Weekly View » Footlite Musicals

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is Fabulous at Footlite

Mary Beth Kuhns — Thu, 10 May 2018 05:09:47 +0000

Priscilla Queen of the Desert made its Indiana debut at Footlite Musicals this past weekend, and will continue through May 20th. The show was nothing less than fabulous. While it is worth seeing for the amazing costumes alone, the entire performance was wonderful.
Footlite Musicals spared no expense renting the Broadway- designed, award-winning costumes for the show, and it was sooo worth it. There was an exciting momentum to the costume choices, with the outfits getting better and more incredible as each act progressed, with an amazing visual climax before intermission and the finale, with the entire ensemble in the most incredible frocks, heels and headdresses ever imagined. Throughout the show the audience cheered for the costumes as they came on stage.
But underneath the costumes, there was a hilarious and touching story that was performed with energy, emotion and great talent. This was male lead Michael Howard (Tick/Mitzi) debut at Footlite Musicals, after 7 years off from acting (though he is a theater teacher at Franklin Central High School, so never far away from the theater). His acting showed dramatic depth and comic timing, and his tall stature dominated the stage (especially when wearing complicated headdress, at one point I was certain he was going to hit the disco ball). Similarly, the two other male leads gave top notch performances. Chris Jones (Adam/Felicia) gave an incredible performance in many ways, as a fabulous drag performer, as a vulnerable character, and as sassy comic relief. John Philips (transgender Bernadette) also showed depth in his acting, and delivered his role with all the class and comedy necessary for the mature and clever character.
Dennis Jones, who played Miss Understanding (i.e. the drag show MC), may have only had a small part, but he was a delight to watch on stage. He channeled Tina Turner in a way that was hysterically funny, but made you want to get up and dance. Jones is also a Footlite Board Member.
The choreography was lots of fun, and it is particularly impressive how well the actors moved around in their often enormous costumes and shoes. The gymnastics and moves of one ensemble member, Cameron Hicks, was particularly impressive as he flipped across stage.
The music, well-known pop music from the 70s and 80s, Gloria Gaynor to Cyndi Lauper, was performed entirely by the cast and orchestra and was absolutely fantastic. By the end, the audience was singing along. The renditions sounded every bit as fun and energetic as the radio hits (and adding the outrageous costumes, and sometimes working into the story line in a touching way, some were even better than the originals). The three female divas, Leigh Query, Jessica Hawkins and Abby Okerson, all had amazing voices that really stood out as they each got to lead their own song. Notably, Hawkins’ voice stole the stage on several occasions. And Philips (Bernadette) had an absolutely stunning voice (no wonder, since he was also the vocal director for the show). Also, Dan Flahive (Bob) proved he has a wonderful voice in a simple and beautiful solo toward the end of the show.
Last but not least, director Rich Baker should be applauded for an amazing performance. His expert touch can be seen throughout the show, in every touching scene, in every laugh and even in every costume (he was the driving force that brought these costumes across country to Indiana).
“I want to make sure that, if nothing else, you have a good time, but you get a little bit of heart,” Baker promised before the show. And he delivered.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert tickets for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances are $23 for adults and $15 for youth 17 and younger. The Thursday and first Sunday performances are $10 for all seats. Tickets may be purchased online at www.footlite.org or by phone at (317) 926-6630.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the Musical at Footlite Through May 20

Weekly View — Thu, 03 May 2018 05:09:14 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Footlite Musicals will conclude its 2017-2018 season with the Indianapolis premiere of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Musical, May 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 20.
Footlite Musicals is located in the Hedback Community Theater, 1847 North Alabama St. Curtain time for its Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances is 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees have a 2:30 p.m. curtain.
Based on the 1994 motion picture of the same name, “Priscilla” has a book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott. The Broadway production was honored with nominations for Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Book of a Musical. This musical is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of three friends, Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever could have dreamed of.
With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and a hit parade of ‘70s dance floor favorites, including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” and “Hot Stuff,” is a this wildly fresh and funny musical. The production is recommended for mature audiences only.
Footlite has added a special “sing-a-long” matinee on Saturday, May 12, at 2:30 p.m. in which audience members may join the cast in singing the show’s ‘70s hits as the musical progresses. The May 12th evening performance at 7:30 p.m. will be signed for deaf patrons. To reserve tickets for these seats for these performances, contact Footlite at boxoffice@footlite.org or phone (317) 926-6630.
Individual admission prices for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances are $23 for adults and $15 for youth 17 and younger. The Thursday and first Sunday performances are $10 for all seats. Tickets may be purchased online at www.footlite.org or by phone at (317) 926-6630.
Become a Footlite member to save every time you see a show. Members pay $15 at regular performances and $5 at bargain performances. Tickets are also on sale on-line through Footlite’s website for the theatre’s 2018-2019 season.

