Indy Theatre Habit

I learned today that writer Lou Harry’s and his wife, Cindy’s beautiful, feisty, talented, teenaged daughter, Maggie, passed away last night. 

I met Maggie Harry at the world premiere of one of Lou’s plays, “Midwestern Hemisphere” in 2008 and got to chat with her again at a board game marathon at their house one winter.  We all shared a table for the dinner theatre production of “Forbidden Broadway” by Actors’ Theatre of Indiana in 2009. 

Best of all, I got to enjoy Maggie’s performance in the ensemble for the Indianapolis Civic Theatre’s production of “Carousel” in 2010.  I am sorry that that is the only show of hers that I saw.

I wish I had better words to express my condolences.  My heart goes out to Lou and the rest of his family.  

Here is a link to information that Lou shared about services this Thursday:

 http://obits.arncremation.com/obit.php?id=58 

Hope Baugh – Indy Theatre Habit

(Last updated 1-16-12)

It’s that time again: time to set up my Directory of Shows Seen for the year.  By a quick count, I saw 91 live theatre shows in 2011, 120 in 2010, 134 in 2009, and 144 in 2008.  I guess I’m “slowing down,” although I prefer to think of it as becoming more selective about honoring my passion, or at least leading a more balanced life.

Anyway, as in previous years, I will add to this Directory every time I see a show, and I will enjoy looking back over it at the end of the year and in years to come.  If you are curious about what I’ve been seeing, feel free to check back here any time.

There are two parts: 1) shows organized alphabetically by performance company and 2) shows in the chronological order in which I saw them, like a diary or log.

I will also try to keep labeling the companies as either “professional” (all of the company’s artists and staff are paid for their work), “all volunteer” (none of the company’s artists or staff are paid), or “hybrid” (the company has a mixture of paid artists/staff and volunteers.)  However, as I’m sure you know, “professional” does not necessarily mean high quality and “all volunteer” does not necessarily mean disappointing quality.  Also, in the Indianapolis area, there are very, very few theatres that pay their artists a living wage, so in some ways these labels are meaningless.

If I write about a show, I will link to the post here, too.

Shows I’ve seen in 2012 in order by performance company:

Acting Up Productions professional; Greenfield (but many performances are in Indianapolis)

• “Two Rooms”

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – Lilly Theater professional; Indianapolis

• “Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz”

Epilogue Players all volunteer – member Encore Association; Indianapolis

• “Remember Your Hit Parade”

Shows I’ve seen in 2012 in chronological order:

Saturday, January 7 – “Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz” – Lilly Theatre at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – Directed by Ty Stover.

Sunday, January 8 – “Remember Your Hit Parade” – Epilogue Players – Original script and concept by Susan Page Freeman.  Directed by William Andrews with musical direction by Jen Bolejack.

Sunday, January 15 – “Two Rooms” – Acting Up Productions at Theatre on the Square – Written by Lee Blessing, directed by R. Brian Noffke.

‘See you at the theatres!

Hope Baugh – www.IndyTheatreHabit.com

(Photo above taken with my trusty iPhone of a box of yummy, hand-crafted truffles from the Best Chocolate in Town on Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Indianpolis.)

Dear readers,

For a number of reasons that I am not going to discuss, I am not going to blog any more for a while.  I may come back to it later.

I would like to thank everyone that has read and responded to Indy Theatre Habit over the past three and a half years.  I hope you will continue to make a habit of going to see live theatre.

I’ll see you there!

Hope Baugh – www.IndyTheatreHabit.com

(The above photo of a resting amaryllis bulb was taken by Lori L. Stalteri.)

P.S. – If you’re curious about what I’ve been seeing, I am maintaining my Directory of 2011 Shows.  Last updated 12/29/11.   And although I have a love-hate relationship with Twitter, for now I am also tweeting about almost every show I see:  www.twitter.com/IndyTheatre.

On Saturday night a friend and I drove to the new Studio Theater to see the Actors Theatre of Indiana production of “Chicago the Musical.” 

The Studio Theater is part of the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana.  Carmel is just north of Indianapolis.  Actors Theatre of Indiana (ATI) is the Center’s resident professional theatre company.

The book for “Chicago the Musical” was written by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse.  The music is by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb.  Judy Fitzgerald directed ATI’s production.

