Weekly View » Q Artistry

Cabaret Poe Moves to Mass Ave, Q Artistry Expands

Weekly View — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 05:10:22 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Q Artistry will expand programming to Mass Ave by offering Cabaret Poe in partnership with Theatre On The Square this fall. The production has appeared at the Q Artistry “home space” in the Historic Irvington Lodge since 2009, but will make the move to downtown with the original cast but with new set design and lighting.
“The opportunity to work with Ben Asaykwee and Q Artistry is something that Theatre on the Square just couldn’t pass up,” states Lori Raffel, Artistic Director of TOTS. “Ben and his team are so talented and original — Cabaret Poe is the perfect element for us to add to our season.”
Along with performances throughout the month of October, the partnership will also host school shows during the day. In 2014, over 800 high school students from all over the state came to Indianapolis to see the show. This year, they expect that number to grow. “We couldn’t be more excited to join forces for this,” says Ben Asaykwee, Artistic Executive Director of Q Artistry and creator/composer of Cabaret Poe. “TOTS is an Indianapolis institution and we are thrilled to appear in their groundbreaking lineup of a season.”
Q Artistry performances will then return to Irvington for the wildly popular Q-munity show in November, Al In Boogie Wunderland, and holiday shows in December.
Cabaret Poe will run Oct. 3rd through Oct 31st. More information is available at qartistry.org, tots.org, cabaretpoe.com. For information on booking school shows, please e-mail ben@qartistry.org

10 Years of IndyFringe Fest

Weekly View — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 05:11:33 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS —IndyFringe is a rollicking celebration of theatre old and new, edgy and not-so that happens over 11 days, August 14-24, in the Mass Ave Cultural District. It features eight stages presenting comedy, cabaret, dance, drama, magic, music and multi-media performances. The festival exploded in Indianapolis ten years ago and has grown into an annual cultural attraction that continues to draw in record audiences.
Every show is an hour long, with a half hour break so you have time to walk or take a shuttle to the next theatre or visit the Beer Tent, which is at the corner of Mass Ave. and St. Clair. Along the route, buskers (street performers) will keep people entertained (please tip generously). Most theatres are within walking distance of each other, and there is a shuttle to the Cook Theatre on 12th and Central. Parking is available in designated lots.
Pick up a program and pick out the shows you’d like to see. Many of them are for adults, but some are family friendly. Understand that there’s a lot of buzz generated by some shows and they may sell out early, so consider buying online in advance.
This year there will be some changes in the way IndyFringe runs. You don’t need to buy a Backer Button for the festival, although there are collectable 10th Anniversary buttons available for free. This year, prices for individual shows is $15 for adults, $12 for students/seniors, and $5 for children under 12. IndyFringe will sell up to 100 percent of the available tickets for each show in advance. Purchase tickets up to 2 hours before each performance at indyfringe.org/fringe14/schedule. Purchase in advance by phone for will call pickup at (317) 869-6611 with credit card. (American Express not accepted, $1 service fee charged per ticket at time of payment). The most popular shows are likely to sell out quickly, so advance sales are encouraged. Venue box offices are CASH ONLY. On site sales for each performance will begin 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
There is an Opening Night promotion — buy two tickets to one show for the price of one ticket via TicketWeb. Find your show on the website, then click the buy ticket link. Then just select the buy one get one adult offer for shows on Opening Night Thursday Aug. 14 and get two adult tickets for half price – two tickets for the price of one regular adult ticket! You must select the Buy One Get One option via TicketWeb for the offer to be valid. Only tickets purchased in advance, online with this method will qualify for the offer.
There are plenty of deals to save you money, including Fiver Passes. Fiver Passes give you 5 tickets for the price of 4! Available at any festival box office. Fiver passes can be redeemed for tickets at each venue box office, and can also be redeemed for advanced bookings only by visiting the main festival office in person located at 735 Massachusetts Ave.
There will also be an opening night party on Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Athenaeum, including a free performer showcase. Lots of the shows will put on a two minute “commercial” for their shows. This is also a great planning tool.
What to see? The staff at the Weekly View will be hitting a lot of the shows, but some already stand out:
• Ben Asaykwee’s one-man show My name is ____ tells the stories of seven extraordinary people through music, dance and humor. The show is based on actual events and people in Indianapolis. At the Fringe Basile Theatre
• Journey of the Kookaburra, a Q Artistry production, is an epic adventure of music spanning decades, telling the story of a simple Aussie girl and her pilgrimage. At the Phoenix Mainstage.
• The Great Bike Race by Zach Rosing Productions is based on true events of the disastrous running of the second Tour de France in 1904. At Theatre on the Square.
• Alice vs. Wonderland by NoExit Performance combines the story of Alice in Wonderland with a staged videogame. At the Cook Theatre.
• A Shame of Thrones, Unscripted is ComedySportz interactive take on Game of Thrones. At Comedy Sportz.
• Darwin vs. Rednecks with Stewart Huff. Huff’s show last year was hilarious, so expect great things again. At Comedy Sportz.
• New Voices by Dance Kaleidoscope gives the talented dancers of the group a change to create their own choreography. At Theatre on the Square Mainstage.
For a full listing of shows, times, and other information, visit www.indyfringe.org.

