While the early months of the year tend to be the place where movie companies dump their least promising films, the opposite is often the case in live theater.
Based on track record, the talent involved, and previous encounters with the works themselves, I came up with a starter list of ten shows I have high hopes for – and already have penciled in on my calendar. (Yes, I still have a physical calendar).
Of course, there’s a lot more to explore, but consider these as possible anchors as you plan your theater adventures in early 2024.
“The Minutes”
American Lives Theatre at Phoenix Cultural Centre, Jan. 25-Feb. 11
With rich characters, big laughs, a core mystery, a serious payoff and a brisk 90-minutes runtime, here’s one you’ll be talking about on your way home. It’s set in a small-town city council meeting where Mr. Peel is determined to figure out what transpired at the meeting he missed. Penned by Tracy Letts of “August: Osage County,” this production will be populated by some of Indy’s most versatile actors including Charles Goad, Scot Greenwell and Suzanne Fleenor.
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Feb. 8-March 30
I’m always interested when Beef & Boards, one of the few professional dinner theaters left in the country, takes on a show for the first time. This one features the comfort-food song stack of hits by Carole King, including “You’ve Got a Friend” and “So Far Away,” in one of the better examples of the bio-musicals trend.
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Naptown African American Theatre Collective at Phoenix Cultural Centre, March 8-24
August Wilson’s play, which is part of a ten-show cycle of Pittsburgh-set shows (each set in a different 20th-century decade) got an attention-boost from its outstanding 2020 film version. But it was written for the stage, and is a very worthy follow-up to Naptown African American Theatre Collective’s Dominique Morisseu’s “Detroit ‘67.” The previous performance helped put the new company on the Indy theatrical map.
“And I Will Follow”
Phoenix Cultural Centre, March 21-April 7
Rarely does one of Indianapolis professional companies give a full, mainstage production to a work by a local playwright so there’s high-hopes for this true-crime tale. Hopes rise even higher given Bennett Ayres strong track record with smaller companies (anyone else remember his “Jen/Con” at the Indy Fringe Festival?) combined with the talent of actor Mark Goetzinger in the lead (and only) role.
“Hadestown”
Broadway in Indianapolis at Clowes Memorial Hall, April 2-7
This touring show, making its first appearance in Indianapolis, is a smart and moving mash-up of the Orpheus/Eurydice and Hades/Persephone myths. It is also packed with one of the best scores recently heard on Broadway.
“Ship of Dreams”
Indy Eleven Theatre at the Indyfringe Building, April 11th-21st
Prolific local composer Paige Scott (“J. Eyre”) expands her Fringe Festival hit into a feature length performance that is not to be missed. In it, eight friends try to mount a stage production of the film using cardboard, an overhead projector and next-to-no budget.
“J. Harrison Ghee: The Beauty of Life”
The Cabaret, April 12-13
Okay, this isn’t a full theater production. But having seen Ghee’s delightful Tony Award-winning performance in Broadway’s “Some Like It Hot,” I’m determined to catch their cabaret show. For a taste of Ghee in cabaret mode, give a listen to them here.
“Hedgehog in the Fog and Other Stories”
Lilly Hall Studio Theatre at Butler University, April 17-21
Butler University Theatre has a rich history of exploring international theater. Here, it offers a stage production based on a fairy tale popularized in Russia by a 1975 animated film. Performances include a matinee for elementary schools.
“Little Shop of Horrors”
Indiana Repertory Theatre, April 17-May 19
It’s been a long time since the IRT tackled a full musical production. Artistic director Benjamin Hanna’s first full season changes that with the popular, tuneful tale of the havoc – and romance – sparked by the presence of a carnivorous plant at a skid row flower shop.
“A Little Night Music”
Indianapolis Opera at the Toby Theatre at Newfields, May 3-4
Since composer Stephen Sondheim’s passing in 2021, there’s been a surge of interest in his musicals. To close out its 50th season, Indianapolis Opera pulls together an all-Hoosier cast for one of Sondheim’s most popular shows – a whirlwind of mismatched and rematched couples set to music in waltz time.
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