinema followed by a midnight screening of "Iron Man 2" at Regal Galaxy.

We gave away tickets to both here on the blog and through the IBJ's free Thursday A&E e-mail blast. Watch for more thoughts on both on an upcoming blog.

I also will be writing about "Pure Prine," the outstanding new show at the Phoenix Theatre that's running for just one more weekend. I expected something akin to the "Hoosier Dylan"-style tributes that have been staged recently. This show is very different and equally satisfying, with a strong cast of actor/musicians including Tim Grimm, Michael Shelton, and Bobbie Lancaster. Plus, wall-to-tavern-wall great John Prine songs. First class work all around.

I also caught Indianapolis Monthly Senior Editor Amy Wimmer Schwarb's short play "Dash Thirty Dash," presented as part of Diva Fest at the Indy Fringe Building. All three performances of that play were sold out, which is a good sign for future installments of Diva Fest, which is designed to help counter the fact that nationally only 17% of produced plays are by women playwrights. A quick check also revealed that only five plays by women have been nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play in the last decade. Clearly, the field isn't quite level yet. And perhaps the reasons should be discussed in an upcoming blog...

One of the few steadily produced women playwrights in America is Rebecca Gilman and, inspired by Diva Fest, I took a look at the film adaptation (now in rotation on cable) of her most popular play, "Spinning Into Butter," starring Sarah Jessica Parker as a college dean caught up in racial politics. Unfortunately, it should have been left on the stage.

Your thoughts? What did you see, hear or do this weekend?

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  • City Island
    Enjoyed an afternoon in the dark to celebrate Mother's Day with my son while my daughter worked. City Island. Quirky. Funny. Some really strong performances and really amusing scenes. Definitely worth seeing...
  • Patsy Cline Tribute at Beef & Boards
    Outstanding show mixed with great songs (Christine Mild, who plays Patsy Cline) and great humor (Erin Parker, who plays Cline's friend and fan, Louise Seger).
    Based on a true story. Incredible music!

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  1. Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.

  2. Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.

  3. I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.

  4. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

  5. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

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