Theatre Review: Emerging Playwright Series

Ethel Winslow — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 06:09:17 +0000

A couple of years ago, Q Artistry decided to put on a Playwright competition. They got scripts from all over the area, which were judged by a panel of accomplished playwrights. Last year, Q Artistry hosted a series of readings of the finalists, and the audience got to vote on what they wanted to see produced. Three of their selections are now up and running at The Lodge in Irvington.
The offerings are Without a Spot or Wrinkle by Tiffany Bridges, Fishing With Seymour Drosty by Jordan Lyons, and God and the Machine, by Maureen O’Leary. On February 1, we got to see Fishing with Seymour Drosty, a 15 minute play that finishes the old joke “a man walks into a bar” with a twist at the end. Drosty (Dan Flahive) is a man with a fish story to tell, who persuades a stranger in town (Ben Scheutz) to accompany him on his next fishing expedition . . . and therein is the tale. Despite its brevity, Drosty packs an emotional wallop.
Also on February 1, we saw Maureen O’Leary’s God in the Machine, which she wrote while a senior in high school, and was the winner of the Teen Playwright competition. This futuristic story of prisoners struggling against an inhumane system while trying to retain sanity and humanity was beautifully directed and acted by the ensemble of Tiffany Bridges, Kristin Heintz, Jaddy Ciucci (who also directed), Arianne Villareal, and Janice Hibbard.
Without a Spot or Wrinkle is a humorous take on church life that was very well received by audiences during the playwright readings.
Supporting local, original works is easy when you have quality pieces to attend, and it’s a safe bet audiences will find something to enjoy (or at least think about) in these performances. It’s good to see strong, diverse talent on the stage at Q Artistry, and we can look forward to another Playwright’s Festival in September.
Tickets are $10 each with discounts available for seeing two or three. The series continues Feb. 7, 8 and Feb. 14 and 15. Visit www.qartistry.org for ticket information, or call 677-5317. Performances are at The Lodge, 5515 E.Washington St.

