Lou Harry

This year, IBJ previewed every available Crystal Heart award-winning film competing at this year’s Heartland Film Festival (running Oct. 16-24). Here are our thoughts, with priority picks noted with stars. Look for more reviews of some of the not-in-competition festival films in upcoming IBJ A&E blogs (www.ibj.com/arts). For a full festival schedule, visit www.heartlandfilmfestival.org. “Amal,” dramatic feature A New Delhi rickshaw driver doesn’t realize he’s impressed a billionaire in a film where the richly detailed background is more interesting than…

There are art lovers who will never, ever be able to embrace the kind of work represented in the very representational “Quest for the West” show at the Eiteljorg (through Oct. 5). Featuring Native Americans crouching at riverside, stalwart cowboys trudging through snow-covered silence, bucolic mountains, steadfast wolves (or coyotes-sorry, I’m from New Jersey), and anguished bronzes, much of the work seems to exist independent of the artists. Yes, they seem to have been there to capture the images, but…

When it comes to the Phoenix Theatre, a first-class set usually indicates a first-class show. On its stages, I’ve witnessed everything from seemingly t h r ow n – t o g e t h e r raggedy to impeccably pro. But the strongest, most satisfying work I’ve seen there-including, now, “November” (running thorough Oct. 11)-has been presented dressed for success. Now, I’m not sure about the chicken-orthe-egg-ness of this. It could be that, when the powers that be have…

As with everywhere else, in dance audiences there are two kinds of people. There are those who read the program notes beforehand to discern the choreographer’s intent and/or to get an anchor firmly attached to interpretation before the show begins. And there are those who prefer to experience a work on stage without any prior introduction. I’m one of the latter-although I do go back to the notes afterwards to see if the intention was communicated. In the case of…

When so much attention is focused on wo u l d – b e b l o c k bu s t e r exhibitions, it’s easy to forget that the Indianapolis Museum of Art mixes things up regularly with smaller shows. At their best, these offer more succinct pleasures-and they don’t require much of a time commitment. Truth is, if you spend more than a half-hour at one, you’re probably just being pretentious. Two new shows-lost a bit in…

A&E The Fringe Connection It’s a challenge writing about IndyFringe, the festival that adds a shot of late-summer life to Mass Ave (Aug. 22-31). Part of the challenge comes from the fact that IndyFringe, unlike the plays, exhibitions and concerts I normally review in this space, exists in two forms-the macro and the micro. The macro is the festival itself-more than 50 companies and individual performers spread out over six stages. It involves art exhibitions (including one where you can…

It’s a challenge writing about IndyFringe, the festival that adds a shot of late-summer life to Mass Ave (Aug. 22-31). Part of the challenge comes from the fact that IndyFringe, unlike the plays, exhibitions and concerts I normally review in this space, exists in two forms-the macro and the micro. The macro is the festival itself-more than 50 companies and individual performers spread out over six stages. It involves art exhibitions (including one where you can ditch art and take…

When you’ve seen many productions at a theater (and I’ve seen many at Beef & Boards) and you’ve also seen multiple versions of a particular show (I’ve witnessed two previous takes on “The Producers” in addition to both film versions) then, when the familiar theater and the familiar show come together, you can’t help but have some expectations. That’s not to say there’s prejudgment-just some assumptions. For instance, going into Beef & Boards’ “The Producers,” I figured it would take…

When you’ve seen many productions at a theater (and I’ve seen many at Beef & Boards) and you’ve also seen multiple versions of a particular show (I’ve witnessed two previous takes on “The Producers” in addition to both film versions) then, when the familiar theater and the familiar show come together, you can’t help but have some expectations. That’s not to say there’s prejudgment-just some assumptions. For instance, going into Beef & Boards’ “The Producers,” I figured it would take…

Most weeks, I use a pretty traditional definition of arts and entertainment when I decide what to review in this column. But that’s most weeks. This time, after a day-opening day-at the Indiana State Fair, I’m going to broaden my criteria a bit. Looked at with open eyes, the Indiana State Fair is one massive piece of performance art, with thousands of artists participating (most of them unknowingly). The kids in their band uniforms trying to pretend sweat isn’t pouring…

While I try not to be swayed by an enthusiastic crowd, this week it was difficult not to be influenced by my fellow audience members. Their passion, their support and their we’re-with-you-ness seemed to boost performers to greater heights everywhere I looked. And while a passionate crowd won’t ever convince me that a play or concert is a satisfying one, if I’m already enjoying a show, it’s that much better when everyone else seems to be too. This weekend of…

As someone interested in contemporary musicals, I’m thrilled that Buck Creek Players annually offers at least one show unlikely to be staged anywhere else in town. It has given voice, for instance, to such obscurities as “Parade,” “Violet,” and “Side Show.” Next season, it continues the trend with the local premiere of “Grey Gardens.” Could Buck Creek do better at the box office with yet another “Joseph” or “Annie”? Probably. But company Director D. Scott Robinson is more ambitious and…

When IndyFringe, the eclectic latesummer theater fest, launched, I hoped it would have ripple effects on the yearround arts scene here, perhaps inspiring fledgling theater companies to try lowcost Fringe productions and then move out from under the festival umbrella to stage full shows on their own. What I didn’t expect was that, thanks in part to the Fest, we’d now have magic on stage throughout the year. Taylor Martin-an IndyFringe staple whose on-stage characters include Colonial magician Rodney the…