Coverage of Indianapolis' live theater
Articles by Lisa Gauthier Mitchison
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings Aug. 27-Sept. 2
"Pirates of Penzance" Frederic, a pirate’s apprentice, falls head-over-heels in love with Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley. Frederic is due to be released from his apprenticeship on his 21st birthday, but there’s a snag. Born on Feb. 29, Frederic discovers that he is technically still a youngster. Although very much in love, his dedication to duty is unshakeable. Can he find a way to live happily ever after with Mabel?
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings Aug. 20-26
School’s out for the summer! Inspired by the Disney channel musical hit, this campy drag parody follows the East High Wildcats on a journey to break free from the status quo and embrace the start of something new. “Night School: A Drag Parody Musical” is rated PG-13 for some innuendo and language.VIP ticketholders can enter a raffle at each show for the chance to join the Wildcats on stage for a special moment.
2026 IndyFringe reviews: theater/comedy/music
Welcome to the 2026 IndyFringe Festival presented by Everwise Credit Union! Here you will find in a single, handy destination all my reviews for the shows I am attending this year. They will occur in the order I saw them, with the newest reviews at the top of the list. For tickets and info, go to https://indyfringe.org/. Continues Aug. 15, 5 p.m.; Aug. 16, 2 p.m.; Aug. 18, 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 22, 9:30 p.m.; Aug.
Review: Carmel Community Players present "Native Gardens"
Yolanda Valdivia and Oscar Ortiz in "Native Gardens" Latinx couple Pablo (Oscar Ortiz), a lawyer, and his wife Tania (Yolanda Valdivia), a heavily pregnant doctoral candidate, are new, young homeowners in an upscale historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C. Tania is passionate about native plants and the consequences of non-native, chemical-raised flowers.
Review: Summer Stock Stage's "Dear Evan Hansen"
Emily Ristine and Preston Angus in "Dear Evan Hansen" Summer Stock Stage closed out their season with the teen dramical “Dear Evan Hansen” presented by Eclipse, the emerging-artists and professional-theater arm of SSS. The show featured several SSS alums, as well as Artistic Director Emily Ristine. Most notable, however, was the inclusion of Broadway’s Erin Rosenfeld, the first deaf actor ever cast in “Dear Evan Hansen,” sharing the role of Zoe Murphy with Isabella Agresta, Zoe’s singing shadow.
Review: Summer Stock Stage's "Dear Evan Hanson"
Emily Ristine and Preston Angus in "Dear Evan Hansen" Summer Stock Stage closed out their season with the teen dramical “Dear Evan Hansen” presented by Eclipse, the emerging-artists and professional-theater arm of SSS. The show featured several SSS alums, as well as Artistic Director Emily Ristine. Most notable, however, was the inclusion of Broadway’s Erin Rosenfeld, the first deaf actor ever cast in “Dear Evan Hansen,” sharing the role of Zoe Murphy with Isabella Agresta, Zoe’s singing shadow.
IndyFringe 2026: 21 years of Fringe
See Snowflake the clown at the Preview Night on Wednesday. IndyFringe Festival, presented by Everwise Credit Union, is celebrating its 21st birthday with new, free events and ticket options. Over 11 days, it will feature 63 shows by more than 500 artists from around the world, the nation, and our own community here in Indianapolis. Inclusion continues to be an important part of Fringe.
Stages & Other Stuff: openings & events Aug. 6-12
Carmel Community Players presents “Native Gardens.” Pablo and Tania are new to the neighborhood; Virginia and Frank have been fixtures in the area for decades. Both couples agree that the chain link fence separating their yards has got to go! A quick replacement with a stately wooden fence will arrive just in time to impress both Pablo’s bosses and the judges viewing Frank’s elaborate English garden.
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings July 30-Aug. 5
GenCon is this weekend. Unless you are going, I suggest avoiding downtown. Lots of congestion, no parking. Claude McNeal Productions' “Decades” returns. To help celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary, CMP's “Decades” returns for a limited engagement. Hailed as "a love letter to America," this production has "wowed" audiences for over 50 years.