Emerging Playwrights Shine on Q Artistry Stage

Weekly View — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 06:10:21 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Local original works organization Q Artistry is presenting a series of one acts to open up their 2014 year beginning Jan. 31 and running through Feb. 15. The Emerging Playwrights Series features three plays by Indiana writers that were selected during the three previous Playwrights Festivals at Q Artistry.
Without A Spot or Wrinkle by Tiffany Bridges is a one act comedy about the pitfalls and triumphs of life in the church and was the audience pick of the 2012 Playwrights Festival at the Q. Featuring Tiffanie Bridges, BJ Bovin, Pat Mullen, David Marlowe, Dan Flahive and Arianne Villareal.
Fishing With Seymour Drosty by Jordan Lyons is a one act story of whimsy and humor about a young man finding himself amused and persuaded by an enchanting and eccentric regular at the local bar. The play was the audience pick of the 2011 Playwrights Festival at the Q. Featuring Kristin Heintz, Ben Schuetz and Dan Flahive.
God and the Machine by Maureen O’Leary is a futuristic one act depicting prison inmates in a totalitarian society and was the audience pick of the 2011 Teen Playwrights Festival at the Q. Featuring Jaddy Ciucci, Janice Hibbard, Kristin Heintz, Arianne Villareal and Tiffanie Bridges
This presentation kicks off the year for Q, as they roll out a full season of new pieces including: a new musical by artistic director Ben Asaykwee (Cabaret Poe, ZirkusGrimm) set to open in May entitled Attribute of the Strong; Bomb On A Bus by Paige Scott, a parody of the 1994 action flick starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves; East Side Story, A Qkids production parody of the famous musical with a similar name starring local kids matched up against professional adult actors in a singing, dancing, rumble through the streets of the east side of Indianapolis.
The new season also includes the return of audience favorites Cabaret Poe (Oct.), ZirkusGrimm (July), Monster Concert (Oct.) and Bunny Spectacular (April).
Tickets for the Emerging Playwrights Series are $7-$10 and can be purchased at qartistry.org or brownpapertickets.org as well as at the door for cash sales. The box office at Q Artistry is open one hour prior to every performance.
Not A Spot or Wrinkle will be performed Jan. 31, Feb. 8 and 14 all at 8 p.m. Fishing With Seymour Drosty will play Feb 1, 7, 15 at 8 p.m. God and the Machine shows are on Feb. 1, 7, 15 at 8:30.

Applause!: Oct. 11-18

Weekly View — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 05:08:44 +0000

• Fort Harrison State Park will open a dog park with a dedication at 11 a.m. on Oct. 23. The urban setting and available location away from the high use areas of the park make it a good fit. The dog park will be dedicated in honor Indiana Conservation Officer K-9s and their handlers. The park will be located along Fall Creek Parkway.
• It’s the season — not Christmas, but Halloween! — and there’s some great stuff to do all month. Q Artistry begins their Cabaret Poe for a limited time only this weekend at the Irvington Lodge. PLUS, they’ll be having a Monster Concert, a family friendly show with great music, jokes, and much more beginning on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. (tickets are $8 for students & seniors, $10 general admission). PLUS PLUS the Gothic Ball on Oct. 19 at 10 p.m., a costume ball fundraiser for the Q that will feature performances from past Q Artistry shows and special appearances, a silent auction, food and drink, music, dancing, and much more (tickets are $20 or $10 at the door with a purchase of a ticket to Cabaret Poe). Visit qartistry.org for more information.
• Looking forward to the Irvington Historical Society’s chili supper on Oct. 19 at 4:30 p.m. SPIRIT Paranormal Investigation Research & Intervention Team conducted a paranormal of the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, and the results will be revealed for the first time at the supper. Our very own Al Hunter was involved, but he’s not talking until the big day. Tickets are $25 in advance, paid to the Irvington Historical Society, 5350 E. University Ave., Indianapolis IN 46219.
• Also looking forward to the opening of An Illiad at the Indiana Repertory Theatre Oct. 16-Nov. 16, based on Homer’s Illiad. For tickets and information, call the IRT ticket office (317) 635-5252.
• The Wheeler Mission recently received a $1 million grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, and will begin construction on a new two story 12,000 sq. ft. facility on N. East Street. The facility will be for homeless men.
• The Emerson Heights Neighborhood will be having a Fall Cleanup on Oct. 12 from 9 a.m.-noon. Meet at the corner of Walnut and Dequincey to get the gear. Volunteers are always welcome!
• Did you know the Irving Theatre will be 100 years old on Dec. 3 this year? Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Dale Harkins, the current owner, the Irving remains a vital part of the east side community, hosting concerts and events year round.
• The latest scam to hit the east side is a doozy. An outfit called “Express Couriers” is calling people and asking if they will be home because they have a package delivery that requires a signature. A package is delivered, in fact, with a basket of flowers and wine. The delivery person says they do not know who sent it and they are only making a delivery but does say because the package involves wine, there is a $3.50 delivery/verification charge proving that an adult signed for and received the wine and that he didn’t just leave it on the doorstep where it could be stolen or taken by a minor. It is when the person to whom the gift was delivered offers to pay cash the delivery person says it must be paid by credit or debit card only so that everything is accounted for and so he does not have to carry large amounts of cash on him. He has a little machine for you to swipe your card and you are asked to enter the card’s pin and security number. A receipt is even printed out. People who accept these deliveries and use their card are discovering, within a day or so, that thousands of dollars has been withdrawn from their account at various ATM Machines. DO NOT ACCEPT THESE CALLS OR THE DELIVERIES.

