theater

Bryan Fonseca and Jeff Martin transform the stage into an apocalyptic boxing ring. With the audience on both sides of it, theatergoers will be much closer to the action than usual.

I’m willing to bet soul-music legend Ray Charles never expected his music to be the backbone of a contemporary modern-dance company. But Nicholas Owens Dance Company has done just that.

The ISO’s latest is a glitzy lesson in 1930s romance, with zealous orchestral flourishes steered by Jack Everly. Rachel York guides the ship from there, as comely evangelist–turned–entertainer Reno Sweeney.

The surefire standout of the night was Jasmin Richardson as Felicia, just as impressive in her quiet moments on stage as when she let that glorious voice soar.

“The moral of it is very much related back to what Whitman is trying to teach—that everyone is a part of everything, everywhere,” says Katherine Shelton (Caroline). “No one really dies, because everyone lives.”

Month of May festivities will ramp up to performances by rockers Sammy Hagar and Sublime With Rome, followed by the eardrum-shaking beats of NERVO, Dillon Francis, and Hardwell in the infield during the Indy 500 race itself.

New acts go on every five to 10 minutes at this charity-aiding showcase that also serves as an ADD-addled arts lover’s dream.

From vow renewals to a Lucille Ball homage, a smooth R&B concert to a Twist-and-shout “Valentine’s Day Is Stupid” Dance Party, here’s a quartet of V-Day options to get your heart beating one way or another.

Using minimal props, lessons through song, and a stage size perfect for this occasion, the characters create an informal environment that gives the impression of improvisational theater.

IRT executive artistic director Janet Allen says the characters’ ages were considered when high-schoolers were cast in the roles of Young Eva and Ed. “This is about a child’s experience,” she says.

The show’s themes center on the deaf community. Says lead actor Andrew Martin, “The play shows the wonderful things that can happen when someone finds their voice.”

She is a 2004 Pike High School graduate, and no stranger to New York City’s theater scene. Actress Kerry Washington, SNL’s Nov. 2 host, was one of the first notables to send congratulations to her via Twitter.

Discover the best of what Indy has to offer in the arts-and-culture scene with theater, books, design, and much more.

The enticing trio of Stephen King, T Bone Burnett, and Hoosier John Mellencamp teams up to spin a terrifying story.

The cast welcomes a new Bob Crachit to the show, Mark Scheibmeir—a film and stage actor heralding from L.A.