Indianapolis

Legally Blonde The Musical coming to Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre

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OMG you guys, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is bringing Legally Blonde The Musical to Indianapolis this July. Based on the hit MGM movie, Legally Blonde was nominated for seven Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk awards, and gives fans all the fun from the film in an energetic musical. It runs from July 11th to August 25th.

Several cast members are making their B&B debut in this production. Olivia Broadwater makes her Beef & Boards debut as Elle Woods. Also making their Beef & Boards debuts are Griffin Cole as Warner Huntington III, Dani Kucera as Vivienne Kinsington, and Meagan Lewis-Michelson as Paulette Bonafonté. Jacob Butler is Emmett Forrest, and Jeff Stockberger is the manipulative Professor Callahan.


Legally Blonde The Musical is on stage for 50 performances through Aug. 25 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. (Children under age 3 not admitted.) 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.

Indy’s eclectic Fountain Square districts

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Yes, there is a fountain!

VisitIndy.com says it best:   Just southeast of downtown, this funky Indianapolis neighborhood has vintage and antique shops, a world of restaurants, working artists and a vibrant arts scene, live music and performance, and one-of-a-kind stores that sell comics, musical instruments, home decor, fresh flowers, and so much more. Visit Fountain Square any time of the day or night, and find out why our neighborhood is anything but…square!

Fancy marque lighting

The Fountain Square Theatre Building opened in 1928 as a place for entertainment, shopping and professional offices. The structure is located at the intersection of Virginia Avenue at Shelby and Prospect Streets. It is but one of the many historic buildings that add character to this interesting piece of Indianapolis.

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).

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” comes to Beef & Boards

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This recent press release from Beef & Boards was great news for musical theater fans everywhere: “With a crash of drums and a flash of light, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat takes the stage at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre starting Oct. 5. The Bible-based Broadway sensation was the first collaboration between composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice to be staged, and was nominated for seven Tony Awards.”

Joseph and His Brothers

This is not the first time patrons have enjoyed this production. Back in 2017 TJ Wessel had the title role of Joseph and he reprises it once again. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat features a kaleidoscope of musical styles, from rock and
country to pop and calypso. Songs include “One More Angel in Heaven,” “Close Every Door,” “Jacob and Sons” and “Any Dream Will Do.”

We’re looking forward to seeing this wonderful show this weekend! You need to plan your ticket purchases soon, as many performances are already close to sellouts.
To purchase tickets online, visit the Beef & Boards website. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664 anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays).

Duke Ellington’s music celebrated on stage at Beef and Boards

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Starting Friday, July 14th, Indy’s Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre will present “Sophisticated Ladies” spotlighting the music of Duke Ellington.

This is part of the latest B&B’s Press Release:
This summer, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre celebrates 100 years since legendary jazz
pianist and composer Duke Ellington moved to New York City to perform in Broadway nightclubs with Sophisticated Ladies, a stylish and brassy retrospective of The Duke’s musical legacy now on stage. After moving to New York City in 1923 to perform in such legendary venues as the Exclusive Club in Harlem and the Hollywood Club, Ellington would go on to have extended residencies at the Cotton Club in Harlem. It is this period that is celebrated in Act I, with songs including “It Don’t Mean A Thing,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” “’A’ Train,” and “Hit Me With A Hot Note And Watch Me Bounce.”

Sophisticated Ladies celebrates the music of legendary jazz pianist Duke Ellington with more than two dozen songs taking audiences through his decades of contributions to American music.

Act II explores the private man as captured in his music, featuring “I’m Beginning To See The Light,” “Satin Doll,” I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good,” and “Sophisticated Lady.” Ellington recorded with such talents as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, and Charles Mingus. Sophisticated Ladies is a high-stepping salute inspired by the glamorous nightlife and sensuous highlife of Ellington, who would go on to tour Europe, Asia, West Africa, and South America, in addition to North America.

Get your tickets at the Beef & Boards website. We’re really looking forward to this performance, as it is hard to beat Duke Ellington’s genius when it comes to music. We’re going this weekend and we’ll let you know what we thought, probably Monday. Have a good weekend!