I loved the intimacy of this production!  I recognized many of the performers from other professional shows in larger venues around town over the years.  It was a treat to be able to see and hear these beloved performers doing their thing up close in a cozy space and in a show that highlights their singing and dancing talents.

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On Saturday afternoon I drove to downtown Indianapolis to see the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s production of “The 39 Steps.”  It was adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchanon, from the movie of Alfred Hitchcock licensed by IV Global Entertainment Limited, and from an original concept by Nobby Dimon and Simon Corble.  Peter Amster directed it for the IRT, where Janet Allen is the artistic director and Steven Stolen is the managing director.

I now know that the stage show was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award, and I now know that one of mystery master Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous noir films is “The 39 Steps,” but I didn’t know anything about either of these two facts going in to the IRT on Saturday.

And it didn’t matter.  This show is very accessible and so much fun!  It is a suspenseful, funny treat for stage fans and film fans alike, not to mention mystery fans.

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On Friday, April 1, 2011 I drove to the Historic Irvington Lodge on the near east side of Indianapolis to see the world premiere of Q Artistry’s “Bunny Spectacular.”  It was directed by Ben Asaykwee, with segments directed by Maria Meschi.  Ryan Powell and Carrie Morgan were the assistant directors.

If you are a regular reader of Indy Theatre Habit, you know that I almost never have time to write about shows for children.  However, I made time for this show because a) I love Q Artistry’s work in general and b) a giant bunny came to visit me with free tickets to opening night.

“Bunny Spectacular” is definitely a treat of a show for families with little kids, but this solo adult had a great time, too.

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Last Sunday evening I drove to the northwest side of Indianapolis to see “Annie Get Your Gun” at the Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre.  The music and lyrics for this 1948 Broadway musical were written by Irving Berlin.  The book was written by Herbert and Dorothy Fields. It was directed for Beef and Boards by Doug Stark. (Douglas E. Stark)

It is a beautiful, beautiful production and it piqued my interest in Annie Oakley.

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Last Sunday afternoon I drove to the Carmel Community Playhouse in the Claypool Terrace shopping area of Carmel, Indiana (just north of Indianapolis) to see the Carmel Community Players’ production of “I Hate Hamlet.”  This comedy was written by Paul Rudnick.  It was directed for CCP by Lori Raffel and produced by Risa Krauter.

It was so good!  I leapt to my feet to applaud even before the house lights came up for the curtain call.  I drove to my next appointment with a wet but smiling face, feeling grateful for every person that answers the call to be a stage actor.

The following Thursday I went back to see the show a second time and enjoyed it tremendously again.  I wish it ran for three weekends instead of just two.  (I also wish I had a photo from the show to share with you, but never mind.)(Update 4/10/11 – Lori Raffel emailed me the above rehearsal photo.  Thanks, Lori!)

Tonight and tomorrow afternoon are your last chances to see this funny and exceptionally well directed all-volunteer production. 

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Update 4/18/11:  Here is a direct link to the obituary in the Indianapolis Star:

http://www2.indystar.com/cgi-bin/obituaries/index.php?action=show&id=127822

It includes the following information (at the end) about a memorial service:

A Memorial Celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Athenaeum Theatre, 401 E. Michigan St. Burial services will be private.

John’s sister, Kristin, emailed me to add that calling is from 6 – 8pm with a service/program from 7 – 7:30pm.

Update 4/19/11 – Unfortunately, I have a work conflict that night that I can neither reschedule nor delegate, so I will not be able to attend the celebration of John’s life.  However, I will be there in spirit, wishing John and his family and friends all comfort and peace.

*****************

(Original April 9, 2011 post below, with an update on April 13, 2011)

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Last Saturday night I drove to the southeast side of Indianapolis to the Buck Creek Playhouse to see the Buck Creek Players’ production of “Auntie Mame.”  It was written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, based on the 1955 bestselling novel by Patrick Dennis.  It was directed for Buck Creek by Andrew Ranck and produced by Cheryl Kern.

I love the 1974 movie version starring Lucille Ball and I would like to read the novel some day.  Now, after seeing this non-musical stage version, I am fonder than ever of the irrepressible title character and her story. 

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