Tony awards

Broadway’s “Waitress” comes to Indy’s Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre

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Theater entrance

Laughter and music made for an entertaining evening at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre last night. We saw a delightful stage version of the musical Waitress, featuring the music of Sara Bareilles and inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s movie. Nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Waitress celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the culinary magic of delicious pies.

Jenna, center, pours sugar as she prepares a new pie with Becky, left, and Dawn, right

Jenna is a waitress in a small roadside diner, stuck in an abusive marriage, and dreams of getting away to start her own shop. Jenna’s fellow waitresses include  Becky  and Dawn. All three go through romantic encounters, sharing their singing talents along the way. Please be aware, this show is an adult themed show, not suitable for kids.

Ogie surprises Dawn with flowers at the diner where she works

Keirsten Hodgens makes her Beef & Boards debut in the role of Jenna, along with Chanel Edwards-Frederick in the role of Jenna’s friend, Becky. Grace Atherholt plays another friend, Dawn, with Brett Mutter as Ogie, Logan Moore as Earl, and Douglas E. Stark (He owns the place!) as Joe. Also making their Beef & Boards debuts are Noah Berry as Dr. Pomatter and Adam du Plessis as Cal, the diner owner.

The waitresses wipe off tables as they prepare to open Joe’s Pie Diner

These talented cast members were superb in their singing, line delivery and character development. The degree of professionalism in this production is evident across all Stephanie Torns, who performed in the original Broadway cast of Waitress, is both Director and Choreographer for the show. Kristy Templet is music director of the terrific on stage orchestra. This theatrical production is unique and eclectic with a touch of erotic thrown in. Prepare to laugh and be entertained.

Jenna gives her new doctor, Dr. Pomatter a pie she’d intended for her former doctor

Waitress is on stage through Aug. 31. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. To buy tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664. Waitress is rated PG-13 for mature content including adult language, violence, and adult themes.

Broadway’s “Waitress” brings something sweet, with a touch of spice, to Beef & Boards

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Served up for the first time on its stage starting July 17, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents Waitress, the Broadway hit featuring the music of Sara Bareilles. Nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Waitress celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

Keirsten Hodgens as Jenna

Waitress was inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s film and features the music of six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles. B & Bs’ production is fortunate to have Stephanie Torns as choreographer and director. She performed in the original Broadway cast of Waitress and brings that experience and skill to this stage.

Waitress is on stage for 48 performances through Aug. 31. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. To buy tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664. Waitress is rated PG-13 for mature content including adult language, violence, and adult themes.

“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).

“Hello, Dolly!” comes to Beef & Boards

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Opening tonight at Indy’s beloved Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is the classic musical Hello, Dolly. Suzanne Stark stars again as the iconic Dolly Levi in this matchmaking musical classic.  Sher and I are thrilled and excited that we have the opportunity to catch the show this weekend!

Dolly Levi (Suzanne Stark), center, celebrates her triumphant return to society at Harmonia Gardens Restaurant in Hello, Dolly!

The B&B facility

Strait from the B&B press release: “Based on the play “The Matchmaker” by Thornton Wilder, Hello, Dolly! is the story of the vibrant, romantic, and meddling Dolly Levi, who is filled with both personality and an agenda. A turn-of-the-century matchmaker,
Dolly is tasked with arranging a match for the wealthy Horace Vandergelder, although she’d prefer to keep him for herself. Horace may have his sights set on a pretty young widow, but Dolly is determined to get her man.”

This wonderful musical will be onstage through May 15th. Check the Beef & Boards website for details about tickets, showtimes, and the buffet menu for this performance. Don’t miss your chance to see Tony Award winning Hello, Dolly!

We’re finally off to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

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Photo courtesy Beef & Boards Media

It has been since October 2019 since our last visit to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. COVID-19 closed it for a long time, and some rocky start ups were also hurt by that danged pandemic. We were due to go last week but alas, Covid exposure within the cast forced a postponement of the opening of Kinky Boots . We are going tonight!

This production is a Tony Award winning musical, featuring the music of Cyndi Lauper and on stage at B&B for the first time.

“Kinky Boots” coming to Indy Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

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The 2022 season at Indy’s beloved dinner theater has a Tony Award winning musical opening next week. Their press release proudly states: Kinky Boots, the Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, struts onto the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre stage for the first time in 2022, featuring music by Cyndi Lauper and a heartwarming tale that’s based on a true story. Opening Feb. 10, this high-heeled hit will bring plenty of sparkle to Beef & Boards’ 49th Season!