Review: Mud Creek Players presents “The Ratcatcher’s Daughter"
Alli Lamb and Addie Taylor in "The Ratcatcher's Daughter" For a good time, go to Mud Creek Players, where (for this show) you are not only allowed but encouraged to chuck popcorn at the actors onstage. What my fellow critic John Belden declared “propcorn” is distributed to those seated in the front two rows for free. However, if you are seated farther back, everyone’s enthusiastic reactions to the Villains and Heroes are expected. Don’t worry. You will practice before the show.
Review: ALT's “Extreme Home Makeover”
American Lives Theatre presents “Extreme Home Makeover” through Aug. 2 at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre. For tickets and show info, go to www.phoenixtheatre.org. For looks at behind-the-scenes, go to www.facebook.com/americanlivestheatre. If you put enough duct tape on it, whatever is broken will eventually be fixed, says Marco in “Extreme Home Makeover.” I totally stand in solidarity with this statement. Home ownership is hell.
Stages & Other Stuff: Openings & events July 22-29
Not your average Shakespeare company, Indy Shakes takes pride in making Shakespeare feel immediate, accessible, and meaningful in THIS moment. Are you someone who loves amazing performances? Gather your friends, bring some food and drink, soak in the atmosphere, and experience Shakespeare like never before. King Lear abdicates and divides his realm among his daughters based on their flattering declarations of love. He disowns his youngest, honest daughter Cordelia.
Review: Summer Stock Stage's “Newsies”
Ethan Wood, Clive Guidry, and Sylvi Phillips in "Newsies" They kicked off their season with “Grease” on June 3 (which I missed). By the last curtain, they had welcomed over 2,000 audience members to the Schrott Center, making it the best-selling show in SSS history. Two sold-out runs of superlative shows followed: On June 24, they opened their spectacular production of “Ragtime,” and this past week, they delivered a “Newsies” that could rival any professional-level company.
Review: “Ride the Cyclone” at the Phoenix Theatre
Ben Asaykwee in "Cyclone" Music, lyrics, and book are by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, and “Cyclone” is the second installment in their “Uranium Teen Scream Trilogy.” The first, “Legoland,” is also set in Uranium City and follows two commune kids who get culture shock from Walmart and go on a drug-trafficking spree. The third in the series is TBA.
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings July 15-22
Jen Johansen in “They Call Me Genêt" For over 50 years, Flanner’s sharp, poetic dispatches captured the heartbeat of Paris -- its revolutions, romances, artists, and exiles. From Hemingway and Picasso to Gertrude Stein and Cocteau, Flanner observed and chronicled the rise of modernism from her perch in the city’s intellectual epicenter. Written and directed by D.
Review: Agape Theater Company presents “Much Ado about Nothing”
Ian Phipps and Eileen Jennings in "Much Ado about Nothing" The Shakespearian rom-com has humor, romance, melodrama, and regular drama. While the misunderstandings surrounding Hero and Claudio drive the main storyline, the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick is the meat of the play. Their witty arguments and clever insults make Jennings and Phipps the most enjoyable characters.
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings July 9-15
"Ride the Cyclone" at the Phoenix Theatre A dark comedy musical about six teenagers from a chamber choir who perish in a roller coaster accident and then compete in purgatory to win a chance to return to life. Guided by a mechanical fortune teller, they share their stories through song to prove who deserves a second chance. When: July 9-Aug.
Review: IBTC presents “The Colored Museum”
IBTC's cast for "The Colored Museum"
Review: Epilogue Players present "Present Laughter"
Ryan Moskalick and Brandon Wentz in "Present Laughter" Brandon Wentz is exceptional asGarry Essendine. His character is a charming narcissist, and he hits every comedic beat.His absurd and awkward situations just get funnier as the play picks up speed.But Veronique Duprey as Garry’s wife Liz Essendine gets almost all the dry, deadpan jokes that can be even funnier. Garry’s indispensablepersonal assistant Monica (Danielle Blair) gets to deliver some of that dry wit too.It’s all very British.
