Author: Roadtirementvintage

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical now at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

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Bet that you know these songs very well: “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman.” These are some of the genius compositions of Carol King and are being performed at the current Beef & Boards show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

Upon realizing that she can write music, Gerry Goffin (Elliott Litherland) hands the lyrics he wrote to Carole King (Devon Perry) (Photo by Indy Ghost Light)

Don Kirshner (Don Farrell), center, introduces Cynthia Weil (Devan Mathias) to Barry Mann (Kyle Southern) (Photo by Indy Ghost Light)

Devon Perry, making her B&B debut, has the role of Carole King. The story of King’s developing her life as a composer and singer is chronicled as an integral part of the production. It traces her interaction with her writing partner and husband, Gerry Goffin (played by Elliot Litherland), her best friend Cynthia Weil (Devan Mathias) and Barry Mann (Kyle Southern) Cythia’s songwriter-boyfriend.

Janelle Woods (Tiffany Gilliam), in front, sings “One Fine Day” with her backup singers for a television music special (Photo by Renzulli Photography)

The Drifters (Jonathan Studdard, front, and from left Grant Evan, Ray Gleaves, and Simeon Rawls), sing “Some Kind of Wonderful” (Photo by Indy Ghost Light)

The Righteous Brothers (Jacob Butler and Justin Tepper) sings “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” (Photo by Indy Ghost Light)

Devon’s portrayal  of Carole King is remarkable. She plays the piano on stage accompanying herself on several numbers. Devon brings the Carole King drive, creativity and energy to her performance.

Little Eva (Ebony Deloney), front, sings “The Locomotion” (Photo by Renzulli Photography)

Several numbers feature the cast portrayals of some of the period groups or singers. Neil Sedaka, The Drifters, The Shirells, Little Eva and The Righteous Brothers all showed up on stage presenting Carole’s songs. You can’t help but smile when you recognize the next Carole King song after you hear the first few notes. This production is filled with music memories.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical headlines Beef & Boards’ 2024 Season and is on stage through March 30 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. To see the complete performance schedule and to purchase tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays).

Music in the park in Rushville

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A couple of blocks south and west of the Rush County Courthouse is a delightful, decent sized city park. Rolling terrain compliments picnic tables, swing sets and public art.

History of a river

Interesting water fountain

Music theme art works

A clean design and wonderful facilities make a park that I’m sure gets a lot of use.

Wendall Willkie, Rushville’s pride and joy

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Rushville, Indiana is a typical Midwestern small town. It became home for one of the Hoosier state’s accomplished politician, Wendall Willkie. Willkie, born in 1892, was a successful lawyer, businessman and ran for President of the United States against Franklin Roosevelt in 1940.

Willkie changed his party registration to Republican in 1939, however he did lose to FDR in the election. After the election, as Roosevelt’s informal envoy, he made two foreign trips during the height of WWII. Willkie died in 1944 while he was considering forming a new political party with Roosevelt.

Willkie Family Plot

A nice remembrance plaque

Rush County Courthouse

Wendell Willkie was loved by many, and his Presidential run in 1940 was organized and executed in Rushville in what was then the Durbin Hotel and Restaurant. He and his family are buried in the large Rushville cemetery.

Same brewery, same craft beer, different location

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We were in Indianapolis a couple of days ago and went to a craft brewery to fill a growler with one of our favorite craft beers. A growler is a 64 ounce brown glass jug utilized by most craft beer breweries to allow patrons to have a carry-out on tap beer. Typically the brewery name/logo is on the bottle, and they will fill growlers other than their own. We brought our own with us.

The entrance

Seating, bar in back right

Craft beer taps and menu board

Anyway, we had recently visited the Bier Brewery establishment in Carmel, Indiana, about a half hour north of where we were. There Sher found a beer that we both really enjoyed. We had looked up other Indy Craft Pass members, and found another Bier Brewery location nearby.

Poster with our beer!

The 64 oz growler we got in Texas

The Bier Brewery was on the end of a strip mall, and was not very large at all. The small cozy space looked and felt like a great neighborhood bar. There were a handful of folks enjoying he place when we went in. The bartender was super, and even gave Sher a free Bier Brewing glass with the purchase of the growler fill. A short, but fun, beer buying stop.

 

Craft beer at Big Lug Canteen on Indy’s north side

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The Big Lug Canteen is located on 86th Street, a very busy area of Indianapolis. We were in the area picking up items from an online auction and decided to try a couple of local craft beer breweries. Big Lug is a unique place offering both great beer and good food.

Helles Lager

Brew Menu Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busy Bar

Our tasty bar food

 

 

 

 

 

We were seated quickly, but the place was very busy, and more patrons came in while we were there. The beer menu, as expected, was quite extensive, and Sher and I both decided on the Helles Lager, ABV 5.3%, and IBU 18. (Our server recommended this selection.) A most delightful brew that tastes good and “goes down easy”.

Outside the Big Lug Canteen

Not wanting to drink on an empty stomach, we also picked some items from the food menus. Our son and Sher went with different versions of French Fries. I had the creamy potato soup. All were very tasty. It was easy to see why this establishment was so busy on a Saturday afternoon. Big Lug Canteen is part of the Indy Craft Pass, a group of over 50 breweries and wineries in (mostly) central Indiana.

 

 

Carmel Indiana’s Bier Brewery has great food and greater beer

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Carmel, Indiana is just north of Indianapolis and is known for its many establishments for eating and drinking. Recently our son drove us to a craft brewery named, appropriately, Bier Brewery. It is part of the Indy Craft Pass list of over 50 breweries and wineries in mostly the Indianapolis area.  You go, check in on a phone app and get points that you can cash for merchandise. A great incentive to check out reasonably close – by new places.

Main entrance, outdoor seating to left

Step up to the bar and place your order…

The Bier Brewery is located on the end of a nice strip mall. Getting there was something, as Carmel is known for all of the round abouts.  It was too cold for outside seating, and the roll up windows were of course closed. The bar is where you place your orders, either for drinks or food. Our bartender was a delightful lady.

Basket of fires and pilsner glass

Blue cheese burger and homemade slaw

Sher ordered a pilsner, while I chose an IPA. We both really enjoyed  our two choices. The menu for food was not very large, but anyone could find something to order. Our son ordered one of those huge fresh baked pretzels. Sher got a large basket of fries for all of us to share. The blue cheese burger and home made coleslaw sure went well with my IPA.

Maj’s IPA

We had a great time!

This establishment is quite an enjoyable place to have a beer and a light snack. There are comfortable chairs and sofas where we saw many enjoying quiet conversation with friends or working on phones or laptops. We enjoyed each others company, our drinks and the food. We also got free pint glasses as part of our Indy Craft Pass participation. Oh, and here is the link to the Bier Brewery website. Check it out sometime.