Fall Theater & Art Season Gets Underway

Ethel Winslow — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 05:11:32 +0000

Exhausting. Exhilarating. Provocative. Those are a few words that linger after a marathon of IndyFringe13 attendance where I saw 30 shows (Paula saw 35, because I was down for the count on Saturday) over 11 days. Thirteen was a lucky number for Fringe this year, where they saw record-breaking attendance, and a 16 percent increase in ticket sales. Of the five top-grossing shows, four of them were local productions: ShadowApe, Three Dollar Bill Comedy, NoExit Performance, and Dance Kaleidoscope. Indianapolis audiences are clearly hungry for quality, locally produced productions.
September is the traditional start for the theater season. To get a preview of what the Indiana Repertory Theatre season, they will be hosting an Open House on Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. They will offer guided tours back stage and in the costume and scene shops. Upcoming shows at the IRT include The Crucible from Sept. 17-Oct. 13, An Iliad from Oct. 16-Nov. 16, A Christmas Carol from Nov. 16-Dec. 24. Dance Kaleidoscope will perform at the IRT Oct. 24-27 with “New Dimensions” and “American Rhapsody” Jan. 9-12. Season tickets are available, as well as single tickets. Visit www.irtlive.com for information about prices, discounts, and more. The theater is located at 140 W. Washington St. Call 635-5252 to order tickets and get show times.
The Phoenix Theatre will host eight more performances of Love, Loss and What I Wore Sept. 5-15 from their 2012-13 season before moving on to Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, the Tony award winning play Sept. 19-Oct. 20. The Phoenix is known for bringing high-quality contemporary theater to its space. They are located at 749 N. Park Ave. Call 635-2381 or visit www.phoenixtheatre.org for a full line-up of plays and ticket prices.
Buck Creek Players at 1150 Southeastern Ave. is celebrating 40 years of quality productions this year, and kicking off the 2013-14 season with the comedy Rumors Sept. 27-Oct. 6. They’ll follow it with The Little Town of Christmas Dec. 6-22. Tickets range from $18-$16 depending on the production. Visit www.buckcreekplayers.com or call 862-2270 for more information.
Epilogue, a small community theater doing good work will open their 2013 season with Getting the Gold, a story about 80 year old Cammy Cobb and a murder. Shows begin Sept. 6 and run through the 22nd. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. for Friday and Saturday shows, and 2 p.m. for Sunday shows. Reservations are required; call 926-3139 or e-mail epilogue.players@yahoo.com for more information. In November, they will feature Bubble Gum & Bobby Socks.
Q Artistry is bringing back Cabaret Poe, the full-scale musical based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, for this October for the 4th year. Tickets go on sale Sept. 1. The show sells out fast, so be sure you make reservations as soon as possible by calling 677-5317 or visiting qartistry.org. They perform at the Irvington Lodge, 5515 E. Washington St.
EclecticPond, which also performs at the Irvington Lodge, will kick off their 2013-14 season with Shakespeare’s R&J, which was originally created for student audiences. Shows will run Sept. 13-28. Contact them at 207-2080 or visit them online at eclecticpond.org for a full schedule. They’ll revisit the very popular (and funny) 10×10 Dec. 27-Jan. 4.
Mud Creek Players on the northeast side of town will start the theater season off with Shakespeare in Hollywood Sept.13-28. Visit www.mudcreekplayers.com or call 290-5343 for ticket information. Mud Creek has been around for about 60 years; they are located at 9740 E. 86th St.
In Beech Grove, the Spotlight Players have been making a name for themselves. They’ll be presenting Torch Song Trilogy Oct. 10-20 at the theater located at 524 E. Main St. Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $15 general admission. Call 767-2774 or visit www.spotlight-players.org for more information.