The Indianapolis AES 500 Festival Parade

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The month of May in the Indianapolis area is one reminder after another that the famed Indy 500 Mile Race is coming. Local companies use checkered flags, references to racing, and any other connection to the race that they can think of. Media covers the events of the month including not only activities at the track, but also beauty pageants, balls, concerts, half marathons and of course the parade. All celebrates the 2023 version of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.

The 500 Festival Parade again is sponsored by Indy’s electric service company, AES. This parade is one of the original festival events and is one of the highlights of the month of May in Indianapolis. The parade courses through downtown Indianapolis with over 200,000 spectators lining the streets. The parade is filled with floats, giant helium balloons, award-winning bands, celebrities and dignitaries,  and all 33 of the drivers in this year’s Indy 500. One of the premier parades in the country, it stands with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The 2023 AES 500 Festival Parade will take place on Saturday, May 27, in downtown Indianapolis. The Parade will be broadcast locally on WTHR(NBC), and nationally on Peacock.

 

Explosive musical Footloose on stage at Indy’s Beef & Boards

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Are you ready Indianapolis? The first musical of Indy’s beloved Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s 50th Anniversary season is  the dynamic, dramatic and explosive Footloose, now on stage. This show is a marvelous musical entertainment treat.

Ren and his friends dance in the opening number of Footloose

The production opens with a vibrant dance number that sets the stage for premium quality choreography and music throughout. A Beef and Boards press release provides a snapshot of the storyline: “The 1984 movie danced its way into the hearts of millions, and was nominated for two Oscars, a Golden Globe and a Grammy for its powerhouse hits including “Footloose,” “Almost Paradise,” and “Let’s Hear It for The Boy.” The stage musical combines the bestselling score with dynamic new songs in a celebration of the exhilaration of youth, the wisdom of listening to one another, and the power of forgiveness.”

Ethel McCormack, Ren’s mother, played by B&B veteran Sarah Hund

Rev. Shaw Moore, played by Eddie Curry, B&B long time actor and director

Rusty (Shelbi Berry Kamohara) sings “Let’s Hear It For the Boy”

Ren, a rebellious teenager from Chicago, who, with his mother, moved from the Windy City to Bomont, a super conservative small rural town. He is shocked when he learns that dancing is illegal, among other culture shocks. The plot follows the drama as he comes to grips as best as he can with his developing feelings for Ariel, the minister’s daughter. Oh yes, the minister, Rev. Shaw Moore, is responsible for maintaining the ban on dancing, founded by a tragic accident that took the lives of four teens, including the minister’s son.

Ariel (Sharaé Moultrie), top, sings “I Need A Hero” with her friends (from left) Urleen (Logan Hill), Rusty (Shelby Berry Kamohara), and Wendy Jo (Maya Mays)

As he tries to take her order, Ariel (Sharaé Moultrie), right, tells Ren (Daniel Dipinto) that what she wants isn’t on the menu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you like song and dance, Footloose is for you. There are over a dozen songs performed across the two Acts of this stage play. Not only will you enjoy the songs, but you’ll also be amazed at the high stepping and energetic choreography of the dances. Over the course of the scenes the story of Ren and his quest to fit in are dotted with happiness and sadness. But the overall show is both uplifting and inspiring. Yes it has a happy ending.

At the Dance

Willard leaps at the dance

Making their Beef & Boards debuts are Daniel Alan Dipinto as Ren, and Sharaé Moultrie as the minister’s daughter, Ariel. Shelbi Berry Kamohara (The Addams Family,
Honky Tonk Angels, Hello, Dolly!) is Rusty, while Noah Nehemiah Robinson makes his Beef & Boards debut as Willard. Eddie Curry reprises his role as the uptight town minister, Rev. Shaw Moore. The show is directed by Heather Patterson King, with choreography by Doug King and musical direction by Kristy Templet. Footloose is rated PG-13 for some adult themes and language.

Ren leaps for joy at the dance

Footloose is on stage  through March 26 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner
Theatre. Tickets  include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages.
To purchase tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664 anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays.

Before Footloose at Beef and Boards

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We are back at Beef and Boards, just had a great meal. Now we are enjoying a fancy cocktail waiting for the start of the first musical in the 50th anniversary season: Footloose!

Kevin Bacon starred in the 1984 movie which became an instant hit. Tonight’s cast at Beef and Boards includes several talented actors making their debut here.

We’ll have a full review with photos for you tomorrow !