This vibrant musical not only won the Best Musical Tony, but also Best Original Score for the talented music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, along with four additional Tony Awards, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Kinky Boots is on stage for 47 performances through March 27 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets include the dinner buffet and select beverages. For tickets, visit beefandboards.com or call the box office at 317.872.9664.

We are so looking forward to seeing this marvelous show. The pandemic stifled so many months of B&B’s productions. It will seem like finally getting to go to visit a dear friend when we see Kinky Boots next week.

Award winning Hairspray on stage at Beef & Boards

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The turbulent 60’s come to life on stage at Indy’s beloved Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre with the presentation of the Broadway musical Hairspray. This Tony Award winning show lights up the B&B stage with a large and very talented cast telling the story of a Baltimore teen who gets a spot on the local TV dance show.

Tracy Turnblad (Adee David) falls for teen idol Link Larkin (Nate Willey) and wants to racially integrate the Corny Collins Show. Standing in her way is the spiteful and prejudiced Amber Von Tussle (Sarah Daniels) who is using Link as her way to fame. The plot thickens and results in jail time after a protest against the segregation policy of the TV show.

The drama aside, the highlight of the production of course is the toe-tapping songs including “Good Morning Baltimore,” “Big, Blonde and Beautiful,” “You Can’t Stop The Beat” and “Welcome to the ‘60s.” Motormouth Maybelle (Tarra Conner Jones) brings down the house with her powerful and poignant version of “I Know Where I’ve Been.” Amber Von Tussle (Sarah Daniels) directs a humorous “Cooties”  at rival Tracy.

A highlight for me was the dance and song duet by Wilbur Turnblad (Eddie Curry) and Edna Turnblad (Daniel Klingler). Their rendition of “You’re Timeless To Me” was one of the funniest and most cleverly choreographed numbers I have seen in a long time. Eddie Curry, by the way, is also the Director of the show.

Every song will have you smiling. The characters will have you rooting for them or loving to hate! The B&B orchestra once again will amaze you with the quality and depth of music it produces. The sets and lighting seamlessly support the production. The costumes are fabulous. Have you figured it out yet? Do not miss Hairspray.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Hairspray is now on stage through Oct. 6. Tickets include the dinner buffet and are available by calling the box office at 317.872.9664. For more information, including show schedule, visit the Beef & Boards website.

 

Love the dancing of 42nd Street at Beef & Boards

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If you love classic musicals live on stage get to Beef & Boards during the current run of 42nd Street. This Tony Award winning show has all of the elements that make Broadway musicals so entertaining: song, dance, romance, and did I say dance?

“We’re In The Money” is one of the highlights of the show

This production features newcomers to B&B as well as some of your favorites from past shows. Dan Bob Higgins plays Billy Lawlor along side of Mark Epperson playing the show manager. Sarah Hund is Dorthy Brock, an egotistical veteran actress. Kaylee Verble makes her B&B debut as the lead part of Peggy Sawyer, an aspiring gal from Allentown, Pennsylvania hoping to make it on Broadway.

You will recognize several of the songs in 42nd Street. “You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me,” “Dames,” “We’re In the Money,” and “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” will get your feet tapping to the tunes. The dancing can be described as superb. The precision tap dances are some of the best I’ve seen.  “We’re In The Money” brought down the house. It was the best number I have  seen during years of enjoying Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre.

Ron Morgan’s choreography brings out the best in his dancers. Jill Kelly Howe’s costumes are stunning to see and Kristy Templet continues to amaze with the marvelous music from the small live orchestra. Hats off to the direction of Eddie Curry that brings it all together. 42nd Street is a joyful toe tapping treat!

42nd Street is on stage for through May 19. For reservations, call the 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. Mondays. For complete show schedule, visit the Beef & Boards website.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat thrills the crowds at Beef & Boards

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The cast sings “Go, Go, Go Joseph” Courtesy B&B Media

The cast sings “Go, Go, Go Joseph” Courtesy B&B Media

Beef & Boards is offering the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice production of  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as its first musical of the 2017 season. Prepare to put a smile on your face as you enjoy this delightful presentation at Indy’s beloved dinner theatre that runs through March 26th.