Stanley Sees Kay’s Look: Stanley Banks (Jeff Stockberger) realizes how happy his daughter Kay (Lisa Ermel) is as she talks to her fiancé in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Father of the Bride, now on stage through Sept. 29.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is currently presenting Father of the Bride through Sept. 29. Now in its 40th year, Beef & Boards offers comedies and musicals throughout the year, all accompanied by dinner buffet. Beef & Boards also offers children’s programming, including Winnie the Pooh from Oct. 11-Nov. 9. The next adult offering will be Les Miserable, beginning Oct. 4 and running until Nov. 24. Beef & Boards tickets range from $37.50-$62.50 and include the buffet. Discounts are available for children and groups of 20 or more. The theatre is located at 9301 N. Michigan Rd. Call 872-9664 or visit www.beefandboards.com for more information about their upcoming season or for ticket availability.

Theatre Review: On the Fringes

Ethel Winslow — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 05:09:11 +0000

This, the ninth year of IndyFringe, means that the festival is becoming better known (and attended). As each year passes, audiences set the bar a little higher for performances — which is great, because it keeps the folks who put on the show on their toes.
Of the shows I’ve seen so far (16), only two disappointed, and one was due to a technical problem more than anything else. The odds are good you’ll find something enjoyable/enlightening/funny/challenging to see any given night. Expect long lines at shows that have been getting good buzz, and you may not get in unless you pre-paid. Have a back-up show for that time slot if you encounter this problem.
Outstanding shows we’ve seen on the circuit include:
• Shakespeare Wrote What . . . ? — EclecticPond’s take on five of Shakespeare’s lesser-known works (Titus Andronicus, Troilus and Cressida, King John, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Cymbeline) is fast-paced and funny, giving you a taste of why these are the lesser-known works (where even English majors such as myself feared to tread). A great cast and script makes the hour fly by.
• De Sade — The Marquis de Sade’s depraved imagination and philosophy is the basis of this Q Artistry production. It starts out naughty and flirty, but takes a very dark turn at the end. The songs and costumes are a delight, and a strong cast makes the piece work. Be warned that this show is pretty graphic.
• The Beast, The Lady, and the Sanguine Man — NoExit uses 1920s silent film drama devices to tell a supernatural tale. The production is innovative and clever, with a cast that doesn’t overstate the case.
• Welcome to the Monkey House — Based on Kurt Vonnegut’s book of stories, ShadowApe takes the best of the stories and makes funny and touching theatre.
• Menagerie Macabre: A Theatre du Grand Guignol — Julie Lynn Barber’s singing is spectacular, and the Eastern European folk songs she sings weave three horror stories together. If you love gothic horror stories, this is your show.
• Electric Romeo — You will have to buy tickets in advance for this show, as the lines will be around the block. Dance Kaleidoscope’s interpretation of “Romeo in Juliet” through movement. Brilliant is the only word that comes to mind . . . just go see it.
• Underneath the Lintel — Pat O’Brien’s performance as the Librarian in Glen Berger’s play is riveting in this one-man show. Another one that you may need a pre-paid ticket for to get in.
• I Named My Penis Linda — Stewart Huff’s stand-up show last year was a sell-out at almost every performance, and it looks like this year will be no different. This year, he sets his sights on why he got pulled off the stage at the University of Kentucky, and stealing penguins. Hilarious.