Review: Summer Stock Stage presents “Ragtime”
Summer Stock Stage presents "Ragtime" “Ragtime” can be a challenging musical because of its vocal and emotional demands. It's difficult enough for seasoned professionals, but watching a cast of young artists navigate this material with such confidence and conviction is nothing short of remarkable. With direction by Emily Ristine Holloway -- and an equally devoted crew too numerous torecite -- the huge ensemble demonstrates a level of commitment that elevates every scene.
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings June 25-July 1
Most people know the Holocaust claimed 6 million Jewish lives. Far fewer know that thousands of gay men were also arrested, imprisoned, and sent to Nazi concentration camps simply because of who they were. Forced to wear a pink triangle as a mark of shame, many suffered persecution that remained largely unrecognized long after the war ended.
Review: Grand Griot Productions presents "Folks"
Such is the role of a “griot” in traditional West African communities. They are storytellers, historians, poets, and musicians who keep the past alive through spoken word and song. They are not just entertainers; they are educators and advisors. So, you can see how apt Grand Griot Productions’ inaugural show, “Folks,” a one-man performance written, directed, and starring Josiah Ray McCruiston as a griot, is.
Review: Broadway in Indianapolis “& Juliet”
Broadway in Indianapolis presented “& Juliet” at Clowes Memorial Hall June 16-21. Next up is “The Lion King” opening Sept. 30. Info: https://indianapolis.broadway.com/ Fabiola Caraballo Quijada in the North American Tour of "& Juliet." Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade. "& Juliet” takes the world’s most famous teenage tragedy and gives it a fanfiction makeover with pop songs and a much more satisfying ending. Juliet doesn’t die.
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings June 18-24
“Folks” is a powerful one-man theatrical experience that blends African and African American folklore, music, and storytelling into an unforgettable night of theater.
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings June 11-17
"I'm Here" is a powerful, contemporary musical that follows a group of young performing artists fighting to be seen beyond the labels placed upon them. Dancers dismissed as “too strong,” singers boxed into stereotypes, instrumentalists told they are not "refined," and actors underestimated before they ever speak a line all collide in a high-pressure world that demands perfection while offering little patience.
A Jukebox Juliet
For Crystal Kellogg, who plays Anne Hathaway, aka Mrs. Shakespeare, feels the show's modern approach is one of its greatest strengths. While the musical is rooted in Shakespeare's world, Anne's voice feels surprisingly contemporary. The script's language is far more modern than traditional Shakespeare, allowing audiences to connect with Anne as a woman whose ideas evolve throughout the story. That blend of classic literature and pop music is what has made “& Juliet” a worldwide phenomenon.
Review: “Every Brilliant Thing” at the District Theatre
Ben Asaykwee in "Every Brilliant Thing" “Every Brilliant Thing” is an interactive, no-fourth-wall, one-person play by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe that follows a child who begins a list of things worth living forafter their mother's first suicide attempt. No. 1: ice cream! As the child grows -- from childhood, to college, to marriage, to separation), the list evolves, tracking their lifelong search for what makes life brilliant, such as No. 10,000: waking up late with someone you love.
Review: American Lives Theatre presents “Arlington, or Your Forgotten American Hero”
Sipple, a decorated Vietnam veteran, foiled an assassination attempt on President Gerald Ford in 1975. It was almost accidental. Sipple had been out for a walk, and he spontaneously decided to join the crowd outside San Francisco’s St. Francis Hotel that were hopingto get a look at Ford. When the president appeared, a woman next to Sipple, Sara Jane Moore, pulled out a gun to take a shot at the president.
Review: Cryptid Entertainment presents “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
Cryptid Entertainment presents “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” through May 31 at the IF Theatre. Tickets and info: https://indyfringe.org/. Local artists volunteered pieces as part of the set. The artworks are for sale, and 100% of the profits go directly back to the artists.
