Indy’s theater companies launch season in their own ways
First impressions matter—in life and at the box office. The first show of a theater’s season can define not only expectations, but also fortunes.
Theater
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After exit from Phoenix, Fonseca launching theater group on west side
The River West Theater Company plans to stage its productions in the Indy Convergence arts space and feature repertoire that focuses on black, Latin American, Middle Eastern and Asian communities.
Phoenix Theatre founder leaving after 35 years as main artistic force
Bryan Fonseca’s stunning departure comes in the midst of a major transition for the theater, which just moved into a newly built, $11 million downtown facility on Illinois Street.
Local group converting former Phoenix Theatre building into condos
Plans for the historic structure in the downtown Chatham Arch neighborhood call for three condominiums priced at roughly $1.1 million each. Work is set to begin early next month.
KENNEDY: Feminist theater is here. Are we ready?
There is a new, distinctive addition to our local theater scene: Summit Performance aspires to produce “top quality theatre exploring the lives and experiences of women.”
How will the latest show at Actors Theatre of Indiana end? That’s up to the crowd.
Most musicals come complete with a beginning, a middle and an ending. “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” has the first two but—instead of a single denouement—offers endings, plural.
Theatre on the Square has new name, management
The struggling venue, which has been on Mass Ave since 1993 and features a 120-seat theater and a 60-seat, cabaret-style theater, closed its doors after the IndyFringe Festival in August.
Phoenix Theatre seeking $2M naming rights sponsor for new home
In a somewhat unusual move, the theater is making a public plea for a naming rights sponsor with a specific price tag.
3-year grant brought playwright to IRT; 20 years later, he’s still around
Kansas-native James Still first came to Indianapolis in 1991, to take part in a playwriting symposium. He later landed the role of playwright-in-residence and has had 20 plays produced here.
Community theater group losing Clay Terrace performance venue
The group has been putting on plays at a space in Carmel’s Clay Terrace shopping center for more than eight years, thanks in large part to the largesse of the landlord. Now it needs to find a new home.
A quarter-century of laughs didn’t always come easy for ComedySportz
The improvisation-based company—now known as CSz Indianapolis—just celebrated its 25th year of making-it-up-as-it-goes-along fun. Along the way, it has weathered location shifts, the recession, the post-9/11 comedy crisis and, recently, an ownership change to become the longest-running theater production in the city.
Madame Walker Theatre to get $15M renovation, operational help
An initiative involving Indiana University and the Lilly Endowment is set to provide a $15 million renovation to the historic Madame Walker Theatre Center while ensuring the historic landmark’s viability into the future.
LOU’S VIEWS: ‘Raisin’ rises at Indiana Rep
Classic Lorraine Hansberry play more than justifies a revival.
LOU’S VIEWS: Intimate ‘Hedwig’ rocks on
Is it too soon to start compiling a Best of 2018 list?
‘Smiley Show’ sidekick launching improv comedy club
Will Pfaffenberger’s passion project, featuring shows made up on the spot, is slated to debut in February.
LOU’S VIEWS: A trio of regional premieres help launch theater season
‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,’ ‘Fun Home’ and ‘Memphis’ show off local strengths.
Lechleiters donate $2.5 million to Indiana Repertory Theatre
The largest individual gift in the theater’s history will be used to create the James Still Playwright-in-Residence Fund.
LOU’S VIEWS: ‘La Cage aux Folles’ continues to fly
Actors Theatre of Indiana revives the Jerry Herman musical with its heart intact.
Carmel performing arts center taps interim CEO as new leader
Jeffrey C. McDermott, a longtime partner with Indianapolis-based law firm Krieg DeVault, won’t have a significantly different commute as the permanent CEO of The Center for the Performing Arts.
Entrepreneurs plan to renovate historic Anderson theater
Past attempts to salvage the State Theatre focused on restoring it as a historical venue, but the new operators say the site needs to offer something different. One of their inspirations is The Vogue in Indianapolis.