Articles

“Ben Hur”(in Latin) and more

Time to empty the arts notebook:

 –On the short list of bestsellers penned by Hoosiers is 1880’s Biblical epic “Ben Hur,” by Lew Wallace. Well, now it’s coming to the stage in London…in Latin and Aramaic. Click here for more…

Read More

Too much contact?

Arts organizations are tweeting. Arts organizations are facebooking. Arts organizations are inviting you to post reviews on their sites. Arts organizations are asking you to participate in surveys. Arts organizations seem to be trying every way to reach out to…

Read More

Arts bargains everywhere

It’s not just houses that are going cheap right now. So are tickets to some of Indy’s prime arts events.

–At the Indianapolis Opera site, you can land a 50% discount on tickets to this weekend’s epic collaboration between IO and…

Read More

You-review-it Monday

For me, it was a weekend primarily focused on dance–but since that dance was the recital for Village Dance Studio, where my daughter is a ten-year vet, don’t expect a review from me.

But I will say that the army of…

Read More

A&E: Rate expectations: Reviewing without stars-WEB ONLY

This week, two community theater productions reinforce my decision not to give “star” ratings. You may have noticed that in this column I never give shortcut ratings. No “three and a half stars.” No “thumbs up.” While I appreciate ratings when it comes to buying vacuum cleaners, I don’t find them useful in talking about […]

Read More

A&E: Rate expectations: Reviewing without stars-WEB ONLY

This week, two community theater productions reinforce my decision not to give “star” ratings. You may have noticed that in this column I never give shortcut ratings. No “three and a half stars.” No “thumbs up.” While I appreciate ratings when it comes to buying vacuum cleaners, I don’t find them useful in talking about […]

Read More

Zippy “Zoomerville” launched

It’s always a challenge staging an unknown show.

It’s even more challenging to stage an untested show.

It is far more challenging to stage an untested musical.

That’s probably why you won’t find many brand new musicals being staged here in Indianapolis. Just…

Read More

‘thinmanlittlebird’ at the Library

In the print edition of IBJ this week, I offered my thoughts on Peter Shelton’s “thinmanlittlebird,” which now adorns the front of the Central Library. See story here.

Since that appeared,…

Read More

Opera voting, ICO and more

Here’s more from the looking-ahead file:

–Indianapolis Opera, which has its “Das Rheingold” collaboration with the ISO coming up on the 15th, has just anounced its 2009/2010 season.

It kicks off October 2 with Indianapolis native Angela Brown in her first…

Read More

You-review-it Monday

Yes, I know, you ran the Mini. But what else did you do this weekend?

Anybody else catch “Miss Saigon” at Footlite or “Twentieth Century” at Civic? Or find your way into one of the sneak previews of the new “Star…

Read More

Nagler resigns from iMOCA

Kathy Nagler has resigned as executive director of the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art to “pursue personal passions and spend more time with her family.” She had been with the organization for three years.

iMOCA curator Christopher West will serve as…

Read More

DINING: Granite City is a chain champion

People will always make the case that Indianapolis doesn’t need any more chain or franchised restaurants. I understand the
big-picture argument. I understand the desire for a greater regional culinary identity and the wish for a more adventurous
restaurant clientele. To be honest, though, a good meal can temporarily dismantle my regional pride.

Read More

Sondheim spoken here

Missed the Stephen Sondheim/Scott Simon chat that occurred on the stage at IU Auditorium last night? Sorry to hear that. It’s not the same thing as being there, but I’ll empty the notebook for those who weren’t part of the sizable crowd…

Read More

INtake/Indy.com/Metromix

The free Thursday off-shoot of the Indianapolis Star is once again going through a name change.

An editorial in today’s edition of indy.com says that, in the renamed and redesigned Metromix, “we’ll be hitting the topics you asked us to feature…

Read More

Reviews: ‘Chitty,’ Patti, etc.

A few quick reviews that couldn’t fit into the print IBJ:

–If you liked the chandelier in “Phantom of the Opera,” and the helicopter in “Miss Saigon,” you may love the title car in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” which is parked…

Read More

Audiences behaving badly

It happened again on Sunday.

During an intensely delicate — and totally silent — moment in the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s production of “Rabbit Hole,” an audience member opted to unwrap a piece of candy. Not a get-it-over-with unwrapping, this process took…

Read More

More schedule scoops

–Among the performers slated for the yet-to-be-announced 2009/10 Clowes Hall series of concerts: Jazz artist Joshua Redman on Sept. 19, Ballet Hispanico on Oct. 10, a big name country artist and former CMA Male Vocalist of the Year on Nov….

Read More

A&E

A&E Hats Entertainment: IRT show mixes stories, music and headgear This week, lessons in “hattitude” are taught at the IRT. Plus, some thoughts on “Spotlight 2009.” Generat i ng more warmth than heat, “Crowns” (running on the Indiana Repertory Theatre main stage through June 2), shows what a good idea, a talented cast, uncluttered direction, […]

Read More