Tim Wessel has the title role. Having been the understudy for the character in the recent National Tour, Wessel brings a life long love of the production to his performance. Based on the Old Testament story of Joseph and his life in Egypt, the show was nominated for seven Tony Awards during its Broadway run. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat features a wide variety of music including country, rock, pop and even calypso.

All aspects of the production reveal the professionalism and expertise of the Beef & Boards theatre. The costumes designed by Jill Kelly are a visual treat. The stage set is both dynamic and stunning. The orchestra, directed by Kristy Templet, brings an amazing variety of music to the stage. Doug King both directs and choreographs with an eye for an exciting show. The dancing is superb. Hats off to the talented kids in the Children’s Ensembles who show remarkable on stage poise and talent.

Andrea Fleming makes her B&B debut as the Narrator. Douglas E. Stark in his 45th year in the business is delightful in his portrayal of Jacob and Potiphar. Look for hilarious anachronisms that pop up all through the show including Disco, country swing, and of course Elvis.

Andrea Fleming as the Narrator Courtesy B&B Media

Andrea Fleming as the Narrator Courtesy B&B Media

Ryan Neal Green is incredible in his number that has Pharaoh turning into an Egyptian version of Elvis, complete with the hair and gyrating hips. Prepare to tap your feet, smile and think “are they really doing this?” Once again the elaborate costumes add to the splendor of the number. Green’s kibitzing with the crowd adds yet another dimension to the scene.

This production has gone to the top of the list for our favorite shows we have enjoyed at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Every aspect of the show is exciting and surprising. The finale of the show has the entire Company in the “Joseph Megamix” featuring a wildly energetic number that acts a a wrap up. You’ll love it. Don’t miss this show.

Check the Beef & Boards website for information. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 317.872.9664 between 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays. Tickets include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet, fruit & salad bar, and select beverages. Plenty of free parking is available.

Beef & Boards takes you Into the Woods

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Little Red Ridinghood (Jaddy Ciucci), right, asks for a loaf of bread from the Baker (Don Farrell), left, and his wife (Meaghan Sands), center, in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. Photo courtesy B&B media

Little Red Ridinghood (Jaddy Ciucci), right, asks for a loaf of bread from the Baker (Don Farrell), left, and his wife (Meaghan Sands), center, in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. Photo courtesy B&B media

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre ventures into new territory this fall with its production of Into the Woods, the Stephen Sondheim musical version of classic Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales. This production first hit the Broadway stage in 1987 with multiple Tony Awards to its credit. Disney made a movie of the tale in 2014.

This striking production takes beloved fairy tales through two different stages. The first act brings the familiar story lines to the audience with music and clever comedy. Cinderella wants to attend the “festival”, Little Red Ridinghood is off to Granny’s house with a basket of goodies, Jack (of beanstalk fame) wants his cow to give milk and the baker and his wife want a baby. Rapunzel is also looking for a suitor to save her from her life in the tower. Happily ever after comes at the conclusion of Act 1.

Act 2 explores what occurs after “Happily Ever After”. Decisions have consequences is the theme of the often dark side of the continuation of the story lines. Let me just say that events that occur in Act 2 do not always fit into a “Happily” ever after definition.

The live orchestra brings vibrant music to the many songs performed for this production. The acting is superb with realistic character development. The set design for the woods is moody to fit, including the moving turntable that gives the illusion of the characters covering long distances as they weave in and out through the trees. You’ll feel the impact of the footsteps of the giants as well!

The Wolf (Timothy Ford) encounters Little Red Ridinghood (Jaddy Ciucci) as she journeys to her grandmother’s house. Photo courtesy B&B media

The Wolf (Timothy Ford) encounters Little Red Ridinghood (Jaddy Ciucci) as she journeys to her grandmother’s house. Photo courtesy B&B media

The costumes both set the stage and fit the characters. Of special note is the incredible makeup for the Witch. Her face will bring an unsettling vision to your eyes. Likewise the frightening presentation of the Wolf as he stalks Red Riding Hood will both delight and scare.

Please note that this performance is recommended for audiences age 13 and above.

Into the Woods is on stage through Nov. 20 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets range from $41 to $66 and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet and select beverages. Parking is always free. For reservations, call the 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. Mondays. Go to the Beef & Boards website for complete details.