Ethel Winslow/Weekly View
Street performers and IndyFringe performers drum up business along Mass Ave.

Buy a Backer Button for only $5 at the Art Bank on the corner of E. St. Clair and Mass Ave. and pick up a program. Pick your show(s), and make sure you have cash to pay for tickets ($10 per show) at the individual theaters. You can buy tickets in advance at the Art Bank (2 hours before the show). Fiver passes are a good deal; for $40 you can get into five shows (buy them at the Art Bank as well).
The best part of IndyFringe is seeing people from all walks of life enjoy real theater together. Old, young, rich, and not-so-rich, IndyFringe has something for everyone. Between shows, it makes for great people-watching as well.

Indy Fringe Bigger, Better Than Ever

Ethel Winslow — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 05:10:42 +0000

This year marks 9 years of Indy Fringe taking over the theatre scene in Indianapolis. Over the years, the Fringe has expanded, added more acts, gotten more daring and inclusive at the same time — and attracted larger crowds. Last year’s Indy Fringe broke all records for attendance, and organizers are confident that this year’s numbers will equal or surpass last year’s.
This year there will be 64 shows over the 10 year period, Aug. 15-25. Indy Fringe has also added a new venue, the BABECA Theatre at 919 N. East St., which within walking distance of ComedySportz, Theatre on the Square, The Phoenix, and IndyFringe Basile Theatre along Mass Ave. and East St. Clair (there is a shuttle to the Cook Theatre at Indiana Landmarks). Shows begin at 6 p.m. on weekdays, and at 1:30 p.m. on weekends for the two weeks. Revenues from the shows goes directly back to the performers, helping to support independent theatre in Indianapolis.
Indy Fringe features music, theatre, dance, cabaret, comedy, magic acts, multimedia, drama and much more over the 10 day period. Buy a Backer Button for $5 (a one-time purchase) and tickets are only $10 per person for each one hour show (students are $8 and kids under 12 are $5 per ticket). There are also specials and passes available, and Fringe-goers can buy tickets online up to 2 hours before each show by visiting www.indyfringe.org. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by calling 869-6660.
This year, the eastside theatre group Q Artistry is following up their smash hit BOT with a decidedly more adult show, De Sade, a musical based on the writings of the Marquis de Sade (over 16 only). EclecticPond will be presenting Shakespeare Wrote What . . .? which features five of the Bard’s lesser-known works in fast-paced parody style. Both eastside groups will be performing at the Phoenix Theatre Mainstage at various times.
Other noteworthy local acts include Welcome to the Monkeyhouse, based on Kurt Vonnegut’s novel, presented by Shadowape, local magician Ryan Siebert’s show, The Con, at the Cook Theatre; Danny Russel in Abraham Lincoln: Hoosier Hero, and Shakespeare’s Follies, both at Theatre on the Square; NoExit Performance is presenting The Beast, The Lady, and the Sanguine Man.
For trailers of most of the shows, visit the Indy Fringe Facebook page or visit their Web site.

Theatre Review — ZirkusGrimm at Q Artistry: A Not-So-Grim Circus

Ethel Winslow — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 05:09:57 +0000

