Indianapolis Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Review: Sparklejollytwinklejingley Delight ELF THE MUSICAL at Clowes Hall
by The Marriage Matinee - December 18, 2024

Last night’s performance of Elf The Musical at Clowes Memorial Hall was nothing short of magical—a joyful, heartwarming celebration of the holiday season that left the audience grinning from ear to ear....

Review: A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL at Beef & Boards Brings Holiday Cheer & Charm
by The Marriage Matinee - December 03, 2024

It’s Indiana at Christmastime. We all know what ancient VHS, dusty DVD, or TV holiday film special is ready to roll: A CHRISTMAS STORY. After all, it has everything you could ask for. A small town, a lovable family, snow, shenanigans, and heartwarming scenes. Now, imagine all of that plus music. Cue...

Review: A Treasured Tradition - FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Beef & Boards
by The Marriage Matinee - October 14, 2024

In the repertoire of well-known musicals, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is right towards the top. It is a beloved tale of human resilience, prejudice, romance, humor, loyalty, and the not-so-simple intricacies of navigating family life in a changing world. It speaks to theatergoers around the world on differe...

Review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Sings at Beef & Boards
by The Marriage Matinee - September 03, 2024

I had the absolute pleasure of attending Million Dollar Quartet at Beef & Boards, and I can't recommend it highly enough! From the moment the lights dimmed, I was transported back to that legendary day in 1956 when four rock 'n' roll legends came together for an impromptu jam session at Sun Records....

Review: WHITE CITY MURDER at Phoenix Theatre
by Melissa Hall - July 25, 2024

There are a few Indy performers whose name alone is enough to get me to their show. Ben Asaykwee and Claire Wilcher are two of those actors. They’ve come together for “White City Murder”, an original musical Asaykwee created about the serial killer H.H. Holmes, who made his mark at the Chicago’s Wor...

Review: LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL Dazzles at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
by The Marriage Matinee - July 16, 2024

We recently had the pleasure of attending 'Legally Blonde: The Musical' at Beef & Boards, and it was an absolutely phenomenal experience from start to finish. The production was a brilliant blend of humor, heart, and high-energy performances that left the audience thoroughly entertained and inspired...

Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
by Melissa Hall - May 29, 2024

A trip on the yellow brick road is not a rare occurrence in local theater, but some productions just hit it out of the park. The current one at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre managed to find the perfect cast, include a wonderfully fresh and diverse group, including Bessie D. Smith as the delightfully ...

Review: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical - A Vibrant Tribute to a Legend at Old National Center
by The Marriage Matinee - May 01, 2024

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, gracing the stage of the illustrious Murat Theatre, is an exhilarating journey through the life and music of one of the most iconic figures in the history of popular music. Spanning two acts, this production not only celebrates Tina Turner's unparalleled talent but als...

Review: Rumors of ANASTASIA at Civic Theatre
by The Marriage Matinee - April 28, 2024

Surrounded by the political intrigue, Rasputin's influence on the royal family, and the enduring mystery of any potential survivors of the Romanov tragedy -- Enter ANASTASIA a musical at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre that dares to explore the tantalizing possibility that one of the Czar's daughters...

Review: THE KING AND I at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
by Melissa Hall - April 11, 2024

Thirty years ago I saw my very first professional musical. I was just a kid, and I was in awe of the performance at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. That very same show, The King and I, is on stage now and the magic is still there. It may be tinged with nostalgia for me, but the talent on stage is unde...

Review: The Train to Pain Rolls Through Indy: HADESTOWN at Clowes Memorial Hall
by The Marriage Matinee - April 05, 2024

Hadestown, the Tony Award-winning musical, has continued to enchant audiences with its unique blend of myth, music, and storytelling. Recently, a performance at Clowes Memorial Hall offered a glimpse into this underworld tale, showcasing both the production's prowess and the talent of its cast....

Review: Honey, Honey Get to MAMMA MIA! at Clowes Memorial Hall
by The Marriage Matinee - February 29, 2024

MAMMA MIA! is an electrifying and heartwarming musical that never fails to delight audiences, and the national tour I experienced last night was no exception. From start to finish, the production was filled with infectious energy, stunning choreography, and, most importantly, incredible vocal perfor...