Review: “Escalation Time” at The District Theatre
Reuben Barsky and Francesca Root-Dodson in "Escalation Time" Molly Shayna Cohen directs "Escalation Time,” which recently premiered in New York. It’s about Kate, a fragile and small person compared to her husband Zev’s confidence and condescension that leads to his psychological abuse of her, including gaslighting. Kate also suffers from what Zev calls depressive episodes, and so, of course, Zev sees all her emotions -- especially sad ones -- as invalid.
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings May 14-20
Cryptid Entertainment presents "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" In a powerhouse one-night-only concert, Hedwig takes to the stage to smash the fourth wall and rock the house.
Review: Summit Performance presents “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson Apt. 2B”
Frankie Jo Bolda and Kelsey VanVoorst in Summit's "Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson Apt. 2B" Clay Mabbitt and Kelsey VanVoorst in Summit's "Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson Apt. 2B" So “Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson Apt.
Stages & Other Stuff: openings & events May 7-13
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Review: Broadway in Indianapolis presents Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"
Kyra Belle Johnson in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" The new touring production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” -- the first North American touring production of the musical presented by Disney in over 25 years -- is a refreshed version of the 1994 musical that holds onto the music, characters, HEA, and icons that audiences have cherished for years.
Review: Catalyst Repertory Theatre presents “Amadeus”
Tristan Ross and Michelle Wafford in Catalyst Repertory's "Amadeus" Craig Kemp and Ian McCabe in Catalyst Repertory Theatre's "Amadeus" Ross and McCabe handle the material well, with a strong grasp of emotion and timing. They are supported by an equally talented and robust ensemble, with a special note to Shelbi Berry Kamohara’s gorgeous vocal performance of Salieri’s star student, Katerina Cavalieri. Set designer Arden Foster Tiede looked at the small black-box stage and went vertical.
Review: Footlite Musicals presents "Kiss Me, Kate"
Jessica Hawkins and Aaron Mann in Footlite's "Kiss Me, Kate" Instead of being merely decorative, Porter's music helps to propel the narrative. Musical numbers function simultaneously as entertainment and character commentary, with even the most comedic songs contributing insight into the singer.
Review: Fonseca Theatre Company presents “Clyde’s”
Set in a truck stop diner run by the formidable (and slightly unhinged) Clyde (played by Chandra Lynch), the play centers on a group of formerly incarcerated workers (Ian Cruz, Jamaal McCray, Shandrea Funnye, and Dave Pelsue) trying to rebuild their lives one sandwich at a time. What might sound like a modest premise unfolds into something much richer that is one part character study and one part social commentary, liberally dosed with humor to wash it down.
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings April 30-May 6
The sharp, soulful, and unapologetically bold play by Lynn Nottage, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner who knows exactly how to serve truth with a side of heat. Set in a truck stop sandwich shop run by the fearless and formidable Clyde, this isn’t your average kitchen hustle. Her staff is made up of formerly incarcerated individuals trying to rebuild their lives, reclaim their voices, and maybe, just maybe, create the perfect sandwich along the way.
Review: Southbank Theatre Company presents “Hell’s Belle”
Lisa Marie Smith and Jim Cherry in Southbank Theatre Company's "Hell's Belle" “Hell’s Belle,” based on Gunness’ life, by local playwright Amalia Howard was the winner of Southbank Theatre Company’s Making History playwriting competition, which focused on Indiana history. As the winner, Howard's prize was a full theatrical production of her new play, which is a combination of compelling new work and extremely bizarre local history.
Review: Actors Theatre of Indiana presents "Sunset Boulevard"
Judy Fitzgerald and Luke Weber in ATI's "Sunset Boulevard" Judy Fitzgerald and Don Ferrell in ATI's "Sunset Boulevard" Norma Desmond states, “I am big. It's the pictures that got small.” Or in this case, the stage is. Actors Theatre of Indiana’s production of “Sunset Boulevard” trades the opulence of the megamusical for a more manageable, scaled-down version to fit in the spacious-but-still-a-black-box stage of the Studio Theatre.