In what is Q Artistry’s most ambitious production to date, German clowns, maniacal sharpshooters, a fearful daredevil, and a whip-yielding ringmaster cavort under the big-top created at the Irvington Lodge. ZirkusGrimm (“zirkus” is German for circus) is a carnival ride through Grimm’s Fairy Tales, with performers telling the stories through original songs and vignettes. The three featured performers (Georgeanna Smith/Lion Tamer, Ben Asaykwee/Ringmaster, Thomas Cardwell/Konig the Clown) keep the stories moving forward. There’s a lot going on in ZirkusGrimm — this production, in the wrong hands, could have descended into confusion. There is creative chaos and a little bit of madness here, but pulled together with great music, dance, and performances all the way around.
For many people well past the “read me a story” phase of life, you may be surprised at how child-unfriendly Grimm’s stories are. Full of dark forests and homicidal rage, liars, thieves, deception and greed, the tales are oftentimes macabre — the perfect fodder for Asaykwee’s gleefully gothic imagination. In ZirkusGrimm, many well-known stories like “Cinderella,” “Rapunzel,” “Little Red Riding Hood” (“Little Red Cap”), “Sleeping Beauty,” “Hansel and Gretel,” and “Rumplestiltskin” are told through original songs and dance. Lesser-known stories like “The Three Snake Leaves,” “The Fisherman and his Wife,” “The Girl Without Hands,” and “The Robber Bridegroom” are revelations in the Brothers Grimm grim storytelling. Throughout and between, the stories are interwoven with circus acts — a little juggling, a tightrope walker, a frightened daredevil finding courage to do the impossible, and a poodle act, among others.
The ensemble work in ZirkusGrimm is noteworthy, and the cast gets moments to shine as singers, dancers, and actors individually, as well as a group. There are many performers in this show, including a top-notch group of dancers, and when the spotlight is on a few in the middle, the others can be seen in the aisles, ready to flood the stage once again.
This is theatre in the round, with performers appearing from the sides and back and walking through the audience. The main stage is rather narrow platform the middle of the theatre space, with a a more traditional stage toward the back near the band. The entire space is draped like a circus tent — albeit an old, road-weary tent — that adds intimacy between audience and performers. Kudos must go out to the set designers on ZirkusGrimm, who made the stages workable and a little dangerous-looking at the same time.
A caution for folks thinking of bringing the little kiddies to a “circus show”: Adult themes are at work under this big top, and while older kids will think it’s cool and avante garde, it might be overwhelming for the wee ones.
With original songs by Ben Asaykwee, who also wrote the screenplay and adapted the fairy tales, this show is a must-see — such daring should be rewarded with a sold-out run. Shows are July 18, 19, 20 at 8 p.m., July 21 at 6 p.m., and July 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $17 for students and seniors. Tickets are available in advance (recommended) at www.qartistry.org

ZirkusGrimm at Q Artistry

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

INDIANAPOLIS — Q Artistry has announced that their next original production will be ZirkusGrimm, an original musical retelling of the Brother’s Grimm tales in a circus themed format, starring Georgeanna Smith, Ben Asaykwee and Thomas Cardwell, among many others, at the Irvington Lodge, 5515 E Washington St. Performances will be July 12-27 on Fridays and Saturdays, plus a Thursday, July 18 and Sunday July 21 performance.
ZirkusGrimm is a German inspired musical fantasy set in a macabre off-center circus and featuring many of the Grimm Brothers’ most popular stories alongside more obscure pieces. Some of the stories included are Snow White, The Robber Bridegroom, and Hansel and Gretel. Featured “circus acts” include a homicidal Sharpshooter, a acrophobic tight rope walker, and a troupe of gloomy clowns.
The cast is lead by the Artistic Directors of three emerging companies (Georgeanna Smith / NoExit Performance, Thomas Cardwell / Eclectic Pond, Ben Asaykwee / Q Artistry) and is rounded out by a troupe of actors well known in the Indianapolis area: Jaddy Ciucci, Bill Wilkison, Scott Russell, Tommy Lewey, Paige Scott, Maria Meschi, Carrie Morgan, Abbie Wright, Ben Schuetz, Ryan Powell, B.J. Bovin, Amelia Smith, Danielle Carnagua, Janice Hibbard, Kimmie Icenoble, Maddie Deeken, Pat Mullen, Griffin Lohner, Elsie McNulty, Logan Sejas, and Morgan Patrick Roof.
“ZirkusGrimm” was written/adapted with original score and songs by Ben Asaykwee and will feature a live band. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $17 for students and seniors. Tickets are available in advance (recommended) at www.qartistry.org