Review: A Beautiful Tribute: Reflecting on BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Beef & Boards
by The Marriage Matinee - February 11, 2024

Last night, I had the pleasure of immersing myself in the timeless melodies and poignant story of 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical' at Beef & Boards. From start to finish, the production radiated charm, nostalgia, and heartfelt emotion, leaving the audience entranced and uplifted. As I reflect on...

Review: THE MINUTES at American Lives Theatre
by Melissa Hall - January 29, 2024

The stodgy claustrophobic feel of the first half of the show is intentional and director Christ Saunders handles it beautifully. We are meant to be just as frustrated as Mr. Peel at the red tape and wheel spinning of the committee....

Review: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Clowes Memorial Hall
by The Marriage Matinee - January 25, 2024

'To Kill a Mockingbird' remains relevant and poignant, addressing themes that resonate across generations. The play's success lies not only in its compelling source material but also in the exceptional talent of the cast, particularly the nuanced portrayal of Atticus Finch and the authentic depictio...

Review: MENOPAUSE: THE MUSICAL Perfect Parodies and Loads of Laughs at Beef & Boards
by The Marriage Matinee - January 08, 2024

Any show that calls itself 'Something - the Musical' is unabashedly announcing to its audience: 'We're goofy, and we know it.' This production unabashedly embraces its cheesiness from the start. Any critic versed in this theatrical tradition wouldn't have anticipated Menopause the Musical to be a hi...

Review: MATILDA at Buskirk-Chumley Theater
by Melissa Hall - December 19, 2023

Matilda is an entertaining show, but the message at its heart is the transformative power of finding love and connection. And that's just about perfect for the holiday season.  ...

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Indiana Repertory Theatre
by Melissa Hall - December 06, 2023

A Christmas Carol is back at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. This holiday tradition is an audience favorite for a reason. New this year, Priscilla Lindsay directs and brings so much humor into the show with playful moments between the cast members. ...

Review: I'm Dreaming of a Beef & Boards WHITE CHRISTMAS
by The Marriage Matinee - November 26, 2023

There are many films that can be considered iconic, and that is especially true of holiday films. However, there is a special place in so many hearts for Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS. Its staying power has held true since its premiere in 1954, and there can be no doubt as to why. Every scene is f...

Review: FROZEN at Murat Theatre Is Mystical, Magical, Fractal Fun
by The Marriage Matinee - November 19, 2023

FROZEN the film has captivated audiences with its magic, charm, and music since its release in 2013, and FROZEN the musical is all the same elements with some important and impactful twists. It’s a true spectacular and engaging for audience members young, old, and everything in between. So if you ha...

Review: FROZEN with Broadway Across America
by Melissa Hall - November 22, 2023

The mega-hit musical Frozen is on stage now at the Old National Centre. I can’t think of many shows that would be a better fit for a child’s first Broadway experience. These characters are so beloved and watching the show was like leaning into one of Olaf’s warm hugs....

Review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Beef & Boards
by The Marriage Matinee - October 13, 2023

Originally created by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber more than 50 years ago, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is gracing the stage of Beef & Boards. Fun fact that this show was what launched Rice and Lloyd Webber’s illustrious careers, continuing with more musical collaborations includ...

Review: MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN at Indiana Repertory Theatre
by Melissa Hall - September 24, 2023

Do you think you know the story of Frankenstein? Do you picture a green-skinned creature with bolts in his neck? The true story is less about the monster than it is about its creator and this adaptation looks closely at the writer behind the story. It's a tale of man's hubris and catastrophic guilt ...

Review: GRUMPY OLD MEN Reels in the Laughs at Beef & Boards
by The Marriage Matinee - August 29, 2023

GRUMPY OLD MEN split guts and warmed hearts when it first hit theaters as a movie in 1993, and its musical adaptation is no different. The musical on stage now at Beef & Boards maintains all of the charms and chortles of the original and incorporates new, reimagined moments for many of the character...