Stages & Other Stuff: events & openings April 23-29
Southbank Theatre Company presents the new play “Hell’s Belle.” Belle Gunness killed more than two dozen men as well as a handful of women and children at the turn of the 20th century. But did she get away with it? Her story is as ridiculous as it is captivating. Meet the infamous black widow of LaPorte, Indiana, her sister Nellie, and the men she loved and killed along the way in this wild ride of a true crime dark comedy about Indiana’s first serial killer.
Review: Indianapolis Black Theater Company presents “Blood at the Root”
Kelly Kel and Marcus Elliott in IBTC's "Blood at the Root" Written by Dominique Morisseau, author of “The Detroit Project” trilogy (“Detroit ’67,” “Skeleton Crew,” and “Paradise Blue”), “Blood at the Root” was inspired by a real incident in Jena, La., in 2006 in which a group of six Black high school students faced charges of attempted murder after beating a white boy to unconsciousness, sending him to the ER.
Review: “Fatherland” presented by American Lives Theatre
Matt Kraft and Scott Russell in ALT's "Fatherland" Convicted felon Guy Reffitt, a member of a pseudo-militia group in Texas called the Three Percenters, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison with a $2,000 fine and three years of supervised release on Aug. 1, 2022, for his involvement in the domestic terrorism attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Stages & Other Stuff: April 16-22
Mud Creek Players present "Miss Holmes" “Fatherland” (American Lives Theatre); opens April 16 American Lives Theatre presents "Fatherland" “Fatherland” dives into the real-life story of a custody battle shaped by political extremism. Intimate, urgent, and conversation-starting in a storefront-style setting at the IF Theatre. https://americanlivestheatre.org/ “Choose Your Murder” (Candlelight Theatre); opens April 17 An interactive, improv-driven show where the audience helps steer the chaos.
Review: Indiana Repertory Theatre presents "Come from Away"
The cast of the IRT's production of "Come from Away" Set in the small Canadian town of Gander on the island of Newfoundland, the musical tells the true story of nearly 7,000 airline passengers who were stranded after US airspace shut down on Sept. 11, 2001. However, rather than focusing on the tragedy itself, the show turns its attention to what happened next: the unexpected generosity of strangers, reframing a crisis through shared empathy and communal effort.
Review: Broadway in Indianapolis presents “Clue: Live on Stage!”
Broadway in Indianapolis presents “Clue: Live on Stage!” April 14-19 at the Murat Theatre at the Old National Centre. For tickets and information, go to https://indianapolis.broadway.com/shows/clue/. Mysterious madcap melodrama and mayhem: “Clue” has come a long way from its inception as a board game in 1940s. “Clue: Live on Stage!” is a fast-moving, knowingly ridiculous murder mystery that prioritizes laughter over logic.
Review: Buck Creek Players presents “I and You”
On Friday, April 17 and Sunday, April 19, Braeden Adams portrays Anthony and Piper Williams portrays Caroline (left photo). On Saturday, April 18, Emmy Swinford (right photo) steps into the role of Caroline. “I and You” presents itself as an intimate, philosophical two-character play, but it is as structurally manipulative as it claims to be emotionally affecting.
Broadway in Indianapolis opens "Clue" tonight
Six mysterious guests will assemble at Boddy Manor for a night we will never forget. Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? “Clue” is the ultimate killer comedy.
Stages & Other Stuff: April 2-8
Team Starkid’s “Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier" is a musical parody that puts a spin on the tale of Aladdin, similarly to how “Wicked” re-imagines the story of “The Wizard of Oz.” In this version, Ja’Far is a misunderstood civil servant who is trying to help better the kingdom but is constantly being hampered by the ruling class. Warning that this show should be considered rated R for graphic language and suggestive content.
Review: Phoenix Theatre presents "Wasabia"
The Phoenix Theatre presents "Wasabia" through April 12. The final performance will be followed by a live podcast. Tickets and info: www.phoenixtheatre.org. Arika Casey, Jan Lucas, and Jennifer Johansen in "Wasabia" “Wasabia” by Wendy Herlich is a darkly comedic play that only just premiered in 2025. It tackles the ethics of “death with dignity” and the tight restrictions patients face if they choose it.
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