Top 10 most produced plays: How does Indy fare?

Every year, the Theatre Communications Group surveys its 499 member theater around the country to find the most-produced plays of the season. While it's supposed to be a list of 10, ties in the 10th spot grew the list to 14. And Indianapolis audience either had or will have chances to see nine of them.

Pessimists may look at the list and say "Great, we're doing what everyone else is doing." Optimists may say, "We've got our finger on the pulse of great theater." Others may ask "What about the rest of them?"

Whatever your view, here's the list, the number of regional productions this season, and our history with the show.

FYI: Holiday themed shows (aka "A Christmas Carol") and Shakespeare plays are omitted from the list.

Venus in Fur (22 productions) by David Ives. No sign of this two-character play on an Indy schedule.

Clybourne Park (16) by Bruce Norris. The Phoenix offered it last season.

Good People (14) by David Lindsay-Abaire. A terrific play that I had hoped would make it onto someone's list here.

Other Desert Cities (13) by Jon Robin Baitz. I'm looking forward to seeing this one at the Indiana Repertory Theatre in March. The Broadway production was outstanding.

The Mountaintop (13) by Katori Hall. Also on the IRT schedule. In April, David Alan Anderson will play Martin Luther King. He's currently performing in the play in Chicago.

4000 Miles (12) by Amy Herzog. The Phoenix offered a solid production of this one last season.

Tribes (12) by Nina Raine. Watch for this one at the Phoenix in January.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (11) by Christopher Durang. The Phoenix runs this comedy through Oct. 20.

The Cat in the Hat (8) adapted by Katie Mitchell from Dr. Seuss. On stage at Bloomington's Cardinal Stage Oct. 5-19 and at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in February.

Detroit (7) by Lisa D'Amour. No production here yet.

God of Carnage (7) by Yasmina Reza. Still on the list, this comedy was offered by the IRT back in 2012. It has since been produced by local community theaters.

Red (7) by John Logan. No sign here of this play about artist Mark Rothko.

The Whipping Man (7) by Matthew Lopez. The Civil War drama proved a highlight last season for the IRT. Cardinal Stage will produce it in February.

Water by the Spoonful (7) by Quiara Alegria Hudes. The 2012 Pulitzer-Prize winner has yet to make it onto an Indy schedule.

If there's a production I don't know about, please let me know.