Bigger names at Indiana casinos
It seems like Indiana’s casinos are starting to step up when it comes to consistent summer showroom entertainment. Now it’s just a matter of figuring out how to…
On stage
Articles
Concerts: the great outdoors?
This week, Sheryl Crow launches the season for the Lawn at White River State Park and Eric Clapton plays Verizon Wireless Music Center.
It seems an appropriate time for you to offer what you see as the pros and cons of…
500 winners: Florence, Jim and us.
I’d like to add one brief A&E thought to all of this weekend’s Indy 500 coverage: Two of the reasons why it’s still possible to love the race–even if you aren’t an open-wheel racing fan–are Jim Nabors and Florence Henderson.
That…
Greatest plays of all time?
A few days ago in this blog, I mentioned Daniel S. Burt’s book “The Drama 100: A Ranking of the Greatest Plays of All Time.”
While we can all agree that such a list is highly subjective, we can probably…
‘Rent’ at a theater near you
Yes, “Rent” — the movie — already played movie theaters (and didn’t do particularly well). But now it looks like it’s getting another shot. Not a second run of the film, though. This will be a from-the-stage performance of the hit…
Beyond ‘Dancing with the Stars’
So TV’s “Dancing with the Stars” has another winner.
Hooray.
I caught some of the finals last night without having seen the rest of the series. And having been to Dance Kaleidoscope’s season ending performance Sunday, I’m curious as to whether the huge…
Arts and depression
Two books I’m in the midst of reading combine to raise questions about the future of art and audiences.
The first, “Against Happiness,” posits that our society’s increased emphasis on smoothing over the rough edges of life (through pharmaceuticals and…
‘Wicked,’ ‘Ave. Q’ &…’Happy Days’?
The big news on Broadway in the 2003-2004 season was the Tony-Award battle between mega-musical “Wicked” and where-did-that-come-from upstart “Avenue Q.”
(For an up close and personal look at the development of both shows, check out the documentary “ShowBusiness,” which…
Dessert at intermission
A while back, I was asked by a charitable foundation if I’d be willing to be part of a silent auction package at a fund-raising dinner. The prize? The highest bidder would join me on one of my reviewing assignments….
NY notes: Upright Citizens
About a year ago, on a previous trip to NYC, I happened to be in town with a free Sunday evening. That’s usually not the most happening time in any town, but I knew there had to be something outstanding…
NY notes: Jazz at Birdland
The last time I was in New York City was about a year and a half ago. I was doing a story on things to do when you are in town on business and you find yourself with a few…
Greetings from New York I
The line is short at the temporary TKTS half-price ticket booth (although just about everyting is available), every third non-tourist woman seems to want to be Tina Fey, and Central Park looks great. Wish you were all here.
I’m blogging from…
Edgy musicals on the way
Old school musical purists, cover your eyes. A parade of new, irreverent musicals (some not yet officially announced) are on the way to Indy.
Some examples:
In the fall, Theatre on the Square not only will be offering the blood-spattered “Evil Dead:…
Talking turkeys: bombs on stage
The New York Times today reports on a revival of “Moose Murders”—considered by many to be the worst play ever staged on Broadway. (See Frank Rich’s original review, here.)
While New Yorkers will often pay as much attention to…
Pope-ular music
With Pope Benedict XVI on his U.S. tour, attention is being paid to just about every aspect of the Catholic Church…including its music. Not only is the playlist for the Pontiff’s stadium mass in Washington being scrutinized, but thoughts are…
Classical musicians: hot or not?
Yes, it’s the music that matters.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s acknowledge that classical music organizations aren’t shy about using images of attractive musicians in their marketing.
A hottie violinist, the theory goes, will sell more tickets than a…
“Forbidden B’way”/You-Review-It
So what did you do this weekend? Hear the Earth Harp at the IMA or the slew of country stars at the Fairgrounds? Discover “Black Gold” at the Phoenix?
My weekend included the national tour of “Forbidden Broadway” at Clowes Hall,…
Tickets: looking ahead…way ahead
Indiana State Fair concert tickets go on sale tomorrow, April 12. The lineup includes Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Sugarland and “A Prairie Home Companion.”
Ticketmaster already is selling seats for Kenny Chesney at Lucas Oil Stadium in September. Group tickets are being sold…
Broadway bound: new in NY
It’s an interesting year on Broadway, where …
“August: Osage County” (which we could have seen last summer at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre) is winning over critics and drawing comparison to Eugene O’Neil’s work.
Revivals of “South Pacific” and “Gypsy” are turning into…
Exclusive: new at W.R. State Park
IBJ reporter Jennifer Whitson offers this interesting piece of news.
Look for an announcement, likely next week, from White River State Park about a new summer series featuring local performing arts groups with shows geared toward family audiences.
The free offerings will…