“The Bridges of Madison County” at Footlite Musicals

Ethel Winslow — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 06:09:13 +0000

The romantic story of star-crossed lovers in the fields of Iowa in the mid-1960s is brought to life at Footlite Musicals’ production of The Bridges of Madison County: The Musical, running through March 18.
Based on the bestseller by Robert James Waller, with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, “Bridges” is the story of an Italian war bride who feels stifled and out of place on the vast plains of Iowa. With two bickering children and a husband preoccupied with keeping the farm going, Francesca quietly yearns for something a little more — which comes to her in the guise of a lost National Geographic photographer, Robert. He’s in Iowa to take pictures of the covered bridges, and Francesca, alone in the house for a few days when the rest of the family is at the state fair, helps him out. They discover they are both lonely, in different ways, and one thing leads to another . . . which leads to brief, intense affair which ends with Francesca making the choice to stay with her husband and family. As the decades pass, they never forget each other — and what might have been if another decision had been made.
Footlite has a deep bench of fine vocalists, particularly Lori Ecker as Francesca and Rick Barber as Robert. Both bring an operatic sensibility to a score that mixes traditional ballad, some country-western, folk, and Perry Como-esque crooning. Elly Burne as daughter Carolyn is also a practiced singer and actress who lights up the stage. Nosy neighbor Marge, portrayed by Jeanne Chandler, brings some humor and understanding to a story that could have easily become sappy and mawkish.
Juggling the emotional elements of romance and cold, hard realities and directing them effectively is no easy task, and Tim Spradlin does a great job telling this story and getting the best out of a big cast. The set design for the small stage by Jerry Beasley is clever and effective — there are many quick cuts from indoor/outdoor and different location.
Performances are Thurs.-Sun. at various times. Visit www.FOOTLITE.org to reserve tickets, or call 317-926-6630. The theatre is located at 1847 N. Alabama St.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Footlite

Weekly View — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 06:09:55 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Footlite Musicals will open the 2014 portion of its 58th season with its cabaret production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, running January 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 and 26 at the Hedback Community Theater, 1847 North Alabama St. Curtain times for the performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. for the Sunday matinees.
Written by John Cameron Mitchell with music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, “Hedwig” is a rock musical about a fictional rock and roll band fronted by Hedwig, an East German transgender singer, touring the U.S. while in search of her ex-boyfriend/band mate who stole her songs.
The music is steeped in the androgynous 1970s glam rock era of David Bowie, as well as the work of John Lennon and early punk godfathers Lou Reed and Iggy Pop.
Damon Clevenger stars as Hedwig in the Footlite production, with Kristin Cutler as Yitzhak. The musical is produced for Footlite by Zach Rosing and directed by Paige Scott. Andrew Wahnseidler is the production’s musical director, Terri Moore is the costume designer, Ryan Mullins is the scenic and lighting designer and Daniel Klingler is the hair and make-up designer.
Admission for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances is $20 for all seats and $10 for the Thursday performances. Footlite members receive a $5 discount of their individual ticket price. Since the subject matter of this musical is for mature audiences, no one under 18 will be admitted.
“Hedwig” will be performed with seating limited to 100 and audience members seated at cabaret tables. Reservations to this production will assure patrons have seats to the performance, but not a specific location. Each cabaret table seats four persons, so patrons should arrive no later than one half hour prior to the curtain time to obtain a good location.
All seats are reserved, and reservations may be made by phoning the Footlite box office at (317) 926-6630 or making them on-line at Footlite’s website, www.footlite.org.

Footlite Musicals to present Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 05:09:10 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Footlite Musicals opens its 58th season with the Young Adults production of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, Friday, July 5, with additional performances July 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 and 21, at the Hedback Community Theater, 1847 North Alabama St. Curtain times for the performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. for the two Sunday matinees.
Admission for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances is $20 for all seats and $10 for the Thursday performances. Footlite members receive a $5 discount of their individual ticket price. All seats are reserved, and reservations may be made by phoning the Footlite box office at (317) 926-6630 or making them on-line at Footlite’s Web site, www.footlite.org. Information on becoming a member of Footlite may also be obtained by visiting Footlite’s Web site or calling the box office number.
A musical version of the movie comedy of the same name, the show focuses on the grandson of Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein and his creation of a new monster. The musical is the creation of the authors of the record-breaking Broadway sensation The Producers, with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan.
Winner of the 2008 Outer Critic’s Award for Outstanding New Musical, “Young Frankenstein” contains such memorable tunes as “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and “Puttin’ On The Ritz, with full orchestra accompaniment and upbeat dance numbers.
Heading the cast are Justin Klein as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, Matthew Hook as the Monster, Damon Clevenger as Igor, Kyra McGuirk as Inga, Jennifer Rowe as Elizabeth Benning, Tara Roberds as Frau Blucher, Devin Smith as Inspector Hans Kemp, Chris Parker as the Hermit and Evan Wallace as Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein.
Founded in 1955 and located in downtown Indianapolis, Footlite Musicals is one of the oldest musical-only theatres in the United States.